Page 18 of Deliverance
“The god, Kijani!” Rama blurted out. Eloy couldn’t see the human’s facial expressions, but if he had, he would have seen the fear in Rama’s eyes. How his opened mouth displayed his own shock that he’d given up the name of another god. His body began to tremble as he awaited what he was sure to be his death. Especially now that the gods would have no use of him. Mateo was no longer his to own or to give away, thanks to the gods’ commandments. All was lost.
“What did Kijani demand of you?” Eloy asked.
“That I pit Mateo against my Champion, Titus, god Eloy,” Rama replied. “He requested this of me before your request, god Eloy.”
“I see. Then now, explain to me what you did to protect Mateo.” Eloy nudged Rama’s forehead with his foot. “Sit back down. I will see your face when you speak to me.”
Rama took a deep breath and rose enough to sit back down on the leather seating of the limousine. He raised his face, but kept his eyes downcast. “I weakened my Champion with Rochelle’s Bane, god Eloy, in hopes that he would give a good fight, but live to see another.”
“Mateo’s victory was not clearly his own?”
Rama shook his head. “Not to the fullness, no, god Eloy. Had Titus not been altered, Mateo might have been the one to die upon the sands tonight,” he said.
“I care not, really. I would rather have Mateo than his victory over Titus. He is no longer yours to own, you do understand that, do you not?” Eloy asked.
Rama nodded. “Yes, god Eloy.”
“Still, I ask that you keep him with you for the time being. Tell him this is at my request. Take care of him until I come for him, do you understand? No harm is to come to Mateo.”
Rama nodded. “Yes, god Eloy. I will protect him.”
“Good. You will not need those gladiators any more in order to get the life you seek. No class separates you now from those you have envied. We, the gods, realize that this adjustment will take time. We have selected the most noblest among you to govern so that every human may have the life they so desire. Go now, get your house in order and see to the men who were in your charge. You will tend to Titus’ wounds, make sure he lives for the goddess Odessa has spared him,” Eloy said.
Rama nodded and bowed his head. “Thank you, god Eloy. I will.” With that, he quickly climbed out of the limo, closing the door behind him.
Eloy looked at his driver. “Take me home.”
“Yes, god Eloy,” the driver said. Before he put the car into gear, he turned to face Eloy. “God Eloy, what do the new commandments mean for me?” he asked.
Eloy smiled. “You may continue to serve as you have. Monetary gain is no longer important. You are no longer my servant. If you choose to leave, I will not punish you.”
The man looked away as he thought about his options, then smiled. “I would like to continue to serve you, god Eloy. I consider it an honor.”
“It is I who thank you,” Eloy said.
The man bowed as his grin widened, then he turned around to put the car into gear. Eloy smiled back, already the changes made were producing positive results. Soon, Mateo… soon.
CHAPTER SEVEN
TWO MONTHS LATER
“Ahhh, you’re finally up and about. Thank the gods,” Mateo said as he watched Titus shuffle around the medical bay where he had been recuperating for the past eight weeks. His wounds had been deep and the Rochelle’s Bane poison in his blood didn’t help him in his recovery. He suffered many infections, some the skilled medicus thought would be the one to take the former Champion’s life.
“No thanks to you,” Titus joked. “If you had sucked my cock just once, I could have healed faster. It would have been the least you could have done for nearly killing me.”
Mateo’s smile broadened as he approached the mighty gladiator. He hugged him ever so gently as to not injure him further. This was the first time Titus was strong enough to be on his feet. That was a great deal in part to the very rare medicines the goddess, Odessa, had sent to aid in his recovery. Had they not had those medicines, surely, Titus would have died. Something Mateo didn’t want to happen.
“I am just happy to see you upright, my friend,” Mateo said, then patted Titus on his muscular bicep.
Titus’ smile was notable, but bared a hint of sadness.
“What? You live, this is cause for celebration. Truly by the grace of Odessa’s mercy. She spared you in the arena and sent medicines to heal you. You should be ecstatic to have received such blessings from a goddess. I guess your cock meant more to her than you thought.” Mateo had added the joke in hopes of making Titus chuckle or at least smile.
Titus nodded. “Aye, I am happy. It is just… I feel that we… there is a rift.”
Mateo’s own smile faded as he realized what was on Titus’ mind. “I see. We are all free now, Titus.”
“I know. So where does that leave us?” he asked. “You called me friend… am I not more than that to you?”
