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Sons of Antiquity	By : Grumblebear Category: +M to R > Ronin Warriors Views: 2158 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Ronin Warriors, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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Chapter 1

The house along the Tiber remained dark the entire night. That
Touma knew for a fact. He hadn’t been able to sleep, so he had
spent the entire night out on the veranda watching stars, wrapped in
warm blankets to fend off the chill of early March. He had finally
felt the pull of sleep shortly before the sun began to rise and
shuffled sleepily back into his bedchamber. He closed the shutter
doors leading to the veranda and threw himself unceremoniously into
his bed. He was asleep almost immediately. And while he often had
problems getting to sleep, he never had problems staying asleep. He
didn’t rise from his slumber until mid afternoon, when a
servant came in to remind him of his visit with his friend.

He got up grudgingly, his hair a mess and his eyes blurry. A short
time later, once he had washed and dressed, he was back to his normal
self, although still a bit groggy. His horse was being prepared out
on the street and he was pulling on his boots near the entryway to
the atrium when he remembered something. He called out for their head
servant.

“Yes young master?” the wrinkled old man inquired as
he emerged from the kitchen off to one corner of the atrium.

Touma fought to tighten his new boots. New boots meant stiff
laces, and stiff laces were impossible to tighten. “Did any
messages come for me today?”

The old man shook his head. “No sir. All the messages and
letters we have received today have been for your father.”

Disappointed, Touma stared down at his boots.

“I am sorry sir.”

He smiled up at the old man. “Its alright Tullius. I knew
better than to ask. You would have told me the moment something
arrived for me.” He stood and stretched. “Especially if
it meant waking me up.” He playfully made a sour face at the
old man, who often feigned ignorance of his young master’s
sleeping habits.

The old man puffed his chest in mock bravado. “Someone has
to have the guts to face the sleeping beast in his lair.”

Touma chuckled as he began to descend the stairs to the street
below. “I’m not that bad!”

“The young master once threw a pitcher of wine at me!”
the old man wailed to no one in particular.

Touma laughed aloud. That was joke of theirs dating back to an
incident where the old man had accidentally broken a large expensive
pitcher of wine. As a joke and as a way to avoid having the man
punished, they howled back and forth for days that Touma had thrown
it at him in a fit of rage after the old man had roused him in the
middle of a particularly “pleasant” dream. The farce
lasted a week before they finally admitted what happened, more to
save Touma’s reputation in his own house than anything else. In
the end, the amusement that had resulted was compensation enough for
his father. It was still a favorite joke of the household servants
who, for the most part, had known the truth the entire time.

The servant holding Touma’s horse for him helped him mount,
even though he didn’t really need any assistance. He could
vault himself onto a horse as easily and softly as a cat jumping onto
a high ledge. He thanked the man and then started off, winding his
way through several side streets before emerging out onto a large
avenue. He was greeted every few yards by friends of the family or by
those who recognized him from the performances. The boys were still
mild celebrities in the city, so going anywhere meant they had to
fulfill their social obligations to their patrons and at the very
least return their greetings. It made traveling even small distances
difficult and tedious at times.

Luckily for Touma, today was one of the better days. He moved
quickly down the avenue towards the crossroads that lead up into
Palatine Hill, where Rome’s most wealthy and powerful people
lived, including the emperor himself. Soon the roads opened out wider
and the paving stones became more even. The homes lining the roads
grew larger and more extravagant with each passing block. The sounds
of music and perfumes and rich foods wafted out onto the street,
enticing him as he passed. The road soon began sloping upwards,
towards the estates and palaces that graced the highest points on the
large hill.

