Usual Rules
Rome and the Romans
Chapter 7
Another Great Adventure
Cassius was so excited that Alex was in fits of laughter as they prepared for departure. The whole was topped by Haaken's joy when Alexander said he would take the other three Norsemen in the party.
Andreas, gentle Andreas, who didn't have the sense to be devious approached Alexander on the day of departure looking very guilty.
"I'm sorry Sire, but if you let me off the ship when we reach home, I will not come back voluntarily. I wish to remain in my own country."
"Ah, Andreas, why am I not surprised?"
Alex laughed, and kissed him gently on the lips.
"You will remain with my blessing. I will ask Caesar for papers to make you an Ambassador of Rome so that you can protect your people against further Roman raids."
Even Andreas, who loved Alex, in his way, had not expected such generosity.
"Nils and Per, are you going to desert Haaken and I as well?"
"Oh no Sire, we wish to remain with you forever."
Alex eyes were brimming with tears as he took each of them in a warm embrace.
"I love you both, I would be sad to lose you, but if you want to remain once we are there you will do so with my blessing."
The journey was long but not particularly arduous. Slaves had built long straight roads throughout the Europe and their transport was comfortable. Alexander and Haaken rode much of the way talking with Cassius, leaving the other three slaves to enjoy the comforts of the passenger carriage in luxury. Spirits were high, the Norsemen were overjoyed at being treated like guests. The soldiers were impressed that a Captain of Caesar's personal guard commanded their escort and was such a pleasant officer to deal with. They were more than a little overawed that he was on first name terms with Alexander, who was now known throughout the empire for his love of Haaken and his exploits when he himself was enslaved by Spanish Pirates.
The sea journey from Gaul to Britannia was unpleasant, then the journey along the east coast to a suitable harbour to leave for Norway. The journey across the North Sea was accomplished in three large galleys with a suitably expanded escort force because Norway had not been conquered.
The last part of the journey as they entered the fiord for Haaken's home was tense because they could see the local villagers matching their progress along the side of the mountains, heavily armed and ready to wreak havoc on the Roman's below. When the fiord narrowed enough for the boys to be in hailing distance of the men on the shore they called and identified themselves. They told their kinsman that they were not a warring party but came in peace.
"We are Haaken, Per, Nils and Andreas, taken by the Roman's three years ago."
When they reached the village, Alexander and the four boys went ashore with Cassius and a small escort leaving the majority of the soldiers on board the galleons.
There were tears and laughter in profusion, and chaos as everyone tried to speak at once. When things quieted down, Haaken introduced Alexander to the headman and to his family, explaining that it was Alexander's generosity, and love for him that had made this trip possible. The feasting that night went on until dawn, with all the soldiers being invited ashore, provided they left their weapons on the ships. Cassius and his small escort group remained armed but the others were given permission to leave weapons behind. There was much merriment and sadness. More than fifty had been captured in the raid that took Haaken and the others, but only these four were back. The sadness increased when it was realised that only Andreas would be remaining behind.
"Alexander is my life now Papa, I could not leave him, Per and Nils, although technically slaves, as am I, are treated like free men, and we all love Alexander. We have found fame and a pleasant life in Rome. Alexander and I are both favoured of Caesar and are frequently invited to spend time with him. When I return perhaps I can persuade him to let other's of our race return here. Andreas is to be an ambassador of Rome to protect us from other Roman raids, maybe our rulers can forge an alliance with Rome through him, so that all may be repatriated."
Haaken's father was amazed that his son had accomplished so much from a base of slavery. He determined to get to know Alexander better to find out how a mere boy could be so powerful in the Roman hierarchy and how far this love went that his son spoke of. Surely it could not be a carnal love, he remembered how Haaken had bedded the girls with such enthusiasm. Per had shown signs of the unspeakable trend towards men, but Nils had been like Haaken. Surely these boys were not held by this Roman in an unhealthy relationship.
The days that followed were full of feasting and fun and laughter. Andreas was so happy that he had Alexander splitting his sides, almost, with the laughter that his antics generated. When he picked up with his old girlfriend again all of the other boys were hooting with laughter as he behaved like a lovesick teenager.
They remained in the village for a month while Cassius took the galleons and the soldiers to explore further North so that they could justify the trip as a voyage of discovery. They were however not to raid the settlements or take slaves.
Alexander watched his lover, saw how much he was enjoying being back with his own people, as was Nils. Was he going to return to Rome with just Per? He loved Per, a more enthusiastic lover he had never had but he wasn't Haaken.
`Am I going to return without the love of my life? Could I live here if I had to, to be with him forever?' These thoughts worried Alex, and as the galleons returned and the time for departure grew near Haaken saw the worry in his eyes.
