First Spear of Vindolanda Pt. 01

First Spear of Vindolanda. Part I

Chapter I

The setting sun in the man's eyes caused him to squint as he walked to the west along the stone wall. His stride was steady and somewhat fast compared to a normal Roman, considering the slight limp in his gait. Cassius Vallo was an infantry veteran of the Legions and had recently retired at the age of 43, having served a 25 year enlistment. He'd achieved the rank of Primus Pilus, or 1st Spear Centurion by hard work and a ruthless loyalty to his fellow legionnaires and the Empire.

Hardbitten as they come, his body was marred by several knotted scars that reflected the many battles he'd survived. As he walked, his thoughts went back to his wife whom had died in childbirth nearly twenty years ago. As a result he'd thrown himself wholeheartedly into his career, lest he go mad with grief. Now that he was free of his obligations to Empire, the idea of finding another wife was on his mind more and more.

Settling his pilum, or spear, on his shoulder and checking his gladius at his side, (old habits die hard) he focused on the path ahead. Darkness was approaching and he hoped to reach the next mile castle before it was too dark to see. Thieves and murderers from north of the wall were not uncommonly seen here, especially after dark. Many people south of the wall travelled its path for trade and other purposes, all the while on the lookout for barbarians that had sneaked over the wall to line their pockets, or seek revenge on the Romans they considered invaders of their lands.

Cassius was fairly well off financially. His grandfather had also retired from the Legions and started a small store in Vindolanda, selling undergarments, sandals and civilian outerwear for the soldiers manning the wall. Rather than writing home and begging their families for clothing, they would much rather purchase it locally at mildly inflated prices.

As time went on, more and more Roman citizens traveled to the wall to be with their loved ones, including wives and children. The demand for such products skyrocketed and the store's profits financed several more under the same business that Cassius' father then inherited. At present time they were so well managed by employees that Cassius was able to enjoy his life with minimal attention paid by him to the running of it.

While lost in thought, a furtive movement caught his eye. He looked to his left, down in the vallum and witnessed three men break from cover and sprint for the wall, dragging sacks of obviously stolen goods behind them. Without a thought, he threw caution to the wind and ran towards the barbarians. The pilum seemed to naturally fill his hand and he threw it with all his strength, strength built by many hard years of intense training and hand to hand combat.

The leading barbarian died almost instantly as it took him under the armpit and spitted his heart and lungs, blood poured from his mouth as the heavy shaft dragged him to the ground. The other two men dropped their ill gotten goods and charged the former legionnaire. A critical mistake for sure, Cassius thought, as the lust of battle overtook him.

With a nasty snarl, he faced the men and proceeded to have his way with them. They circled him, stabbing ineffectively with their primitive knives, but all was for naught. A few parries and two vicious thrusts of his gladius and it was all over, much to his dismay. He loved a good fight and had always enjoyed killing anyone who needed it, but this tussle was rather short lived in his opinion.

"Not a scratch on me," he reflected inwardly with a wry smile as the adrenaline faded from his system. A quick stab to each man's heart to ensure death was administered, then he began untie the two sacks of stolen booty.

Suddenly, the sound of feminine voices caught his attention! Cupping his hands to his ears he determined they were coming from the wall, most probably north of the wall, he decided. As quietly as possible, he ran to the wall and scurried atop it, then peered over the edge. His eyes widened as he took in the scene below him. Two women were tied together back to back and sitting at the base of the wall nearly fifteen feet below him.

His senses were on high alert and he waited cautiously for several minutes while watching the surrounding area, always wary of a trap. Possibilities ran through his mind of why they might be there, but the most obvious one was the three men had kidnapped the two women in the north and had left them behind while they raided south of the wall.

Cassius knew he wasn't the best or most moral of men, deep inside he knew it well. He killed with impunity and had always taken what he'd wanted, unless it was contrary to Roman Legion law or tradition. Out on the wall it was still a wild and wooly frontier, even decades after construction and occupation, and that was one of many reasons he loved it here. He could spread his wings and enjoy his remaining years with a vast amount of freedom, especially with the amount of money he had.

So now to no surprise, his first impulse was to collect the women for himself, and he was already thinking of how to rescue them from their current situation.

Catlike, he scurried down the wall and ran for the mile castle only a few hundred yards away. Of course he knew nearly every soldier on duty because he traveled this way often, and a First Spear with a combat record such as his was highly respected every where he went. A few coins in outstretched palms later, he was through the gate, north of the wall and trotting towards the unfortunate women.

It was nearly dark by now and using the oil lamp the sentry had provided, located his prizes in short order. Both women were crying in frustration and fright as he held the lamp over their head. The older one seemed to be a touch younger than himself, perhaps 38 to 40 or so, with long, dark, straight hair that ended just below her shoulder blades. The other was much younger, 20 to 25 was his best guess, with a full head of curly auburn hair that hung just above her pert little behind. Both were dressed in rags and he immediately noticed that their bodies were thin from hunger, not so thin however that he couldn't admire their remaining curves and half naked breasts revealed to his now attentive gaze.

He addressed them in what he hoped was their language. Spending his childhood on the wall had exposed him to a few languages that enabled him to somewhat communicate with almost anyone he met north or south of the wall.

"You're coming with me!" he demanded, rather roughly. He was still concerned about more barbarians in the area and wanted to get the hell out of there.

"Please, sir! Release us, we're only poor women!" the elder one begged in a northern accent, while the younger nodded agreement.

"Why, woman? So someone else can have you? What kind of sense is that?" he asked belligerently. "Who do you think would treat you better, a Roman citizen or the barbarian bastards I just killed?"

"I, I don't know," the younger one quailed. Cassius was now completely out of patience, his military mindset having no time for dalliances.

"Well, you're gonna find out!" Stooping low, he cut the ropes around their bodies, and prodded them to their feet, then tied their necks together on a leash. "Now march, ladies!" The oil lamp lit the way as he tugged them to the gate and back to the south side of the wall.

"We stay here tonight," he snapped. The sentry provided them blankets and showed them a small room where they could sleep on the floor. His head barely hit the ground when a thought passed his mind.

"By Jupiter! Fuck me running, my pilum and the booty! I've left it behind! Cassius, you're getting old, you dumb bastard!" he chided himself. He jumped up and yelled for the sentry. "Flavius! Where's your fellow soldier?"

"I was sleeping until you started yelling, First Spear!" a young man's voice returned with a chuckle.

"Well shit, Sorry about that. Would you mind watching these two wenches while I make a run outside?"

"Sure thing, sir! I'd be happy to."

Cassius grabbed the lamp and quickly made his way back to where the barbarians had met their ill fated end. He retrieved his spear from the dead man's chest, then delved into the two sacks, having no idea that what he would find there would change his life forever.

Chapter II

Cassius nearly fainted when he wrestled the objects out of the sacks. "By Jupiter!" he thought, "Someone's ass is cooked for sure!" The sacks yielded two surprises, a double handful of gold jewelry, including necklaces and bracelets set with two dozen or more precious stones, each of which would be worth a few year's salary to a Centurion, at a minimum. It took him a few moments to figure out what the next item was. He peered closer and finally realized it was the seal of the provincial governor of Britannia! These jokers had robbed Governor Marcellus' seal along with his wife's jewelry!

"Flavius!" he bellowed.

"Yes, First Spear!"

"Call me Cassius, I've told you a thousand times, damn it! I'm fucking retired from that shit!"

"Yes, sir!"

Cassius shook his head resignedly, "Fucking troops," he muttered. "Where's the watch commander?"

"He stayed the night at the mile castle four miles west of here, he's heading for Vindolanda."

"Send someone to run him down, now! We've, or rather you and your partners in crime have a major problem on your hands. We need to catch him before he hits town. Move it!"

"Yes, sir!" Flavius cried, while locked at attention.

"Flavius, who the fuck is he to order us around?" asked the wet behind the ears legionnaire, Rufus, while he frantically saddled a horse.

"He's First Spear Cassius Vallo, the best combat infantry veteran to ever wear the eagle. You would do best to heed his word. He's a legend in the Legions, you dolt."

"Fuck you!"

"No, fuck you! Now ride like the wind before Cassius kicks your ass!"

While Cassius was waiting for the watch commander, he decided to check on his new charges. Both were snoring lightly while spooning together for warmth under their blankets. He quietly squatted down to observe them. Dawn was breaking and with the early light shining in the stone window frame he could see their features clearly.

Both were pleasantly attractive, the older had a few wrinkles and a little grey was sprinkled throughout her dark hair, but on the whole he would take her, he thought with an inward chuckle.

"Livia, I'll call her Livia. Hmm, now the other. Quite young, almost disturbingly so, fine skin, quite pale, and what's that blue shit under her chin and around her ears? She's from way up north!" he thought in surprise. His eyes traveled down her frame trying to discern the shape of her body but the blanket wasn't helping matters any. He returned to her face and started at the sight of her brilliant green eyes staring at him.

They were beautiful, yet there was fright in them, a fright that made him uncomfortable. He didn't like seeing it and particularly didn't like being the cause of it. In fact, he found himself wishing she'd look at him the way his wife used too, with love, adoration, and complete submission.

"Sabina, sweet Sabina, that's what I shall name you," he whispered to himself. Just then, Livia stirred and raised her head to look at him, her gaze traveled over his body, then widened when they met the hem of his tunic. His cock was hanging low between his legs and the length and girth of him took her by surprise. Despite the dimness of the room, the thick veins running down his shaft were readily apparent, much to her discomfort.

Noticing her gaze, he smiled slightly with pride. Having spent his adult life in the military, he'd seen many naked men and knew he scored in the upper percentile of cock size. With an obvious effort, she raised her beautiful blue eyes to boldly study him minutely.

He was tall, extremely tall for a Roman, and blonde of hair which was also quite rare. He carried several scars on his legs, mostly received above his greaves and below his shield, she thought. There was also a rather intriguing one that crossed his left cheek, leaving a puckered welt that ended just below his ear. For some reason that irritated her, she felt the urge to trace it with her fingers and ask him how he obtained it.

His somewhat remarkable appearance was due to his grandfather whom was born in Germania. Grandpa was blonde and tall like most of his kin, and had joined the auxiliary legion at 18 years old. While serving in Gaul, he met and married a beautiful young lady who was also tall and thin, but more darkly complected than himself. Consequently, Cassius' father was a carbon copy of his Dad, and Cassius followed his lead.

"What will you do with us?" Livia asked quietly.

"You'll come and live with me," he said simply.

"Will we be your slaves? I hear all Romans have slaves."

"Yes, you two will be my slaves. How you're treated will be determined by your conduct."

"How far must we travel? We're exhausted and half starved. Our captors were brutal and cared nothing for us. They intended to smuggle us through your wall and sell us to the highest bidder. I'm glad you killed them!" she said vehemently.

"I live several miles from here in a fort called Vindolanda. After I visit with the watch commander, we'll head that way. It's just a few hours travel from here."

"Can we get something to eat and drink, please?" asked Sabina.

"Certainly, I'll see what I can dig up. You two stay here. If you run, you're gonna die tired because I'll run you down like the slaves you are, understand?"

"Yes, master," Livia said, with downcast eyes.

"And you?"

"Yes, master," Sabina replied, with a bit more spunk.

"Better keep an eye on that one," he thought to himself as he left the room.

He returned shortly with a jug of water and some army rations. The girls treated the food like a banquet. Their exclamations of how well it tasted and the quantity made him smile secretly. Poor things thought army food was good? Ha! Just wait until they eat at his house! They'd never want to leave! Both girls were yawning and looking like they needed some sleep, and Cassius was thinking the same. A long night was had by all and they might as well nap while waiting, but there was no way he was sleeping without removing any threats the girls might pose.

"Stand up," he ordered abruptly.

The girls struggled to their feet, hampered by the bonds on their ankles. He swiftly patted them down for weapons, finding nothing but hot female flesh and ragged clothing beneath his fingers. He couldn't help but linger a touch too long on their breasts and asses. He'd been long without a woman and his thick cock was reminding him rather stoutly of that fact. He didn't notice as Livia took in his condition. The tent in his tunic was more than impressive, and smart girl that she was, she intended to do whatever it would take to ensure a safe and better life for her and Sabina.

"It's time for a nap," he declared. "Stay close and go to sleep."

Livia was surprised when in a matter of moments he was breathing deeply and sleeping like a baby. Catching Sabina's eye, she flicked her head in his direction, then lay beside him making herself the big spoon to him. Ever so slowly she boldly inched closer, stopping when his breathing caught, then advancing when it resumed.

In short order she was snuggled against him. "Mmm, so warm. And he doesn't smell too bad!" she giggled to herself. Sabina snuggled up to her and together the three slept for nearly an hour.

Livia stretched out as far as her bonds would allow and opened her eyes. A startled yelp flew from her lips when she saw Cassius' face just a few inches from hers, watching her intently.

He pushed a dirty finger to her lips, cautioning her to silence. She nodded and turned to silently awaken Sabina.

"No noise from you two, got it? Complete silence," he warned.

Both girls nodded and Cass rose to his feet and departed.

"What're you doing with him?" Sabina asked, half angrily.

"It's called survival! We must do what's necessary to stay alive."

"We don't know anything about him, he might rape and kill us! Or kill and rape us. You never know with a Roman!" Sabina hissed.

"If he wanted to do that he'd have done it already, then gave us to the other soldiers to abuse. Use your head! He wants us for himself."

"What if I don't want to belong to him?" Sabina pleaded.

"We're women, we belong to whomever wants us. Damn it, girl. You've been around long enough to know that. Besides that, he's the most civil man I've ever met. I'll gladly take a chance with him, especially if he keeps feeding me like this!" she exclaimed with a giggle.

"But what if he wants to stick his thingy in us? I'd just die!"

Livia laughed aloud, "His thingy? It's called a cock, and did you see it by the way? Oh my, so long and thick! I could die happy with that beast inside me!" She rolled her eyes and pretended to faint on the floor while Sabina giggled.

"I've never had a man inside me. Is it really so nice?"

Livia gathered her in a sweet hug and lowered her voice to a whisper.

"It's ever so nice. They stretch you open and thrust in and out so delightfully, it's amazing."

"But doesn't it hurt?"

"Sometimes, it depends on how large their cocks are. The first time definitely hurts, but it feels really good in short order. Especially if the man cares about you." Livia answered.

"Do you think the new master will care for me?"

"Like he said, it completely depends on how you react to him. If you're a nasty little bitch, he won't care a wit and will use you, then throw you away. If you value your position in his house, treat him well and anticipate his needs, he will indeed care for you. Oh, and bring him peace. No arguing or second guessing his commands. That's a sure way to ruin."

"I think I understand, I'll do my best! Thank you!" Sabina hugged Livia tightly and kissed her cheek.

"You're welcome, my sweet. Now let's try not to worry and maybe sleep a little longer."

Chapter III

"I don't give a shit how you handle it, Commander. It's not my problem," Cassius was saying to the watch commander. "All I know is those barbarians stole the jewelry and seal from the governor in Vindolanda, brought it east, and tried to go over the wall. Flavius and his men were out on patrol and helped me kill them and secure the items."

This was news to Flavius but he chose to roll with Cassius. There would be hell to pay if it was found out the sentries had no idea there were barbarians south of the wall in their area and allowed them to escape.

"Will you tell your story to the governor? It would sure help me and my men out."

"Sure, as long as you and your men transport the items. I want no responsibility for them."

"Good. We leave immediately for Vindolanda then."

"I'll follow you shortly," Cassius declared. "It was a long night for me. A short nap and then I'll clean up and head east."

"Fair enough, First Spear. See you then." The Commander turned his back and began shouting orders to load up and move out.

"Damn it, Cassius. Thanks for covering our ass. I don't know what to say," Flavius said gratefully.

"I've been in your shoes long ago. We infantry types need to stick together. You men keep your stories straight and all should go well. I pity the men at Vindolanda though. There's gonna be a few executions for sure, if there isn't already."

"Don't I know it," Flavius exclaimed nervously.

