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waited until he was sure the boy was situated before he closed the door, leaving Skaia in the dark with the five other men who slept in the room.
    Skaia removed his tunic, just dropping it at his side, not folding it neatly as he usually did. As he lay down and huddled in the blanket, he thought back over the day. He had given in. He had done what these Romans wanted. Shamed, he prayed to The Shining One of his people. Oh, Belenus. Tell my father I’m sorry. I’m not brave like him.
    But he was just a child lost in this strange place, with these strange people. He would hold onto any hope. Maybe, if I’m good enough, he thought, it will not be so bad. Castor had not seemed so angry after he gave in. And though Master Thaddeus had frightened him tonight, he had not actually hurt him.
    He felt tears fill his eyes and tried to choke back his cries. He knew the other men in the room were tired of him now. They had threatened him last night when he cried. Yet in spite of his best efforts, he knew he would do it again. He shoved the blanket into his mouth, determined not to disturb them this time, and when he wept, he thought he was very quiet. But there was a sudden pounding on the door. And someone calling for Castor.
    Skaia sat up quickly. “I sorry. I sorry. I stop.”
    In just moments, the door opened and Castor looked in. “Again?” he asked.
    “ Yes, sir. And you said we should call you.”
    Skaia looked toward the open doorway, trying to see who spoke, but he couldn’t; it was too dark. “Skaia, come out,” Castor ordered.
    Shaking, the boy got up and walked to Castor. “I sorry.”
    Castor pushed him against the wall and lifted the strap he used to discipline the slaves. “Brace yourself with your hands.” When Skaia only looked at him, Castor picked up his small hands and put them on the wall, using the handle on the strap to make him back his feet out. Then he struck Skaia three times, being careful to avoid the existing welts. The boy bit his lip, determined to be strong and make no sound. But he almost slipped to the floor when Castor was done, and barely succeeded in remaining silent.
    “ Gotus,” Castor called, and one of the men came out from the small room. “Wrap him in his blanket and hold him tonight.”
    Gotus met Castor’s eyes, all the time shaking his head. “Why me? Why do I have to take care of him?”
    “ Are you questioning me?” Castor snapped.
    “ No, sir,” Gotus sighed, his shoulders slumping. “I’ll do as you say, sir.”
    “ Good.” Castor waited until Gotus had helped Skaia up, had wrapped him in his blanket, and had settled back down with the child in his arms. “He’s just a boy, Gotus,” Castor said more kindly. “And the master whipped him today.”
    After Castor left, Gotus spoke quietly in Skaia’s ear. “I know you don’t understand me. But you hurt all of us when you keep us up at night. I had to do this.”
    Skaia started to tremble, and Gotus held him tighter. “It’s alright, now,” he whispered. “It’s over. I won’t hurt you.” Another voice rang out, telling Gotus to be quiet. He stopped talking, but rubbed Skaia’s side gently until the boy was still.
    When the youngster’s breathing evened out, Gotus sincerely hoped Skaia slept. And he closed his own eyes again, waiting for sleep to take him as well.

III

    The cell door was unlocked, and all the slaves inside the little room awoke immediately. At first, Skaia was surprised to find himself in someone’s arms. And then he remembered the events of the night. He had cried again and Gotus had complained to Castor. Castor had punished him… and then told Gotus to hold him.
    Why he had done that, Skaia didn’t know, but it had been comforting, even worth the punishment, to be touched so kindly, to be held protectively. As Gotus got up, Skaia twisted his head to watch him. “Thank you, sir,” he whispered. “Did I… be quiet?”
    Gotus hesitated, wishing he could