"Why so worried and sad Alexander?"
Alex looked at this boy/man that had brought him so much pleasure and happiness, could he refuse him the right to remain with his own people if he wanted to?
"I think I am going to leave here without you, and that makes me so sad. I love you Haaken, like I never believed possible. I would lay down my life for you without another thought. You are my sun and my moon. Without you I know I will die inside."
"Why would you leave here without me then?"
"Because I will not make you leave your people if that is your wish."
Haaken laughed then when he realised where Alexander's thoughts were taking him.
"Oh, my Love, I am never going to leave you, I love you so much, you are my sun and moon as well, and much more. This has been a wonderful trip, and I am happy now that my parents know I am safe and well. Nils will ask your permission to remain here but will return to Rome if that is your wish."
Alexander was delighted and hugged Haaken with the pure joy that flowed back through his veins. When the time came to leave, there were many tears but Haaken and Per said their goodbye's to their family before returning to stand behind Alexander as he addressed the headman and his two freed slaves.
"Sire, your hospitality has overwhelmed my men and I. My hope is that in the future we may forge bonds of friendship as nations. My dearest Nils and Andreas, I am going to grieve at the loss of two such dear friends but I hope Caesar will allow me another expedition here sometime in the future so that I may see you both again."
The two boys ran forward, fell to their knees and taking a hand each kissed Alexander and in between tears thanked him for his love.
The return to Rome was a sad journey but once there Alexander was all business, talking to Senators and other leading citizens about friendship treaties as against conquest. His fame and position were spreading and being enhanced all the time. For one so young to have enjoyed Caesar's pleasure for so long was unusual, his adventures put him on a pedestal with his peers and with many older than he. Soldiers and Senators admired him and fell over themselves to help him. That reputation was enhanced even further when at their next meeting, Alexander expressed the idea to Caesar that he could protect his northern borders by a friendship treaty with Norway, and that Rome already had in place two men who would help that happen.
"You have become wise early in your life in the ways of Empire, Alexander. In one year come to me with Haaken and hold a conversation with him in his own tongue and I will send you as Ambassador to talk to their King on the subject."
Alexander was overwhelmed, but fell to his knees and kissed Caesar's hand.
"Thank you Mighty Caesar, I will not fail you."
Caesar stroked the hair of this boy that he was beginning to love.
"Stand up Alexander. You make me very proud that we have such fine young men in Rome, but you are the finest. I love you boy, you may have anything I am able to give you."
Alexander was truly shocked and pleased at this declaration from Caesar and wondered, if he were not impotent whether that declaration would have led to a sexual relationship and was surprised to realise he would have liked that.
"You do me too much honour Sire, I am more than content that I am able to serve you, I need no further reward."
Caesar could have wished for no better answer and looked forward to sending this boy off to the North as an ambassador. He would have to find a fine new title for him and make sure he left Rome with a fine escort if he were going to meet with this barbarian king in the Northern lands.
Cassius, as always was welcomed at Alexander's villa anytime he was off duty. It soon became obvious that he and Per were becoming very close and were frequently lovers. Alex loved it, he loved Per and was very fond of Cassius so the pairing pleased him and Haaken enormously.
Haaken and Alex now spent hours every day conversing in the Norse language as well as doing what they had for so long, which was to teach other Roman's slaves how to be pleasure slaves for loving, not abuse.
Marcus still entertained lavishly on his estate and it was there that the best of the pleasure slaves could be seen and made love to. Soon, Marcus was selling trained pleasure slaves and buying the discarded ones for very little money to turn around and sell again at vast profit. Their training was supervised by Alexander and Haaken who frequently indulged in love making with the trainees. Any that were resold with the assurance that they had been to bed with either Haaken or Alexander immediately collected a premium and the songs about Alexander and Haaken never stopped being added to and exaggerated of course.
One year later Haaken and Alexander went before Caesar who had with him two more Norse slaves.
"I want you to talk to these two boys Alexander. When you have finished I want you to tell me where they come from, how old they are, and the story of their families and their capture. Haaken, I want you to be silent, but tell me how many mistakes Alexander makes in his speech."
Haaken was very apprehensive as Alexander started. The slaves were surprised, but not as surprised as Caesar who listened to the easy flow of the language when Alexander spoke. At the end Haaken was beaming and able, honestly to tell Caesar.
"Alexander's conversation was perfect Sire. I could not have spoken it better."
Caesar was delighted.
"We are going to put together your expedition Alexander, you will go as a Consul of Rome to the leader of Haaken's people."
Alexander was almost frozen with shock, a full Consul, totally unheard of at his age.
"You can also take these two slaves with you and return them to their village, and assure their leader that when we have signed a treaty the remainder of the Norsemen will be repatriated."