"I need a little favor," Cassius said. "Can you supply some hot water and more food for my women? They stink and I'd like to clean them up a bit, along with myself."

"Yes, sir. We'll make it happen."

The girls were amazed when Cassius led them to the room where the soldiers bathed. There was a strigil, a small jug of olive oil, and a stone basin that the sentries had filled with warm water. As usual, Cassius was all business.

"Remove your excuse for clothing and sit down, you two reek of barbarian," he commanded brusquely. Sabina simply stared at him in shock until Livia poked her in the ribs.

"Get with it, girl. He means business!" she whispered urgently.

Leading by example, Livia quickly stripped naked and sat on a nearby stool.

"Better," he growled, while admiring her thin frame. "Have you ever been cleaned in the Roman way?"

"No, sir, I haven't." She jerked in surprise when he poured oil over her shoulders and down her back. He began industrially scraping her with the strigil while she writhed uncomfortably.

"Hold still now, girl, this won't take long." In just a few minutes he'd worked her over completely, only slowing down his efforts as he cupped her breasts and thighs in his big hands admiringly. She couldn't help but notice the front of his tunic tenting as his cock tried to make its escape.

While adjusting her seat she managed to brush her shoulder against it, bringing a quick gasp from his lips. Smiling inwardly, she knew she was making inroads to his affections.

In no time she was thoroughly scraped down, and she shrieked in surprise when he swept her up in his arms and unceremoniously dumped her in the stone basin! He held her head down and scrubbed her hair vigorously while she coughed and sputtered.

"Now stay here and soak while I clean up Sabina," he commanded.

"Who is Sabina?" she asked in confusion.

"Your cohort in crime, this scrawny little lady here," he teased.

"I am not!" Sabina exclaimed angrily.

"Yes, you are. It's a good Roman name, so shut it young lady and sit down. You're next!" he growled menacingly.

"So what's my name?"

"It's Livia. Are you gonna back talk too?"

"No, master. I think it's lovely," she said submissively, suspecting his patience was nearing an end.

"That's better. Alright, Sabina, here we go!"

She wriggled and squirmed while he scraped her down, and in the process realized how strong he was. She was helpless in his hands as he manhandled her easily, but as with Livia, his rough touch softened to near caresses as he cleaned her breasts, ass and thighs.

His erection was almost rampant when he finished and dunked her in the basin alongside Livia.

He was nearly struck dumb when the two half drowned girls looked up at him beseechingly. Their beauty now revealed having been cleaned from months of filth and debris. Livia, being older and wiser recognized that he was having a weak moment and gathering her courage quickly, climbed to her feet and put a wet hand on his chest.

"Please sit down, master. Let me take care of you," she said softly.

Wary of some sort of trick, he carefully sat while keeping an eagle eye on the two beauties. She whisked the tunic off his long frame and gasped audibly at what she saw. His long, thick cock was halfway aroused and hung heavily between muscular thighs.

Rigid abdominals and thick pectorals were a welcome sight to her eyes, however, it was the multitude of knotted scars on him that stole her breath. He wore a violent history of his service in the legions on his hide that told both women how dangerous of a man they'd fallen in league with.

"Oh, master," she breathed, as Sabina echoed her own thoughts with long sigh of admiration. Livia couldn't help but touch the scar on his face as he met her eyes with his.

"It's been a long, rough road," he said, as he read her thoughts in the expression on her face.

"I can't imagine," she said softly. Taking up the oil, she coated his upper body and somewhat clumsily scraped him clean, working carefully around each scar while he groaned in the pleasure of her touch.

She pushed him to his back, and trying to ignore the thick cock in her face and the wetness between her thighs, scraped his arms and legs until he shone. A thick drop of precum gathered at the tip of his cock, and taking a wild chance, she caught it on a fingertip, then looked him in the eye as she tasted it.

"Mmm, master. You taste delicious," she purred.

"You're killing me, Livia," he said, in low growl. With a secret smile, she anointed his cock with olive oil, giggling as he jerked in welcome surprise.

Sabina gasped aloud and raptly stared as Livia began stroking his cock, the slick sounds of her oily fist working his formidable length filled the small room. In less than a minute he was fully tumescent and she now used both hands to bring him pleasure. Both women's eyes were locked on the thick, swollen head that was now constantly leaking clear liquid that dripped over Livia's small fists.

Having been so long without a woman, Cassius had no chance of lasting long at all. Livia's tight grip was too much, and with a shout of pleasure he emptied his balls, shooting rope after rope of hot cum skyward. Sabina yelped in surprise having never seen a man cum before.

The sheer volume was impressive enough but the height of his discharge was amazing, even to him. Nearly two feet in the air his cum flew, only to spatter down and rain on his belly. Missing a beat as she watched him cum in her hands, Livia inadvertently tilted his cock in her direction and she took a shot of cum directly on her tits.

She caught his eyes and noticed he was locked in on her breasts, watching his cum drip down her cleavage. Instantly, she read his thoughts and again aimed his cock at her breasts, this time she cupped her tit and rolled his cock head over a hard nipple. He groaned again and arched his hips, trying to get closer to her. Redoubling her efforts, she tightened her fist and jerked harder, drawing a last violent spasm from his aching balls. A thick gob of cum painted her nipple as his body locked in a final throe of ecstasy, then he sagged back in exhaustion.

"Master," she whispered, catching his gaze. She lifted her dripping breast to meet her outstretched tongue, and without breaking eye contact, licked her nipple clean and swallowed his essence. The look on his face was priceless, and she knew she'd done the right thing. Her near future would be secured, she was sure of it. Her next goal was to bring Sabina with her.

Chapter IV

"How could you do that to him? It looked so icky, but kind of exciting too!" Sabina exclaimed to Livia as they trudged behind Cassius, just out of earshot.

"It's part of ensuring we have a safe future. We both need to please him in every way if we're to survive. Our tribes are wiped out, our families dead, he's our only hope now. You can't deny that we're much better off than we were two days ago!"

"I'm beginning to realize that. Will I have to do stuff like that to him?" Sabina asked tentatively.

"You'd better if you don't want to be sold off like an old she goat!"

"Did you like doing it? Did he really taste good?"

"Yes, and not really. Men don't like hearing that though, so always tell him he's delicious. They love that kind of talk."

"Watching you made me feel funny down there," Sabina whispered as she pointed to her pussy. "It was a nice feeling."

"Just you wait until he gets his hands on you, you'll really feel funny!" Livia giggled aloud.

"I'm so nervous about that, I hope he doesn't hurt me. He scares me most of the time, especially when he yells at us."

"That's the military man in him. It's obvious he was a soldier and from what I see, he is Rome personified. Did you notice all his scars are on the front of his body? He's never ran from a fight in his life. He's bold and unafraid of anything. He killed those three assholes who kidnapped us all by himself. He's a deadly, dangerous man, and the men at the castle were in awe of him. We need to do everything in our power to please him because can ruin us in a second." Livia explained. "But there's also another side to him, I see it in his eyes," she continued, "He's capable of feelings and emotions, he just hides them extremely well. Pay attention and you can exploit them to your advantage if you're careful."

"I think you did something like that when you made him squirt on your tits, then licked it up, his eyes changed expression."

"You're quite observant. Yes, I did that on purpose. He trusts us more now. We walk free and unbound. It was worth it, I enjoyed it, and I'm going to do it again."

"I think you like him!" Sabina accused with a snort of laughter.

"I'm afraid I do, but don't tell him!" Livia giggled aloud.

"Get your lazy asses up here," Cassius shouted, "Laggards!"

The girls ran to catch up, and Livia guided Sabina to his left side while she took his right. Her hand touched the small of his back and he jerked in surprise, then slid his arm around her waist.

"Wench," he stated.

"Master," she returned, with a brilliant smile. She loved the way his mouth quirked as he fought down a grin. He turned to acknowledge Sabina.

"Other wench," he growled teasingly.

"No, your Sabina, master." she corrected softly. This time he couldn't contain himself and the smile that broke his scarred face brought a happiness and security to the girls they thought they'd never feel again.

Chapter V

"Pollux!" Cassius shouted, as they walked into the courtyard at his home. The biggest, blackest man the girls had ever seen came out of the house and approached them. In fact, he was the only black man they'd ever seen and he frightened them to death.

"Master," he acknowledged in a deep voice.

"We need sustenance, please. Something quick and easy, we hunger greatly."

"Of course, master."

"And send for Anna. Have her here by morning and tell her she has two slave girls to clean up. Have them oiled, scraped, tweezed and washed thoroughly by noon. Also, send for the goldsmith and tailor immediately."

"Yes, master."

"But, master..." Sabina began, but a sharp poke by Livia ended her protest.

"Yes, slave?" he questioned in a dangerous tone. He was tired, hungry, and at the end of his patience.

"She meant nothing, master," Livia said softly, and taking a chance, touched his arm lightly and met his eyes. She saw anger there and tiredness and determined to do something about it.

"Please, master, sit and we'll serve you." Reluctantly, he reclined on a nearby couch and she stroked his curly hair as he relaxed with a deep sigh.

"The goldsmith will be here soon. Do as he says. The tailor will also be here soon. Do as he says. You and Sabina will dine with me every day, not with the other slaves. Understand?"

"Yes, master." the girls acknowledged simultaneously. A small grin tweaked his mouth just before he dozed off, and the girls smiled secretly as they watched him sleep.

When their meal arrived, Livia awoke Cassius with a tender kiss on his forehead, then she and Sabina served him food and wine until Pollux interrupted them as ordered.

"Master, the goldsmith and tailor."

"Send them in. Girls, strip down for me," he commanded.

Sabina looked at him dumbly until a now naked Livia smacked her shoulder. Immediately, she tossed off her borrowed soldiers tunic and stood beside her friend, trembling now in fear.

"Measure them for collars," Cassius ordered the goldsmith.

"Will do, Cassius." The man quickly jotted down his information on a wax tablet, then handed it to Cassius, who then scribbled on the wax and handed it back to the merchant. He read it quickly, then cocked an eyebrow to Cassius inquiringly.

"Do what it says," he said simply.

"Yes, sir. I'll have them by morning."

"Good, you're dismissed." The goldsmith rapidly departed, leaving the girls to wonder what strange things Cassius had scratched in the wax.

The tailor was next, a small diminutive man with a cloth tape and another wax tablet. He poked, prodded and measured the two women as they stood uncomfortably before him. As he left, sighs of relief left their chilled bodies and they scrambled for their tunics.

"Stop! Come with me," Cassius commanded. Obediently, they followed him to his sparse bedroom where he dug about in an old army chest and produced two, large, well worn tunics, his very own that he'd worn for many years in the legions.

"Use these for now," he said, and surprised the girls by pulling them over their heads and adjusting them so hung correctly.

"Kind of big but they'll do," he muttered.

The girls shared secret smiles at the small intimacy he showed for them. They were beginning to like him more as time went by. He left the room and the women spontaneously hugged and shared soft giggles.

"Mmm, his clothes smell so good!" Sabina exclaimed.

"They smell like him! It makes me happy he shared this with us," Livia returned with a grin. Every nicety he showed towards them gave her renewed hope for their futures. Just then, Pollux entered the room with new orders.

"You two will sleep here this evening. Master has business to attend. Goodnight." Pollux turned and left the girls alone with their thoughts.

"Well, that answers my question," Livia sighed. "I was hoping he'd sleep with us."

"Me too, but he's still scary," Sabina said quietly.

"Can you believe this place?" Livia offered as a change of subject.

"I've never in my life seen such a hut, and this bed is beyond amazing. We'd best mind Pollux and get some rest."

Sabina swirled wet fingers around her swollen clit as she watched Cassius pour oil on his rigid cock. It seemed to be as long as her forearm and the thick head as big as her closed fist! He stroked himself as he settled between Livia's widespread legs, her ass supported on a large pillow.

He teased her pussy with his massive cock head and began pushing himself inside her. She cried out in pain and put her hands on his chest, trying to keep him from penetrating her. He grabbed her wrists and pinned her arms above her head while she continued fighting him. He glanced at Sabina to ensure she was watching, and indeed she was. Her gaze was fixed on his thick, glistening shaft, wondering how it would ever fit inside her friend.

His muscular buttocks clenched and flexed as he slowly drove deep into Livia's tight pussy, causing Sabina's eyes to widen in empathy for the poor girl beneath him. Livia screamed as he drilled deep and hammered into her cervix without remorse.

"Master, please!" she begged, "it hurts, it hurts!"

"Take it, wench," he growled, no pity at all in his voice. "You'll take this cock and love it!" He began thrusting with a steady pace, working her pussy open, stretching it to its limits while Livia writhed beneath him in pain.

Sabina stroked her clit and felt the first orgasm of her life creeping up on her as she watched him brutally violate her only friend. Livia began thrusting her hips at him, trying to throw him off Sabina thought for a moment, but realized with a start that she was fucking him back! Her screams of pain became cries of passion that Cassius immediately picked up on.

"That's it. Fuck me, slave!" he growled as he bent his head to watch himself glide in and out of her. Sabina followed his gaze and realized he was only using half his prodigious length to penetrate Livia. He slid a slick thumb over her clit and she began a quick ascent to orgasm.

When he felt her pussy contract around his cock, he pinned her down and pushed deep inside, so deep he found her cervix, and with a practiced roll of his hips, slid his thick helmet beneath it and drove powerfully to the very back wall of her pussy. A scream of orgasmic pain was torn from her throat as she came apart beneath him. Sabina's fingers were whirling madly now as she rode a wave towards her own orgasm.

Cassius assumed a push up position over his lover and hammered her rapidly with a dozen full depth penetrations that triggered his own orgasm. He quickly pulled free and stroked his cock rapidly, coating her belly and breasts with hot cum. Sabina was on the cusp of orgasm when he wiped his fingers in the cum on Livia's belly and offered the dripping mess to Sabina's panting mouth. She opened to accept it, but a sharp pain came from her ribs, incessantly jabbing at her, and it hurt!

"Sabina! Sabina! Wake up!" she heard. Groggily she lifted her head to see Livia crouched over her on the bed.

"Whatever are dreaming about? You're pink as a sunrise and making all kinds of ridiculous noises, silly girl! It's time to get up!" Livia chided.

"Oof, you'll never believe the dream I was having!" She quickly told Livia about it and the brunette flamed red with embarrassment at the idea of Cassius fucking her as described.

"You're right, I can't believe it you little tramp! Such naughty dreams you have!"

Pollux was serving them breakfast when Cassius arrived with news, but had to fend off his new charges before he was able to voice it. Both women unceremoniously hugged him and thanked him for meeting their needs the previous day and night, completely unaware that as slaves they had no right to lay hands on their master.

Pollux's eyebrows were twitching in disbelief as he watched the scene unfold, sure that his master would rip them a new ass immediately. His expression changed from disbelief to incredulity when Cassius gathered them in his arms and soundly kissed their cheeks.

"Oh, master, I missed you!" Livia exclaimed happily.

"And I as well, we're so glad you're home!" Sabina whispered, as she bussed his neck, the only place she could reach because of her height.

"Pollux, Anna will be here soon, as well as the goldsmith and tailor. I'll see the goldsmith last, even if he has to wait, the old miser!"

Cassius had just finished breakfast when Anna appeared. She was quite pretty at the age of 35, and rather petite, with a surprisingly large set of breasts and long dark hair, almost black.

"Girls, this is Anna. She'll help get you two cleaned up to Roman standards. In fact, a step above if I know her well, and I think I do. Follow her orders and no complaining or I'll get involved, and we don't want that do we?"

"No, master!" they parroted together.

"Good. Pollux, take the girls to the bath. Anna, sit with me."

"Yes, Cass," she answered, with a familiarity that the slave girls noticed immediately.

"Ah, dear Anna. It's so good to see you!" he said with a dazzling smile.

"And you, honey," she replied softly. Without invitation, she slid into his lap and kissed him sweetly. "I miss our visits, Cass. Why haven't you sent for me in so long? Have I done something you resent?"

"No, nothing like that. I've been traveling quite a bit. That and the occasional problem with my business rears its ugly head and chews up my time."

