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Notes and Warnings The story 'When in Rome' is Rated NC-17 for explicit sex. If it's illegal for you, or if you find it personally distasteful, to read something rated NC-17, then don't. This story contains scenes of explicit sex; hetero, gay and non-consensual. If any of this bothers you, or if you're a minor, then please don't read it. Note: Aureus was the gold coinage of the day. The majority of this story is written as a dream. As such, any problem that would have naturally cropped up, like language, time frame, etc, is explained away by that fact. Any inaccurate statements about ancient Rome are unintentional. I relied on old movies, the Encarta, and Susan's research for all my background notes. The present time line is just after Ashes to Ashes. Hopefully everyone enjoys LaCroix' dream. <gr> |
The tall, pale man wandered down the sidewalk, glancing at the people and lights that made up this city. With the Raven closed for repairs, for the first time in a long, long while, he was free of any obligations.
Crossing a side street, Lucien LaCroix noticed the flickering display of a large screen TV playing in the window of the electronic store just ahead. The store had a dozen smaller televisions set up on either side of the projection set, with all of them tuned to the same channel.
He turned to face the store, a slow smile stealing across his usually stoic features. Hollywood's version of ancient Rome scrolled across the screens in one of those old color panoramas that the movie industry used to produce in the fifties and sixties. When the general in the movie charged down on the barbarians in the name of the emperor, LaCroix turned away.
"If they only knew," he mumbled to himself, a shadow of the smile still displayed on his face. Growing bored with his casual wanderings, LaCroix checked the link with his son and felt Nicholas busy with his mortal pastime. "Good," whispered through the clear, cold air as the old vampire launched himself into the night.
A short time later, the whoosh of displaced air filled the loft, announcing the arrival of a visitor. With the case of wine laced blood deposited on the kitchen counter, LaCroix shed his coat and threw it across the kitchen table. Pulling two bottles free and taking a glass down from the cabinet, he walked into the living room. The elder man set the two bottles on the table, then glanced around the room for his son's remote.
"Ah, there it is," he softly stated as he pulled it out from under the pillows lying on the floor in front of the fireplace. Pointing the remote at the big screen, the elder man turned the TV on and closed the shutters, then leaned over to pour himself a large glass of the dark, ruby liquid. The battle was just about over and the general had ordered his officers to round up all the survivors for shipment back to Rome -- as slaves.
Stretching out on the couch, he watched the fictional account of Roman life as he sipped on his drink. Because of the battle he had fought in the Raven the other night, he was still feeling fatigued. As a result, it was no surprise when LaCroix slipped into a restful doze as the movie ran toward its predictable conclusion.
The slave market was bustling with activity. For most of the morning, a parade of flesh had been prodded and dragged across the large, wooden platform that prominently filled the middle of the small square. Lucius leaned against the trunk of a great oak tree located on the edge of the square and watched the slavers shove another of the prisoners up the few steps of the platform.
With all the prisoners he had brought back, the sales would probably go on for several days. They had taken several hundred women during this campaign, but only a little over one hundred of the barbarian warriors had been taken alive. <So few,> he pondered, <then again, maybe not considering their tendency to fight to the death,> he thought as yet another body was prodded up on the platform.
The man, little more than a boy, was quickly bought by one of the high born and dragged off to be delivered to his new home. Hearing the sounds of a scuffle coming from inside the slave enclosure, Lucius stood up, watching. This might be the one he was waiting for! He had watched this young stallion of a man as they marched back to Rome. Issuing orders to his men, he had insured that this slave would arrive untouched and unmarked. Lucius felt a tingle run down his spine at the prospect of owning this untamed creature.
"Ahhh..." whispered from several patrons when the merchandise was dragged up the steps to the center of the stage. "As perfect a specimen as we've seen in a very long while..." was heard as the young man was forced to the center of the platform. The guard handed the rope to Theodosius, the auctioneer, who jerked on the man's bound wrists, pulling him closer.
Lucius watched as the slave silently fumed against his fate. The young man looked to be tall and slimly built, with much of the last several days travel dust still on him. <They must have had quite a fight on their hands considering they were unable to clean him up for the sale,> Lucius thought with a wicked smile.
Handsome facial features added to his monetary value, as did the blue eyes and long, dark blond, wavy hair, which was disheveled and windblown. His torn light brown tunic was worn with one shoulder bare, which offered a hint of the fluid movement of his body as he struggled to escape Theodosius' hold. A wrapped piece of worked leather served as a belt. The braided hem of his tunic stopped at mid thigh, accenting his height and the firmly detailed muscles of a horseman.
When the barbarian managed to break away from Theodosius, the guards quickly moved in and recaptured him. Dragging the hostile prisoner back to the middle of the platform, the guards shoved him firmly to his knees and tied the loose end of his restraint to a stout ring that was anchored to the wooden stage, then stepped back. The citizens had come after all to see the stock, not the guards.
Slowly standing upright, the barbarian ignored the taut rope digging into his flesh and defiantly stared out at the crowd, his blue eyes flashing his fury. Locking gazes with several potential buyers, he made it clear to all that he was one prize that would not easily submit. The young man glared at Theodosius when the Roman tapped him firmly on the chest with a whip, warning him to cease his subtle attempts to loosen the ropes which firmly held him in place.
When Lucius caught his eye, the prisoner's eyes narrowed in recognition, then grudgingly dropped as the auctioneer stepped up, ready to begin the sale.
"Citizens, we have a fine specimen for sale here. He is another of the new captives brought in yesterday. Young and in prime health, as well as a fiery spirit to boot. He would be capable of handling most of the tasks you set for him." Looking out over the crowd, the auctioneer continued, "The bidding on this one will begin at 500 gold aureus." A low murmur floated through the crowd, but no one challenged the starting price. After seeing the prize, everyone acceded to the slave's value.
