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  • Writer's pictureJP Kenwood

Friday Snippet

Dominus, Book 3. Unedited and subject to change. Allerix and Max. šŸ˜€


astragale-DIG-11181_A-74394

Roman bronze Tali (knucklebone gaming pieces)

~~~~~

ā€œYour final toss, Dacian. May Fortuna be with you,ā€ Max grumbled before swallowing another gulp of the mediocre wine he’d brought in a plain ceramic pitcher along with two portions of cheese, eggs, and bread. Gaius had decided Alle needed a babysitter to keep an eye on him while the demon king dined a stone’s throw away at the hilltop mansion. Poor Maximus had been saddled with the thankless task of guarding Gaius’s knife-nicking barbarian concubine. Fortuna wasn’t with Max lately.

Allerix tossed the knucklebones onto the table’s surface. If he understood the rules, he was winning.

ā€œFive, right?ā€

Max leaned down to study the gaming pieces. ā€œFour. You threw four ones—the dog’s throw. Fucking terrible cast, and I have one more chance to defeat you.ā€

ā€œAfter you win, can we stop playing this children’s game, sir?ā€

ā€œTaliĀ is not a child’s game when men play it.ā€ Max poured himself another cup of grape and leaned back in his chair. After he crossed his thick arms, he pursed his lips as sadness drenched his rich brown eyes, ā€œNicomedes loved to play Tali—by the gods, that gorgeous imp always managed to beat me. I never had the chance to gift him the set of bronze knucklebones I’d bought him for the Saturnalia.ā€

Sorrow hung heavy over the marble table until Allerix broke the silence. ā€œI’m sorry you’re stuck with me, sir. It’s really not necessary for you to watch me. I would have obeyed Dominus’s orders and remained here in his master chamber.ā€

ā€œApparently Commander Fabius doesn’t trust your obedience.ā€ Max scooped up the four alabaster playing pieces. ā€œIn addition to my enthralling company, you’re blessed with two armed guards stationed out in the hallway.ā€

~~~~~

JPK

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