"Well, I can accept that I guess. I do truly miss you, sweetheart."

"I know, and I apologize, not often, but I will for you," he said, with a cheeky grin.

"So, I see you have a couple women here, new slave stock?" Cassius was expecting her to ask about his girls and as always he told the truth, regardless if it hurt or not.

"Yes, I had decided to look for a new wife when these two fell in my lap. I brought them home as slaves from north of the wall. I haven't made up my mind if I'll keep them yet. Much of that depends on how they respond to our ways, and you'll be the first one to break them in."

He saw the pain in her eyes when he talked of marriage. He'd always liked Anna. Their relationship was mostly sexual for him, but he knew she had always wished it were emotional as well. In times past he would send for her and she would stay a night or two while they fucked like rabbits, then return to her home sated physically but pining for love.

"Will you turn these barbarian wenches into Roman ladies for me, Anna, please?" She would do anything he asked of course, and she replied softly as she ruffled his curls.

"Yes, my love. I will, but will you please let me come to your bed one last time?"

"I'll think on it, dear Anna. Now, off with you. Do your best with my girls!" As she regretfully rose from his lap, he smacked her ass sharply and she giggled as she rubbed the hot sting away.

"Oh, I remember that feeling, I really do miss you, sweetheart," she whispered throatily, then bent to kiss him deeply one last time.

As Cassius sat at his desk working on his accounting, the shrieks and cries of his two girls echoed throughout the house and a satisfied smile lit his face. Anna was doing a fine job of hair removal, no doubt tweezing and shaving the most delicate parts of their bodies.

A little more meat on their bones, a few more baths, and they'd be transformed, he thought inwardly. They could also use more than a few solid meals to fill the hollows in their half starved frames.

A couple of hours later about the time Anna finished with the girls, the tailor arrived. All the anger they felt towards Cassius and Anna for their prior tortures in the bath room faded away when they tried on their new wardrobe.

"I've never seen the like!" Livia said softly, as Anna smoothed the nearly transparent tunic around her shoulders. It shimmered in the faintest shade of cobalt blue that accentuated the same color in her eyes as it fell half way to her knees, and her freshly plucked pussy appeared like a narrow vertical shadow in the fork of her thighs.

Her long dark hair fell about her shoulders and framed pink nipples that hardened slightly as the thin cotton brushed against them.

"Oh, my. So beautiful!" Sabina echoed, when Anna helped drape the fabric around her petite body. Her tunic was a beautiful sheer green that nearly matched the emerald color of her eyes. Her breasts weren't as large as Livia's, but her nipples pointed towards the ceiling proudly, tenting the fabric and drawing Cassius' attention like a bee to honey. The girls smiled and giggled as they tried on a few more outfits, while goldsmith arrived and spoke to Cassius in the adjoining room.

"Here you are, sir, as ordered," he said, almost apologetically. "They're beautiful but quite expensive. I hope they meet your demands."

Cassius was more than impressed with the quality of the items, but didn't want the man to know, so he haggled the price down several gold aureus until each man was somewhat satisfied.

"Pay the man, Pollux," he ordered, and went to bestow his gifts on the ladies.

"Livia, Sabina, come here and kneel before me."

"Yes, master!" they said in unison. Anna stood by with an odd expression on her face as she realized what Cassius intended to do. One would think her a bit melancholy at the moment if they observed closely. Cassius held forth their gifts, two solid gold collars, each with a small tag hanging from it were in his hands. The women gasped in surprise at the sight.

"These collars are for you. It signifies my ownership of you and your submission to me," he stated formally. "Livia, your tag is inset with a blue topaz, and Sabina, yours is set with an emerald. My name is engraved on each one so anyone who reads it knows I'm your master, and will return you to me if you ever run from me, or get lost during our travels. Do you understand me?"

"Yes, master!" each girl said, tremulously.

"What happens if you run, Livia?" He asked sternly.

"You hunt us down and kill us?" she guessed, with a shudder.

"Correct," he growled. "Sabina, what happens if you get lost and someone has to return you to me?" Sabina stared up at him and her throat seized in fright. She could only make a croaking sound as a tear worked its way down her cheek.

"I'll tell you. I spank your little ass until you can't sit down for a month, understand?" She could only nod her head as a sob wracked her thin body.

"We understand, master," Livia said, in a voice tight with fear.

"Lift your hair," he commanded. As each girl did so, he fastened their collars by pounding a gold pin into the open ends of the collars with two small hammers, then cupped their heads in his hands and brought them to his thighs. Each girl hugged him and wept tears on his tunic while he caressed their hair. Anna caught his eye, and she looked so sad that he felt his cold heart soften and warm as he remembered the distant past they once shared.

Chapter VI

"Cassius!" his wife, Atia, exclaimed as they reclined in bed. He reddened slightly, knowing he'd been caught sneaking glances at the slave girl as she tidied up their bedroom before departing for her own.

"What, wife?" he said roughly, knowing sometimes he could bluster his way out of trouble with his beautiful mate.

"What do you think of Anna. Is she easy to look at?"

"She is, but nothing like my beautiful girl," he said gallantly.

"Oh, hogwash! I know you like her. I see it every time you watch her prance around the house."

Cassius was unsure of what was coming. His wife was completely unpredictable and he could only guess what was going on inside her head.

"Would you like to fuck her, Cass? Is that what you think when her tight little ass walks by?" He watched Anna's back stiffen in alarm as she puttered about in her short tunic. He also felt a tremor of dread run down his spine. The last thing he wanted was a knock down drag out with his mate.

"Anna, do want to fuck my husband like we discussed today?" Cassius' eyebrows nearly hit the ceiling at hearing his wife's words. He knew she was somewhat wild in bed, but this was earthshaking news to him.

"I do, Domina. Forgive me, but I do," she said softly, as she gazed at the couple ensconced in bed.

"And why do you want to?"

"Because I hear him making love to you and I want the same thing," she said shyly, not daring to meet his eyes. "I want him to make me scream like you do almost every night. I want to feel a man inside me for the first time."

Cassius didn't fall off the turnip wagon yesterday, and he knew something was afoot. Anna's speech sounded a bit contrived, although the tremor in her voice was quite real. He glanced quickly at Atia and caught the slightest satisfied smile on her face before she wiped it away and replaced it with a scowl.

He remembered a conversation between the two of them not too long ago that had to do with fantasies. Atia loved dirty talk during sex, and while running out things to say, he'd improvised and told her how much fun another woman in their bed would be. That evening her orgasms were violent and she was nearly out of her mind with lust, and he suspected that his current situation was spawned on that night.

At the moment he was at a loss for words, basically under attack from two sides and he didn't quite know how to respond. His training dictated to assault through an ambush, then sweep the flank and destroy the enemy by close combat and maneuver, and at the present time he was under ambush, there were no doubts about it.

Atia yelped in surprise when he leapt atop her, pinning her arms to her sides with his knees, his cock dangling dangerously in front of her eyes as he put a big hand to her throat, squeezing lightly.

"Anna, come here!" he snarled.

"Yes, master!" she quailed, and ran to his side.

"Is this what you want, wife? Do you want me to fuck your slave girl?" He read uncertainty in her eyes that slowly changed to a look of lust he'd never seen before.

"Yes!" she almost hissed, "I want you to fuck her! I want you to take her like you take me! Make her scream on your cock like I do!"

Her eyes slid down to his burgeoning shaft and she licked her lips, lips made dry from fear and trepidation. She'd been terrified of his reaction, but this was something she'd been aching to do for so long she couldn't stand it and finally had to make her move.

He had no idea of the budding relationship between herself and Anna. For months the two had been trading secret touches, kisses and caresses, brought on by Atia at first, then slowly encouraged by Anna, whose curiosity about sex was building daily. Atia suspected what she wanted, and that was a rugged man to penetrate her, possess her, and truly make her a woman.

Cassius leaned down and dragged his cock across his wife's lips. She opened her mouth wide and using his thumb he wedged the thick head between her lips. He gripped Anna's head firmly with his other hand, and she cried out in surprise when he pushed her face into his crotch.

"Lick me, slave," he said roughly, so excited now that precum was dripping prodigiously into Atia's mouth. Tentatively, Anna's pink tongue emerged and licked his shaft. Cassius watched his wife carefully as her eyes locked on Anna's tongue when she started licking him hungrily, instinctively knowing what to do to please him.

Atia opened her mouth wider and Cassius obliged her by driving his now rampantly hard cock between her lips and she gagged as he hit the back of her throat.

After a few deep strokes he changed back to Anna, and for the first time she took a man's cock in her mouth. The thickness, heat, and muskiness of him triggered a wanton part of her she didn't know existed. He stopped thrusting when she pushed her throat over his length and pleasured him selflessly, stopping only when he pulled away and again ran his dripping cock into Atia's mouth. The novelty of his situation was driving him towards an early orgasm and he cared not a wit.

He felt his orgasm breaking and he ruthlessly pushed Anna's mouth next to his wife's, then with a bull roar he came explosively. Atia choked on the first blast of hot cum that filled her throat and she struggled for breath around his thick cock. He pulled free and stuffed himself down Anna's throat and continued to unload his aching balls. She too coughed and choked while he cried out with each violent spasm that wracked his straining body. Back and forth, he fucked their mouths until each woman's face and mouth were dripping with his spending.

"Yes!" he gritted through his teeth, "Suck, lick, swallow me, you sluts!" Red lips met together and the girls shared his wet cock between them, sighing with pleasure as their tongues did battle while coated with hot, white cum.

"Men take awhile to recover after they cum," Atia explained to a wide eyed Anna, as Cassius reclined on the bed with the two beauties kneeling between his wide spread legs. "It helps to tease them by playing with yourself while they watch, or you can kiss them, caress their bodies, or suck their cocks until they get hard again. Come, I'll show you," she purred.

Anna straddled his leg, and facing his feet, lowered herself until her full tits were pressed to the bed and her ass was high in the air. Reaching between her legs she parted the sodden folds of her pussy and slowly stroked her clit while sighing in pleasure. Cassius raised his upper body and dragged a willing Anna to his side.

"Watch," he whispered, "watch her while you suck my cock." She laid her head on his belly and opened her hungry mouth, then stuffed his semi-hard cock between her lips. Her eyes widened as she watched Atia's fingers dip inside her pussy again and again, drawing moans of delight from her lips.

Cassius' cock swiftly lengthened until she could no longer fit his full length in her mouth. After several minutes of her attentions, he pushed her aside and dragged his wife over his hips and slowly impaled her on his rampant cock. She cried out when his swollen helmet forced its way past her tight opening, bringing more pain than pleasure as it always did.

Anna gasped in wonder as Atia's pussy lips folded inward as he bulled his way inside her tight tunnel. Atia cried out in pain when his cock head found her cervix. He'd been there countless times before and she knew exactly how to avoid the obstacle it created. She let out a tiny grunt as she rolled her cervix over his massive head, seeking the narrow passage below it that she loved to have him drive his thick meat completely through and beyond.

Cassius had grown to love the sounds she made as he broke her open and he smiled in satisfaction when she spread her knees wider, bringing her weight down on his cock until he grunted in pain. It was nearly unbearable for him, then with the slightest roll of his hips he slid under the dome of her cervix and socketed deep inside. The bestial cry that broke from her lips was music to his ears. His cock felt like it was constricted in the tightest fist imaginable, tight and hot beyond compare.

She rested a few moments, then raised her hips until his swollen head slid free of its confines, then repeated her self impalement. Time and again, and ever so slowly she gutted herself on his thick meat while Anna looked on with incredulous eyes.

An idea crossed Cassius' mind and he acted without thinking. Much to Atia's surprise, he pushed her up to free his cock, then catching Anna by the neck, forced his dripping shaft into her shocked mouth. He groaned at the sight of his wife's freshly fucked pussy and Anna's red lips around his thick pole. He thought he'd died and gone to heaven!

He let her suckle for several seconds, enjoying the look in her surprised eyes when she tasted her Domina's pussy for the first time. Tugging Atia backwards, he impaled her again while Anna looked on with increasing jealousy.

This time Atia began working him rapidly, a sure sign of impending orgasm. Cassius was doing well and having came already was holding his own and in fine condition. Atia finally came apart, flogging her pussy relentlessly on his staff until she came harder than he'd ever seen before. Grunts, groans, and curses flew from her mouth and her fingers frigged her clit until she couldn't take anymore and freed herself from his cock, then sagged to the bed, depleted.

Cassius was left with his rigid tool tapping on his abdominals with every heartbeat, dripping with his wife's juices. Anna looked at a loss as to what to do, so as was his way, he took immediate action. She shrieked in alarm when he flipped her over on her back and settled his face between her widespread thighs.

Her freshly tweezed pussy was smooth and shiny with her own secretions and he could smell the sweet scent of her arousal. With his strong hands he pushed her thighs as wide as possible, and she watched with trepidation as he lowered his head and extended his tongue. A long sigh of pleasure broke her lips when for the first time in her life, a man's tongue licked her pussy open.

"Ah, Dominus, so good!" she whispered down to him. She loved seeing his curly head between her legs and reaching down she cupped his ears and pushed herself closer to his questing tongue. She closed her eyes and simply enjoyed the sensations he was bringing her, when abruptly, something changed! Her eyes flew open to witness Atia had joined her husband and together they were licking and sucking her pussy, sharing her between themselves.

Cassius was beside himself with excitement, having never thought of his wife doing such an act with him. His cock was harder than it had ever been and he squirmed uncomfortably as it was wedged between his taut belly and the bed.

"Something bothering you, sweetheart?" Atia asked with a bewitching smile and an arched eyebrow.

"Fuck yes it is," he moaned.

"Why don't you get it over with and fuck my slave girl for me?" He looked deep in her eyes and saw nothing but truth in them, and finally knew he was well and truly set free. Without a word, he rose to his knees and slid between Anna's damp thighs. Atia smiled happily and knelt to the side, then leaned down to kiss Anna.

"Are you ready, my sweet? Are you ready for my man to fuck you with his big cock?" She asked in a husky whisper.

"Yes, Domina. Please, I've waited so long for this." Anna replied softly, then tenderly returned Atia's affections that turned into a long, tongue twisting kiss that had Cassius' toes curling in excitement. Atia broke the kiss and cupped Anna's full breast, then sucked the turgid nipple in her mouth and teased the poor girl with her hot tongue. Cassius followed her lead and suckled the other nipple while Anna's hips writhed and twisted, subconsciously searching for the thick cock awaiting just inches away. Atia raised up and gripped Cassius' hot meat in her right fist and pointed him at Anna's wet pussy.

"Fuck her, lover. Bury that big cock in her virgin pussy. I want to watch!" she exclaimed breathlessly.

He nodded and looked down at the petite woman beneath him, her tight slit beckoned him and he was happy to appease it. He leaned over her and Atia notched the head of his cock in Anna's tight opening. Her tiny lips split apart as he tried to push inside and she cried out in pain.

His second thrust was again repelled by her tightness and she whimpered as her body retreated from his assault. Atia quickly applied some oil from a bedside vessel to Cassius' raging hard cock and he again tried to penetrate her. This time he made ground and she yelped in pain when came up hard against her maidenhead.

He had always used his slaves to their full abilities, but chose to never abuse them. He respected the value they provided to his household and consequently treated them with much more kindness than most Romans. In light of that, he gave her one last chance to keep her virginity.

"Are you sure, little one? Will you choose to give this gift to me?" he asked softly. Atia looked at him with such love in her eyes that a tear gathered there. He was always a hard ass, but fair in most dealings, and right now he was showing a soft side rarely seen before and it touched her heart.

"Yes, Dominus," Anna whispered quietly, as her own tears ran down her flushed cheeks, "please take me and make me yours." He placed a hand behind her neck and braced her firmly against his cock head, then began his thrust. It would have been easier to reverse the course of the mighty Thames than stop his penetration. Her hymen stretched until she was crying out in agony, but he didn't stop. His cock bent slightly under the load and Atia gasped at the sight.

