septemberides.us
The Third Day of September Ides -- LOCAL STINKERS DON’T COUNT
http://www.septemberides.us/chapter15.php
LOCAL STINKERS DON’T COUNT. Chapter XV, where one Roman, one Greek, and one Egyptian are looking for one Christian Jew and cannot find him. Nothing else noteworthy happened in the two final days that Nil spent with Captain Jason and his crew. He talked a couple more times to Zeno and his men, made sure that they knew where to pass word if they learned something about the trader Benjamin, and spent the rest of the time sleeping and staring at the horizon and the shoreline. Egypt was ruled by a prefect....
septemberides.us
The Third Day of September Ides -- I GUESS NOT, YOUR HONOR
http://www.septemberides.us/chapter17.php
I GUESS NOT, YOUR HONOR. Chapter XVII, where Nil meets a not-very-good-Christian in the land that does not care about Rome. The ship was almost as large as Jason’s Tehe. Before the Romans and before the Greeks, Simaat said early in the first day, looking overboard, this marshland was full of life, with an abundance of animals to hunt for. It does not look lifeless now either, Nil said. Who knows, it still may change, Nil said. Now that our legions will not let enemies come here. Your legions continue the...
septemberides.us
The Third Day of September Ides -- IT BECOMES A HABIT
http://www.septemberides.us/chapter18.php
IT BECOMES A HABIT. Chapter XVIII, where Nil sees a black cat in a dark room. The Temple appeared suddenly in front of them. Cobblestone pavement changed to flat limestone slabs under their feet. They passed the alley of sphinxes and came to the gates in a high wall that towered above them like a huge dark mass. The priest at the gate was expecting visitors. He took a torch and led both Nil and Simaat into the first court. Speak, he said to Nil in Greek after the priest left the hall. Everybody, the prie...
septemberides.us
The Third Day of September Ides -- SURE THING, GLAP
http://www.septemberides.us/chapter7.php
SURE THING, GLAP. Chapter VII, where we learn that there is a lot to loot in Rome and that Drakon knows how to be grateful. Nil had very little difficulty finding Captain Glap and his ship in the port. His ship, Glapos. Was a galley of a popular penteconter. Was still mighty enough to deal with a light pirate or trade vessel, whether defending itself against it or the other way around. He tried to escape in the middle of the sea! Is that what he is punished for? Nah I don’t like slaves who want to run aw...
septemberides.us
The Third Day of September Ides -- I’LL SEND THE PEOPLE
http://www.septemberides.us/chapter11.php
I’LL SEND THE PEOPLE. Chapter XI, where, for a change, we meet two people who don’t want Rome to burn. Even the province authorities would not press for accepting their help after the investigator from metropolis suggested they go to hell. And that was pretty much what Nil said to the vizier yesterday in the tavern. So how is it that representatives of a formally independent king, who was usually somewhat jealous in internal affairs, still pushed to be involved? The king looked at Eleazar. No, let him co...
septemberides.us
The Third Day of September Ides -- IF WE ARE FAITHFUL ENOUGH
http://www.septemberides.us/chapter8.php
IF WE ARE FAITHFUL ENOUGH. Chapter VIII, where Nil meets a clever zealot and the zealot meets a stupid Roman. Galleys were essentially large boats. They did not have a keel, so beaching was much safer for them than for later ships yet to come in future centuries, at least if they are really put firmly aground and not thrown around by the waves. Captain Glap’s ship Glapos. He regained consciousness in a small cave with an opening in the top. It was one of those caves that rains had washed out over cen...
septemberides.us
The Third Day of September Ides -- JUST IN CASE
http://www.septemberides.us/chapter6.php
Chapter VI, where Nil gets a new name and a death sentence in absentia. The mornings are different. Accidental people are gone, jesters too, even politicians are not here, except for the most persistent ones. Nights are for the public selected elite public. But mornings are shared with your own kind. The emperor made an effort and opened his eyes. The sight was not soothing at all. He’d rather see that girl from last night. He could not remember her name, but who cares? But not with Petronius. Why? They’...
septemberides.us
The Third Day of September Ides -- THOSE SLY BASTARDS
http://www.septemberides.us/chapter9.php
Chapter IX, where we learn how disaster may be a source of hefty profits. He focused his eyes. Hall, the same hall with drunk guests, gloomy morning light, and doors to the garden. And Tigellinus, already dressed up in his full uniform, sitting in a chair and drinking something from a goblet. Maybe wine, subconsciousness obligingly suggested. Oh, no. Ophonius, the emperor called. Tigellinus said without getting up. He knew better than to tower over the recumbent emperor at this moment. As you wish, Caesa...
septemberides.us
The Third Day of September Ides -- BROTHERS IN CHRIST, SMILE!
http://www.septemberides.us/chapter14.php
BROTHERS IN CHRIST, SMILE! Chapter XIV, where we learn how to expose Christians in their own words. The teacher took him to his study room, a small premise crowded with a desk, a chair, a bench, and hardly any space to move around them. The small window on top of the outer wall was giving some light but overall the room looked somewhat dark after the sunny street. Doctor ben-Ata sat in the chair and pointed to the bench that was set there specially for disciples. I will, teacher, Benjamin said. Let me st...
