Fortune Favors

Chapter 10

The public baths of Palatine Hill were excellent, but Sam took Nico to a large, private bathhouse that had some of the finest facilities city. Sam knew Nico would be impressed. Clean, large and with multiple amenities such as an area for exercise, a library and a green space for relaxing, they had whiled away several hours. They had exercised, bathed in one of the main pools and now both young men were lying on their stomachs in one of the smaller, heated chambers and enjoying the massage services of some of the attendants.

This bath was highly respectable, so available prostitutes were discrete so as not offend the many Roman matrons who attended. Even the massage services were chaste, designed to help muscle tension and no other type of tension. Augustus's enforcement of morality codes ensured all of this.

Certainly, there were plenty of seedier bathhouses, not to mention brothels, not far away because the city hadn't changed that much, but this bathhouse maintained a veneer of respectability.

Still, as far as Sam could see, Nico seemed content with things as they were and didn't seem to crave anything else.

Since it was his job to make Nico happy, Sam wondered what other kinds of pleasure Nico would want and whether he would even need Sam's help in obtaining it. Nico, who was one of the most beautiful young men he had ever seen, was dark haired and honey-eyed and every bit as an Adonis as the mosaic had portrayed, and he would have no problem finding women to warm his bed. The bathhouse attendants, both men and women, seemed eager to give him extra attention, smiling and one young man even winked. Sam even wondered if maybe Sabina would find him a worthy alternative to Eolus once she met him.

In fact, Sam himself had felt a bit flustered at the sight of Nico's naked body, so much he had had to studiously avoid Nico's eyes when they were in the pool together. Even now, Sam tried to keep his eyes on the floor and only occasionally glanced over at the young Greek whose company he had already found so engaging.

Sam was devoted to Lilli, but he had always found the sight of beautiful young men pleasing. Aside from a few light encounters, the kind that were commonplace among boys, he had never acted on these feelings. As Augustus had taught him, he always channeled his desires to his wife. Yet, Sam had to work not to stare at Nico.

"I so need this," sighed the young Greek. "I haven't slept in a proper bed in weeks, and I've never traveled quite so far from home. Every muscle in my body has been aching."

Sam inhaled deeply, enjoying the strong hands of the man who was rubbing his shoulders. "Hopefully, you'll sleep well tonight, especially if the ill spirits are truly gone from your house."

Sam turned and saw Nico was looking at him with what only could be described as amusement. "The moment you walked into my door, I knew that no ill omens could remain on the house."

Sam looked away, feeling his cheeks get warm. Nico's remark seemed flirtatious, though Sam couldn't be certain. "I'm sure the bed will be comfortable as well." Sam felt like he should mention he was married, but surely Nico had seen his ring. "You've obtained a featherbed I assume?"

Nico yawned and seemed to be enjoying the massage. "I think my women should be finished sewing it by tonight. I'm looking forward to it. I lived rough on the road, sleeping only on straw and only that if it was available. Although, I was happy to make the trip. I saw many things during the journey, and I plan on seeing many things while I'm here."

"Had you traveled much before?' asked Sam. Sam had seen much of Gaul's coast when he was a boy, but since he had moved to Rome he had not been outside the city much except a few trading trips with Eolus.

Nico nodded. "My family builds ships," he replied. "I've been to Byzantium and Alexandria. I was at Actium, on one of the ships that fought for Octavian. I mean Augustus."

Sam was impressed by this, of course. Actium was the greatest Roman victory of all time, and it had secured Augustus's hold on power.

"I've never put much stock in the gods," replied Sam, "but those that were there tell me that the wind favored Augustus so much that even the most irreligious men believed his victory was fated."

Nico turned to look at Sam. "You know, I saw him from a distance. He was standing on the deck of his ship. If he was scared, there was no sign of it."

Sam was pleased to hear this but not at all surprised. Augustus...Gaius...did believe that the gods were with him, and he also believed in the responsibility that came with that. "Augustus isn't like Marc Antony was. He's confident, and he can be ruthless. But he needs no more money or glory. He wants to do right by Rome. Perhaps that's why the gods favor him so much."

"You know him then?" asked Nico.

Sam turned away, and then said casually. "My family always backs the right horse, and they've backed the Julian party going back to Julius Caesar and the days of the first triumvirate. Augustus has been to the house many a time, especially before Actium."

Nico seemed very interested. "What manner of man is he? Really?"

Sam thought carefully. It was so hard to articulate Augustus's character. "He's brilliant but cold and measured. He'll do what he thinks is best always, whatever the cost to himself. He is...pure-hearted but not warm." Sam heard his own voice and realized that he may not be making his case well.

Nico didn't say a word, but he seemed to be thinking about this carefully. Sam didn't blame him. All of their fates were in Augustus's hands after all.

In any case, the two young men soon were redressed in fresh tunics, and they headed back to the Domus Brutus. Down one of the less busy streets, Sam heard a soft whining sound coming from one of the fountains. He moved to check and saw a waterlogged kitten flailing in an attempt to save itself from drowning.

Sam retrieved the animal from the fountain, examining it for wounds but also petting it. Sam then cuddled it close to his body, not minding the fur and moisture that would stick to his tunic.

"This little fellow appears to have had a bad day," said Sam.

"Not so much now that he's found a savior," replied Nico, clearly amused. "What do you plan to do with him? There's so many dogs and other beasts roaming about, perhaps letting him drown would be the kindest thing."

Sam looked at the sad little feline, who was black with a white stomach and white paws and white whiskers, and Sam shook his head. "My wife is taking bed rest. No doubt she is bored to tears and could use company other than the household women. She's also rather fond of cats and rather averse to mice. I think this little fellow ...or rather girl...will bring her good cheer."

Nico smiled at the kitten, and he spoke softly. "May the gods favor the birth, your son be strong. Your wife is a lucky woman to have such a caring husband. How long have you been wed?"

"Almost a year," said Sam. "She's a true Roman, and she's beautiful and virtuous, and I am a very lucky man." Sam sighed and petted the kitten's head. "Her women are far too strict about not letting me near her. I think I shall take this girl home, clean her and put a bow around her neck before passing her to my wife through the back window."

Nico also petted the kitten, which elicited a soft mew. "I've got some silk ribbon that was meant to be a gift for your mother, but I think I might spare a length. I'm not quite ready to dine with the jackals of your family, but if you come to my house, we can clean this girl up and tie her neck with ribbon that would be the envy of Augustus's wife. Then, we shall have whatever my cook has prepared for this evening's meal. I assure you that the ritual cleansing has been done."

Sam smiled at Nico, and he graciously accepted the invitation. He had only one friend his own age, and that was Marcus, and he was far away. It was good to have a new friend, especially one that didn't mind a guest with a waterlogged stray kitten.