A shriek broke from Anna's lips when he ripped through her stubborn barrier of flesh and slid deep, stopping in an instant as he pounded into her cervix, and she cried out again. She threw her arms around him and locked her heels behind his thighs, squeezing him tightly.

"Oh, Dominus, you hurt me so. Please wait a moment," she begged. Holding still was extremely difficult because his body wanted nothing more than to fuck her into oblivion and revel in her screams of painful pleasure. After several seconds, the instinct to perform the mating dance overcame her and she began slowly working her hips, her slick tunnel grasping his shaft like a hot, tight fist. He took it as an invitation and returned the favor, slowly withdrawing, then sliding home to nudge her cervix.

Atia's clever hand crept between his thighs and a gasp of pleasure left his mouth when she cradled his balls in an oil slicked palm and gently caressed them. His eyes nearly rolled back in his head at the sensations she brought to him. He leaned over and kissed her deeply, sucking her tongue while he fucked Anna with increasing abandon. His wife broke the kiss and whispered in his ear.

"Let me watch, I want to see you inside her." Obediently, he rose to his knees and pulled Anna's thighs atop his, revealing his thick shaft tightly ensconced in her pussy. Atia's eyes widened when he pulled back until the flared rim of his cock head was exposed, revealing nearly the full length of his cock, dripping with pussy juice and tinged red with virgin blood. Atia placed a small hand on his rigid abs and pushed him back until his cock popped free. He groaned in pleasant surprise when she leaned down to take him in her mouth. She sucked his swollen head, then licked his shaft clean of pussy juice and long streaks of blood.

"Again," she whispered throatily. Loving how this was playing out, he dutifully thrust deep, drawing another painful cry from Anna, and when he pulled free to feed Atia, he felt the beginnings of an orgasm in his loins. He started to selfishly thrust harder and faster but Atia chose to torment him further.

"Hold still, my love," she crooned, then leaned down to tongue the secret place where the two lovers were joined. Gasps of pleasure left Anna's lips when Atia found her swollen clit and licked it wetly with a hot tongue, stopping only to command her husband.

"Fuck her slowly, lover. Fuck her and cum for me." Cassius needed no further urging and proceeded to obey his wife. After a half dozen thrusts, Atia pulled him free and suckled his cock until his toes curled. She knew he was close to cumming and was surprised he'd lasted so long.

"Patience, my sweet. Let me finish her before you spend inside her," she purred. He nodded in assent, and allowed her to position him to her liking. When the flare of his swollen head was just visible beneath Anna's hardened clit, Atia swooped down and bathed both lovers most sensitive parts with her tongue.

Anna cried out again, this time in ecstasy as her mistress brought her to a massive orgasm. Cassius struggled to contain himself but failed miserably, the sensations his wife's tongue brought him was too much and he lost control. He rudely nudged her aside and began ramming his iron hard cock into his willing slave. Anna screamed her way through a phenomenal orgasm as he ruthlessly pounded his cock inside her.

Two dozen strokes and he was finished. His bull roar shook the ceiling as he fired wads of hot cum deep inside the now sobbing slave girl.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck!" he shouted, with each spasm that wrenched ropes of seed from his aching balls and planted them deep inside Anna. He nearly collapsed atop her, but Atia was there to stop him.

"Let me see, my love!" she said excitedly, as she pushed him away from Anna. His cock emerged slowly, covered in a thick coating of white cum and Anna's virgin blood. She bent and sucked the massive head in her mouth, stretching her lips to their maximum, so large was he. She milked his length while he jerked and twitched in post orgasmic shivers.

With a squelching sound, a river of pink cum poured from Anna's ravaged pussy, and Atia was there to collect. She fastened her mouth over the girls tiny, torn opening and dug deep with her tongue, ladling the combined fluids into her greedy mouth.

"Mmm, so good. I love it," she whispered to Cassius, whom was hovering above her with a look of wonder on his handsome face.

Digging deep with her tongue, she filled her mouth again, then slid up to a surprised Anna and kissed her deeply, sharing her man's precious seed with the little slave girl.

Cassius was agog at the sight and hastily crawled forward to push himself between the two women. Both of them shared his still dripping cock until he was milked dry of cum. Atia took the lead and pushed Anna down to lay on one side of her husband while she took the other. In no time, Cassius was snoring lightly while the girls traded secret smiles across his broad chest.

Chapter VII

A pounding at the front door interrupted his reverie and Pollux soon appeared with a messenger.

"Speak, man," Cassius barked, well aware the tidings bore unhappy news.

"Forgive me, First Spear. Governor Marcellus demands your presence immediately," the man stuttered, obviously aware of Cassius' reputation.

"Fine, tell him I'm on the way. Anna, can you stay until I return?"

"Of course, Cassius. I'm yours to command!" she replied submissively, as a slave girl would, then winked at his stormy expression. His stern mouth quirked at the corners as he fought a smile, inwardly delighted at her sense of humor.

"Girls," he addressed his new slaves, "mind Pollux, and your manners as well. I'll be home soon with any luck." He walked to the door and chuckled as he heard the two slave girls exclaiming in wonder at their new clothing and golden collars. Anna caught up with him and touched his arm.

"Cass, I know what this meeting is about, talk is all over the fort. Please be careful and don't irritate the governor. I know how you can be!" she said, in a concerned voice.

"If you insist," he teased, "but I'll be fine." She reached up and swept an errant curl from his face, then cupped his head in her hands and kissed him deeply.

"You should know I love you, Dominus, and always have," she whispered as a tear slid down her cheek. He was startled at her words, not only of love but of the title she used to address him. She hadn't called him master for nearly twenty years. When word of Atia and his son's death reached him in Gaul where he was helping put down a violent uprising, he'd written a document of manumission for her and sent it to his father, who promptly released her from bondage and sent her down the road with no compunction, contrary to the way Cassius would have handled it. She was only slave after all.

It was several years before they made contact again, long after she'd created her own enterprise of priming and primping the local ladies, keeping them well dressed and smooth skinned according to their husband's tastes. Their sexual relationship resumed, minus Atia of course, and Anna helped pull him through many a long, lonely night while receiving only physical affection in return. Regardless, she loved him deeply despite the fact he didn't recognize or return her emotional affections.

Again, she stroked his face and her bracelet caught his eye. It was a solid band made of bronze and a small tag dangled from it. He took her hand and saw that he recognized the tag. It bore his name on it, the name she wore as a slave so many years ago. His heart nearly broke as tears poured from her eyes.

"I've always kept it, Dominus. You freed my body but never my heart. I'll belong to you until the day I cross the river Styx. I love you so!" she sobbed brokenly. He hugged her to his chest and rocked her gently while she cried her heart out. He wished he had time to console her further but duty was calling.

"Stay here, little one. I shall return soon and we can spend the evening together for I know not what tomorrow will bring."

"Of course," she sputtered into his shoulder, "I'm yours forever, Dominus."

"First Spear, Cassius Vallo. I'm glad to meet you," Governor Marcellus declared as he held out his hand.

"It's an honor," Cassius replied. "What brings me here today?"

Marcellus frowned at his attempt at humor.

"I think you know Cassius. Those infernal barbarians made off with my official seal and my wife's jewelry, along with another item that vexes me greatly!"

"And what is that? I don't recall anything else in the bags I recovered," Cassius replied, in some confusion.

"The fucking Eagle standard of the 9th!" he growled. "The fucking nerve of those cocksuckers!" he ranted. Cassius' eyes widened as the implication of the governor's words hit him like a runaway chariot.

"By the god, Mars, I can't believe it," he exclaimed, almost in shock. "I haven't heard a word about it!"

"That's because I put a tight lid on it. No one speaks of it on pain of death. I want those bastards found and executed on the spot!" Marcellus barked angrily. Cassius was a wise man and he already knew why his presence had been ordered.

"And you want me to find it," he stated.

"Yes, I can think of no better man in Brittania to take on the job. I give you full authority to take however many legionnaires, horses, weapons, wagons, or anything else you need to pursue and take vengeance on those piece of shit barbarians!" he thundered. "Take the time you need to prepare the mission. I want it done properly the first time. In and out of the north before those fuckers know what hits them!"

"We know they went north with the Eagle?" Cassius questioned.

"Not completely certain but we believe so. They were taunting us with the standard while they ran to the east. Apparently there were five of them."

"Five? I killed only three, this bears looking in to."

Cassius felt the old familiar sense of duty settle on his broad shoulders. Despite being retired from duty, the itch for adventure began pumping in his veins and excitement poured through his body. His first reaction was to run out the door and start firing off orders, but the old voice of experience quickly calmed him and he formed a reply.

"I can do it, Governor. It'll take a few days for me to form a plan and pick some soldiers, but we'll get the job done."

"I expect no less. No mercy, no quarter, First Spear. You're dismissed."

Immediately, Cassius looked up the fort commander and informed him of his intentions to borrow some troops for an expedition over the wall. After a couple hours of planning, they parted ways and Cassius returned to his home where his women were eagerly awaiting his arrival. Livia and Sabina mobbed him while Pollux looked on in disgust. Slaves shouldn't show such emotion, he thought haughtily, nor should Cassius allow it, but he said nothing of course, sure in his opinion that the old ways were best.

Anna waited her turn with Cassius until he sent the girls outside to frolic and explore the courtyard. He sat on his chair and crooked a finger at her. She couldn't help but fly to his side and seat herself on his strong thighs.

"Are you leaving us?" she guessed, reading the grim expression on his handsome face.

"Yes, for a while. I must find and return a stolen item," he said gravely.

"Is it so important that they must take you from me?" she asked plaintively.

"In my opinion, yes, and I choose to go willingly." She knew arguing would be fruitless and in poor taste. Instead, she chose to make the best of the time remaining between them.

"May I stay with you until you leave, please, my love? she asked, as a single tear rolled down her cheek. She saw a flicker in his eyes and knew he was thinking of his new slave girls and it nearly broke her heart in fear that he would deny her. He had already made up his mind, but when he saw the longing in her expression he knew his decision was the correct one.

"Of course, sweetheart. You're welcome to my home and my bed until I depart. A huge sigh of relief broke from her lips and he held her close as her happy tears soaked the shoulder of his rough soldiers tunic.

"I was hoping we might sleep with him tonight," Sabina pouted as she and Livia snuggled together in the guest bed that adjoined Cassius' room.

"Why so?" Livia teased in a whisper. "You saw how big he is, you would scream bloody murder if he stuck that monster inside you!"

"I would not! I'm sure of it," Sabina protested, "Besides, what do you know of it?"

"Oh, I know plenty. I've only been with a few men, but none like our master. He's in a class of his own. Now be quiet and listen!"

Together, they strained to hear the faint conversation drifting from Cassius' bedroom, the only door a gauzy piece of fabric that fluttered in the night breeze that swept through the open house.

"Cass," Anna was saying softly, with her head pillowed on a thick slab of pectoral muscle. "I need you badly, it's been weeks since I've seen you and I desire you so."

"I'm here for you, my sweet. I've missed you as well. I never seem to realize that until I've been gone for a while." he confessed. She crawled atop his naked body and kissed him deeply. For long minutes she nipped, sucked and kissed his face and neck until she was satisfied. She could do it forever it seemed, but she knew his patience would only last so long. He caressed her shoulders as she slid down his long frame until his cock was between her full tits. He cupped a warm breast and rolled her nipple over his leaking cock head and she shivered in anticipation of things to come.

A low groan broke his lips as her hot mouth found his cock and enveloped him between her lips, sighing as the taste of him brought back so many memories of past nights exactly like this one. Loving the sounds he was making, she set her mind to bringing him to a quick orgasm, allowing her to take her time and enjoy him longer on the second round.

He cupped her bobbing head and was trying to relax when he thought he heard soft whispers coming from the hallway. A genuine smile lit his face as he imagined they were spying on him and Anna. His ego decided they were talking of himself, and how much they wished they were in his bed. If the situation presented itself he would put on a show for them, he thought with a devilish grin.

Anna increased the speed and suction of her mouth, and in seconds his devilish thoughts deserted his mind as an impending orgasm began working its way through his body.

"So soon, fuck!" he thought frantically, but it was too late. He gripped her head and ran his cock down her throat until he hit the familiar tight spot that he'd discovered so long ago. She took a deep breath and he pushed hard. With an audible pop, his thick head slid down her throat until her nose hit his muscular abs. His eyes nearly rolled back in his head at the tight constriction gripping his swollen cock. He felt her nails dig in his thighs, a long used signal that meant she was needing relief.

Obediently, he slid free of her throat while remaining in her mouth. In a few seconds she nodded slightly and he repeated his actions, his cock popping into her throat again. Her hands moved behind his thighs and she pulled him closer, indicating she was now open and ready for the onslaught that would drive him over the edge.

His big hands manhandled her head as his hips drove his cock down her esophagus time and again while her hands on his thighs encouraged him to take what he needed. With a wild cry his balls spasmed and as he ejaculated, she wrested free to catch his hot cum in her sucking mouth rather than down her throat.

He pumped her as full as he ever had, groaning as each thick rope blasted out of his cock to splash on her welcoming tongue.

She milked his length with both hands, one atop the other while she sucked him dry, all while keeping his precious seed in her mouth. As he collapsed back in exhaustion, she slid up his body and placed her throat on his ear. He held still, wondering what she was doing, when she swallowed noisily, blowing his mind with the eroticism of the moment.

"Ugh, woman, you are incredible!" he groaned sexily. Her eyes lit up at his praise and taking a chance, kissed him wetly full on the lips. He froze for a second, then returned her kiss passionately, wondering just what the hell she was doing to his emotions.

"Did you see that?" Livia whispered, in a voice rough with lust. "He came in her mouth and she swallowed the whole thing! How sexy was that?"Sabina put her head close to Livia's but didn't reply. Her eyes were locked on the couple kissing on the bed. The girls had sneaked out of their room and were peeking around the corner, barely hidden by the sheer curtain.

"He's so amazing," Livia whispered. I so wish to be fucked by him, I can't imagine,"

"Me too. I've never been with a man but I want him to be my first," Sabina said softly. Her little pussy was dripping wet and as she shifted her thighs together, pleasant sensations she'd never felt before were sparking between them.

Together they watched the pair, then gasped together in surprise when Cassius slid between Anna's legs and began eating her pussy like a starving man. The wet sound of his tongue licking her slit and the moans he tore from Anna's throat were arousing his two slave girls to an amazing height. Livia, being taller than Sabina was standing behind her and she hugged the slight girl for warmth.

"It's getting chilly," Sabina whispered softly. Livia wasn't sure what she said and didn't respond. The naked girl leaned back into her and sighed as Livia hugged her closer around the waist. Sabina raised Livia's hands so they cupped her small breasts and shivered as her hard nipples scraped across warm palms.

"Keep me warm, please," she whispered again. Livia nodded against her neck and nuzzled close to her ear so she could whisper and not be heard.

"I wonder what they'll do next. Maybe she'll suck his cock again." Anna's voice rose higher as her first orgasm blossomed through her body. Cassius held her down with his strong hands and mercilessly sucked and licked her pussy as she cried out in ecstasy. Livia's hands unconsciously gripped Sabina harder as she watched the couple make love. Sabina whimpered as her little tits were squeezed harder by the enraptured girl behind her.

A sparkle of electricity ran from her nipples to her pussy, and she whimpered at the sensation. She covered her smooth mound with a small hand, then slid an index finger between her wet folds, secretly caressing her swollen clit.

"Please, lover," Anna begged, "it's too much!" and pushed his head away while clasping her thighs together as aftershocks of her orgasm shook her body. In a few moments, Anna eased from the bed and the two voyeurs shrank back in fright until they noticed she was just lighting a few candles and pouring a glass of wine.

Cassius was reclining at the headboard on a couple of pillows and the girls could see his long outstretched frame from head to foot. He looked absolutely delicious in the candlelight. Every firm muscle shown in relief by shadows and light. All three women gasped with desire when he dripped oil on his half hard cock and began stroking himself with a big fist. It traveled several inches up before meeting the ridge of his thick head, then several inches down to bounce off his hard belly. Slick sounds filled the room and every pussy within earshot hungered to be taken and used ruthlessly by the rugged man.

