PROLOGUE

 

Mark Dexter entered the training room just as his assistant was making the last adjustments on the blonde's bondage.

"Tighten up the legs a bit," he gestured as he walked around the subdued girl. "We want to make this as easy as possible."

He watched as the younger man bent over to pull the girl's ankles down a bit further, tightening the bonds to hold them in place.

"Good." Mark regarded the naked girl. She was bent double over a wooden bondage horse, her hands pulled down in front of her and strapped to the two legs on the forward side, her ankles pulled tight and strapped on the back lets, leaving her ass upright and vulnerable. Her blonde hair had been cut short-making it easier to wash when the sweat of her training soaked in.

Most of her training is complete; Mark knew she was almost ready for life as a sex slave. There's only one thing left to do. He touched her butt, checked the tension on her skin, then took a second to finger her cunt, smiling at her little moan of pleasure at the simple touch. Her owner-to-be wants her trained to take him in anally... He nodded to the assistant, waited for the young man to return with the specially made dildo. It had been machined to exactly match the size of her owner's penis. Now let's see how well she handles it...

The girl gasped as the dildo touched her anus-but training-and fear of the punishment she knew Mark would mete out if she fought-caused her to do her best to loosen clenched muscles.

The tip slid in.

"Just a little further," Mark took a moment to once again stroke the girl's beautifully-shaped ass. "Take a deep breath..." He pulled his hand away from the base of the dildo-then slapped it hard, driving it into place. That should do it! He heard the girl whine with the sudden pain-but she bit back any real scream. This one will make a fine slave. He stroked her butt idly, examining the dildo to make sure that it was in all the way. It's a waste to take one like this from the rear... Mark knew it was a dirty and dangerous proposition-one that too often led to other problems. Like that time, so long ago...

Mark's mind wandered back through time and space-far back...

 

CHAPTER ONE

 

ROME 60 A.D.

 

Screams came from the house of Marcus Tritonius-screams without words-screams of fear and agony-screams that had no hope of rescue. They were the screams of a helpless animal in pain.

A female animal.

Such screams were common in this place. Common enough for Marcus' neighbours to shake their heads and ignore the sounds.

"Scream again and I'll beat you within an inch of your life!" Marcus held the golden hair of his captive in a fist, glaring into her face. "Do you understand?"

The girl, sweating and frightened, nodded once.

"Good." Marcus released his hold on her hair and returned to his task. "Now hold still while I put this in position."

The girl whined as the tip of the wooden butt-plug touched her ass-but refrained from screaming. The muscles of her legs tensed as the man behind her pushed...

"Almost there." Marcus shifted his grip on the dildo, pushed again. "Just another few inches..."

The girl whined again, the muscles of her legs bunching up, straining against the leather straps that held her in place.

"And..." Marcus used the flat of his hand to push the dildo in the last few inches, nodding in satisfaction as finally slid into place. "There!"

The girl's behind spasmed as she tried to expel the invader-but it was in too deep for her to manage anything of the sort.

"Stop that!" Marcus slapped at her rear with his callused palm. "You keep that just where it is until after the Emperor's party." He stepped to his workbench, picked up a plume of horsehair. "Do you understand?" He glanced her way, noted the quick nod. "Good." He worked with the horsehair for a moment; fluffing it out, making sure it was free of snags. "The Emperor wants something special..." He stepped back to the girl's side, slid the horsehair into the back end of the dildo fixed in the girl's ass, locking it in place with the tiny clip at the dildo's base. "And you and your sisters are going to deliver it." He checked the security of the dildo one last time before nodding in satisfaction and moving to undo the straps holding the girl in place. "If you try to kick, I'll have you whipped to death."

The girl froze in place.

"Now, then." He undid the last set of straps and pulled the girl upright, calling out as he did so. "Municius!" He glanced toward the door. "Bring the others!"

There was a moment of silence, than Marcus heard a peculiar clip-clop on the hard floor beyond. The door opened revealing his assistant and two other girls-each of them blonde, beautiful, and identically bound.

"I can't believe that Rufio actually found a set of yellow-haired triplets!" Municius led the two girls into the large room. "I would have thought it impossible!"

"Nothing's impossible when you have money." Marcus pushed the third girl into place alongside her sisters, than took a moment to run his eyes over the three.

All were taller than the average roman----all had long, golden blonde hair. Each had been bound with their hands tightly behind them, elbows together. Oddly shaped shoes, resembling the hooves of horses, had been fixed on each of their feet. Each had a ring through their right nipple, with a bell attached.

And each sported a tail of horsehair sticking out of their plugged assholes.

"They look fine." Marcus examined the ring in the right-hand girl's breast. The flesh had closed up around the bronze, leaving no sign of a wound. "Is the chariot ready?"

"It's right outside." The assistant-a short, muscular man, gestured to the storage room beyond. "Do you want to harness them up right now?"

