Chapter 6
“My father will be worried, I should hurry.” Livia said, rushing forward. Marcus stopped her by taking her hand.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LAHf8JLHI
“You cannot go alone. If it happens again you could be in danger. I will come with you.” He said earnestly. She nodded, trying to hide her worry.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSt01HSLrfe
Caius was behind them, pulling along the startled donkey.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScSMAqruXy
“You two go on ahead, I will be fine with the donkey.” Caius said, making a “shoo” motion with his hand. “And don’t worry, I won’t tell Tetraites where you are.” He said with a wink.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJc070o9SrJ
Marcus rolled his eyes and begin to hurry down the path, almost jogging. Livia followed, being led by the hand.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfO9tCuSKp7
“If you do not wish to make my father’s heart stop beating in his chest, I suggest you drop my hand when we near the city.” She said with a laugh. Marcus had almost forgotten that he still held her fingers in his palm; he had gotten used to the feeling.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XMhagZ4h2
As they entered the city, they saw that the quake this time was much more serious than the rumbles and quakes that had occurred in the days previous. This time, mosaics had fallen off the sides of houses and slaves were outside picking up the shattered fragments. Small statues of the gods had fallen from their pedestals in the small alcoves inside and outside houses. Livia bit her lip at this.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErJFeUqBii
“They will be angry now, if they were not before.” She said quietly.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBF78NWU6Ow
‘Who?” Marcus asked.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0q4Olv6o3
“The Gods. Their statues have been destroyed, the murals dedicated to them have fallen apart.”1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvb8D7xeepl
“The Gods sent the quake. They cannot blame us for this.” he said, motioning to those picking up the arms of Bacchus and the legs of Hera. A statue of Apollo lay completely shattered to Livia’s right. She gently picked up the head of the statue, the only part that remained intact. It had fallen from such a great height that it’s arms had been reduced to dust.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIHjLfgn9A
She still worried that they would be angry. Perhaps the citizens should have secured their statues better? Should have used a stronger adhesive when sticking their mosaics to the wall, to paint their murals on stronger walls. She shook her head.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3D3Ni3KMV
“Caius was right, Marcus. Bad things are coming.”
She said goodbye to Marcus a safe distance away from her house. He watched as she climbed the few stone steps to the large bronze door, he waited for her to be safely inside before he left from his spot behind the trees and left for the arena.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLyb8jfv64
Once inside, Livia could hear her mother’s hysterical voice.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbWa1Qbzcp
Upon entering the dining room, she was engulfed immediately in her father’s arms.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwrlVKKc59
“We were so worried, we could not find you or Ariadne. Where have the pair of you been?!” He said.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjqu7J4wyu
“I…We had gone walking, father.” She said quietly, thinking fast of an excuse.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUu7n9w3wKy
“No matter, no matter. All that matters is that you are safe.”1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0dKu1Pppl
Her mother gave a small cry as she sat down gently in one of the cushioned chairs.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FUEVMwfzw
“My frescoes are ruined!” She said, pointing to the painting of Poseidon that she had bragged of the night before. Part of the pigments had come loose, but not fell away all together. Poseidon himself had a large crack spanning from the top of his forehead to the edge of his thigh, and he had lost an ear.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjpHa3HIPU
“The damage in the city is much worse than this mother, we are lucky to have escaped so cleanly!” Livia said, amazed at how little damage the quake had done compared to houses outside.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV58oWTEpWW
“We are lucky, Aemilia. Do you not recall the quake of 62? This is nothing.” Livia’s father said, placing a comforting hand on her mother’s shoulder.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡef21ZnbN1o
“I should go and make sure Ariadne made it home safely.” Livia said. Her father nodded.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhT3NRhysi
“Be safe yourself. I want you home before dark.” He said, worry in his voice. His eyes roamed around the room, and he thanked the gods that the quake was not as bad as it could have been. Nevertheless, he could not shake his feeling of worry.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFM5Me5VnmM
“I will father. Besides, the quake is over. We should all be safe now.” Livia said, forcing optimism into her tone.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQhtCkaFql
“I hope so Livia. I hope so, but I feel this is only the beginning.”