Anna leaned down to kiss him and spoke quietly, "I think we have company."

"I know we do," he said, with a quiet smile. She noticed the naughty gleam in his eye and giggled.

"Shall we give them a show, my love?"

"And make them jealous? Surely you wouldn't," he teased.

"Just watch me, sweetheart. You better hang on for a ride!" He continued stroking his cock to full mast while she lit a few more candles than was needed, hoping to light the way for the voyeurs well hidden in the darkness. He reached up to cup her big tits when she squatted over his hips and grasped his gleaming shaft in her tiny hand. She slowly lowered herself until his dripping head split her open ever so slightly, then cried out as if he was splitting her in two.

"Oh, sweetheart!" she cried, "you're killing me, oh please, it's so big!"

Gasps of concern came from the hallway and the lovers almost laughed aloud.

"You can take it!" he growled loudly, "you always have before! Now fuck me, wench!" She rose slightly to realign herself with him then lowered herself again. The two girls sighed in appreciation as the candlelight revealed his slick, swollen head thrust inside, and this time the cry that left Anna's lips was genuine.

Cassius was thoroughly enjoying himself now and decided to continue, regardless if Anna was on board or not. He cupped her ass and worked her up and down while she wailed in painful pleasure. Lower and lower she sank as her legs grew tired and soon her poor cervix was being battered relentlessly by his iron hard cock.

"Please, Cass," she begged, "you're killing me!" He smiled to himself and pulled her down to rest on his chest. She breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed, but only for a brief moment. Loading his hips, he pushed deep until he found the hard dome within her, then rolled his hips, searching for his favorite narrow passage, the one that lay in hiding beneath her cervix.

With a groan of conquest, he felt his head slip deeper and her cry of pain echoed off the walls. The muffled cries of alarm from the hallway spurred him to greater heights, and the game he was playing changed swiftly to a red haze of passion he'd rarely felt before.

Like a raging beast, he flipped Anna over to her knees and roughly pushed her head into the pillow. Squatting behind her, he peeled her buttocks apart with his hands to expose her wet pussy.

She loved, yet also hated when he did this. It yielded some of her most memorable orgasms, but also caused many of her most painful days afterwards. She knew better than any woman alive how painful pleasure could really be after he finished with her.

She squealed when he sank his thumbs deep in her pussy and pried her lips apart. Lowering his hips he wedged his cock in her tight entrance and she braced herself for his onslaught. A wild cry left her lips when he lanced deep inside her, dropping his full body weight behind his thrust.

He groaned in pain as his swollen head ricocheted off her cervix, then drove deep until he tented the back wall of her pussy. Balls deep, he rolled his hips in a vicious circle, breaking her pussy open while she writhed and screamed in painful pleasure. Sabina gasped, eyes wide as she took in the erotic sight.

"My pussy is so wet, and it feels so funny right now!" she whispered, her fingers soaked from pleasuring herself. Livia's hands on her tits and the scene playing out in front of the pair was driving her crazy. Livia, too was entranced at the lovers performance and she was nearly as bad off as Sabina.

While the two girls were held captive by the barbarians, they'd always slept together for warmth and companionship. Livia in particular had felt odd feelings for the younger girl and was tempted many times to take their relationship to a more sexual level but the opportunity never appeared. But now, horny as she'd ever been, she made her first move.

"Can I feel you, please?" she breathed in Sabina's ear. The shocked expression on her face made Livia think she'd overstepped her boundaries, but after few seconds, Sabina took Livia's hand from her breast and slid it slowly down her belly until it cupped her smooth, wet pussy. She sighed in pleasure when Livia gently caressed her folds, igniting tingles of sensation she'd never experienced before.

Both girls eyes stayed locked on their master as he began to fuck Anna with a slow precision, designed to deliver maximum pleasure to her willing body. His cock glistened with fluid as it plunged downward, then revealed itself again as he slowly withdrew from Anna's tight tunnel.

For several minutes he continued until his thighs and calves were burning with fatigue. Anna was beside herself having just experienced a massive multiple orgasm, and her cries still echoed in the room, exciting the voyeurs to no end.

Sabina was panting and close to orgasm herself as Livia's clever fingers strummed her swollen clit while her other hand twisted and tugged her hard nipples. At long last, Cassius reached his peak and he pulled himself free, then stroked his cock, squirting a long rope of hot cum on Anna's upturned pussy.

The spectacle was too much for Sabina and she dissolved in a knee quivering orgasm. She tried to silence the cry that burst from her throat but her efforts were in vain. Her wails of pleasure reached Cassius' ears and he smiled in self satisfaction.

He roughly penetrated Anna and ground his full weight down on her upturned hips, continuing to unload his balls. He grunted like an animal as he filled her with hot cum, and she came again, passionately crying out his name in ecstasy.

As his orgasm faded, he stroked Anna's dripping pussy with his softening cock until she tipped over to lie on her back, her legs spread wide and sobbing for breath. Sabina and Livia gasped in surprise when his strong fingers dug deep inside Anna, then delivered their combined juices to her mouth. She sucked hungrily at them and he smiled down at her affectionately.

"That's my girl," he said, loud enough for the girls to hear, "so beautiful and sexy."

"Do we still have company?" she asked, as she licked her lips with a mischievous gleam in her eye.

"Oh yes. I'm going to give them a surprise," he whispered so the girls couldn't hear. Anna giggled and poked his ribs.

"You're such a bad man!" He bent down to suckle her nipple for a few seconds, then with an evil grin slid off the bed and walked towards the hallway, his semi tumescent cock still dripping from their exertions. Mad scrambling was heard as the two slaves ran for their bed and he picked up his pace, quite enjoying himself. When he entered their room they were diving for the bed when he barked out orders.

"Stop! Come here and kneel!" The girls froze immediately, then slinked slowly before him and knelt, not daring to meet his fiery gaze, a gaze he was struggling to maintain through his mirth. The naked girls looked so beautiful in the moonlight that he took a few seconds to admire them. Livia, taller than her friend and large of breasts, with a sweet hourglass shape that tempted the eye. Sabina, small, petite, and rather thin due to her recent imprisonment, yet still oozing with erotic potential.

"Hands behind your back," he growled. As they did so, their breasts were thrust forward, nipples hard as diamonds, either from excitement or the cool breeze in the open room, he couldn't decide which. He reached forward and ran a thumb over each of their mouths, testing their reactions. Sabina's eyes widened at his touch and she opened her lips partially, panting more in fear of her master than excitement.

Livia, having more experience took a gamble and leaned forward, taking his thumb in her mouth and she suckled it gently, then met his eyes, gazing up at him with the most submissive expression she could muster.

"Ah, my sweet Livia. Were you watching us fuck?" he growled, in a rough voice. She nodded, continuing to suck his thumb all the while.

"And you, my little Sabina. Did you do the same?"

As she opened her mouth to answer, he forced his thumb inside and she gagged slightly.

"Suck, slave!" he demanded. Immediately he felt her respond, and nodded in satisfaction. "What shall I do with you two disobedient slaves?" They gurgled replies around his digits but they were garbled at best and he almost burst out in laughter. Instead, he had another idea.

He pulled free from Livia, and fisted his still wet cock, then wiped it across her lips, watching closely for her reaction. She quickly grabbed his hips and took as much of his length in her mouth as possible, and sucked hungrily. In a second she realized she may have gone too far by touching him and hastily put her hands behind her back, but still continued to nurse at his cock.

He gripped the top of her head and pulled his cock free, then tugged Sabina closer and thrust his dripping head against her lips. She sat in stunned surprise until Livia's hard elbow connected with her thin ribs. With a gasp, she opened her mouth wide and looked up at her master. He sucked in his breath as her sensuous green eyes drew him like a moth to flame. She slowly leaned forward and wrapped her lips around his swelling cock head, so thick her lips were stretched to the maximum to take him in.

She advanced until he touched the back of her throat and gagged lightly. He withdrew and took himself in hand.

"Open, Sabina, show me your tongue." When her little pink tongue appeared, he firmly milked his cock and a long string of white cum drooled from his opening to land in her mouth.

"Taste me, little one," he said softly. Her expression was priceless when she withdrew her tongue and sampled his essence. The gasp that broke from Livia's lips was music to his ears, he was indeed enjoying himself immensely.

"Livia, kiss her," he commanded. Tentatively, Livia leaned forward and kissed Sabina on the lips, then her eyes flew open in surprise when the small girls tongue flicked out to meet hers, sharing the taste of their master. By now Cassius' cock was getting hard again, but he wanted to save the girls for another night, besides, he had Anna to attend to.

He decided to leave them hanging and dripping with desire for him, so he knelt between them and kissed Sabina, sinking his tongue in her mouth and french kissing her for several seconds. She was mewling with passion when he broke his kiss, then did the same to Livia. Her kiss was experienced and the way she sucked his tongue indicated she was more than willing to submit herself in the future.

He gripped a handful of Sabina's auburn hair and tugged her close to share a three way kiss with himself and Livia. Both girls were sighing with pleasure as they worshipped their master, hoping beyond hope that he would bed them. As he rose to his feet, little pouts of dismay were on their faces when he looked down at them.

"Sleep well, my little slave girls."

"Yes, master," they whispered, disappointedly. He returned to his room and found a naked Anna in the hallway.

"You're such a flirt!" she accused, with a tender and somewhat sad smile on her face. His actions didn't make her happy but she'd known for a long time how he was, but she loved him anyway. He snuggled up to her in bed and promptly dropped into a deep sleep. Meanwhile, she lay awake long into the night wondering where her relationship with him would take her.

Chapter VIII

Cassius spent the next two days planning for the trip north. He interviewed many legionnaires, using their experience north of the wall and what combat they had seen to guide his choices. All the men he picked had served on outposts in the north between Hadrian's Wall and the Antonine Wall, where the Empire for the most part used to monitor trade and suppress uprisings among the local populations.

Now that the empire had basically retreated to Hadrian's Wall, the

north was an increasingly wild and wooly place to be traveling through, although many of the outposts remained somewhat habitable and were still used occasionally by the Romans for brief forays into the north.

He spent many an hour with the governor who demanded to know every detail of the expedition, and he also visited with the armourers, ensuring all the combat arms were in fine repair. He sent the legionnaires to pick out their own mounts as moving on horseback was the preferred method of travel.

The men investigating the scene of the crimes found numerous places that were smeared with blue woad, the color giving every indication that Picts were the scoundrels who stole the Eagle. Of course all suspicion pointed towards the north, at least as far as the Antonine Wall if not further.

They planned on gaining the Antonine Wall in three days, as Cassius didn't want exert the horses in the beginning of their journey. The men had nearly no experience north of there, so good navigation and not getting lost would be paramount. From there, unless they were hot on the trail of the barbarians, it would simply be a diligent search until they were found. It could be weeks, months, or a of couple years, Cassius had no idea.

The rough benches that surrounded Cassius' table were crowded far more than usual due to the presence of his three women. The girls were chatting amongst themselves while Pollux stewed silently in the corner, not happy at all with the familiarity his master was allowing with the slave girls.

"Sabina, tell me about yourself," Cassius said in a conversational tone. Surprised, she stared at him for several moments until Livia poked her in the ribs. Sabina swatted her back and Cassius almost laughed aloud as the two beauties quarreled.

"Um, my name is Sabina and I'm your favorite slave girl?" she answered, with a twinkle in her alluring green eyes.

"No," he chuckled, not able to contain his mirth. "Tell me about where you're from, what you did and how you came to be in the south." She thought for several seconds, then began a short history.

"I'm 25 or 26 years old. Of that I'm not sure. I used to live in Damnonii until I was sold to the druids about 6 months ago. My father died when I was 18 and my mother moved in with another man. He was an evil person and basically held me prisoner, not allowing me to see other men in my tribe. He sold me to the druids because they wanted to sacrifice a virgin to their gods, hoping for strength in battle to defeat the Romans."

Her eyes grew wide and a tear slid down her cheek. He could see her recalling the events of the past and the fear and terror she experienced was evident in her expression. She took a deep breath, wiped her tears away and continued.

"The evening of the ceremony, they painted my body and built an altar to sacrifice me on. For some reason they were arguing amongst themselves for a few moments, and I was able to run away. I ran as fast as I could until dark, then spent a long, cold night in hiding. The next day I barely began to travel south when the assholes you killed found me and tied me up. Like Livia told you before, they wanted to sell me to the Romans south of the wall. As we traveled south, they found Livia. She was simply washing clothes in a pond next to her village, and they took her too!" she quavered.

Knowing she was under stress, he reached and touched her hand. "Are you familiar with the lands north of the Antonine Wall?" She thought a few moments, sensing that this was an important question.

"Yes, master. I traveled a lot with my father because he was a trader. I can find my way around pretty good. The only time I was south of the wall was when those men brought me here." Again, her eyes filled with tears as terrible memories filled her mind.

"Have you ever rode a horse, little one?" he asked gently, knowing she was nearly at the end of her rope. Anna and Livia looked up sharply as they heard what he was asking, their curiosity more piqued than before.

"Oh, yes, master. My father gave me a beautiful mare he took from a Roman soldier he killed!" she exclaimed excitedly, then an expression of dread crossed her face as she realized what she'd just said. She burst out sobbing and hugged herself while quaking in fear.

Livia went pale as a ghost, expecting Cassius to fly into a rage, but he stunned everyone with his response, including a thoroughly disgusted Pollux.

"Come to me, little one," he said softly, as he held out his arms to her. She quickly obeyed, but the look on her face was tentative, unsure if she could trust him. He pulled her onto his lap and tucked her head in his shoulder. "Shush now," he whispered, "thank you for telling me your story. Now let me hold you." He rocked her gently while she soaked his neck with hot tears. Anna touched Livia and together they left the room, leaving Cassius to comfort his little slave girl in privacy.

"You must trust me to protect you. Can you do that for me?"

"I'll try hard master. I'm sorry I'm crying."

"That's fine, I don't mind and I like holding you. You're such a beautiful young woman, how could I not?"

"Thank you, master, but I don't feel beautiful," she sniffled, her tears drying as she took in his honest words.

"But you are. Would you like a little adventure with me tomorrow?"

Her ears perked up immediately. "Yes, master! Oh, yes. I'd love that!" He hugged her tightly and smiled down at her.

"That's my good girl. I'll wake you at the break of dawn, we're going for a ride." She wriggled like a puppy in his lap and impulsively kissed his lips, this time unafraid of his reaction. Her petite body was warm and inviting and his cock was making its presence known in a big way. He hadn't time for such shenanigans though, and regretfully gripped her waist and set her aside.

She pouted theatrically, and he couldn't help but reach out and smack her ass affectionately. The smile that lit her face was like the sun, and his feelings for her swelled in his chest. He was getting to like her more and more as time went by.

Just before dawn, Cassius slid out of bed leaving a slumbering Anna behind, and slipped into the girls room. He kissed a sleeping Livia and wondered worriedly where Sabina was. Livia awoke to see his expression and told him Sabina was already up and had went to the stable.

"Shit!" he cursed in sudden anger. His stallion, Magnus, was notorious for hating everyone but Cassius, and had no problem biting or kicking anyone who ventured too close. Out of habit, he grabbed his gladius, then ran for the stable crying out in alarm.

"Sabina! Sabina! Stay away from him!"

"I'm fine, master!" her sweet voice called out. He rounded the corner and drew to a surprised halt. The girl was stroking Magnus' neck and feeding him an apple from an outstretched palm. Cassius sighed in relief, almost certain that the stallion would have injured or killed her by now. She turned and gave him a radiant smile.

"We made friends yesterday. He's quite a gentle boy don't you think?" He shook his head in amazement. The little woman was certainly gifted with horses, or extremely lucky, he wasn't quite sure. He saddled Magnus then picked up Sabina and she squealed in delight when he tossed her aboard Magnus. She shimmied over the saddle to sit astride his withers, then Cassius vaulted up behind her.

"Where are we going, master?"

"Back to the mile castle where I found you. I want to speak to Flavius."