As he rode, he remembered the first time he had met his friend
Gaius. It had been while he and his friends were still performing
regularly in the theater. Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus,
the famous grandson of the emperor, had attended a show one evening,
and insisted on meeting with the boys afterward. He had immediately
taken a special liking to Touma, and requested that he come visit him
at his grandfather’s estate for an afternoon. Touma had agreed
warily. Gaius was only a few years older than himself, but one could
never be too careful when dealing with royal and political family
members, regardless of age. Power at any price seemed to drive most
of them, and too often their friends and family were caught up in the
turmoil they were constantly surrounded by. At first Touma had felt a
bit bullied into the association, but his worries were soon calmed by
Gaius’ open and carefree nature. They were both pranksters at
heart, and both highly accomplished with a bow, although Gaius was
never able to beat Touma in a match. Over time, the boys developed a
strong friendship, which had survived only a few rough times. Touma
had eventually learned to accept his friends many vices, though the
man’s fascination with watching tortures and executions and
vicious gladiatorial fights still concerned him quite a bit.

He stopped and dismounted before an imposing gate, announcing
himself and removing a pair of sandals from where he had draped them
over his horse’s neck. Almost immediately the gate opened and a
young slave boy appeared. Touma handed his reins to the boy and then
proceeded down a short, lushly decorated stone path and into a large
courtyard. He was greeted by another attendant at the top of a short
flight of stairs that lead up into a portico. Seeing that the visitor
had brought no slave with him to help him with his boots, the
attendant asked him to wait while he fetched one. Touma detested
bringing slaves along on house calls to do simple things that he was
perfectly able to do on his own. To the upper class, bringing slaves
with them everywhere they went was more of a status symbol than a
necessity. The attendant returned quickly, flanked by a young slave
boy carrying a small stool. The boy kept his eyes to the ground as he
placed the stool next to Touma and waited for him to sit. Touma sat
awkwardly and waited while the boy removed his first boot and
replaced it with one of his sandals.

The boy was about to start on the second one when a loud piercing
noise broke through the silence, causing both of them to jump
slightly. The attendant simply rolled his eyes towards the hallway
leading into the main hall of the house. Touma followed his gaze as a
man in a luxurious toga emerged from the hall. He was about a foot
taller than Touma, with golden brown hair that naturally twisted
itself into neat curls, handsomely chiseled features, and sharp brown
eyes that shone with an aggressive kind of mirth. In his right hand
was a large, magnificent bullhorn, accented with gold and jewels and
almost the length of the man’s arm. Touma mused that the beast
that had originally worn the horn atop its head must have been
massive. As the man approached them he grinned carelessly, placed the
small end of the horn to his lips and blew into it with much more
effort than he needed to, with the result that the sound erupting
from the horn reverberated off the ceiling and floors, violently
assaulting their ears. The attendant looked thoroughly annoyed while
the boy looked almost terrified. The man quickly closed the remaining
gap between them and opened his arms wide. Touma quickly stood, still
in one boot and one sandal.

“Touma!” the man exclaimed as they embraced. “I’ve
missed you my friend.”

Touma chuckled. “I’ve missed you as well Gaius. It’s
been awhile. At this rate I’m not sure if I want you to be
considered for emperor. Then I really never would see you anymore!”

“Considered?” the man scoffed. “You would be
beside yourself without me around, I know,” Gaius grinned at
him. “ Oh, look at what arrived for me a short while ago,”
He extended the horn so that Touma could get a better look. “Isn’t
it magnificent? The magistrate from… oh, I forget where, sent
it to me. Whoever he is, he’s won my favor. I’ve been
scaring the household with it all day.” He laughed
mischievously.

Touma smiled. One look at the attendant’s face could have
told him that. His friend was as spirited as ever.

Gaius looked down at the boy waiting patiently to remove his
friend’s other boot. “Honestly Touma! What’s wrong
with your own slaves that you must insist on using mine every time
you come to visit?” Without waiting for an answer, he motioned
for Touma to sit again. “Hurry, hurry. We’ve much to
discuss while the evening is still young.”

Touma did as he was asked and the boy quickly replaced his
remaining boot with his other sandal. As soon as both sandals were
fastened to his feet Gaius took him by the arm and lead him off
quickly into the main house, leaving behind the pair of relieved
attendants.