Liva reached Ariadne’s house. They too had escaped the earthquake relatively safely. The heavy bronze dishes that would hold fire had been knocked over, and the door knocker had fallen off the door but other than that, the outside appeared undamaged.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzif6vw8QJJ
As she stepped inside, Ariadne’s father came rushing to her.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEipJ4Z4BL
“Livia, I am relieved to see you. Where is she? She has not returned home, she told us she was with you!”1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTSMrKJEse
Livia forced herself to remain calm and lie flawlessly.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCX7tprSyt
“I was with her, we said goodbye after the quake so she could return home and I to mine. Perhaps she has visited Maximus?” She offered. Her father bit his lip.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXi2jUIJeu
“I think she would come home first. I am worried for her, Livia.”1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vZNtvt6nK
Livia placed a hand on his forearm.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBzBuuOPru
“I will find her. I promise you, I won’t return until I have her with me, safe.” She promised. Ariadne’s father nodded, taking comfort in her promise.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFuHDfpLul
“Please do, Livia. Find her and bring her home quickly.”
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Livia knew where to look. The one place they had always gone as children, and the one place Ariadne was always to be found if she was missing. It was a small clearing, deep in the trees at the feet of the mountain. There was a small lake there. It was remote and quiet. Livia was certain that no one else in the city of Pompeii ever noticed it, or if they did, they never visited it.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWsvMXBv7o
As she headed there, she passed Caius, still leading the donkey.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFDLiycEGI
“You’re not going back up there?!” He said incredulously.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAfGU7VrDY
“Ariadne’s missing, she’s by the foot of the mountain, I know it.”1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERAeJhIfnG
Caius threw his head back and sighed heavily. He turned the donkey around.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4k6KyIpCA
“Come on then. If I die up there, I’ll kill you.” He said.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbIinGWZDX
Livia smirked.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWO5Q8KQOqZ
“If you’re dead, you can’t kill me. And besides, I never asked you to come with me.”1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJenbO25YdN
“What kind of man would be I be if I allowed a lady to go near that thing alone?”1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fGusDDQug
“Not a gentlemanly one.” She said with a shrug. He tried to feign anger, but a smile broke through his lips.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDm9hxHwVxD
“I see why Marcus likes you so much.”1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeN2lLVORRm
“And what would you know of how much Marcus likes me?” Livia said with a raised eyebrow. Caius merely tapped the side of his nose and nodded in the direction of the volcano.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVMJUJLmog
“So she’s up there is she?”1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZ33rON0LG
“No. She’s in a clearing at the bottom, like I said.”1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXU3n1YComb
“Oh.” Caius said. “I’m not a good listener.”1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalM9trGsok
“Come on,” Livia laughed “I need to be home before dark.”
They found her quickly. Livia knew the path to the clearing like the back of her hand. As children they spent many a day there, dipping their toes in the water and eating the berries that grew on the bushes there. As they pushed through the trees, Livia knew something was wrong instantly.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgDkPQygtJ
“Livia, thank the gods you’re here!”1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Uade0YiNH
It was Max, Livia’s fiance. He was sitting on the floor, worry stricken.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8eZTBhSpa
“One of the rocks fell during the quake, she was hit on the head. She’s been unconscious since. I… I tried calling for help but no one answered and I don’t know the way back here, I was afraid that if I left to get help I would never find her again.” He ran a shaking hand through his hair. “She will be alright, won’t she? Won’t she Livia?” He asked. Livia fought the urge to marvel at this sight; a citizen of the Roman Empire that genuinely loved his wife-to-be. Love within marriage was rare indeed.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqduZLzlf8n
Caius immediately tore a piece of fabric from the donkeys saddle and ran to the small lake to soak it in water. He was about to place it on her forehead when he stopped.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhXNZK5vwH
“Does this smell funny to you?” he asked.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkezpoFiJFl
“It’s just been ripped from the back of a donkey, I would imagine that it’s smell is not pleasant.” Maxentius said, wrinkling his nose.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqoGNGsC7D
