Chapter 12

There was a buzz wherever they went the next day. Word of Maria had traveled around the house and extended to the farm, warehouse, restaurant, and hotel. Tom should have known that word would spread quickly but decided to give them all a day or two to think about their own futures and what they wanted before confronting them. Instead he went through his inventory of supplies and started to make many things they were running low on as well as some new things. He filled crates and single-highhandedly seemed to restock the entire warehouse.

He was bad and made a bag of potato chips and some beer for lunch. As he thought about it, he hadn’t gained or lost any weight since he had been in Rome. His hair grew and it was cut but he hadn’t aged any. He wondered if it was too early to start thinking of an exit strategy. It would be hard when Mara was 60 and Mary and Tom were still in their mid-20s. He enjoyed the chips and knew that since they were growing potatoes he could start making and selling chips without them being so out there with a funky new product. He had plenty of salt to add to the chips and fries sounded good since he wasn’t gaining weight. Fish and chips should be making a presence sooner than later.

He saw that some ships had come in, so he went exploring to see what they had for sale. He found some rugs from Persia and some brass hookahs. He should open a rooftop bar with hookahs and munchies. The young and wealthy would love it. He was also contemplating the slaves and what he would do if they all stayed or if they all left and how he would backfill them if needed. He had high hopes and didn’t feel like worrying about it would help very much. There were a few other items like oranges from the northern coast of Africa that he bought and a lion cub that he played with. However, knew he would be dealing with a different creature in a few months.

After putting things in order, he moved the things for the mall out to the area in front of the doors and he would have Adel and some laborers move them to the mall the next day. He went up to the restaurant with some food items for Adrianna. She said things were going well and business was good from the people in town and the guests from the hotel. Tom was about to leave when she asked, “I heard you that you released Maria.”

“I told all of you that you would earn your freedom as you worked to pay off what was paid for you. When I release you from your bond, what will you do?”

“I will ask for a raise and keep doing what I’m doing if you will let me. I may try to find my sister but doubt I will take a boat to look for her. I may send a letter to her and see if she responds or if the letter even finds her.”

“How much are you worth or do you just want a raise over what I’m paying you now?”

“I know that when I’m free, I will have to pay for many of the things that are now provided for me. I am happy with my life and would like it not to change much.”

“Why don’t we do this. I will let you continue to have your apartment here. You can still eat at the restaurant when you want. I will pay you 10d a day. I know that doesn’t sound like much and it isn’t when most make between 30 and 100d a day. I will also pay you 20% of the profit the restaurant makes. The more people that come in. The better your shopping and food skills to reduce waste, all that makes more profit and for every 5d we make in profit you will get 1d.”

“I think we average 5000d a day in profit. We serve three meals a day every day.”

“Then you would make a 1000d per day in income. You can hire more people and that will go down but maybe make your life easier.”

“That is a lot, more than most. I am definitely staying when you set me free.”

Tom reached behind her neck and unclasped her necklace. “You are free. I didn’t pay anything for you except the cost of your collar and you have earned that back easily.”

She hugged him and cried. He reached in his pocket and handed her five gold coins. “This should cover the next week. I had no idea we were doing so well down here. I should talk to the accountant.”

She just looked at her hand with the gold in it. He dropped the necklace on top of the small stack of coins. “Remind me that I want you to learn how to make my version of fish and chips. I miss that from back home.”

“Anytime you want Tom. You have made me a happy woman.”

On his way up the hill. He smiled to himself. He knew that he treated his people well but no matter how well they were treated, freedom was worth so much more to them. At least he felt good about it and knew how one of them would work out. His restaurant was in good hands. As he walked in the door, he had to stop. There were a lot of people in his house. They were all trying to look busy doing something else except for Helena who was sitting on the couch smiling with only a skirt on. She wore a leather collar and had both of her little nipples pierced and had a gold hoop in each.

Tom walked to Helena and picked her up. “How was your day, little one?”

“Good. I went to work with Mary, and we had a long talk. I have decided to be the house pet. I will belong to you, Mary, and Mara. I love you all and you all take care of me and love me.”

“I know that I care for you and want you to be happy. Are you happy?”

Pulling on her nipple rings and then her collar she said, “I’m Purrfect.”

He set her down and saw Durr talking to one of the guards. Tom walked over and asked, “Is there a problem, Durr?”

