The Forgotten Legion

'Tomorrow. I just paid out eight thousand sestertii so you've got to start earning. But I'll let you settle in today. Find your way about the place.'

Fabiola kept her voice calm. 'What about food?'

'Some more meat on those bones won't hurt business.' Jovina laughed at her own joke and gestured at the slave who had been standing behind, unseen. 'Docilosa will show you round. The clothes room is worth seeing. It's got a better selection than any bazaar in Rome.'

Fabiola's mouth opened.

'And make sure you dress seductively.'

A smile flitted across Docilosa's face.

'Yes, Madam.'

'Good. You will do well.' Jovina turned and was gone, leaving a strong smell of perfume.

Fabiola glanced at Docilosa, who was a similar age to her mother. Short, plain and clad in a simple smock, she had a kind face.

'Can I have something to eat?'

'Of course,' Docilosa nodded. 'Follow me.'

Soon Fabiola was seated by a rough wooden table in the kitchen, devouring a piece of bread and cheese. The ordeal had given her an enormous appetite, increased by the fabulous selection of foods on the shelves.

Gemellus had never given his slaves enough to eat, and her childhood had been dogged by hunger.

Slaves clad only in loincloths looked at the new girl curiously. Docilosa pointed them out one by one.

'That's Catus, the main cook. He's all right, but watch his temper.'

Unable to hear what was being said, the balding man chopping meat at a large wooden block smiled.

Fabiola soaked up the information. She wanted to know everyone in the Lupanar.

'The two tending the fire are Nepos and Tancinus. The girl sweeping the floor is Germanilla.'

The men sweating over the hot brick oven glanced over without interest. Though relatively young, both were quite overweight.

'Do they get extra food?'

'Of course not,' said Docilosa. 'They've been castrated.'

Fabiola gasped.

'To make sure they leave the girls alone. You're valuable merchandise and Jovina guards her property closely.'

'What about Catus?'

'Catus only likes men.' Docilosa's tone was scornful. 'And Madam rarely buys any — they're too much trouble.'

'And the doormen?'

'They receive favours from many women and she tolerates that.'

'Why?'

'Some customers get violent.' She made a chopping motion. 'The boys sort them out.'

Fabiola made a mental note to make friends with Benignus and Vettius.

Docilosa filled a plain black and red earthenware jug from a tank in the corner. Like Gemellus' house, the Lupanar had running water and sanitation.

'You'll need this in your room.' She handed over a beaker as well, studying Fabiola closely. 'You remind me of my own daughter.' There was a brief smile before Docilosa gestured towards the door, all business again. 'I'll show you where the clothes are kept.'

Fabiola followed her guide out of the stone-flagged kitchen, down a corridor filled with the smell of burning incense. Alcoves along its length displayed Greek statues.

The room exceeded all Fabiola's expectations. Dozens of richly adorned costumes hung from iron hooks on its painted walls. Large bronze plates on stands acted as mirrors. Tables were covered in dozens of glass bowls, bottles and silver hand mirrors. Oblivious to the new arrivals, two women were trying on dresses at the far end.

Docilosa gazed at the display and sighed. 'I'll leave you to it. Get to know some of the others.'

Fabiola could see that both were years older than her. It was intimidating. Trying to remain calm, she walked further into the dressing room.

A buxom Germanic-looking prostitute had already half turned in her direction. She was holding up a mane of long blonde hair, admiring her reflection in the mirror. Fabiola stared, intrigued. The only person she had regularly seen naked was her mother. A scanty red robe barely covered this woman's generous breasts and a flat waist. At the top of creamy white thighs sat a small puff of hair. She was very beautiful.

'Who are you?'

'Fabiola.' She paused, then added unnecessarily, 'I'm new.'

The blonde was displeased. 'How many young ones is Jovina trying to pack in?'

'Ignore her.' The second woman's face was more friendly. 'She 's having a bad day. I'm Pompeia and that's Claudia.'

'I've never seen so many types of clothes.' Fabiola's mouth opened as she surveyed the selection.

'Wonderful, isn't it?' Pompeia giggled and Fabiola took an immediate liking to the tall redhead. With green eyes and an alabaster complexion, she was extremely striking. A tight stola, slit at the sides to the waist, and then above the belt to the shoulder, revealed tempting expanses of flesh.

'Wear whatever we like, too.'

'Jovina said I must dress seductively.'

'She would,' cackled Claudia.

Pompeia threw her a frown and cocked her head at Fabiola. 'How old are you?'

'Thirteen. Nearly fourteen.'

'Gods above. Still a virgin?'

Fabiola looked at the marble floor.

'Never mind, you're here now.' Pompeia strolled along the wall, trailing her fingers through the garments. 'Come with me.'

Fabiola followed slowly, touching the items with disbelief.

'Mustn't overdo it. The most important thing is that you're a virgin.' She produced a white robe of fine linen with a purple hem. 'Try this.'

Fabiola reached out eagerly. 'It's beautiful.'

'Only the best for Lupanar girls. Put it on.'

Fabiola lifted off her ragged smock and pulled on the crisp fabric. It felt luxurious against her skin, far better than anything she 'd ever worn. Fabiola smoothed the dress against her body. 'It's lovely,' she whispered.

Claudia snorted dismissively.

Fabiola found Pompeia appraising her keenly.

'Perfect. You look like a Vestal Virgin.'

'But you can buy this bitch!' said Claudia.

Pompeia spun round. 'It's sad that fool Metellus Celer has just died, but you'll soon find another rich client. Stop taking it out on her.'

'The master used to lie with my mother most nights.' Fabiola's voice was steady. 'I know what to expect.'

'He no longer owns you,' Claudia said unexpectedly. 'Forget him.'

Fabiola smiled at that thought.

'I saw the fat pig through the peephole.' Pompeia screwed up her face. 'Many customers here are far better looking. Play it smart and they'll become regulars.' She turned to Claudia for confirmation. 'Men love giving presents. Taking you out.'

'All you have to do is satisfy their every desire,' said the blonde.

A twitch of apprehension crossed Fabiola's features. Her only knowledge of sex had come from watching her mother, who had loathed Gemellus' visits.

Noticing, Pompeia took her hand. 'We will teach you lots of ways to do that, my girl. Come over here. Take a look in the mirror.'