Marcus shook his head. "No. We'll wait until we get to the emperor's villa." He glanced outside, saw the sun already setting. "Give me a moment to change and we'll be on our way." He stepped past the three girls, glancing at the upright tail each sported. "I hope he appreciates what we've done here..."

 

Later, it became clear that the Emperor did-and his entourage-was very pleased with the trio. He accepted Marcus' offer to ride the specially-drawn chariot into the feasting room-and revelled in the cheers and catcalls of the men in the room while ignoring the silence of the women.

As the feast progressed, he fed the girls, tethered beside his couch, from his own fingers. When the night was over, and the other guests were leaving, he had Marcus called to his side and offered to buy the three slaves.

"Come, slave master." He smiled at the taller man. "Surely you will sell them to your emperor."

"No, I will not." Marcus kept his voice flat, his face expressionless, waited a second, then: "But I will give them to your Excellency-as the gift of a grateful subject."

The Emperor's smile widened and he slapped the shoulder of the slaver. "I accept the gift in the spirit in which it is given." He crooked a finger at one of the numerous guards who were standing quietly in dimly-lit parts of the room. "Take these to my quarters." He stroked the breast of the nearest blonde. "I may want to..." He glanced at Marcus. "Play with them a bit before I retire."

The guard nodded and took the reins that had been fixed in each girl's mouth, leading them away into the darkness of the Imperial Palace.

"Now, Marcus..." The Emperor looked into the slaver's face. "You know, I could swear I've met you before-years ago..." Claudius shook his head. "But it cannot be-too many years have passed-and you're far too young."

"As you say, Excellency." Marcus bowed. "I would surely remember being in your august presence."

"Yes." Claudius stroked his chin. "I'm sure you would." He stared at Marcus, his eyes sharp, searching...

Then he turned away. "I must be mistaken. That man would be older even then me..." He shook his head one more time. "My memory is playing tricks..." He turned back to Marcus, his face softer. "Never allow yourself to grow old, my friend." Claudius sighed. "Never grow old."

"I will do my best to take your Excellency's advice." Marcus' shrug mirrored that of Claudius. "But who can fight time?"

"Who indeed." Claudius shook himself once, touching his forehead. "You are a wise man Marcus Tritonius-a slave trader in a city full of slaves." He smiled. "I bid you a good night." The Emperor smiled. "I have some new livestock to examine." He turned and headed into the interior. "And you have the thanks of an old man."

The guards turned to follow him, closing the great bronze doors behind them. The clang of their clasps rang through the room-and Marcus was alone.

That was a near thing, he thought. I didn't think he'd remember our first meeting-he was just a boy... Marcus remembered the legion outpost in Germania-and the youngster visiting the General. I never thought he'd make an Emperor. Marcus shrugged and turned and headed for the doors he had come in through. But he's done pretty well. He smiled. Better than Tiberius and Caligula at any rate.

Somewhere beyond the bronze doors, Marcus heard the squeal of a female. And I guess he's not that old after all.

He waved at the guard as he exited the palace.

 

 

CHAPTER TWO

 

"You just gave them to the Emperor?" Municius' face mirrored his confusion. "You got nothing at all for them?"

The two men were reclining on coaches in the Atrium of the House of Marcus, eating a light lunch of olives and bread. It was a beautiful spring day, the noonday sun just warm enough to take the chill out of the air-which was a very good thing for the two slaves serving lunch. They knelt on the flagstones between the two men, one holding a ewer of cold water, the other a flask of wine. Both were naked, wearing only the collar that marked them as slaves.

"It was a good business move." Marcus ripped a piece of bread from the loaf before him and dipped it into a pan of olive oil. "The Emperor liked them-and he won't forget who he got them from."

"But the expense..."

Marcus shook his head and smiled. "That room was full of wealthy men-and none of them took their eyes off the three girls for more than a few seconds." He took a sip of wine. "Neither did some of the ladies present." He ripped off more bread, put a bit into the mouth of the slave on his side of the table. "We'll get our fair share of business from that bunch-and more."

"I hope you're right." Municius swallowed the last of his wine. "Right now we have no girls to train-not one."

"I thought the boat from Britannia docked last night."

"So?"

"They always bring slaves back from Britannia-the locals never stop fighting our legions and soldiers always take some along as hostages and souvenirs."

"Well, so far..."

A slave ran into the atrium. Like the others, she was clad in nothing but her collar. "Master! There is a man approaching the house-a man in the uniform and armour of the Praetorian Guard!"

Marcus smiled. "Is he alone?"

"No, master." The slave shook her head. "There is someone else with him."

"Who?"

"I could not tell, Master." The girl was trembling now. "His companion was covered with a cloak and hood."

"Interesting." Marcus took the last of his wine. "Return to the door and admit our visitors-I shall be there presently."