“No, it’s not that. It’s the water.” He said, pushing the cloth towards Maximus, who dutifully lifted it to his nose. His face screwed up in response to it.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdaDbwwiOk
“It smells foul. It smells like something used by an alchemist!”1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbqMnJWdM5
Caius threw the fabric into the trees.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgxlYiUYnS
“Let’s hope its not in the water system.” Maxentius said, shaking his head.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDvGE3rGnH
“No, the aqueducts aren’t near here, this isn’t the water we drink in the city. We should be okay.” She said and he sighed in relief. Caius clapped his hands together.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNAc9LjRxx
“Right, put her on the donkey. We need to leave quickly and get her to a doctor.’’1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn54VRhVgBb
Livia nodded, lifting Ariadne’s arm as Maxentius took the other and Caius took her feet. They placed her on the donkey gently. Her head lolled forward onto the animal’s neck, and Maxentius and Livia held her arms on either side whilst Caius led the donkey. They walked slowly, ensuring that Ariadne did not slide off the side of the donkey.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprvsvxl7xb
When they reached the city, she was escorted to the hospital. The hospital itself had suffered in the quake. As it was a building fairly close to the mountain, it had felt the tremors more severely than others more further in. Much of the paint on the walls had fallen off, and a large crack ran through the floor tiles in one room. Here too, the statues of the gods had all fallen. One man was sitting over a candle, heating an adhesive substance, trying desperately to repair the figurines. Caius gave Livia a knowing look as they passed this, but said nothing.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwjfVCjzFQ
Ariadne was placed on a small bed immediately, a cold compress applied to her forehead and the cut on her cheek where the rock had hit her was tended to with a salve.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkH5VXdzxl
“Why were you out there anyway?” Livia asked Maxentius as they sat around her bedside.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluaJuVpU2O
“We had gone for a picnic by the lake. She said it was the calmest place she knew.”1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgIQrn2QMP
Livia fought back the bite of jealousy she felt. The clearing had always been their place, their secret clearing. That Ariadne had shared it with someone else filled Livia with a jealousy that she knew was ridiculous. Of course she would share her favourite place in Pompeii with him, they were to be married in only a few weeks. Still, Livia thought to herself, that was our clearing.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Uaam9CdlR
“She told me it was special to the two of you. That it had been since childhood.” Max said softly, almost as if he could tell what was running through her mind.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1wd0EKi6g
“It was.” Livia said simply. “I’m glad she has you, Max. Not all men are so kind to their wives.”1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRE8a01HoJ
He laughed heartily.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCu7b2kmB0
“It is strange for a man to love his wife these days, I will give you that. She makes me happy.”1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fTYAvA5PX
Livia smiled.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pJSG8RmTB
“Good. Then I am glad she took you to our clearing. She is practically my sister, and by that logic, we are soon to be family.”1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROY82ZtPY1
“I think it will be hardest for her to leave you behind, more than anyone else.” He said, a sad sort of look in his golden brown eyes. Livia’s confusion made him groan. “She did not tell you?”1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aayNAweD2
“Tell me? What is she supposed to have told me?”1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjFz5jPgOI
“We are moving to Rome after the wedding. I thought you knew.” He said, biting his lip. Livia felt like someone had knocked her backwards and she had lost her breath.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iISLWmc1a
“She never told me she was leaving.”1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyPiQTbzpQ
“Perhaps she thought it was not a big deal; after all, you have only just returned. She did fine without you here.”1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYczW2FmzvM
“But I only left for a few months, she’ll be leaving permanently.”1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtsveWe30Z
“You will always be welcome to visit.”1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxstq1nK7b
Livia shook her head. Tears threatened to fill her eyes, but not just because her friend was leaving soon, but because she had found out of another. Ariadne should have told her, did Livia not deserve the truth from her own lips?1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJRxRRpGYi
“Besides, she said you would hardly miss her, what with that gladiator around.” Max said with a shrug.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvzwnIfT0k
“When she wakes up, tell her I need to see her.” She said, standing up and leaving the hospital, resisting the urge to slam the door behind her.1010Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8tDU5sY7G
She walked home in the dark without looking back.