“Um. No Sir. I mean Tom. There has been some talk about you freeing the slaves and the men were asking? I thought I would come and talk to you and let the men know what is going on.”

Tom just looked at him for a minute. “Durr, I told you that when I think that you have done the work to repay what I have invested in you and your men that I would free you. I paid well for you, I paid for the gold around your neck and the clothes and armor you wear. I have housed you and fed you. I have sent a captain and crew along with my advocate to Judea to track down and free your families and brought them all back here.”

Durr was rocking from foot to foot and looking like he picked a poor time to bring this up. But Tom continued. “That being said, “Since you have come from a far-off country and now your families are here, I thought it may be a more difficult choice whether to go back, stay here, stay with me or find something else to do. I wanted to give you some time to talk amongst yourselves and your families so that you could make up your minds before I put you on the spot. You have twenty men and seventeen families. What have you all decided?”

“I didn’t think about all those costs. We heard about Maria and then thought you may be out to see us and tell us the same thing. I think we have some more time to cover those costs.”

“Durr, I asked what you and your men have decided about staying or moving on. I need to plan. If I set you all free today, you could all walk away but me and my family and all that we have worked for would be in risk or in danger without anyone looking after it.”

“Tom to be honest we haven’t discussed it or made any decisions. I would like to stay but haven’t spoken to my wife. I will talk with the men and find out what they want to do.”

“When I do let you go free, you will have the gold around your neck. If any want to travel back to Judea with their families, I will pay for their passage. I have been pleased with the work. I am probably a little early in releasing Maria and a little late releasing Adrianna. I don’t keep a close accounting of all income and expenses. I do plan to give freedom but can’t afford to have all my slaves walk off. I want to know for each man and his family what they decide. Each must make their own decisions and whatever they decide is fine.”

“Thanks, Tom. I guess big choices like this are never as easy as they seem.”

“When I bought you all to keep you together, I didn’t even have a place for you all to stay. Sometimes we go with the flow and sometimes we have time to plan.”

“Yes, Sir. I’m sorry for barging in and bothering you.”

“My door is always open to you and your men. It will happen soon. Just not today.”

“Thanks Tom. I will talk to the men here and then go down to the warehouse before going home to the farm. I will talk to you in a few days with their plans.” He walked out towards the carriage house to talk to those staying there.

The ladies, Mary, Mara, Pace and Helena were all there and looking a little more relaxed than when Tom had first walked in. He smirked and said, “I only own one of you, what has you ladies all worked up tonight?”

Taking a step forward, Mara said, “I saw you talking to Helena earlier. You also know that Adel and I have gotten closer in the last month. She and I would both like to stay here and we both care very much about Helena. She works with Adel all day with the horses and then comes to the mall to help Mary but spends time with me. We just want to make sure we aren’t split up.”

Nodding he looked to Pace, “And you?”

She laughed, “I just stopped by for a glass of wine and to watch the drama unfold.”

“Mary do you have anything you want to say?”

“It sounds like everything has been said already. I am hungry and horny. Do you want to have dinner or go to bed and fuck?”

“Maria is a free girl now, so it is harder for me to make her come back later when we are sated sexually but starving for food. Let’s eat and then retire for the night. Any of these others can join us for one or both.”

The smiles were back, and Maria slipped back into the kitchen to get ready to serve everyone. It was a surprise to Tom that after dinner, Maria thought to him. “We will be staying and would like to live here in Kinda’s room if that’s okay. He may ask for a couple months to go look for his son, but we will be working for you as long as you will have us, Sir, Tom.”

The second surprise was that when he was done talking to Maria, the other girls were all gone. When he went to the bedroom there was only Mary and a very pretty, Pace tied to the bed naked except for a blindfold. Mary was kneeling over her mouth letting Pace lick her while Mary played with her nipples. She was younger but not as young as Helena. Mary whispered but loud enough for Pace to hear. Treat her like a slave tonight and we can let her free in the morning. I sent a guard to let her parents know that she won’t be home tonight. She wants to be our fucktoy.”

Tom went to get some toys and tried to recreate the VIP treatment for her but included a huge deposit of cum in every orifice she had available to accept his cock. When they were done it was early the next morning. Tom scooped her up off the bed and carried her to the bath where hesat down with her on his lap. Mary sat beside them and rubbed her legs. Pace said, “That was better than I was expecting. My parents know that I like to play with women, but both have heard stories about Tom. Now I can tell them that all the stories are true and not all men are worthless in bed.”

