Being attentive while otherwise going unnoticed was an important skill for a slave. Fortunately, Nikos had made an art out of appearing only when needed, and thus was usually able to remain more or less invisible as he went about his duties. As a result, he was only occasionally chastised by his master for 'flitting about like a damn hummingbird'.
He was especially pleased to have managed it as well as he did that day. Master Cato had been at his desk all morning, quietly scratching away at his parchment, without aiming more than a mild rebuke at his personal servant. On most days, this would have been victory enough. Considering the guest they were expecting that particular afternoon, Nikos was all the more relieved to have avoided the ire of his master’s prickly temperament.
Cato made it clear upon rising that he was to be notified immediately when his guest was sighted, so Nikos felt no need to request permission before stepping out on the veranda. Moving straight to the short rail overlooking the courtyard below, and with his eyes squinting in the glare of sun, he scanned the road winding its way through the green hills beyond the walls of his master's country estate.
"Master, your guest is approaching the gate," he reported with a raised eyebrow as he tilted his bald head toward the road outside the Villa. "By the look of it, he will be several minutes before arriving in the courtyard."
There was an unmistakable current of condescension in the slave's voice, and Cato lifted his quill as he regarded Nikos with a cool stare. "Why? What is causing the delay?" he responded irritably.
Nikos took his masters annoyance in stride. For most slaves, showing such disrespect to a guest of the House would be unthinkable, but Nikos was as much an adviser to Cato as he was a slave. In the privacy of the estate, he had long ago earned the privilege of speaking freely in service of his Master.
"Well, out with it, Nikos," Cato prodded. "You obviously have more to say, or would you have me guess at what is slowing our guest?"
"No, sir. I say it only because he is traveling at walking pace. He is being borne by litter."
"By litter, you say? What arrogance," Cato spat in return, openly revealing his own disdain for the man. Rising from his desk, he moved quickly to the railing, and his thin lips curled in scorn at the dozen men carrying the Roman styled, covered lectica.
"Twelve men to carry the damned thing? What sort of man needs to be carried around on the backs of slaves? I tell you, Nikos, this is just this sort of self-indulgence that is rotting our City today."
"Perhaps, Master. But as I recall, Salicar is not Roman. He is Carthaginian."
"That's no excuse for such ostentation," Cato replied sharply. "But, I suppose you are right. By all the gods, he hasn't changed at all. He has always thought of himself as some sort of lost Phoenician prince."
Nikos noted his Master's irritation and shrugged it away. "He is a very wealthy man. Perhaps he intends to remind you of that fact, eh?"
"Nonsense. He's a criminal, not a King."
"Criminal or King, it matters little as long as he is rich. How many Senators have you accused of that very thing? All of Rome knows your opinion of such self-indulgence."
"That they do," Cato answered while absently rubbing his cleanly shaven chin. His eyes narrowed and his scowl drew even sharper as he watched the litter pass through the gates of his estate. "Which begs the question, Nikos. Why is a man like Salicar Vaneria coming to see me?"
"That I do not know. I do know that whatever the answer is, you are not likely to be happy about it. Why did you even agree to see him, if I may ask?"
"You said it yourself. He is rich. He is also well connected. He may be a foreigner, and a thief, but he does have influence. Apparently, he wishes to ask a favor."
"A favor? That sounds like a small enough thing. I hope it does not lead to something very much bigger, eh?"
"As do I. Have our guest meet me in the Atrium. Keep the guards close, but not too close."
"Of course. I have a feeling that this visit is one that would be better off not being made known to your enemies in the Senate."
"You may be right, Nikos. Whatever it is, we shall soon know. Please, go see to our guest."
~~~**~~~**~~~**~~~
The grounds of Praedium Porcius were stark and austere in contrast to the opulent estates maintained by most of Rome's wealthy Patricians. The vast atrium in the center of his home overflowed with manicured gardens and exotic fauna, but the lack of marbled statuary and intricate mosaics subtly demonstrated the frugality favored by the estates Master. Even the ever-present Roman fountains were plain and unadorned, expressing their utility of supplying water over any artistic expression of wealth.
Cato had argued in the Senate for years against the excesses flaunted by the rich and powerful of Rome. He felt passionately that the growing Greek and Egyptian influence in the Republic's society was undermining the very essence of what it meant to be Roman. Being above all a stoic and practical man, his personal vendetta against the wasteful extravagance of his peers often brought him into conflict with the most famous and influential men of his time.
Such shameful demonstrations of wealth were damaging enough when practiced among his fellows in the Senate. In Cato's view, it was far worse when a man of low birth and criminal nature, like Salicar Vaneria, reveled in extravagance. It was prideful, and arrogantly pricked the ear of the common Roman, who was reminded of those things he could never possess. Cato had no tolerance for such grandeur, and it was all he could do to remain polite as Nikos brought his guest into his presence.
Cato grimaced as he heard the footsteps approaching down the cobbled walk. For a long moment, he ignored the two as they stood behind him, refusing to even look while he idly trimmed a rose. It wasn't until Nikos subtly cleared his throat that he allowed himself to even acknowledge the Carthaginian's presence.
"Salicar Vaneria, welcome to my home..." he began dryly, but as he turned, his words died in his throat. Much to his surprise, instead of the olive-skinned merchant, Cato found himself staring into the bright and vibrant eyes of one the most strikingly beautiful women he had ever seen.
"Well, isn't this a pleasant surprise?" he said as a smile quickly replaced his scowl. "I was expecting to meet with a fat trader of spices and wine. Instead, I find myself in the presence of this Nubian treasure."
Slim, and dark as ebony, she held Cato's gaze without blinking, nodding only slightly in respect of his station. "I am Naziri, slave to the House of Vaneria, and the personal servant to my master Salicar. It is my honor to bring you a message from my master." She spoke with a deep and resonant voice, and her Latin was tinged with the melodic accent of her people.