Alex and Haaken were overjoyed, it would be wonderful to see all the happy faces in Haaken's village at that news. Things just kept getting better.
"Cassius will lead your escort Alexander and I am promoting him Centurion. I think it would be appropriate for you to tell him, I will send him to you this evening and put him immediately under your command."
Alex wanted to cry with happiness.
"Oh thank you Sire, I will never cease to work for your greater glory and that of Rome."
`Oh that I had a son, even if he were only a quarter the man that Alexander is I would be so proud of him,' Caesar thought as he looked at this beautiful and talented young man.
Cassius arrived at the villa soon after sunset looking quite worried.
"What is it Cassius, you look so worried?"
"My commander dismissed me tonight and told me to clear my quarters by noon tomorrow. He then ordered me to the villa. What have I done, what am I to do now."
"Ah my dearest Cassius, Centurion of Rome, I have your promotion and orders here, direct from Caesar."
Cassius was dumbfounded, he read and reread the documents Alex presented to him. He looked up at Alexander and Haaken, both stood with huge ear to ear grins on their faces, before falling at Alexander's feet and kissing them.
"Lord, you do me such great honour."
"Oh Cassius, you don't call me Lord, we are friends and lovers, now stand up and stop being silly."
The tears were rolling down his cheeks as he stood to face Alexander.
"The day I met you would have to be the best day of my life. I could not even begin to imagine the joy you have brought into my life."
Alex moved forward and kissed his friend quite passionately.
"I am so pleased because I love you my friend and bring you joy as you do me. Now, we have an expedition to organise. Cassius, we will use your hundred men to help us put it together. Caesar has already sent word ahead to commandeer our water transport and I have letters of introduction to the Norse leader, written in their language as well as Latin. We are returning to Haaken's village first and hope to have a Norse escort as well as your soldiers."
For the next two months there was much work done puting the expedition together. Cassius started to look worried as the time for departure came closer.
"Why such a deep frown Cassius, are you not content with our work?
"Oh yes Alexander, but I realise I am going to miss Per terribly."
Cassius dropped his eyes until his face was lifted by Alex.
"My dearest friend, one word from you and your lover comes with us."
Once again Cassius was overcome with Alex generosity and tears of joy fell. Alexander laughed, and wondered how this battle hardened soldier could be so emotional.
Many slave owners were cruel and mean with their slaves and the Norse slaves were some of these. Alexander had garnered much wealth and now used some of it to buy up these maltreated Norsemen for very low prices. He brought them to his villa where he did the same with them as he had done with the others after being abused. When they were fit he asked Caesar for permission to take them back to Norway with him and release them.
"They are your slaves Alexander you may do with them what you please."
Alexander was delighted he now had ten more of the fifty to take back to Haaken's village.
Alexander and Cassius ran the expedition the same as the previous one only on a larger and more elaborate scale. Haaken's people were amazed as the armada sailed into the fjord again, and more than a little apprehensive as they saw the number of soldiers. All became relaxed again when Haaken hailed them. With ten more released slaves the party went on for days. Haaken and Alexander were feted and were overwhelmed by the hospitality.
Despite homosexuality being frowned upon, the villagers were mightily impressed that Per was the lover of a Roman Centurion. It also became obvious this time that Alexander and Haaken were lovers and no one appeared to mind. Alexander was now almost a hero in this village. When he asked the headman if he would supply an escort to attend with his own soldiers as they made their way to see the king he garnered even more kudos.
When the Norse King was told of the adventures of Alexander and Haaken, and of Alexander's attempts to repatriate all the Norse slaves he was more than happy to sign a friendship treaty with Rome. He was also very impressed with Alexander's grasp of his language. Alexander introduced Andreas to the King and told him that he had the confidence of Rome and would happily liaise at any time either by becoming resident in the court or being available in his own village. The King sent Andreas back to his village with Alexander and there was more feasting before once again Alexander set sail for home.
"The remainder of your people will be returned to you within the year Sire, Caesar promised me that if I returned with the friendship treaty."
Once again Alexander returned to Rome in triumph.
Caesar refused him permission to return with the slaves this time and Haaken was to take them home, once again with Cassius commanding a small escort. The operation was successful but Haaken and Cassius never returned. Their galley was swamped in heavy seas and there were no survivors. The other galley's commander brought the news to Rome.
Alexander was beyond grief at the loss of his love. The following morning, servants found him dead in his bed and the goblet alongside the bed contained the remains of the poison he had drunk.
The minstrels sang of the great love Alexander had for his Norse God and Rome wept for the young Roman, a star who had lit up their lives and achieved so much. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ I hjope you enjoyed my story and weill let me know what you thought of it.
Chris Johns at home in Antigua