"Me, master?"

Marcus allowed his brow to drop, fixing the girl with a hard look. "Must I repeat a command?"

"No, master. It's just..." She hesitated, looking down at the floor, her skin reddening at the thought of appearing naked before this stranger.

"Answer the door and offer the hospitality of the house to the Praetorian." Marcus look hardened still more. "And if you do not please him..."

"I will please him, master." She nodded quickly. "I will!"

The two men watched as the naked girl ran off, smiling at just how red her body was as it entered the main portion of the house.

"I hope the Praetorian has a sense of humour." Municius' tone was dour. "I would wager that this is the first time he has been admitted into a house by a naked slave girl."

"And one who will immediately offer him her body." Marcus smiled. "I'm sure that the whole episode will add to the reputation of this house to those living in the palace." He stood up. "Come-let us see what gift the Emperor has chosen to send our way."

"Gift?"

"The Praetorian accompanies a cloaked figure." Marcus slapped the other man on the shoulder. "And whatever is inside that cloak will have come from the Emperor himself."

"If you say so," Municius shook his head in confusion. "If you say so..."

The Praetorian and his companion were inside the vestibule by this time. As commanded, the slave sent to open the door was kneeling beside the soldier, her knees spread and her hands on her thighs. He was looking at her with surprise-and appraisal-in his eyes.

"Welcome to the house of Marcus Tritonius." Marcus snapped off the formal welcome as he entered the open area. "What may I do for a brave soldier of Rome?"

"You are Marcus?" The Praetorian took a half step forward, turning away from the kneeling girl. "The man who gifted the Emperor with the three pony-girls?"

"I am he."

"His Excellency has a job for you." The man's hand tightened on the cloak of the figure next to him, forcing it forward. "A job that has to be done very quickly."

Marcus nodded as he ran his eyes over the cloaked form before him. It's a woman, of course. He could make out her shape through the thick cloth. But why does the Emperor need me to train her-and what's the rush?

"I am to tell you the following." The Praetorian went very still, his eyes unfocused as he endeavoured to remember exactly what he was to say. "The Tribune Septimus Octavius has returned from Britannia. He is to have a Triumph on the feast of Jupiter Ascendant..."

"Ten days from now." Municius threw in.

The Praetorian threw him a look, upset at having lost his chain of thought. He took a deep breath and continued: "The Tribune has successfully conquered most of the territory of the Iceni-a powerful people. He took the daughter of one of their chieftains as hostage and wishes her to walk behind his chariot at the Triumph."

The man took a very long breath: "However, the girl is difficult and refuses to do the Tribune's bidding, thus the Emperor sends her to you for proper training. He wishes you to train her to walk behind the chariot and, when it reaches the steps of the Senate, to kneel before her captor and offer her body as a symbol of his conquest."

Marcus noted that the cloaked figure had gone rigid at the beginning of this recitation-and was now trying to pull away. He was surprised that she wasn't making any more vocal complaint. Must be quite a gag!

He turned his attention back to the Praetorian. "I assume I have full power over this girl?"

The soldier nodded. "You may do as you wish-although the Emperor asks that there be no lasting marks."

"Understood." Marcus cupped his chin in his hand. "Let's see what I'm to work with."

The Praetorian shifted his grip and pulled the cloak open, revealing a tall and shapely figure with hands bound tightly before her and a very large gag in her mouth. She was glaring at Marcus with hate burning in her eyes.

"Interesting." Marcus stepped forward, pulled the cloak off. The girl was wearing a white chiton in the Greek style and had her hair pulled up and pinned atop her head. The colour of that hair caught Marcus' eye. It was deep red-the colour of blood. "Very interesting indeed."

He ran a hand down her cheek-smiling as she tried to pull away. "She has spirit." He motioned to Municius. "It's always interesting to see how far that takes a girl." He looked at the Praetorian. "I accept the Emperor's commission." He nodded to Municius. "Take her to the training area and prepare her." He glanced at the girl. "Hang her by the thumbs for openers." He smiled as he saw the girl's eyes widen-and then she was gone, dragged away by the squat and powerful form of his assistant.

"And now, my friend." Marcus gestured at the still-kneeling form of the slave by the door. "May I offer you the hospitality of the house?"

The Praetorian swallowed once, eyes fixed on the soft white form before him-then shook his head. "I cannot-I am ordered to return immediately..."

"Come back anytime." Marcus touched the man on the shoulder. "My offer will always be open to men such as you."

"I thank you, Marcus Tritonius." The Praetorian turned toward the door. "Oh," he turned back toward Marcus. "One thing more. The Emperor bade me say to you: Germanicus always spoke well of you." He looked at his host. "Does that mean anything to you?"

Marcus nodded, face suddenly sober. "It means a great deal, my friend. A great deal indeed."