Luke's Story Read Online Free Page B

work!”

     
     
    AT THE END OF THE DAY Loukon was finally free to move his own meager belongings into a slave’s chamber. He had been assigned to carry things everywhere but to the main house, and Diabolos seemed to gloat the whole time. Loukon was determined not to let it show that he was being humiliated, so he smiled often and worked quickly, though he was soon exhausted. The truth was, it had been too long since he had done manual labor. But he forced himself to keep pushing, hoping to prove that Diabolos could not get to him, let alone defeat him. In reality, however, he was seething and none too proud of himself for it.

    Loukon was arranging the last of his study materials and putting his second tunic away when he heard the master’s family’s conveyances come through the gate. He took one last look at the spartan but more than adequate room that would be his until he left for university, then hurried out to welcome them.

    Excited as he was about the future, this had been mostly a sad day for the majority of the slaves. They were clearly impressed with the statue and the lengths to which their master had gone to rebuild and make more comfortable their own accommodations. But returning to this place, even reuniting with family and friends, had to bring back the hard memories of their loss. It certainly did to Loukon.

    Theophilus stood high in his carriage and merely thanked everyone for their help, reminding them to meet in front of the statue at dawn.

    Loukon hurried back to his new quarters and had just dropped onto the bed when he was summoned to the main house.

    “I thought you might want to see what we’ve done with the physician’s area,” Theophilus said.

    Loukon was certain his surprise showed. “I would love to, but what made you think I had not already seen it?”

    “I have eyes and ears everywhere, Luke. I am fully aware of how you were treated today, and how you responded. I am not a proponent of corporal punishment except in the most egregious circumstances, but all it would take is one word from you and I’d have that overseer flogged.”

    “Oh, no. Thank you, sir, but it was not that bad. And I can only imagine what is weighing on his mind.”

    “You’re a better man than I am,” Theophilus said.

    If only that were true. The revenge Theophilus suggested sounded delicious. But how would Loukon have lived with himself if he had taken advantage of it? And what kind of a man was he to think he was honorable in declining it when down deize="3">“To understand the universe, one must become a true thinker. Imagine the spiritual sense of well-being you can achieve this way.”

    “You have gained this?” Loukon said.

    “I have. Peace has visited me, as practicing virtue and reason has allowed me to grasp natural law and shut out the noise of the world. Men who are slaves to their passions do not understand truth and that it is virtuous to pursue it.”

    Recalling what Theophilus had once said about still struggling with certain vices, Loukon said, “So this belief, this practice, has rid you of immorality?”

    Zeno allowed his eyes to drift from the window to Loukon’s face. With what the student assessed as a condescending look, he said, “Well, I can confidently say I am no longer bound to taboos, superstition, belief in myths, worship of gods, and the like. And I can detach myself from hurtful experiences, largely through loving all other beings.”

    “You love all others?”

    “Let me put it this way, lad: Stoicism presents a picture of the world as unified. Logic, ethics, physics all play a part. The key is to focus on living in harmony with the universe, over which we hold no sway.”

    “Otherwise we’re victims of fate?”

    “We are anyway. As I say, the secret is to harmonize with all these influences by living a life of self-control based on wisdom. Clehere are disparities in our accommodations and food. I suppose a true Stoic would allow his charges to live in