Chapter Text
Nasir took his lover’s hand and pulled him deeper into the house to a small bedroom. A small girl sat on the bed sucking on her thumb. As Nasir approached she stretched up her arms demanding to be picked up. “The gods bless us also with a daughter.”
“How?” Agron asked as he stepped closer only to be completely smitten as the girl laid her head on Nasir’s shoulder and graced him with a toothy grin that showed off all four of her tiny teeth before her thumb once again found its way to her mouth.
“Castus was charged with seeing her and two twin boys safely to the afterlife.” Nasir said. “He came to visit with them in tow and left her here with me. He said you were due being brought down a notch by such a tiny creature.”
“That fucking shit!” Agron smiled as he reached a hand out and brushed the tiny girl’s soft dark hair.
“Mind tongue!” Nasir scolded as the little girl turned her face bashfully hiding against his neck. “Such words should not fall upon little ears.”
“Apologies. You are not wrong; I will make attempt to mind words in her presence.” Agron suddenly straightened. “You must think of name for her and tell me when I return!”
“Wait! Where do you go?” Nasir asked.
“To speak with my mother.” Agron said. “Helga has outgrown many of her clothes; perhaps they will be of a size for this little one.”
“Who are you?” Auctus demanded as he looked at the dark-skinned man standing in front of the villa he shared with Barca and Pietros. The man was flanked by two identical small boys each clinging to one of his hands.
“I am Castus.” The man answered. “I seek Pietros.”
“Ah the Cilician pirate. Pietros is within.” Auctus said then made to usher the man inside.
“I only wished to discover if he was here.” Castus said as he released the hands of the two boys. “The gods charged me with delivering them to loving family; my duty is met.”
“Wait! You cannot abandon them with me!” Auctus said as Castus released the two boys and nudged them in Auctus direction. “What am I supposed to do with children?”
“My duty was to see them to loving home; I have done so.” Castus said “And there are other little ones still in need of settling. Do not froth and foam so; all parents stand dumbfounded at first. In time you will learn.” Castus gave a wide grin and hurried off leaved Auctus yelling for Pietros and Barca.
Pietros came out of the villa cradling a dove with an injured wing to his chest. Barca followed on Pietros heel and gave Auctus a questioning look.
“It is Castus fault!” Auctus said. “He said that he was charged with seeing them to loving home and then just left them with me!”
Pietros broke into a grin, handed the bird to Barca, then knelt down and opened his arms wide for the two boys to run into.
Castus found the next person he was seeking. Saxa and Belesa were wandering through the market together. The Cilician grinned and made his way over to the two.
“Saxa, Belesa; I was just on my way to seek you out.” Castus greeted.
“Castus, you said that you were leaving us to return to the sea.” Belesa said. “Why have you returned? Have the gods changed their minds? Must Saxa return to battle?”
“I come to bring a gift to you.” Castus said. “If you would care to walk with me to the docks?”
“What is on docks?” Saxa asked.
“You still do not trust me?” Castus asked.
“You try to steal little man away still.” Saxa asked. “You bring gift to see me not tell Agron.”
“Not tell Agron what?” Duro asked as he joined them.
“Castus come back to Sinuessa.” Saxa explained. “I think he comes back for Nasir.”
“I don’t believe it so.” Duro said. “He gave a gift to Agron and Nasir also. One that would move Nasir to remain in Sinuessa.”
“We may have had disagreement yet I can think of no one better suited to protect her than your brother.” Castus said “And Nasir’s kindness will let her know that she is safe.”
“Her?” Belesa asked. “What is he speaking of?”
“Agron and Nasir have a daughter! I go to market to find toys for my niece.” Duro said. “I must secure my place as her most favored uncle.”
“And I have one more child to see gifted with loving parents.” Castus said. “My gift for Saxa and Belesa.”
“How did you come by so many children?” Belesa asked.
“It has been many lifetimes since we first fought against Rome.” Castus said. “Yet men still seek to enslave others and the others fight against such. Battles such as these always cause the innocent to fall from life.”
“But what of their families?” Duro asked. “Are there not mothers and fathers who would miss them?”
“These are the children of violence and desperation; they were not wanted in their first lives.” Castus said more serious than any had ever heard him. “Yet they deserve to be loved; to have parents that want them. When the gods chose to grant my brothers and sisters the joy of children in the afterlife; many were denied the blessing.”
“You bring them here because you know that we would welcome them.” Belesa said.
“Do you come across children like this often?” Duro asked.
“More often that I would like.” Castus said.
“Then bring them here.” Saxa said. “We will see that they find home.”
“Yes we will.” Duro said. “Diona and I have been spending much time together; she would make a good mother.”
“And you perhaps would make a good father.” Castus said. “Perhaps I will return soon. For now I would have Saxa and Belesa take their son into their keeping; the sea calls.”