He felt her body tense and realized that she probably had a few bad memories from that area, so with a big forearm he hugged her close and felt her melt back into his embrace.

"Will we be safe?" she asked tentatively.

"Of course, my sweet. I'll always take care of you." She sighed in relief as they trotted out of the yard and headed east.

It was a rather rare sunny day and they both enjoyed the heat of it. Sabina leaned back into him but the front horns on the saddle kept poking her kidneys and it was highly uncomfortable. Seeing her predicament, he slid back as far as possible then lifted her up and set her down in front of him. As she wriggled her little behind to settle in, his cock took immediate notice and he fought the urge to molest her then and there.

He glanced down at her, and the neckline of her tunic revealed a small pink nipple, quite erect from the friction of the fabric, although Cassius preferred to think it was due to his presence behind her.

He couldn't deny temptation any longer and palmed her breast with his big hand, engulfing it completely. She stiffened in alarm, then relaxed and covered his hand with her own.

"You feel so good, master," she whispered, then wriggled about again, causing his cock to twitch and jerk beneath his tunic.

"As do you, little one." Her question quite surprised him, and it made him happy that she was getting comfortable around him so quickly.

"Will you ever bed me like you do, Anna?" she squeaked, in a tiny but determined voice. He fought down a chuckle because he knew it took great effort to ask him and he didn't want to dissuade her.

"Yes, I will, sweetness."

"Will you hurt me terribly, like poor Anna?"

"I shall, but you'll enjoy it soon after. When the time is right I will make you mine," he stated matter of factly, for he fully intended to have his way with her.

"And Livia? Will you do the same to her?" she asked with a touch of jealousy in her voice.

"Yes, her as well, in good time."

"Hmm, well I call firsties, Livia can wait her turn!" she declared with authority, causing him to laugh out loud, and she giggled helplessly at his reaction.

"We'll see how it works out, sweet Sabina, but I'll keep that in mind," he said, still shaking with mirth. She rested her head on his shoulder and stayed silent for awhile, enjoying the closeness of her master as they approached the mile castle.

"Flavius, good to see you," Cassius said as he shook hands with the soldier.

"What can I help you with, sir?" Cassius explained his mission while avoiding the topic of the Eagle in case Flavius turned down his offer.

"I know you're quite familiar with the north, I've also heard you pulled security for the surveyors who produced some detailed maps of the area."

"Yes, sir, I did. It was a great time. We spent several months up there. It was nip and tuck for a while, those barbarians can be tough."

"Can you find your way around up there? Maybe north of the Antonine Wall too?" Cassius asked.

"The maps carry less detail up there if I remember correctly, but I can navigate with the best of 'em," Flavius said stoutly.

"Would a person who grew up in Damnonii be of much help if you were traveling up there?" Sabina perked up and looked at Cassius in alarm. She now fully understood the reason she was with him.

"Oh, yes, sir. Indeed so. The tribesmen we met up there, at least the ones who weren't trying to kill us, were a huge help. A lot of times they knew of landmarks and villages they'd never seen, but had heard of passed down in local legends, and we used their knowledge to great benefit."

"That's exactly what I wanted to hear. I've been authorized by the governor to procure anything and anyone I need for this mission. Congratulations, Flavius. I'm offering you a position as my new navigator and keeper of the maps!" Cassius exclaimed, and clapped him on the shoulder.

"For real, sir? I get to leave this boring place and see some action? Fuck yes!" he enthused.

"Send for the watch commander. I'll line him out so he can send for your replacement from Vindolanda. I expect you at the garrison tomorrow morning to draw your gear. Service your wife or girlfriend, or both while you're there, we leave day after tomorrow."

"Yes, First Spear! Right away!"

The ride back to the fort was much more somber as Sabina pondered her fate.

"Speak, little one. Tell me what you're thinking," Cassius demanded.

"I'm thinking I don't want to go. It's dangerous and the friends of those assholes who kidnapped me are still out there, not to mention the fucking druids who wanted to kill me!" she flared, then immediately looked contrite when she remembered she shouldn't be bitching to her master.

"That's ok. I asked for your opinion, don't be afraid to answer," he said gently, then hugged her against his chest. She sighed, and relaxed into him.

"What's so important that I go there with you? I heard about the jewelry and stuff those guys stole. What's the big deal? You got it back, at least most of it."

"What do you mean most of it?" he demanded, his voice sharper than usual, and she shrank from him in fear. Next to no one knew of the missing standard, and he wondered what in hades she was taking about.

"About an hour before you found us, two of those guys jumped the wall with some sort of golden bird. They were talking about their friends being held up or something. They hopped in the wagon and took off to the north."

"Why didn't you tell me earlier?' he asked, trying to keep the irritation out of his voice.

"Well, you didn't ask, master, and we haven't spent much time with you other than today. Besides, you're scary most of the time and I get so afraid of you," she continued in a quavering voice. He nodded silently, thinking she was right, whether he liked it or not.

"I know I can be rough around the edges, but I need you to trust me, and you need to show me I can trust you. Our journey will probably be long and certainly dangerous. I need you to obey me immediately, no questions asked, understand?"

"Yes, master."

"Good, now pipe down and enjoy the ride," he teased, then smiled happily when she took his hand and cupped it around her perky breast, then snuggled back into his warmth with a deep sigh of satisfaction.

Chapter IX

Cassius picked up Sabina and dropped her to the ground beside his horse. The ride back had been a form of torture for both of them. Her firm little bottom grinding against his cock had driven him nearly crazy, and it didn't help matters that he had enjoyed caressing her tits continuously for the entire short ride home.

He hadn't realized the extent of her arousal until he glanced down at the saddle where she'd been sitting. Her short tunic had hiked up and her bare pussy had been rolling and grinding on the leather the entire trip, and it was absolutely soaked with her sweet juice. His cock twitched and a drop of precum oozed from the head at the sight.

"Ugh, I need to fuck so bad!" he thought to himself.

He unhorsed and shouted for Pollux while Sabina stood by with an expectant look on her face, wondering what his next order would be. She yelped when he snatched her up and kissed her lips. Her legs automatically wrapped around his waist and she hugged him as hard as she could.

"Thank you for a nice morning, master," she whispered.

"You're welcome, little one. We'll eat some lunch, then head for the garrison. I have a couple things to work out." She kissed him again, and as he lowered her to the ground, took his hand for the walk through the courtyard, showing him her confidence in herself was growing by the day.

"It's too big, master!" she declared, as the too large soldiers tunic fell about her shoulders. He smiled and demanded a smaller one from the quartermaster. After a few tries they decided that the smallest size tunics were the best fit. He picked up two of them and stuffed them in a sack.

"Now, she needs a sagum. Obviously, the smallest you have," he ordered. The quartermaster walked off and returned with a thick brown cloak and a metal brooch, then wrapped it around the petite slave girl.

"That should do," Cassius declared, then removed the cloak and stuffed it in his sack. "Now, wench, follow me!" She colored at his words, knowing he meant them as a term of affection, and scampered off behind him. Their next stop was the stables where all the Legion's livestock were held. Her eyes widened in awe as she'd never seen so many sources of protein in her life. There were sheep, goats and swine everywhere!

He took her to where the horses were kept, then simply watched for her reaction. There was a barrel of grain nearby and he idly fed a few mounts out of his open palm while the girl looked in the large corral. The horse master showed up and Cassius struck up a conversation.

"So, it looks like the same old batch of cavalry mounts?" he asked. Of course, the horsemaster recognized him and answered respectfully.

"Yes, sir. The same old sway backed equines we know and love."

"Nothing new from the mainland?"

"Yes, we just received a batch that haven't been officially added to the ones you see here. As you know, we make sure they're adequately trained before assigning them to the cavalry."

"Show us then, I'd like to look them over."

They walked over to the next corral and Cassius immediately saw the difference in the new creatures. Wild and lively, they pranced about in their new surroundings. He and the horse master were deep in conversation when he noticed Sabina had disappeared. He cast about worriedly and saw her inside the corral feeding a beautiful young grey mare a handful of grain, while softly petting her head.

"Get her out!" the horsemaster cried in panic, "those horses are half wild! Especially that one! She bit a man's finger off yesterday!" Cassius' first impulse was to jump the fence and rescue her, but changed his mind as he read the mare's body language as well as his little slave's. The mare nudged her hand and Sabina dug in her pocket for more grain.

"Watch," he commanded. Sabina slowly backed up and the mare followed her until they were at the fence near Cassius.

"She's beautiful, master. I would love to ride her," she said in a near whisper as she rubbed between her ears. The mare was wearing a simple bridle made of rope and Sabina scratched lightly beneath it and the mare whinnied softly at the sensation.

"Reins and a saddle. Let's see how well she does," he demanded.

"First Spear, I don't believe..."

"You heard me," Cassius barked, irritated at the man's hesitancy.

"I only need a short rope, master." Sabina said shyly. The horse master produced one and she nimbly tied it to the halter. Cassius led them out of the corral and out to the open field behind it. Sabina led the mare for a while, crooning to her and petting her as they walked.

Soon she led the mare to the fence and climbed to the top rail, then gently slid onto her back. The mare's eyes went wide at the odd sensation, and she tensed in preparation of bucking off the girl. Sabina leaned down and stroked the mare's neck and withers, cooing and whispering all the while. She sat up straight and nudged the mare with her heels and they took off at a trot.

"Well fuck my eyes," the horse master said in amazement.

"Indeed. Some people never fail to surprise me," Cassius said thoughtfully, as he fought back a proud smile. The pair picked up speed, and at nearly dead run circled a tree far in the distance, the mare's hooves throwing chunks of sod as she accelerated out of the turn. The men could hear Sabina calling out to her mount, urging her for more speed.

"Look at me, master!" her sweet, high voice cried as she swept past the men, their eyes riveted on the sight of her bouncing tits and flashes of taut thigh as her tunic rode up high on her hips.

"I've never seen the like!" the horse master exclaimed in awe.

"Me neither," Cassius chuckled, well pleased with his slave girl. He pulled the document from his pouch that proclaimed he could procure anything he wanted for the mission. The horse master read it and shook his head with a smile.

"I heard you were rounding up supplies for a mission. You're welcome to the mare if you like, but it looks like she'll belong to the young lady there."

"Oh, I've no doubt about that. We'll pick her up soon. Thanks for your time, the Empire appreciates it." Cassius slipped a gold aureus in the man's palm and he smiled happily.

"Any time, First Spear, we'll have her ready!"

Sabina was radiant with happiness as she dismounted and ran to Cassius.

"Oh, master, such fun! I love her so much and we got along so well!" She wanted to beg him to buy her the horse, but knew beyond a doubt that would be out of bounds for a slave to request.

"I see that. You're quite an impressive rider. Perhaps you won't be such a burden on our journey as I suspected," he teased.

"Oh, master!" she giggled, and spontaneously took his hand.

He was alarmed at how lenient he found himself with her, especially in public, and decided he'd best clamp down before the fiery little woman got herself in real trouble. He wanted total obedience from her beyond the wall.

Anna pulled Cassius aside before dinner to speak with him.

"Have you decided when you're leaving, sweetheart?"

"Yes, day after tomorrow it looks like. Is there something you need?"

"No, but I think you have plans for our Sabina?" He was pleased with how she phrased the question, obviously she'd realized the two slave girls were as much a part of her future as they were his.

"Yes, I've chosen to take her with us. Because of where she's from she may be invaluable to us."

"I can certainly see that, and you're leaving Livia with me?"

"That's my intention if you have no objection. I know she'll be safe with you and Pollux to protect her." Anna furrowed her brow thoughtfully, and he waited patiently for her to speak.

"Livia was quite upset when you left with Sabina this morning. I think she was feeling left out, and more than a little jealous. Would you please consider spending time with her before you go? It would show you care for her and are thinking about her. Leaving her behind is going to hurt her feelings."

The subject was already on his mind and he'd been agonizing all day over how to spend time with Livia without upsetting Anna. Thankfully, Anna was a step ahead of him and was quite understanding about it, at least on the surface.

"I'll think of something, my sweet. Thanks for reminding me of my responsibilities. I've been rather caught up these last few days." She blushed slightly under his compliment. He still affected her after all these years and she loved him for it.

During dinner, Anna asked Sabina about her day and she chattered incessantly about how they'd went to the mile castle and how she'd rode the grey mare. Cassius noticed the jealous glances Livia was throwing towards Sabina and smiled to himself. She had no idea what was coming her way tonight! He decided even up his attention between the girls and spoke to Livia.

"So Livia, I missed you today and thought about you quite a bit. Was your day enjoyable?"

Anna lifted an eyebrow in his direction, because this was not the Cassius she knew at all. Livia's face lit up like the sun and she smiled at him.

"I missed you too, master, very much," she said, with a sultry look that raised Sabina's hackles immediately. "And my day was very informative. Mistress Anna showed me around your home and courtyard. It's amazing to me to see such luxury. We have nothing like this in the north."

"It's really quite plain by Roman standards." he replied. "I've lived most of my life in the Roman army and we always had just the barest of necessities because we carried everything on our backs. I tend to keep a modest home, but I'm glad you like it."

"I love it, master. Will we live here a long time?"

"I have no intention of moving anywhere, but one never knows in life. Besides, if I did Anna would kill me!" he teased, and tossed Anna a wink that made her blush furiously.

"Anyway," he continued, "it's getting late and I need an early start tomorrow. Livia, you stay with me tonight while Sabina goes to Anna's house with her. Anna needs to catch up around her place tomorrow and may need Sabina's help."

"But master, I don't want to go, I want to stay with you!" Sabina exclaimed unhappily, then clapped a hand over her mouth as she realized her transgression. Anna raised a single incredulous eyebrow and shook her head in dismay, while Pollux smiled from his post. Shit was finally gonna go down, he thought happily.

Livia's eyes widened in alarm when Cassius whisked Sabina over his left leg in a trice, then caught up her long auburn curls in his left hand. His right slid her tunic up over her firm little ass while she cried out in fear. He threw his right leg over hers and proceeded to spank her with a hard palm.

Half a dozen swats and several screams of pain later, he stopped and slid his hand up between her thighs, his index finger tight against the folds of her pussy. Livia's eyes were widened in shock, hardly believing how fast the big man had moved, and such violence! She shot a glance at Anna, to see her countenance had barely changed expression, as if spanking a slave was an everyday occurrence.

However, Anna's mind was working feverishly as she remembered many a time she found herself over Cassius' knee while bawling her eyes out.

She clenched her thighs together as her pussy grew wet, the memory of the intense pain followed by long hours of fucking caused her to catch her breath as she relived the past.

She knew what was coming next and watched avidly as Cassius began lecturing the poor woman on her lack of respect for her master. His hand worked slowly between her legs, and as he spoke, her hips began to roll, seeking more pressure from his inquisitive fingers. Anna wanted so badly to touch herself. She knew exactly what the girl was experiencing and she missed it immensely.

Her eyes found his gaze and he gave her a devilish smile, one that hardened her nipples and caused her pussy to dampen even more. Livia gasped aloud when Sabina cried out as she opened her legs wider for his hand.

"Please, master, please, no more!" she cried, yet her body said differently. Cassius spanked her again, much harder than before and her cries of pain echoed throughout the room. Sabina's little ass turned a brilliant red as he left large handprints on both of her now swollen cheeks.

He stopped and again ran a hand between her thighs. This time they were soaked in her wetness, and without thinking, raised his hand and licked his fingers. Livia and Anna gasped together at the erotic sight. Both women were beside themselves with lust and were fervently wishing that they occupied Sabina's position.

His clever fingers found her slick pearl and he gently rubbed it until she was humping his hand and sobbing uncontrollably. He pulled her up to sit in his lap and cuddled her to his chest. She clung to him like a limpet and cried her eyes out.

"Master!" she whispered, "I'll never question you again! I'm so sorry, master!"

"Make sure you don't, little one," he growled, then kissed her tear stained cheek. Pollux walked out with a look of disgust, sorely disappointed that the beating hadn't gone on to his satisfaction.

"Anna."

"Yes, Dominus," she answered reflexively.

