Maximus and Flavius reached the master's estate. Maximus' heart wrenched as
he saw Flavius' children and servant's children playing. His son ran around
the house, dogs chasing him. The little boy spotted his father and ran up
hugging him. Flavius embraced his son, and Maximus' eyes welled with tears
at the memory of his lost child. He turned from the sight, then heard
Flavius introduce him to his son.
"Olivius, this is your new servant. He will be teaching you to ride, eventually he will help you with your reading. Maximus, this is Olivius." If Flavius noticed the tears that flowed down the slave's face, he didn't say so. Maximus didn't say anything, just nodded. His youthful master's eyes were concerned.
"Slave, why do you cry? Are you sad you aren't free?"
Maximus smiled, "I am merely remembering a story I heard once. It was a sad tale, perhaps sometime I will tell it to you."
Olivius nodded, "I'd like that."
"Young master, show me the stables?" Maximus looked to Flavius for approval.
He nodded and Olivius said, "Call me Oliv please. All that young master stuff is so awkward." Maximus hid a smile and let the little boy lead him away.
They arrived at the large stable. At least thirty horses were housed there. Oliv led his new servant to a stall with a fine grey gelding. Maximus opened the stall and held out his hand. The horse snorted into it, and Maximus breathed into his nostrils to teach him his scent. The little boy at his side watched in awe as Maximus led his horse outside.
"Young mast—Oliv, would you allow me to mount up? I need to know his running style."
Nodding, Oliv stared in amazement as his muscular slave mounted the gelding bareback. The horse had no bridle, and the slave, no shoes or equipment. Maximus' sorrows forgotten for a moment, he became one with the horse, his favorite pastime when he was free. He had the beast run fast and hard, all around the estate. Then he slowed to a walk, and reared up in front of Oliv. Dismounting he bowed.
"Thank you Oliv. He will be a fine mount for you. What is his name, and where might I find tack for him?" He panted slightly, and his bare arms and legs were covered with sweat.
"Aurelius, after the late emperor. And, follow me for tack." Olivius was still stunned at the performance the slave gave him. "Where did you learn to ride like that Maximus? It was amazing!"
"Olivius, this is your new servant. He will be teaching you to ride, eventually he will help you with your reading. Maximus, this is Olivius." If Flavius noticed the tears that flowed down the slave's face, he didn't say so. Maximus didn't say anything, just nodded. His youthful master's eyes were concerned.
"Slave, why do you cry? Are you sad you aren't free?"
Maximus smiled, "I am merely remembering a story I heard once. It was a sad tale, perhaps sometime I will tell it to you."
Olivius nodded, "I'd like that."
"Young master, show me the stables?" Maximus looked to Flavius for approval.
He nodded and Olivius said, "Call me Oliv please. All that young master stuff is so awkward." Maximus hid a smile and let the little boy lead him away.
They arrived at the large stable. At least thirty horses were housed there. Oliv led his new servant to a stall with a fine grey gelding. Maximus opened the stall and held out his hand. The horse snorted into it, and Maximus breathed into his nostrils to teach him his scent. The little boy at his side watched in awe as Maximus led his horse outside.
"Young mast—Oliv, would you allow me to mount up? I need to know his running style."
Nodding, Oliv stared in amazement as his muscular slave mounted the gelding bareback. The horse had no bridle, and the slave, no shoes or equipment. Maximus' sorrows forgotten for a moment, he became one with the horse, his favorite pastime when he was free. He had the beast run fast and hard, all around the estate. Then he slowed to a walk, and reared up in front of Oliv. Dismounting he bowed.
"Thank you Oliv. He will be a fine mount for you. What is his name, and where might I find tack for him?" He panted slightly, and his bare arms and legs were covered with sweat.
"Aurelius, after the late emperor. And, follow me for tack." Olivius was still stunned at the performance the slave gave him. "Where did you learn to ride like that Maximus? It was amazing!"