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of introductions and insistent importunities. "The Prefect wishes a tour of the baths and a massage before facing the steward."
    The one luxury he did approve of in his new home was the gymnasium and baths. All upper class homes had running water, and most had baths, but the majority of the populace frequented public facilities, hundreds of which dotted the city. The more luxurious baths charged fees and were frequented by the city elite.
    Demetrius led Orestes through the colonnaded outside passage, past several carved mahogany doors to a narrow staircase in the rear of the complex. Orestes felt the humidity increasing as they descended to a chamber with vaulted ceilings. An exercise pool stretched before him. His footsteps echoed off the stone floor with a wet slapping sound. Two slaves stood at attention beside a bench piled high with thick towels.
    Demetrius pointed to a series of doors on the left. "This way we have the cold, warm and hot rooms, all furnished with pools, benches and tables. The attendants are skilled in all the usual services: massage, barbering, hairdressing, skin waxing."
    "Is there an exercise yard?"
    "Through that door at the end of the room. There is a full complement of weapons and a weapons master could be employed if you wish, Master. The guards use the yard for practice when the Prefect is not in residence."
    "Good. Arrange for the best wrestler to work out with me in the mornings. Once a week I'll want a swords master to attend me. My custom is to arise before dawn, exercise and bathe before attending the office."
    "Might I suggest the Prefect plan to attend the public baths on occasion? Much important city business is conducted as the city fathers take their ease."
    Orestes rubbed the bridge of his nose. He intended to add frequent trips to the public baths to his schedule. The imperial court had been much the same. "That is sound advice. When is the most auspicious time of day to arrive at the baths?"
    "After the afternoon council session and before the evening meal."
    "I'll enjoy my own facilities this one day." Orestes surveyed the beckoning rooms then started for the one with steam pouring from under the door. "I'll soak in the hot pool, have my massage and finish in the frigidarium." He snapped his fingers at the body slaves. "Attend me."
     
    Orestes lay on a marble table draped with a warm towel of soft combed linen. The material felt silky against his skin. A slave pummeled his sore muscles, kneaded sweet-smelling oil into his skin and scraped off the oil and sweat with a strigil, a small curved knife. Orestes caught a whiff of wintergreen under the heavier scent of sandalwood.
    Demetrius stood against the wall, an unobtrusive shadow, sparking Orestes' curiosity. "How came you to this state of servitude, Demetrius?" Orestes asked.
    A blank mask settled over the slave's face. "It's a common enough tale. My widowed father drank heavily and ran up debts against his shipping business. A run of bad weather and spoiled cargo ruined us. My sister and I were seized and sold into slavery to pay the debts. My father died shortly after of a wasting disease of the liver."
    "And your sister?"
    Small lines of bitterness puckered the corners of Demetrius' eyes as he replied in a low, flat voice, "She was put to work in a brothel. She died a year later in childbirth, as did the babe."
    "I see. No patron? No business associate of your father's to look after you two?"
    The slave stiffly shook his head. "His business associates pressed the magistrate for our enslavement."
    "And what path were your feet set upon before this tragedy?"
    "I was a student of history and languages. The former for my pleasure. The latter to be useful to my father in his business."
    Orestes had observed Demetrius during the morning, carefully testing his abilities as a body servant and his knowledge of the estate. His tone toward his master was always deferential, his advice well considered. Demetrius took no notes, but made