"Take our little Sabina home and comfort her. I'll see you two tomorrow," he ordered firmly.

"Yes, Dominus." She went to Sabina and pulled her to her feet, then led the contrite slave girl out of the room.

"Livia."

"Yes, master," she answered carefully.

"Come to me." He held out his arms and she cautiously approached until he reached out to snatch her up and put her in his lap. She yelped in surprise thinking she was in trouble too, but when his arms closed comfortingly around her waist she knew all was well. "I truly did miss you," he murmured.

"And I you, master."

"Do you like it here so far? Have you enough to eat?"

"Oh, yes! It's wonderful here. I feel safer than I ever have before, and Anna ensured I ate well today. Thank you for providing for me, master," she said softly, as she gazed up at him with her beautiful blue eyes.

His eyes drifted down to the full breasts that her tight tunic struggled to contain. Unconsciously, she arched her back to push her tits out farther, pleased at his attentions. She caught her breath when he cupped a breast in his hard palm, then gently plucked her hardening nipples.

"Oh, master," she breathed, "it's been so long for me and you feel so good."

"How long, sweetness?" he asked softly, curious because he hadn't questioned her about her past like he had Sabina.

"At least ten years, since my husband died."

"No man has taken you in ten years? Why so long?" He was outright amazed. If a woman of her age and station in life wasn't married, some man would have taken her against her will long ago.

"I come from a small village and the Romans wiped out all the men except the children a long time ago. We tried to stay invisible from the surrounding tribes and were mostly successful and we managed to survive. My luck ran out when those men took me, or should I say that luckily they took me, for I've met you, master, and I'm happier than I've ever been." A tear gathered in her eye, and he felt a part of his cold heart melt as she looked at him so entreatingly.

Slowly, as if she were afraid, she raised a hand to caress his face, then kissed him sweetly. He noticed her hesitancy and took her hand.

"Sweetness, you can always touch or kiss me here at home, but not in public."

"I understand, master."

"Also, if you have needs, tell me and I'll do my best to fill them. If you have wants, ask me and I may fill them as well." A sultry look came across her beautiful face and she tugged his curly head down to whisper in his ear.

"Master, I need you so badly, and I want you to take me to your bed." She giggled as a smile broke his face and she shrieked in happy surprise when he scooped her up and walked to the bedroom.

She purred as he licked and sucked her taut nipples, the long forgotten sensation overwhelming her slim body. She needed him so badly that she tugged him up over her while spreading her legs wide in hopes of him taking her.

"Please, master. I need you inside me so. I can't wait any longer!" She gasped when he slid a hand down to gauge her wetness. Hot, slick juice met his fingers, surprising him at how aroused she was already.

"Ten years," he thought. "I'd be ready too, by Jupiter!"

"If you like, sweetheart. I'll try to be gentle," he said, well aware of the sometimes complicated business of getting his huge cock inside a woman.

"You needn't worry, just fuck me, master," she begged. He fisted his cock and wiped his dripping head up and down her wet pussy until he was covered in slick, then slowly breached her tight pussy. She cried out in passion and pain, digging her heels in his thighs and dragging him deeper. He was surprised at how easy she took him.

Although she was extremely tight, he slipped beneath her cervix and filled her pussy completely full of thick cock. He stopped when he felt her back wall and rested while she adjusted to his intrusion. She slid an inquisitive hand down and found a hands width of shaft remaining unsheathed.

An audible gasp came from her lips as her mind boggled at the sheer size of him, despite her seeing Anna plundered by him a night ago. At the time she'd promised herself that if he ever bedded her she would give herself to him completely as Anna had done. It was an erotic scene that would never leave her mind.

"Oh, master," she breathed, "take me completely. I'm yours to do as you wish."

"You shouldn't tempt me, little one," he growled, shivers running down his back as her words struck home.

"But I mean them, master. I can never take them back." When he gathered her legs in his strong hands and placed them over his shoulders she knew something within him had shifted. His gentle caresses changed to deliberate, almost rough actions. Her eyes widened in surprise when he rose up above her in the push up position, then leaned down to kiss her. Her knees were nearly at her ears and her ass was elevated off the bed, a position she'd never been put in before.

His cock had slid free of her and she hastily caught him in her hand. She stroked him until he groaned in pleasure, then notched him in the tight seam of her pussy. He growled again and she felt him load his hips in preparation. He waited for several seconds, until she nodded into his shoulder.

"I'm ready for you master, make me yours forever," she crooned. With a grunt of effort, he dropped his weight on her, a long ragged cry left her throat as he slid deep inside, shunting her cervix aside to impact the very bottom of her pussy.

"Ugh! Fuck me, master!" she cried out. Obediently, he withdrew until just his swollen cock head remained trapped inside her, then he lanced deep, impaling her ruthlessly as she screamed beneath him in pleasure.

"Again, please, again!" He continued his course, a slow withdrawal followed by a brutal fuck that threatened to break her mind. He noticed she was staring down at their joining, the white ring of cream that was building around his cock shaft showing that a solid three inches had so far been unused.

"All of it, master! I want all of you inside me!" she begged. He slowly lowered his hips until he felt the back wall of her pussy. She dug her nails in the cheeks of his ass, struggling to pull him ever closer. He pushed harder than he ever had on a woman and she sank her teeth in his shoulder, biting down as he finally sank his shaft to the root.

Her orgasm announced itself with ragged grunt, ripped from her throat by its intensity. Like a beast she fought him, overwhelmed in pleasure. He held her arms over her head and ground his pubic bone into her swollen clit, her orgasmic cries music to his ears as he stayed buried deep slowly rolling his hips.

He became aware that it felt as if the head of his cock was ensconced in a tight fist. Sliding in and out of that tightness with just an inch or two of movement was driving him towards a massive orgasm, far sooner than he wished. But who was he to argue? As his orgasm washed over him, he rammed as deep as possible in the age old act of procreation. Instinctively, she knew he was coming and she fought her arms free to hug him desperately.

"Cum in me, master, please!" she begged. She needn't have asked because he was too far gone for anything else. He roared like bull and poured his soul in her deepest depths.

"Fuck, Livia!" he shouted, and came in massive spurts that filled her pussy to overflowing. Almost sobbing, she held him tightly, loving the feel of the big man filling her body and nearly smothering her with his weight. He held her for a few minutes then slowly leaned back and got to his knees, his semi hard cock popping free, dripping with their combined juices.

She lay there, shiny with perspiration, her full breasts and hard nipples tempting him to continue pleasuring her. He sucked and licked her nipples, occasionally tugging gently with his teeth until she whimpered in passion. He cupped her pussy, then pushed three fingers deep inside, her back arching at the sensation.

He fucked her until his fingers were coated with cum, then he offered them to her parted red lips. She hesitated momentarily, having never done anything like this before, but she wanted so desperately to please him. A long string of white cum dripped down and she raised her head to meet his fingers, then moaned aloud as she sucked them clean.

He shuffled closer and offered his cock to her. She opened wide and stuck her tongue out, giving him a target. He milked his prodigious length and produced another thick wad of cum that fell in her mouth. The gasp that broke his lips when she swallowed it told her she was doing everything right and she felt a quick burst of pride. She'd been concerned that her lack of recent experience would show, and he wouldn't be satisfied with her.

He cradled her head in one hand and fed her his now stiffening cock. She suckled him greedily, loving how he flexed his hips to drive deeper while moaning in ecstasy. He paused to collect more of their combined fluids from her pussy and fed her again. This time she took his hand in hers and sucked his fingers individually, her little pink tongue gathering every tiny drop of cum so she could swallow it down with a satisfied smile.

She yelped in surprise when her flipped around to change positions. He laid flat on his back and tugged her over him in the 69 position. Another cry left her lips when for the first time in her life, a man's tongue split her pussy lips open to taste her nectar. Little cries of pleasure were torn from her lips as he expertly ate her pussy.

He tasted and teased her for several minutes while studiously avoiding her swollen clit. He caught her head and pushed her down over his now rampant cock where she gladly opened her mouth and took him in.

She felt a heat come over that she'd never known before, a lust that drove her to lose herself in the man beneath her. The taste and scent of their combined fluids on his cock drove her to take him deep in her mouth, and as she opened wide his big hand forced her head down and he buried his long shaft to the balls down her tight throat.

He held her there until she began struggling for air, then released her to catch her breath. As she panted above him, he captured her clit and sucked it softly, stroking it with his hot tongue until she was writhing in ecstasy.

Again, he fucked her throat, repeating his actions but continuing to pleasure her clit. She was panting for air when her orgasm hit, and she cried out, grinding her pussy on his upturned face. She leaned her head back, her long hair dragging on the swell of her ass while she cupped her tits and tugged her nipples, adding to the intensity of her orgasm.

Cassius was now hard and swollen, and he needed release. When she sighed and slumped forward on his hips, he slid from beneath her and positioned her willing body to his liking. He put her on her knees on the floor beside the bed, pushing her forward in the doggy style position.

"This is how I want you when we do this," he said roughly. "On your knees, ass in the air, and your tits on the floor." She nodded and immediately obeyed, then looked up and back at him to see if he was happy. She looked absolutely beautiful splayed out in front of him, her knees wide apart and her long hair spread in a fan shape on the stone floor.

"Now show me yourself," he said in a choked voice, as he struggled to contain the beast within that threatened to break loose and ravage her mercilessly.

"I don't understand, master," she said, in a small voice.

"Like this." He said, and spread her ass cheeks with his strong hands. His eyes widened as he heard and seen her pussy lips part with a slick sound that tightened his ball sack and caused a long string of precum to drip from his raging hard cock to land on the puckered ring of her asshole. She replaced his hands with hers and she flushed with embarrassment, knowing he was gazing into her most treasured, private place.

She felt him push his cock against her tight opening and she leaned into him, encouraging him to drive himself home.

"Are you ready, little one?" he asked through gritted teeth as he squatted low, perched on the balls of his feet.

"Yes, master," she breathed, as she looked back at him almost fearfully. She moaned as she felt him breach her tight entrance, then her moan grew to a cry as he slowly lowered himself, spearing deep to nudge her cervix aside and plow into the back wall of her pussy. She groaned deeply and threw a hand back to touch his taut abs, signaling him to stop because he was almost killing her.

"Please, master, it's too much!" she begged, as a tear slid down her cheek. He looked down to see he had three inches of freeboard left and was aching to bury it balls deep inside her hot tunnel. He nodded and gently withdrew until just his cock head was trapped inside her opening, then reversed course and slid home again.

This time she didn't resist him, but he chose to give her more time to adjust to his massive length and girth. He began a steady series of thrusts that brought whimpers and groans from her throat while she continued to hold her ass cheeks apart, allowing him to see his thickly veined shaft plunder her depths time and again.

His heavy balls were slapping her sensitive clit with a steady rhythm and she felt the beginnings of a stellar orgasm rising in her body. Not missing a stroke, he gathered her thick, dark hair in a long ponytail and wrapped it around his hand, then pulled back steadily until she cried out loudly. Her spine was arched bewitchingly, and her full tits were pointing up and out, tempting his other hand.

He gripped her tit and roughly squeezed it, then tugged her nipple until she almost screamed at the incredible sensation of pain and pleasure racking her lithe frame. He too was now close to coming and he knew he couldn't last much longer.

The last vestige of self control left him and as her tight pussy spasmed around him in orgasm, he released the wolf and began to ruthlessly drive the full length of his cock into her soaking wet tunnel. Her cries echoed throughout the room as he slammed home and ground his hips in a vicious circle, breaking her pussy open and stretching her pussy to its utmost limit.

Suddenly, her legs collapsed under his weight and she fell forward to the floor, locked in orgasm. He rode her down and fucked her prone body mercilessly, grunting like a beast each time he struck home.

Finally, his orgasm smashed into him and he pounded deep one last time and unloaded ropes of hot cum deep inside her.

She wailed as she rode the waves of ecstasy that engulfed her body while he rammed his hips hard against her ass, ruled by instinct to bury his seed as deeply as possible. He quivered and shook until his balls were completely drained, then clasping her to his chest, rolled to his side and became her big spoon.

"Are you ok?" he asked tenderly, quite surprising himself.

"I think so, master," she replied, in a voice rough from her cries of passion. "I think you might have broken me," she giggled throatily. She traced her fingers over their joining, where her pussy lips were still wrapped around his cock shaft and gathered up the cum oozing from her body, then gasped in amazement at the amount that was coating them. She studied it in the light of the candles and made an expression of awe.

"Until I met you, I never saw a man cum so much. I've only been with two men other than my husband and they only squirted out a little bit," she explained. His eyes opened wide in surprise when she stuck her fingers in her mouth and sucked them clean, while looking back at him provocatively. He smiled and took a big tit in his hand and caressed it while she sighed in his arms.

"I shall miss you, my little slave girl," he whispered in the shell of her ear.

"And I you, master. Will you think of me often?"

"Every day and night, sweetness."

"And I shall think of you, master."

"Now you listen to Anna and Pollux. They'll help to keep you safe and out of trouble."

"I'm afraid of Pollux, master. He's so big and black! Will he try to make me pleasure him at night?" she asked fearfully. He nearly laughed aloud but didn't want to hurt her feelings.

"No, little one. He's a eunuch."

"What's a eunuch?" she asked, as she stumbled over the unfamiliar word.

"His balls have been cut off so he has no interest in women. He used to serve as a slave in Egypt, then he was bought and forced to be a gladiator in Rome. He fought many times in the arena but failed to win his freedom. I bought him and brought him here to serve me. He's very loyal, courageous and brave, and he'd never hurt you or Anna because he knows I'd kill him," he stated, matter of factly.

"Would you ever free him?"

"I tried a short while ago. He refused saying he wouldn't know what to do out on his own. Living here he has a purpose and meaning in life. I won't make him leave, so here he is, taking care of my old retired ass."

"You're not old, master!" she teased, "I think you just proved it to me."

"I'll feel it in the morning, I can't service you young ladies like I used too!" She giggled, then turned in his arms to sweetly kiss his lips.

"I shall wait for you here with Anna until you return to me safely, master." she promised, in a soft whisper.

"Good, and listen to Anna, she'll guide you and educate you about how I like my house ran."

"Oh, we talked a bit today and she gave some advice about you," she whispered shyly.

"And what would that be?" he growled, and tickled her ribs until she shrieked in laughter.

"She told me you loved it when she sucked your cock after you fucked her."

"Indeed I do, sweetheart, and I loved it when you did it to me. What else did she say?" Livia looked down and blushed furiously.

"Tell me, Livia," he commanded.

"She said your favorite thing is to have another girl in bed with her and that you fuck them both, and sometimes the girls share your cock together."

"She was absolutely correct. It is my favorite thing to do. Have you ever been with a woman before?" he asked, while his cock twitched in response on his thigh.

"Very little. When I was young, a village girl played with my pussy but we didn't do much else, and the other night when you and Anna were together, I touched Sabina's tits and pussy. It was warm and wet, just like my own!" she said, still embarrassed at the subject.

"Well, I want you to do what Anna says, especially if she teaches you more about what I like. I hope you enjoy because it would bring me great pleasure."

"Oh, I will, master. My life is so much better now, and I owe it all to you. I'll do everything I can to increase your happiness," she promised, and kissed him tenderly on the lips.

Chapter X

Livia awoke to the touch of a soft kiss on her forehead. She opened her eyes to see Anna hovering over her with a finger to her lips, indicating she wanted silence. She gestured for Livia to follow, and led her from the room while Cassius continued sleeping.

"How are you this morning?" Anna asked quietly.

"I'm well, mistress. I slept really good."

"I noticed you're not moving too fast," Anna said, with a twinkle in her eye.

"I'm sore as can be down there. Master nearly broke me last night," she giggled, and cupped her abused pussy.

"He tends to do that more often than not. If you're not up to it, just tell him and he'll take it easy on you."

"I didn't mind at all. In fact I loved it, but I can see what you mean. Just then Cassius' low rumble of a voice came from his room.

"Anna, where's Sabina?"

"She's outside visiting Magnus. I think she's avoiding her mean old master," she said, and laughed aloud.