“So much to discuss! I’ve been away from Rome far too
long. Oh, I wish you could have been with me to see and hear all the
things I’ve been privileged to. I know you don’t like
gossip Touma, but the more one knows about his peers, the more power
he holds over them. And since I’m due to succeed my
grandfather, all the senators and magistrates I’ve met the past
few months have been so eager for my favor that they’ve been
willing to tell me anything I want to know about anyone! There is
hardly a man in all of Rome I don’t hold a secret about now,”
Gaius continued to gush as they wound their way through the main
house towards the back of the estate. “I’m probably more
powerful now with all of my knowledge than the emperor himself!”

Touma cringed inwardly. One thing about Gaius he didn’t like
was the man’s ruthlessness. He had a knack for ferreting out
the secrets of men and then using those secrets for his own gain. Why
more people hadn’t caught on to his tricks Touma would never
know. Then again, perhaps they already knew and were simply so
charmed by the young man’s energy that they thought him
harmless. And Gaius was anything but harmless. He had a vicious sense
of humor and a vengeful spirit. Once you got on his bad side, it was
best to avoid him altogether.

He led Touma out onto a large open terrace over looking the rest
of the houses on the hill below them, and beyond that, the Circus
Maximus. It was a breathtaking view, especially in the light of the
late day. “I never get tired of this view,” Touma said
with a smile.

“Which is why I always bring you here,” Gaius said
gazing out over the city. He admired the view for a moment, then just
as quickly snapped back to attention. “Come! Lets sit. We have
not talked in ages and I want to know what has been occupying your
days.”

They wandered over to a pair of luxurious couches that sat close
enough to the edge to where they could still enjoy the view. In
between them were placed trays of wine and fruit, and they spent the
rest of the afternoon lounging around and talking. The majority of
the conversation focused on Gaius’ travels over the past few
months, and for that Touma was grateful. The last thing he needed was
his friend scolding him about his boring life. We cant all be the
next emperor of Rome, he thought.

He was told of the hundreds of African slaves Gaius had seen while
in Carthage, as well as elephants and a magnificent caged tiger from
India. While speaking of the tiger, Gaius said, “It was one of
the most thrilling things I have ever seen. To see such a huge beast
with that much beauty, that much power, at the mercy of a single man
who held the key to his cage…” Gaius shook his head. “It
was amazing.” Touma didn’t really understand his friend’s
fascination at this particular incident, but there was something
about the way the man’s eyes shone cruelly as he told the story
that suggested to Touma that perhaps he was better off not
understanding after all. The conversation eventually shifted to
Gaius’ beloved city of Antium, then Greece.

Finally his friend appeared to become winded and slowed his
conversation. “Now lets hear about you. How have you been
keeping yourself busy these past few months?”

Touma smiled knowingly. There was no getting out of it now. “My
friends have all been away on trips. I hate to admit it but I’ve
spent most of my time here in the city at my family’s house.”

“Parties?” Gaius suggested.

Touma shook his head.

“Trips to the countryside?”

“Yes, once.”

“What about the gladiator fights? There have been plenty of
those lately. Lots of men to throw to the beasts and to each other.”
Gaius sipped his wine.

“You know I don’t enjoy those.”

Gaius snorted. “All men enjoy watching other men being torn
to pieces my friend. You can’t deny that.”

Instead of argue with him, Touma tried to change the topic. “I
have gone to several games at the Circus. Those are a bit more to my
liking.”

Gaius smiled over his wine glass. “Better to be torn apart
by the hooves of horses in the races than by the swords of men in the
ring, eh?” Touma gave him a sour look. He chuckled. “I
apologize my weak stomached friend. What about archery tournaments?
Surely there have been plenty of those around lately.”

“They wont let me enter,” Touma replied.

“What? Why not?” Gaius asked loudly. He was beginning
to feel his wine.

“Evidentially I’m too good” Touma said, popping
a piece of fruit into his mouth. “If I show up, no one else
will enter. They don’t want to waste their entry fee if there’s
no chance they’ll win.”

Gaius laughed. “That’s amazing! I mean, its
unfortunate for you socially. But isn’t that a fantastic thing
to be able to say about one’s self? That you are so good
that the rest of the empire is afraid to even lift an arrow to the
string against you?”

