The harsh sounds of heavy banging on the servant's door announced the arrival of the slaver with the general's merchandise. Gallus, a lean, middle aged man with a pleasant face and a thick head of black hair, hurried to answer the door. Since he was the steward of the household, one of his requirements was to handle chores such as this. He had been warned of the coming arrival, so, after signing for his master's purchase, he took possession of the household's newest member.
The slave was wearing a torn, brown tunic that had definitely seen its better days. Gallus wrinkled his nose at the aroma that was rising from the barbarian. Considering the quick conveyance, the slave hadn't been cleaned before delivery. Grabbing the leash that dangled from his tied hands, he pulled the new slave through the kitchen and into one of the storage rooms in the house.
"First, we have to do something about your clothes," Gallus commented as they walked by several boxes and chests lining the wall.
The steward left the new slave standing by the open doorway that led into the atrium, bent down and opened a large wooden chest that was sitting in the corner of the room. Glancing over the lean build of the slave, Gallus rummaged around in it until he found the outfit he had been looking for. When he stood up with the clean clothing, he noticed the young man frowning as he looked through the door into the atrium. Glancing along the man's line of sight, the steward spied the atrium's shrine.
"It's a shrine to the households' Gods," he said, beginning the young man's education into his new environment.
Gallus gathered up the leash and placed his hand behind the slave's elbow, then moved through the doorway, heading across the atrium. "First, a bath, then a change of clothes, followed by something to eat. Do you have a name?" he asked, directing the young man toward the bathing area.
"Nicholas," was the curt reply.
"Well, Nicholas. The master may change that; we'll have to wait and see." Glancing at the young man as they moved through a brightly painted hallway, he said, "I know you haven't received any training in the manners that are expected of you. The best advice I can give you is keep your eyes down and don't speak until spoken to."
They walked past several guestrooms and the master's bedroom on their way to the bathing pools. They were approaching the hot pool when a deep voice emanating from behind them was heard to say, "Gallus, I have need of a bath." The steward quickly turned and beheld General Lucius striding toward them.
After noticing the aroma that rose from the unwashed body at the auction, Lucius knew his efficient steward would insist on a bath first. Asking for such a quick delivery, assured that the usual pampering wouldn't be accomplished before the young slave was brought to his new home. <And I want to see exactly *what* I have bought> thought the Roman. He looked up as Gallus interrupted his pleasant thoughts.
"Master, let me send someone to aid you. You shouldn't be doing this alone!" his efficient steward remarked, spying the clothing slung over the general's arm.
"It's all right, Gallus. Looking at Nicholas, he continued, "Send the new slave to attend to my needs." Moving past them, Lucius strode down the corridor and into the moisture-laden room beyond.
Hurrying after his master into the bathing room, the older man panted, "Master, are you sure? He hasn't been prepared yet. Nor has he received any instructions on how to behave..." Gallus began.
"I will undertake the training of this one myself." Lucius interrupted as he laid his clean clothing on a long bench set near the door. "He is to be my personal servant. Leave his things and remove his bonds," the general ordered, turning away from both men as he quickly shed his clothing. Dropping his soiled garments on the damp floor, he walked over to a large cupboard standing against the far wall and removed a beautifully detailed jar.
When he glanced back at the two men, Lucius noted Gallus had deposited the clean clothing on the nearby bench and was attempting to untie the ropes confining the new slave. When the ropes finally gave, the young man gasped slightly and gingerly rubbed his sore wrists as the steward gathered up Lucius' discarded tunic and left.
Lucius slowly walked back around the pool, aware that his new slave was warily watching him the whole time. He held out the jar to the young man and said, "Here, take this oil and rub it on me." After a moment's hesitation, Lucius watched as the man came to a decision -- he took the jar and poured a generous amount onto his hand.
Lucius sat on one of the small stools that he had arranged near the water's edge. Turning partially away from his new prize, he waited for the man to begin. Soon, two strong hands tentatively began massaging the oil onto his shoulders, working in sure, steady strokes. As the hands moved across his shoulders and down his back, Lucius felt a recognizable stirring in his groin which quickly grew as the firm grip of the new slave moving across his body.
Raising each of the general's arms, the oil was rubbed carefully onto the skin, before the slave moved to Lucius' chest. The Roman managed several casual brushes against an arm or leg during this light rubdown, all the while gazing at the way the broad chest flexed as the slave moved. Knowing something of the culture this barbarian came from, Lucius expected him to avoid the washing of his lower body. Now was the time to see just how flexible his new toy would be. He was looking forward to the education of this one very much.
When the slave had completely covered his new master's upper body in the scented oil, he stepped back and waited. Lucius rose and said, "Come. Remove your clothing. I want to finish my bath." Moving into the warm pool, he stopped and looked over his shoulder when he didn't hear any movement behind him. The slave was standing where Lucius had left him, a surprised expression on his face.
"Well?"
"Milord?"
"Remove your clothes and get in the pool!" Lucius repeated, a little tone of annoyance creeping into his voice.
Lucius smiled when he saw the young man begin to pull his tunic off after a moment's hesitation. Turning back, the general waded through the pool, heading for the built-in shelf that was submerged just below the surface.
General Lucius eased onto the bench, then gazed at the young man as he dropped his tunic on the floor and stepped down into the pool. Leaning back, he spread his arms gracefully across the pool's edge and avidly watched his new slave splash toward him.
"What were you called in your homeland?"
"Nicholas, lord."
Leaning forward, Lucius quickly replied, "No! Not lord. Master! I am your master now, Nicholas." Pausing, he continued, "Nicholas...," he murmured, as if he was tasting the name. "I believe I like that. You may keep it," he stated, trying to be magnanimous.
"Thank you...master," Nicholas mumbled, trying not to reply sarcastically.
"Now, I require you to finish with my bath," the Roman said as he picked up a cloth that was lying on the edge of the pool and handed it to Nicholas.
Taking the cloth, the young man began to rinse the general, dripping water across Lucius' skin as he ran the cloth across the firm body of his owner. When Lucius rose from the bench and stood waiting, Nicholas backed up slightly, confusion evident on his face.
"Well?" Lucius asked.
"What, master?"
"You need to finish."
"I...." he said, shrugging his shoulders slightly in nervous reaction.
With an exasperated sigh, Lucius reached out, grasped Nicholas' wrist and brought the hand that still held the cleaning cloth down to his groin. His partially swollen penis jerked slightly as the cloth brushed against it, displaying his enjoyment in the physical contact that he had experienced so far.
"Nicholas jerked away and gasped, "No, milord!" as he backed away from the Roman.
"Nicholas..." Lucius warned, sensing that his new toy was about to flee.
"No, milord! It's an unnatural thing you're demanding!" he declared, as he continued to slowly back away.
"Come here, Nicholas! You have no say in the matter," Lucius demanded. He cursed under his breath as Nicholas slipped out of the pool, grabbed the tunic Gallus had brought and vanished through the doorway into the house.
"Gallus!! Gallus!!" Lucius yelled, anger dripping from his voice as he climbed out of the pool.
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