Her jet black hair was cut short to her scalp, highlighting strong cheekbones and the elegant lines of her face. Though delicate in appearance, Cato could see the outline of her feminine musculature rippling erotically under her glowing skin. Lean and strong, she possessed the body of an athlete, and held herself with the dignity of an African Queen. A light, crimson robe hung loosely from her high shoulders, falling over her rounded breast just tightly enough that her nipples could be seen pressing against the silk.
Stoic and frugal, he might have been, but above all else, he was a Roman. Passion and lust were, to the aristocracy, what bread and circuses were to the people, and Cato's entire mood changed as he gazed at Naziri.
Waving Nikos off, he took her hand in his and led her farther down the path, and deeper into the lush gardens of his estate. "So, tell me, Naziri, I am keen to know what message carries so much import that your master would part with you? Surely it must pain him to be without your company for so long?"
Naziri's dark skin reddened slightly at the Senators praise. She was a slave, and powerful men rarely bothered to speak so kindly to her. Such seductive tones were usually reserved for free women who could choose whom they slept with. That Cato would treat her so kindly made her task much easier. Once they were alone, she relayed the message Salicar bade her deliver.
"My master wishes me to ask a favor of you, my lord. It is something he feels may be of benefit to you both."
"Truly?" Cato responded with a hint of suspicion. "And what might that be?"
Naziri noted his tone with satisfaction, feeling that perhaps he, indeed, was the kind of man she hoped he was. She had a favor of her own to ask, but that would have to wait until she had first discharged her duty to Salicar.
"As we speak, King Massena of Numidia is harassing Carthaginian settlements and interest all along their African border. As you well know, Carthage is forbidden by treaty to enter a war without approval from the Roman Senate."
Cato raised an eyebrow, impressed that she should know so much of politics. "Yes, this is true. The terms essentially made his people vassals of Rome. It was a ridiculously kind settlement, and I would have opposed it more vocally if not for the ten thousand talents of gold we received in reparations."
"Yes. I imagine three hundred tonnes of gold did much to mollify your concerns," Naziri said with a smile. "As a consequence, the safety of Carthage now rests in Rome's generous hands."
Cato sensed how angry Salicar must be at this, and couldn't help but smile. After two, brutal and bloody wars, part of him would have preferred to see Carthage destroyed once and for all, but the knowledge they were so completely humiliated was almost as satisfying. "That's history now," he responded cryptically. "What has all of this to do with me?"
Naziri nodded again. "My master has heard that a commission will soon be formed and sent to mediate the dispute between what Rome now considers to be vassal states. He has sent me to request that you be on this commission. He feels that with your prestige, you can have the commission order Numidia to halt its actions, and end the war before hotter heads in Carthage do something that will bring Rome's vengeance down upon them."
Cato gazed into her bright eyes, thoroughly enjoying the chance to engage in political maneuver with such a gorgeous woman. He could now see why Salicar had sent her. Yet as alluring and intelligent as she was, he wouldn't let that sway him. "I have to wonder, Naziri, why would I do this? What care do I have if Carthage meets the destruction it deserves?"
Naziri smiled inwardly at the pure brutality of Cato's position. His obvious dislike of both Salicar and Carthage could be of great benefit to her, but before testing those dangerous waters, she needed to secure the deal offered by her master. Spreading her hands, palms up, she did her best to reason with the older Patrician. "Simply because doing so will enrage and humiliate both nations. Meanwhile, anger and distrust between Carthage and Numidia will grow, leaving Rome more secure in that that they will continue to balance against each other."
As Cato contemplated the subtle possibilities of such a deal, Naziri's hand slipped under the robes of his toga. Taking his flaccid cock into her fingers, she stroked him with a firm pressure that almost instantly had him growing in her palm. "My master also told me, that should you agree, I am to be your slave for the night."
Naziri's lyrical accent, and the warmth of her hand slowly stroking his cock, had Cato suddenly reeling. Just the mere sight of her almost jet-black fingers wrapped so tightly around his erection made his blood catch fire. "Your master would put the fate of his country into the hands of a pleasure slave? He must truly be desperate,” Cato noted with a strained chuckle. That laugh quickly became a low groan when she knelt, and took his now rock hard cock into her warm mouth.
"My master bids me to entertain you while you decide, my lord," she murmured as she kissed the underside of his shaft. "I am told you have as long as you can last to decide. I beg you, Master Cato, think carefully on this. You will find me to be a most pleasing gift."
Before he could respond, Naziri sucked him back into her mouth, glossing his cock with a sucking kiss that had his breath coming from deep within in his chest. "Gods blood, Naziri, that's good. You are remarkably persuasive. Please, go slower, yes that's it. I should hate to be rushed into a, ah, premature, conclusion to our business."
"Mmm, I am in no hurry, master," she murmured around his shaft, before brushing her thick, full lips over his glans. There was a mirthful sparkle in her eyes as she licked his head, swirling her tongue up and around his spongy crown, before sucking it back into her mouth.
Naziri sucked him so slowly that her lips barely moved over his length. It was as if she were merely toying with him. Inside her mouth though, he could feel her tongue flicking and swirling all over his head with insidious intent as her long, delicate fingers gently fondled him. It was a torturous cocktail of sensations, and his skin burned with desire as her slow and insistent touch began to stir the churning cum in his balls. Everything about Naziri was extraordinary, and the thought of not getting to enjoy her thoroughly was quickly becoming impossible for him to contemplate.
His mind swam as the intense sensations on his cock grew. He wanted this woman terribly, but as another man's property, he couldn't simply take her without her master's permission.