Touma sipped his wine. “Id much rather be able to just
socialize normally for once.”

Gaius considered him thoughtfully for a moment. “You, my
friend, are far too modest to belong to the class you belong to and
for the wealth you have access to. You should be enjoying everything
you have to it’s absolute fullest! Where are all your lovers? A
man your age with your looks should be up to his horse’s neck
in admirers. You’ve hinted to me in the past that you have an
eye for someone, has anything come of that?”

Touma stiffened. He swallowed a mouthful of fruit and shook his
head.

“Does this person even know of your feelings?” Gaius
continued.

“Why the sudden interest in my love life?”

Gaius straightened his posture awkwardly. “I just want to
see you happy with your life, Touma. That’s all,” he said
a bit defensively.

Touma was caught off guard by his friend’s reply, but he
just smiled gently. “I appreciate your concern Gaius. I would
like nothing more that to be happy as well. But…” he
swallowed the last of the wine in his glass, “we shall have to
wait and see what happens, I guess. Nothing can be done about it
now.”

Gaius raised an eyebrow. “Why is that?”

Touma bit his tongue and cursed himself. Don’t you dare
give too much away Touma, he scolded in his mind. It was amazing
what Gaius could figure out on his own when given only a small amount
of information. He thought quickly. “Because I’m here
with you right now aren’t I?” He offered what he hoped
would be a nonchalant grin.

Gaius regarded him calmly for a moment, which Touma noticed he had
done a lot during this visit. Was it some new trick he had picked up,
or was he just letting his cunning show? Then his friend shrugged.
“Of course. Just don’t waste all of your time pining over
someone who doesn’t know your true feelings. If your going to
do that, at least keep a few lovers on the side to keep you busy
while you wait.” He threw back the last of his wine and set the
glass down noisily. To Touma, he seemed a bit agitated. “The
sun has almost set my friend,” he said, looking out over the
darkening city. “I don’t suppose you would want to
accompany me to a banquet I’m attending tonight.”

Touma smiled and shook his head. “Thank you, but no. I…”

Gaius cut him off with a wave of his hand. “I know, I know.
Too flashy, too loud, not your thing…” He made a face.
“It’s a good thing you’re not a woman. No man would
ever want to marry you save for your physical assets.”

Touma didn’t really know how to take that, so he simply
laughed and stood. Gaius sighed heavily and hoisted himself out of
his seat as well. “Come. Ill walk you out.”

As they wandered their way back through the massive house, Gaius
said, “By the way, I forgot to ask you. How are the others?”

“The others?”

Gaius rolled his eyes a bit. “Your troupe mates. The only
other good friends you have besides myself.”

Touma chuckled. “They’re fine. Ryo and Shuu are
visiting cousins in Valencia. Shuu is evidentially very popular
there, being from the east and all. And Shin just arrived back in
town last week from a trip to Sicilia.”

“And Seiji?”

Touma noticed out of the corner of his eye that Gaius was watching
him as they walked. He glanced over at him briefly before replying
“Away as well.”

“Mmmmm” Gaius mused. ”He’s been gone for
awhile now hasn’t he? To Judea wasn’t it? I believe he’s
a favorite of one of Herod’s daughters…”

“You seem to know a lot about it,” Touma said flatly.

Gaius grinned. “I have my sources. Tell me. Is he spoken
for?”

Touma glanced at him again, his mind suddenly racing. Oh no you
don’t, he thought. You’re not making play things
out of any of my friends, and certainly not Seiji.

“You know me Touma. I have an eye for pretty things,”
Gaius had leaned in closer as they walked and was now right next to
his friend’s ear. “And since your hearts already been
stolen…”

The worry in Touma’s mind momentarily dissipated. And his
demeanor dropped flat. He knew what was coming next.

In his best lusty voice Gaius continued, “…I can’t
give you my virginit...”