"Send her to me." he ordered.

"Yes, master?" Sabina quavered, as she stood in his doorway, her eyes downcast in fear.

"Did you sleep well at Anna's?"

"Yes, master."

"Look at me, Sabina." She obeyed and she caught her breath at the sight of him. He was naked and reclining atop the blanket with his hands behind his head. His firm pecs captured her eyes at first, then her gaze trailed slowly down his brawny frame and past the rigid abdominals to rest, wide in awe at his thick cock.

"All is forgiven, little one." he said gently. "You overstepped your boundaries and learned a lesson I hope."

"Are you still angry with me, master?" she asked, in a small, frightened voice.

"Of course not. Now come to me, my sweet." She flew into his arms to snuggle close to him and he felt hot tears on his shoulder. He petted her and kissed her forehead, then heard a sweet sigh of relief come from her lips.

"I'm sorry for last night, master. I was jealous of Livia and I had no right to be." she confessed.

"You're correct, you didn't. You must learn to live with both Anna and Livia. I consider all three of you beautiful women to be a part of my household. In these days out on the frontier, immediate obedience is paramount. Especially where you and I are going it could be a matter of life or death. Do you understand me?" he growled roughly, as a way of driving home his point. She trembled again as she answered.

"Yes, master."

"Good, now lay with me a few moments and learn," he ordered, then continued, "Anna! Bring me some water."

"Yes, Cassius." her happy voice floated through the doorway. She soon appeared and sat at his side across from Sabina and offered him a cup, accompanied by a beautiful smile.

"Did you sleep well, Cass?" she asked, as she stroked his cheek lovingly.

"I did. And yourself, sweet Anna?"

"I did as well, but was thinking of you and Livia together and found myself wishing I was here to share her with you," she purred, then ran a soft index finger down the length of his cock to slowly circle its thickening head.

"I figured you were, naughty girl!" he scolded, then pulled her down for a long kiss. "Now some breakfast, sweet Anna, before I take you here and now!" He swatted her ass sharply as she departed and she rubbed the sting away while throwing him a sultry glance that promised many delights later in the evening.

Sabina's gaze was locked on his now semi hard cock, and he watched her as wild thoughts ran through her mind.

"You can touch me, little one." Like Anna had done, she ran her fingers up and down his thick shaft while it slowly grew in length and girth, gasping in awe at the effect she was having on him.

"You'll have me all to yourself during our journey. Do you now realize why I had Livia stay with me last night?" Sabina thought a few moments, then answered with a tone of regret.

"Yes, master, I do, because you're leaving her alone with Anna. It was selfish of me to be angry and jealous of her. I'm terribly sorry."

"You're forgiven. Now apologize to Livia this morning at breakfast. Also, thank Anna for all she's done for you. I think she likes you and I want you two to get along."

"Yes, master."

"Now, unhand me wench and let's eat something, I'm famished!"

Cassius spent the day at the garrison meeting with his men, procuring last minute items and checking out gear while the girls went shopping, then they returned home to prepare a meal, giving the cook slave the night off. They were finished eating and sipping wine when Cassius produced a document from his pouch hanging on the wall.

"This is my will in case I meet an unfortunate end," he said lightheartedly, not wanting to ruin anyone's dinner, but it was a subject that needed broaching.

"What's a will, master?" Livia asked politely.

"It's a legal document that states where all my properties go if I am killed in combat or die of disease. I already had one of course, but it needed updating." She nodded her head, but he knew she hadn't understood his explanation, so he continued.

"If I die, this papyrus explains the following. Anna, you receive the whole of my businesses. The inventory, the physical structures, the employees, everything goes to you," he stated. Her eyes widened and she gasped in astonishment, his words completely unexpected.

He continued. "The house, stable, courtyard, all the slaves, and the land beneath it goes to Anna. This is a stand alone entity, entirely separated from the business, and is completely free of debt." She recovered herself admirably and sat listening quietly, although a tear slid down her cheek. She had no idea he felt so loving and trusting toward her.

"Pollux, to you I again give you your freedom. The document of manumission will reside with my will. Furthermore, I give you 50 gold aureus for your loyalty and maintenance of your future. I know your feelings on freedom, and if Anna agrees, she may keep you in her household as slave if you desire."

Pollux stood at his post with the most vulnerable expression Cassius had ever seen on his face. It lasted only seconds before he recovered, and Cass smiled to himself, knowing he'd judged properly.

"Thank you, Dominus," he replied stiffly, ever the proper slave.

"Livia and Sabina," he continued, "I give you both to Anna to keep as her slaves. I also apportion 100 gold aureus to Anna to spend for your maintenance. You will serve her as willingly as you serve me, however, she can never sell either of you. She must give you your freedom if she chooses to part ways with you. Do you understand me, Anna?"

"Yes, Dominus," she answered quietly.

"Anna," he said in a reproving voice.

"Yes, Cassius, I understand."

"Good. Anna, these documents will stay in your possession. Keep them safe. Also, the Legion Legate has identical documents in his possession should your's become lost or damaged. Simply see him in that event. I spoke to him personally and he will see you done well."

She nodded in acquiescence and he gave her a wink that brought a pleasant flush to her face.

He looked around the table at his family and felt a warm feeling of belonging roll over him. He was growing to love them, especially Anna, he realized with a start. She was so loving and understanding, keeping him happy and at peace despite his adding the two slave girls to his household.

"Anna, to bed," he said softly, then rose to his feet, took her hand and led her to his room.

"Shall we spy on them?" Sabina asked, in a mischievous whisper.

"Yes, but we must be silent!" Livia replied, with a quiet giggle. The sounds that drifted from the couple's room were quite erotic and both girls were increasingly aroused as time went on.

"Oh, my, he's so beautiful," Livia sighed, as the two watched his muscular buttocks writhe and clench as he stroked slow and deep inside Anna's welcoming body. Anna was crying out softly as another orgasm consumed her. It was her third one and so far the best. She worked her hips under him and he held still while she impaled herself on his thick meat.

He had came once already and the two spies looked on in envy as a ring of thick, white cream gathered on his cock as she came apart beneath him.

"Oh, sweetheart, I'm coming so hard!" she cried softly.

"Take me, lover. Take what you need," he replied in a voice rough with passion. With a guttural cry, she rammed her hips upward and ground against him until her orgasm faded and she slumped down, entirely exhausted. He stayed with her to continue fucking to reach his own final pleasure, but she touched his taut belly with her small hand.

"Please, my sweet. You've devastated me, I have no more energy. Find your pleasure with our women, I'm sure they won't mind." He looked down at her in astonishment, having planned on staying with her alone this night. She winked up at him, cupped his scarred face, then kissed him with more passion than she ever had.

"I love you, my sweetheart," she said, for the first time. "Now go, have the girls satisfy you so you can sleep with me." She sighed when he pulled his sword from her dripping sheath, and watched as he turned to the doorway. She ached to keep him for herself, but knew that was not her lot in life if she chose to stay with him.

His rigid cock led the way as he walked toward the hallway. Sabina let out a soft cry of alarm and started to flee, but Livia caught her hand.

"No, stay with me!" she hissed, then knelt quickly to the stone floor, and tugged the petite woman down beside her. Cassius swept the curtain aside, then looked down in surprise at the two slaves.

"Master," Livia said quietly, then put her hands behind her back and thrust her tits forward, taking an erotic pose that hardened his cock even further. Sabina looked at her in amazement, then quickly followed her lead.

Cassius didn't say a word, he simply stepped close between the two, his huge cock pointing at their heads, still dripping from his and Anna's coupling. Livia immediately knew what he expected and leaning forward, worked his thick head between her red lips, stretching them to the maximum.

She looked up at him and his hot eyes bore into hers. She held his gaze as Anna had instructed, and pushed her mouth over him, taking him deep until she gagged. He sighed in pleasure, so she drew back and repeated her actions until she tasted his precum ooze onto her tongue.

His taste as well as Anna's was an erotic potion to her and her pussy dripped it's sweet juices down her thigh as she serviced her master. He glanced at Sabina to see her eyes were locked on Livia's mouth and he chose to test her as well.

Livia whimpered when he withdrew and offered his cock to Sabina. She also had been subjected to advice given by Anna, and smart girl that she was, decided to try it out. Rather than take him between her lips, she leaned under his cock and took a testicle in her mouth. It was coated with Anna's pussy juice and a thick layer of cum, and she moaned as the taste of the couple's combined fluids hit her tongue.

He groaned and widened his stance to allow her to move beneath him. His long cock protruded over the top of her head and an enterprising Livia again caught him in her mouth. He moaned aloud as he was lost in sensation. For a few long minutes he enjoyed them, then he cradled their heads in his hands and they looked up at him with their beautiful eyes, eyes that indicated they belonged to him and were there solely for his pleasure.

He cupped each of their small heads in his big hands, and they sighed as his fingers combed through their long, beautiful hair.

"Suck," he whispered down to them. An eager Sabina was there first and she wrapped her eager lips around him. He held her head and pushed into her mouth until her eyes widened and she gagged slightly. He took careful note of how far he could push her, then did the same to Livia. Each girl took him one after the other as he switched back and forth, treating himself to a dozen or more strokes before changing between the girl's hot, willing mouths. Soon, he withdrew and bent down to whisper in their ears.

"When I signal, open your mouths, stick out your tongues and push your tits together."

"Yes, master," they softly replied, eager to obey his command. He stood and continued fucking their mouths until he felt the first tickle of an impending orgasm. The sound of his light panting and the tightening grip on their heads told them he was imminent, and they redoubled their efforts, almost throwing themselves forward to take him as deep as possible.

With a loud groan he swiftly pulled back and fisted his cock, then unleashed a mighty blast of cum onto Livia's pink tongue that ricocheted into the back of her throat, making her eyes widen in surprise.

Sabina's tongue was out and she was literally begging to be next, so he happily obliged her. She coughed and choked as his second blast hit her tongue so hard that Livia heard it as it splattered home.

He continued shooting another half dozen ropes and painted their upturned breasts with so much cum that when he finished it was dripping in thick wads from their hard, pink nipples.

"Kiss each other," he commanded. He watched as they immediately obeyed, and at the sight he felt a post orgasmic spasm and a long string of cum slowly dripped from his glistening cock head. He pushed closer and watched intently as his cum landed perfectly on their entwined lips. His knees nearly buckled when Livia's sweet tongue darted out to catch his offering and deliver it to Sabina.

He knew for sure that Anna had been tutoring the girls and tonight he loved her for it. He pushed further between them and as they took turns sucking him dry, he milked his shaft delivering every drop to their hungry mouths. Throwing his head back, he drew in a great breath and sighed loudly while looking at the ceiling.

"What an amazing threesome of women I have!" he thought to himself. He lost himself in his reverie until he heard Livia's small whisper.

"Master, we have something for you." He looked down at her and couldn't believe what she did. Leaning down, she caught Sabina's hard nipple in her mouth, and his mind boggled when her little pink tongue darted out to collect his cum and she swallowed it daintily, then went back for more.

Sabina was wide eyed and gasping at her friend's performance, but went along with it happily, cupping her small tits and offering them up for Livia's attention until they were licked clean.

Not to be outdone, when Livia was finished, Sabina returned the favor and Livia's nipples and big tits were shiny with saliva when she was done. Cassius was nearly beside himself and wanted nothing more than to continue ravishing his little slave girls, but he had an early day ahead and he was nearly exhausted as it was. He regretted that he hadn't satisfied them, but tried to smooth it over with some soft words.

"Stand for me." When the two stood side by side in front of him, he spoke to Livia. "While I'm gone, Anna will take care of you here, here, and here," he said, touching her red lips, firm tits and soaking wet pussy. He slid a finger inside her and she rose to her tiptoes as he drove it deep.

"She will love you and take care of all your needs, including this tight little pussy, if you've a mind to." She nodded as her eyes closed and she lost herself to his questing finger.

"And you, my sweet," he addressed Sabina, "I'll take care of you," he said, in a growl that sent shivers down her spine. He cupped her smooth pussy and worked a finger between her folds, stopping in surprise when he met sturdy resistance from her maidenhead. She jerked in pain and surprise, but held her position, determined to please him.

"Yes, master," she responded, with a squeak, high on her tiptoes as well.

"Good, now to bed with you wenches," he said roughly, and tenderly kissed them both. They went to sleep knowing that deep inside he loved and cared for them whether he would say so or not.

The following day, he and Sabina kissed their family goodbye, while Pollux stood by frowning under a dark cloud, as usual. Cassius smacked his bicep and addressed him.

"Pollux, I need you to watch out for the ladies and keep them safe. Keep yourself safe while you're at it. We'll be back after we've completed our mission." He nearly fell over from shock when Pollux gripped his hand firmly and replied with a ghost of a smile on his charcoal black face, his teeth shining brightly.

"Yes, Dominus. I'll make it happen." Sabina rode seated in front of him on Magnus as they made their way to the garrison. She chattered happily, and Cassius being in a fantastic mood, answered her many questions without losing his temper or growing gruff with her, a feat he was quite proud of.

He had a small surprise for her and she squealed in joy when he fastened a small pugio, or dagger around her slim waist.

"Use this as you wish, but if you need to protect yourself, don't slash and cut. Stab him in an upward manner under the ribs. If you're behind him, stick him in the small of his back on one side or the other. The kidneys are an excellent target."

"Yes, master!" she exclaimed, and wriggled in excitement, her day was starting out to be quite fun! Soon, they dismounted and he began a final inspection of the company. He had requested 15 pack horses and they were all loaded and ready to go.

The men rode out of the large corral on their mounts and as they watched, Flavius rode silently up to Cassius' side and handed him the reins of the grey mare Sabina had fallen in love with. She turned as she noticed Flavius, then seeing the mare, turned and hugged Cassius tightly, and covered his face in grateful kisses.

The men had been made aware of her presence and position on the mission and they roundly cheered while Cassius turned red as a beet. It was by no means common to have relations with a slave, much less show such affection in public, and he was nearly mortified. Luckily, the hour was early and no one but his men witnessed the scene.

Sabina hopped down from Magnus, and petted the grey until she was nuzzling the girl and sniffing her for signs of a treat.

Sabina took a short running start and hopped aboard the grey, whom sidestepped and pranced about stiff legged until Sabina calmed her with soft words and gentle strokes on her neck.

"Do you have her?" Cassius asked.

"I do, master. Thank you for her, she's beautiful!" He nodded and turned to an old friend named Decimus. He had served as Optio under Cassius at one time. Recently, he was wounded and sent back to the fort to heal. Cassius considered himself lucky to have found the man and knew he would be quite valuable on the mission. He had a hitch in his gait from a nasty stab wound in his upper thigh, but he had healed quite well over the last year and had proven he was still a more than able soldier.

"Decimus! Form 'em up!" he commanded.

"Yes, sir! You heard the man, you lazy bastards! Form it up!" The men immediately obeyed and lined up their mounts in two rows of fifteen each.

"Listen up, men," Cassius said loudly. "Today we head north to search for the Eagle standard of the 9th! We'll search until we find it, no two ways about it. We travel easy and spare the mounts until we reach the Antonine Wall. From there it's wild country and we need to be alert and on guard at all times. There will be no unnecessary fighting along the way. Our goal is not to conquer, raze, burn villages, or take slaves. It is to simply recover what has been taken from us. Do you understand?"

"Yes, First Spear!" they roared, pleased that the journey was nearly begun.

"Also, this is my slave, Sabina. You're to address her as such, and she will be as valuable an asset as any one of you. She was raised in the north and has traveled extensively in Damnonii. She and Flavius are our navigators. Heed their advice as if it were my own."

"Yes, First Spear!"

"And finally. Sabina is mine and mine alone. If you touch her or offend her in any way, you'll answer to me, understand?"

"Yes, First Spear!" He cupped a hand to his ear and raised an eyebrow.

"I couldn't quite hear you!"

"Yes, First Spear!!"

"Fantastic! Now move out!" He nudged Magnus with his heels and with Sabina directly behind him, led his troops through the open gate and into grand adventure.