The months of absence
Ostia, a city that never sleeps. Ships of all sizes were moored in her harbor. Some were new, others showed signs of wear. The noise from the sailors were incessant. Everywhere, merchants unloaded their stock, be it exotic food, animals, or slaves. Away from the din, the sapphire blue seawater sparkled in the sunlight. A proud house stood not too far from the sea. As the waves gently lapped at the foundations, two men sat in the open vestibulum on either side of an old woman.
The foundations will need to be strengthened. The sea never stops trying to wear it down.
Yes mom, I know.
Turnus, help me into the sunlight, I feel cold.
Of course.
Turnus gingerly placed his hand around his mother's frail body and helped her up. Motioning to the other man, he spoke
Lucius, move her chair into the light.
I'm a not your slave, to follow your orders.
Turnus' eyes darkened.
I know you're not a slave, but for once, Lucius, will you start using your head and think about what you have to do? Be useful for once.
Turnus, don't fight with your brother. You should know better than that.
Yes mom, but its just that he's--
Enough! I will not have my sons squabble like Plebians in the Subura!
Those Plebians are Romans too! They deserve every right and respect that we demand.
Shut your mouth! How dare you speak out to mom like that?
How dare I? It is a known fact brother!
Fact or not, I will not have you speak like that in her presence!
Fine
Begrudgingly, Lucius silenced himself. Moving the chair into the sunlight, he casted a blazing gaze at Turnus before helping his mother into the chair.
The sea breeze swept gently into the vestibulum, bringing a salty mist with it. A seagull flew onto the roof and perched there. The white surf splashed against the sandy beach around the house. Turnus watched as two young slave-girls gathered seashells on the beach. His mother had never been one to be hard on her slaves. She always treated them like family, and in response they have learned to take care of her well.
My time is fading, Turnus. The Fates are spinning the last threads of my life.
No, no, that's not true. You'll be fine, I promise. Mezentius has been making daily sacrifices to Apollo and Asclepius. You'll get better.
My dear boy, you must learn to accept the will of the Fates. Somethings in our life, we cannot control. This is one of them.
Yeah Turnus, learn to accept it.
Shut up Lucius. You have never been one with a sense of decorum.
No, Turnus, your brother is right. There are things you MUST accept. And this; this is one of them.
But how can you just sit there and act like you're not afraid?
But I'm not afraid. You see, when you have lived a long life as me, death is simply but another step you have to take. Besides, I will be reunited with your father before long. Don't worry about me. Worry about yourself. I hear that things in Rome are not going as well as they could, not for the traditionalists.
Well, there has been some rough days.
Give yourself to the gods, and they will aid you. Don't stress yourself too much on matters that you cannot control. I've told you before, you need not be here. Lucius is enough. He has been the most helpful lately.
I want to go to Rome, Lucius blurted.
What? Why?
I, I'm tired of not doing anything anymore. I want to do something with my life. You know, make a name for myself.
But my boy, who will take care of this house when I'm gone?
Why don't you give it to Turnus? You've always given everything to Turnus.
That's not true and you damn well know it!
Then how come you were the one left with our family home in Rome? How come you inherited the family fortune? How come you--
He didn't get to finish, as just then, Turnus stood up and slapped him across the face. His voice trembling with rage, Turnus spoke to his brother
I was left with the home and fortune because we all knew if you had put your hands on it, all of it would be wasted and squandered away. You would've bought whores day and night so that you can turn our house into an orgy pit. You would allow those filthy Plebians on the streets to enter it. You would've spent every coin on wine and become drunk out of your mind. You would've shamed our name. That's why I was left with them.
Like you wouldn't have done the same thing? What about that Sarmatian merchant who got a nice piece of land here in Ostia? Didn't he sell you the drink that you are so fond of now? And look at you, still unmarried. Tell me brother, how are the whores of Rome lately, are they as what their owners say?
Stop it, both of you! Why must the two of you always fight. Even now, on such a beautiful day. I don't want to hear the either of you argue with one another.
That night, Turnus could not sleep. What Lucius had said, although only half true, still bothered him. Had he become so addicted to the "Little Water" from the East? Turning in his bed, he couldn't help feel that his brother may be right.
And speaking about his brother. Turnus could hear him groaning in the room next to him. No doubt with a slave who was more than willing to give her body to him. And a loud one at that. Turnus could hear her yelps even over the sea.
Turnus covered his eyes. He couldn't sleep. The sounds on the other side of the wall was too annoying. He pounded his fist on the wall three times with no avail. Maybe the sound even turned up a little. Sighing, he got out of bed and walked to the seashore.
The stars were out in full, and the autumn moon was particularly bright that night. The sea was silver, and it made the sands glitter like diamonds in the moonlight. A star streaked across the sky. Turnus remembered what his mother had told him as a child, that each time a star falls from the sky, a soul leaves this world for Hades. Staring at the fiery trail left by the star, Turnus muttered:
I wonder who has left this world?
Suddenly, his eyes widened with fear. Without another hesitation, he turned back and ran into the house.
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, but powerful stuff! Unbelievable writing, and such a simple topic too. Gotta see more!