“The problem is getting out of bed in the morning and going into work. Tom can laze around and take his time.”

“The mall doesn’t open that early. I am normally gone way before you are.”

“Don’t question my arguments. Mary and I have a schedule to attend to. I need to dry off and get some sleep.”

They ended up falling asleep with a woman on each shoulder cuddled to Tom. He awoke the same way but with Helena pressing her nipple rings into his chest. He looked up at the little woman. “Where did you come from?”

“You know horse people. Up with the sun. I was hoping that you wanted to go out to the farm today so I could help train and practice racing.”

Patting her butt, he said, “Let me get up and we can get going, little one. Have Adel saddle a horse for me. I don’t care if you ride or take a wagon or carriage. I will need some food too, so let Maria know that I’m up and on my way for breakfast.”

Before they left, Mary stopped him and said, “We were invited to the Emperor’s box at the coliseum this weekend. I don’t think you can refuse unless you are out of town or dead.”

“Who sent the invite?”

“Alexa stopped by the mall yesterday.”

“Can we bring some cold beers or some food to tailgate or party in the box?”

“I didn’t ask but I will. She has a spa treatment today.”

“Get a number of people and we can cater the box.”

“I will talk to Alexa and her mother.”

After saying goodbye to Mary, Tom walked out to see Adel and Helena in a chariot. This was one with a bench seat that folded down after you got in in case you didn’t want to stand the whole time. He had a horse with a regular saddle as did Kinda who would be riding with them. The men started off slow but soon were passed by the girls as Helena had the reins and Adel was hanging on. Tom wasn’t going to try to keep up with them, so he talked to Kinda.

“I hear that you and Maria plan to stay at the house and continue to work for us. I’m happy to hear that. Since it sounds more permanent, we will remodel and combine some space so that you can have a nice space to call home.”

“You don’t have to but that would be great.”

“Do you think you will go and try to find your son? How old is he?”

“He should be about 10 now. I do want him to know that his father isn’t dead, he didn’t forget about him and still loves him. I could also let him know that if he needs me, he could write, and I would try to help out.”

“I think that is very noble of you. I’m sorry that your wife decided not to come back. Maria is a good girl and I’m glad you found each other.”

“She is and we find ways to talk with our hands, with motions and even her writing while I speak.”

When they were out of the city, they picked up the pace and were at the farm soon enough. Hans had horses in all different places doing all different things. Tom spoke with him a while and he seemed happy. Tom asked, “I’m sure you’ve heard the rumors. You came to us much later than most of the other slaves, but have you spoken with your family about staying on or going out on your own?”

“If we are free, then we can always leave but we like the house you built for us. We like the farm with everything built the way we like it. We can do what we love and get paid to do it. We plan to stay unless we would be kicked off the farm or the money wasn’t enough to live on.”

“You don’t need to worry about either of those things when the time comes.”

“You are an interesting man, Tom. The way you think is different than most. You look at old problems and come up with new solutions. It is exciting every day we come to work.”

The smith and his family were not slaves, but Tom stopped to see if they had enough work or needed anything. They were busy and happy. The carpenter, Jeri was busy and had a few different projects underway. They looked at the carriage and it was almost ready. It had a lot of leather and silk finishes. The driver’s box was high so he could see. The whole carriage was enclosed to keep out the sun and dirt. The springs were just right to absorb the bumps but not too loose so that it was continually bouncing. It was pulled by a four-horse team and there was a place on the back for two guards to ride along. Luggage could be stored under the seats or in large compartments.

“Jeri, will it be ready this weekend? We may take it to the coliseum. The Emperor will appreciate the fine craftsmanship. I love the brass lamps for driving at night and the lenses should do a good job shining it ahead on the road.”

“We will make sure it is ready for this weekend.”

“I will have Adel bring out some purple silk pillows that we can have in the carriage.”

“That would look great. It is a big gift.”

“I also want to talk to you about chariots. I have some ideas about how to build them to race faster. Not for everyday use but for the races.”

“You can make it lighter but what else is there?

“They go around in circles and it seems like most of the races are won or lost in the corners. I saw a few even flips over last time I went.”