Tiburtius and Crassus

The journey proved uneventful after the soldiers -satisfied with Crassus s reply had rode off and the slave was able to sit with them and enjoy the journey.

They stopped for lunch roughly about half way, and during the feast asked the new lad more about himself and found he was named Octavian and he became Christian when his master of which he was the only slave, converted unfortunately a relative gave his master away to the soldiers and he was thrown to the wild beasts, leaving Octavian to fend for himself when the Villa was burned down and his masters lands seized by the treacherous relative.

He had related the how he came to be in Cumae earlier.

They tucked in to a nice meal and Octavian relaxed now he seemed to be with friends, who had already saved him.

Tiburtius explained how he had been helped and eventually adopted as his son by Crassus.

They continued to Rome and were soon all three relaxing in the baths at the Villa. Crassus told Octavian to always act the part of a new slave, but he promised him he wouldn't be treated as such, only when they had company . Crassus gave him the bedroom that had originally been Tiburtius, Octavian could not believe his luck as he saw the beautiful Divan and the damasks that covered it.

Crassus and Tiburtius took him through to the Triclinium and told Octavian to dress in the clothes Crassus had prepared, the lad did so immediately and stripped naked in front of the two, eager to try on his new gear.

The lad had a lovely lithe body and blushed when he realised he was being watched and tried to cover his rather splendid cock and balls. Crassus reassured him and said he would never need to hide as he was safe from anyone wanting to assault him or take him against his will. The lad smiled and tears started to appear in his eyes, and Tiburtius recalled his first meeting with Crassus, which had a similar effect on him.

The lad took his leave and went to his room, very tired from the journey and all that had happened to him.

Crassus and Tiburtius went to their room and soon both were fast asleep in each others arms after their long journey.

They were awoken the next morning by heavy banging on the door of the Villa, Crassus arose and looked through the window into the courtyard, where one of the servants was running to see who was at the door.

Crassus saw that a Centurion carrying a scroll was being led across the yard and up the steps to his quarters.

It transpired that the Emperor, pleased by Tiburtius s display at Cumae and suspecting that the other slave had somehow fled to Rome, was ordering a search of all Villas on the outskirts of Rome seeking the slave as he had taken a fancy to him.

Crassus related to the Centurion that the slave had certainly not travelled with them, but he had a distant nephew, who in his absence had been engaged as a new servant, but could not possibly be the one sought by the emperor.

He was welcome to see the new servant if he wished, but as he was employed while they were in Cumae, he couldn't possibly be the one, as the slave in question was there at the same time.

The centurion nodded and explained that the Emperor had ruled that the search must take place and would be arriving later that day as they had started on the Via Ostiense .

He left and immediately Crassus rose Tiburtius and Octavian, explaining about the search.

Crassus tried to think of how they could keep Octavian safe and hit on the idea of having Octavian and Tiburtius on the roof, on the pretext of some loose tiles, if Octavian kept his face away and Tiburtius masked him from the ground, hopefully they would be satisfied with the explanation Crassus had given the Centurion about a distant nephew.

It was late afternoon when the sound of a troop of soldiers was seen on the Via approaching, Octavian and Tiburtius with a small basket of tiles, climbed the ladder on to the roof. Crassus went to greet the Centurion and bid his servants provide wine for the weary soldiers.

The Centurion and four assistants searched the Villa while the remainder were given fruit and wine.

Crassus pointed out the two on the roof, busying themselves supposedly replacing loose and broken tiles.

Tiburtius waved to the Centurion making sure he masked Octavians face from the ground, the Centurion returned the wave, convinced nothing was amiss. He joined his troops and had some wine and fruit before leaving, happy with the result of the search.

When Crassus was sure they had gone, seeing them disappear up the Via back to Rome, the three enjoyed a meal and Octavian thanked them once again for keeping him safe.

That evening Crassus trusted Octavian enough to tell him that he and Tiburtius were lovers, surprised at the lads reaction, he seemed cool with it all, he revealed that the friend who had been killed in the circus, had been his lover.

He had seen him raped by several of the gladiators till he was bleeding and then was killed in a most brutal manner.

Crassus was secretly hoping that word never got back to the Emperor as both Tiburtius and Octavian were just what the Emperor liked, and he would hate either of them to suffer that fate.

He would think of a way to keep them both safe, so far all had gone well, but it was early days.

The next week a letter arrived from the Emperor for Crassus, he sat in his room and read it, It bore news he had been dreading, the Emperor had been in the position for ten years and as part of the celebration was visiting his Senators in their Villas and a fortnights time was designated for Crassus to entertain the Emperor with a suitable feast and entertainment, as his was one of the largest on the Via.

Crassus let both Tiburtius and Octavian into the news, and said they would have to some how disguise Octavian as the Emperor was sure to recognize him and thereby know that Crassus had betrayed him and was hiding the boy.

They thought all that afternoon then suddenly Tiburtius had a great idea! Masks! he said Crassus looked at him, Masks ?? said Crassus, Yes a theatrical play said Tiburtius we could wear masks so he wouldn't recognize Octavian and he could be a girl with long hair and a Chinon . Wouldn't that appendage be visible through the dress.

We would have to strap it tight he said, Tiberius is only interested in young lads, not girls, so long as Octavian plays the part and goes to the girls quarters all could be well.

Great we will sort the mask wig and dress, lets hope it works or we could all end up dead as traitors.

(to be continued)