Before his friend could continue any further, Touma grabbed
Gaius’s face in his hands and ran his tongue up the entire
length of the man’s nose. He quickly leapt out of arms reach of
his friend, who simply stood there for a moment, managing to looking
stunned, confused and extremely amused all at the same time.

Gaius reached up to wipe the bridge of his nose. “I’ve
tried that trick on you before haven’t I?”

Touma was laughing uncontrollably. “Yes, and I wasn’t
about to let you stick your tongue in my ear again.”

His friend swore and laughed. “I don’t remember ever
doing that one to you. Was I drunk?”

“Of course.” They continued on towards the front of
the house.

“I really am a virgin though.”

“Your no more a virgin that I am king of the Britons.”

“Spies in our midst! This is war!”

Touma chuckled. “So long as it’s not a war of ranged
fights you’ll be fine.”

Gaius looked thoughtful again. “We shall see. I’m
heading out to the country estate day after tomorrow for a week. Come
with me. There’s a fantastic range there. You’ll love it.
We can see if you are still good enough to beat an emperor.”

Touma looked at him. “You not emperor yet Gaius.

“Its all a matter of time my friend” Gaius said
softly, loud enough for only the two of them to hear. “You know
how sick Tiberius is right now.”

“Then isn’t this a bad time to be leaving the city?”

“It’s only a full day’s ride from here. If
anything happens I can return quickly.”

Touma looked at Gaius, a hint of true unease finally rising to the
surface of his mind now that his friend was showing such little
concern for his own grandfather’s failing health.

“So you’ll come right?”

He hesitated for just a moment, and then nodded. “Of
course.”

“Excellent!” His friend exclaimed. “You can even
borrow some of my slaves since I know you won’t bring your
own,” he added teasingly. He called for Touma’s boots and
horse and this time Touma insisted on lacing the boots on his own.

“Honestly Touma. Its not a question of whether we have to
tie our own boots, it a matter of whether or not we choose to. Those
of us who can afford it can choose not to.”

Touma finished the last boot and stood. “Just as we can also
choose to tie them ourselves. Slaves don’t have that choice. I
do. And I honor the privilege to make that choice everyday by putting
on my own shoes.”

A strange look passed over Gaius’ face when Touma said that.
But Touma pretended not to notice. Truthfully, the look spooked him a
little. It wasn’t a look of anger or frustration as he might
have expected. It was a look of admiration, which coming from Gaius
was an extremely unnerving thing. He only received that look. He
certainly never gave it. “I shall see you day after tomorrow
then.” Touma said, beginning down the steps.

“Touma…” his friend’s singsong voice
called after him.

He stopped and turned. “Yes?”

“You never answered my question. Is he taken?”

Touma felt his heart jump. He only needed a moment to decide what
he was going to say. “Yes Gaius. He is.”

Gaius paused a moment, staring down at him through narrowed eyes.

He knows, thought Touma. He knows exactly why I said
that.

Then his friend nodded. “Alright. Day after tomorrow then,”
and with a wave and a smile he headed back into the house.

Touma quickly gathered his horse, mounted and began to make his
way home. His mind raced as he rode through the streets. He had lied
to a good friend. But he had only done so in order to save another
good friend from the suffering that came with being on the receiving
end of Gaius’ attentions. He had seen the man use up and cast
out countless lovers both male and female, without any remorse or
second thought. He wasn’t about to let any of his friends
suffer the same fate. “Certainly not Seiji,” he muttered
quietly.

His parents had already left for the evening by the time he
arrived home. He removed his boots, found a piece of bread that had
been left over from supper, and then retreated to his room. He
splashed his face with water from a bowl on the table next to his bed
and then picked up a small towel. Stepping out on the veranda, he
began to dry his face, enjoying the night air from high above the
city. Once again his eyes wandered down to the house along the river.

“Young master!” he heard Tullius call out to him from
his bedchamber door. “I have a message for you. It came while
you were gone. Master Seiji has returned from Judea.”

Tonight, the house along the river had a light in every window.

~ Continued in Chapter 2 ~
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Sons of Antiquity