Meeting Tiberius and Other Roman Tales by clodia metelli

Author:clodia metelli [clodia metelli]
Language: eng
Format: epub

The Trouble with Eels

“Slave - where are the fine eels that I sent you to market to buy for me, this morning?”

The young man lowered his head, blushed and fidgeted with the belt of his short tunic, clearly reluctant to reply.

“Slave, where are the eels I sent you out to buy?”

The boy muttered something unintelligible, still gazing determinedly at his feet.

“Look at me.”

Reluctantly, the boy raised his head, met his Master’s stern eye.

“Now answer my question, at once.”

The handsome youth sank to his knees, “Master, I-I bought the eels and I was carrying them home for you, all wrapped up nicely, but then...

“Yes...?”

The words came out low and fast, with hardly a pause between them, “There was a fire-eater in the Forum and I was so astonished and was marvelling at how he did it and I didn’t look where I was going and I tripped over a cobblestone and dropped the eels and the package split open and – oh, Master!”

“Out with it, boy - what happened then?”

“Cats ran away with the eels and I couldn’t catch them, they were ever so quick.”

“Hmm.” There was a pause, while the Master took his time to compose his expression to one of dreadful sternness.

“You know you must be punished for this outrageous - negligence?”

“Yes, Master.” The boy’s eyes were lowered, his voice quiet and fearfully resigned.

“What do you consider a fitting punishment?”

“Master?”

“Come boy, I have had to punish you often enough for your naughty and foolish behaviour; you must have an idea of what would be a fittingly severe punishment for a misdeed such as this. Bear in mind that I was really looking forward to those eels for my dinner and I am expecting guests, tonight. Now they must dine upon inferior fish. What punishment do you deserve?”

The contrite slave appeared to be considering his situation; suggesting a punishment that was too light would risk provoking a much heavier one, while undertaking to suffer a punishment that was excessive was also obviously to be avoided.

Eventually, the slave spoke up; “If it please you Master, I think I deserve a flogging.”

The Master raised his eyebrows, “Indeed, I can see the merit in that. Where on your body should you be flogged, Slave?”

“Perhaps - on my buttocks, Master, and the backs of my thighs?”

“Long and hard?”

“As long and hard as it pleases you, Master.”

“Very well, Slave, I accept your suggestion. Fetch the whip from the chest - the short, thick one.”

When the boy offered the implement to his Master on his knees, it was taken and then offered back for the boy to kiss in token of submission, his hands behind his back.

For a brief moment, the slave looked up and met his Master’s eye, “I know I deserve no mercy,” he murmured.

“Take off your tunic.”

The naked, vulnerable boy was ordered to sprawl across his offended Master’s knees as he sat on the couch. A restraining hand was planted firmly between his shoulder blades. The other hand drew back the whip.

The Master

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