"500!" someone hidden in the crowd yelled. Lucius couldn't see who made the bid.
"500, to Citizen Carus Flaxus. Who will bid 600?" Theodosius asked, pleased no one had challenged the large starting price. He hoped this bidding would last for a good while.
"600," a voice from the back boomed out.
"600, from Senator Marcus Avitus."
"800!" General Claudius Pollonius declared.
Trying to build the slave's price even more, Theodosius offered, "I would wager this one would make a excellent breeder. Just the thing to improve your slave lines."
As that comment worked its way through the crowd, Lucius stepped away from the oak tree and began to weave his way through the crowd surrounding the platform -- all the way he kept a watchful eye on the slave, who continued to glare out at the Romans below him. Climbing the steps, the general walked up to stand on the other side of the young man and said to the auctioneer, "I refuse to bid on anything I have not examined first."
"By all means, General. Be my guest." Theodosius replied, greed warring with a healthy respect for this well-known citizen.
Lucius grasped the slave's jaw in a powerful grip and forced his mouth open, checking his teeth. When he released his grip, the young slave jerked his head back and tried to back away, but the rope tether held him in place.
"Be still. I'm not going to hurt you," the general muttered quietly, as he began to run his hands down the taunt neck and shoulders. He pulled the shoulder piece loose and let the tunic hang down by the belt, as a couple of men in the crowd began to hoot and laugh at the show playing out before them.
Lucius felt the young man start as he lightly squeezed a biceps. Moving his scrutiny onward, he controlled his desires and calmly examined the sculptured chest that marked this slave as one of the barbarians' mounted swordsmen. <Ah, yes, this one will be most entertaining,> the general reflected, watching the spirit in the young man silently rage at his handling. He took his time, enjoying the feel of his hands stroking down the muscled frame until he finally arrived at the slave's covered waist.
"1,000 gold aureus," Lucius announced, just loud enough to be heard over the murmur of the crowd. The crowd grew quiet and several members of the crowd glowered silently as the price slid out of their reach.
"1,000, from General Lucius Divius. Are there any more bids?" the auctioneer quickly asked, anticipating great profit in the sale of this particular slave.
"1,200!" General Claudius snapped out, a hungry fire apparent on his face.
Lucius knew Claudius was eyeing the pleasant looking body standing on the platform. Though he would have bid whether Claudius was interested or not, Lucius felt a growing excitement at the prospect of snatching something away from his old adversary. Glancing at his contemporary, Lucius let a cold smile briefly cross his face as he thought of a way to jab his old enemy.
"I need to examine all that I am bidding on before I go any higher," Lucius remarked. He turned his back on Claudius and reached for the belt that was around the slave's waist. Tugging it loose, the tunic slipped down, until it pooled on the ground around the slave's feet.
Grabbing the slave's bound hands, Lucius held the young man still as he pulled on the tight undergarment that was wrapped around the barbarian's groin. He glanced up at the young face when he heard a muffled gasp of protest escape past the clinched jaw. Letting a small smile appear, Lucius muttered just loud enough for the slave to hear. "Good. I wouldn't give my captors the satisfaction of crying out either," then glanced back to the resisting cloth. When he managed to loosen the linen enough, he looked the young man in the eye and slid his hand inside the loincloth, fingertips reaching for the first touch of the silky, tender skin hidden within.
When his fingertips brushed against the limp penis, he stroked down it sensually. Grasping the large scrotum that was hanging there, Lucius gently squeezed, which finally drove an angry growl of frustration from the helpless man.
Slowing removing his hand, Lucius looked at the auctioneer and said, "1,500." Stepping back, he glanced out at the crowd, waiting for someone to challenge his bid. He noted the red flush of Claudius' anger as it swept across his face. <That man could never hide his temper,> Lucius thought with disdain.
"1,500 gold aureus is bid. Are there any more?" the auctioneer asked, looking at the two previous bidders. Senator Marcus graciously signaled he was finished, while Claudius glowered and refused to bid again. He only had so much to invest in one slave, no matter how good he might be.
The auctioneer opened his mouth to call a close on this sale when suddenly a deep voice uttered, "2,000," from the shadows at the back of the square. As everyone turned, curious who was joining the bidding, the Emperor stepped out of the shadows, his guards as usual standing silently nearby.
Lucius grimly smiled and nodded to Emperor Titus Vespasian. <So, this will be harder than I anticipated,> he thought irritably. "2,500," Lucius replied calmly, while inside he was seething at the ill timed luck which brought the Emperor here now.
He watched the Emperor smile at him. The general knew that Vespasian didn't need any more slaves. <He is only bidding to irritate me!>
"2,800 gold aureus," Vespasian returned, glancing from the glowering young slave, to the stiff, silent form of his favorite general. Lucius rarely had anything which he could be ‘teased' with. Vespasian was going to enjoy his playful jabbing.
"3,000!" Lucius responded after several moments of silence had passed. He wasn't going to lose this slave, not even to the Emperor!
Several minutes passed with complete silence reigning over the square, then Lucius saw the Emperor nod his head in defeat and smile lightly just prior to walking back into the shadows behind him.
"Sold to General Lucius for 3,000 gold aureus!" the auctioneer quickly squawked, ecstatic at the profit the slave had generated.
Dragging the fingers of his right hand across the chest of his slave, Lucius spoke to the guards advancing toward them. "Have him delivered to my domus within the hour." At their nods, he jumped off the platform and moved gracefully through the crowd, accepting congratulations from friends and acquaintances who were attending the sale. He glanced back just as the guards herded his new prize off the platform, the discarded tunic thrown over one of the guard's shoulder.
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