Sul waited with baited breath as the priestess finished the ritual. Unbeknownst to all witnesses, she was tense all over enough that she felt sick. Her military discipline made nothing show on her stoic face, but that did not mean her stomach was not tying itself into knots.

  The priestess of Jumiter waved her closer. Sul leaned down such that the much smaller woman could whisper in her ear.

  “The signs show the seer saw well.”

  It took all Sul had to not flinch away.

  She could see it still. Those days long ago, back on the rainy banks of the Euphrates where two nations first met underneath a brewing storm. The fsh of lightning, the biting wind. There, a mysterious witch found himself in her camp. Her soldiers brandishing their spears and swords in fear at the bizarre, lone cloaked man, her own rising curiosity.

  His words fshed at her from her memories, like a viper striking from the dark.

  “I see it clear as the noonday sun, mortal, the strings weaved by the Fates.” As skies poured and crackled, they lit the lone figure with an unearthly glow. “At the height of your fame and fortune, Sul of Rome, you will be struck down from the highest heights to the darkest depths of the underworld. Be warned!”

  She broke out of her memories with enough suddenness that she staggered.

  Tripping over her own feet, the towering giant of a woman fell back. She nded in the thin streak of wine created by the priestess’ libations with a heavy, resounding crash as if an obelisk had been tipped over. She barely noticed, her thoughts a jumbled mess. Her attendants and guards hurried to her. She threw them off easily with one powerful swing, hurrying to her feet, and even in her dazed state she knew she was pyed for a fool.

  It’s a trick. She told herself. A psychological trick, just as powerful if spoken from a god or just a man.

  Still dizzy, she turned to the crowd behind her, knowing she needed to leave before she made a further fool of herself. Insects of the human sort screeched and scratched beside her, and she rid herself of them with a mighty push. She was only dimly aware of the dozens of women thrown about by her actions, violence that was ingrained in her very being simmering beneath the surface of her battle-worn yet beautiful skin.

  And it was there, in the crowd of white and more white, that something stood out to her frazzled self. One fsh of color, one set of eyes, blue like the ocean.

  An irrational thought dug itself into her skull.

  Richard watched with horrified eyes as his gaze met Sul’s fifty meters away.

  He ducked down. No fucking way. There’s no fucking way! There’s like a thousand fucking people here, how the hell would she see me?! Something came to him. Wait, is it the pal?! It’s bright green, and everyone here is wearing white togas! Oh fuck, no that makes sense! Still, it didn’t mean she recognized him, he reasoned. She was distant after all and he had most of his head covered by the woven cloth. “We need to go,” He whispered to his two companions. “I’m very sick. The sun, it’s very strong. Very strong sun.”

  Pullina blinked. His sudden eagerness seemed to have surprised her. “...Is there something else wrong?” She asked.

  Aw come on!

  “You heard the boy,” Gaia said, “I listen to what boys say. Let’s go.” She grabbed his hand and pulled him along, pushing through the people behind them. He heard Pullina growl, but followed behind them too.

  Behind them, Richard heard the shuffling and rustling as people got out of the way of a pursuing Sul. He did not look back, merely wrapping his pal tighter around his face. As he was pulled along by the two females, he heard some distant grunts behind him. They escated into full blown shouts as someone very tall and very rge seemed to be shoving her way through.

  “Why’s consul Sul…?” Pullina questioned, stopping for a second. Richard who caught up pushed her forward, not even sure how he should start expining. He wouldn’t get a chance, as he felt a strong arm grab onto his shoulder and forcefully spun him around. Another hand grabbed at the green, expensive cloth wrapped around his face, and thinking of Pullina, he hesitated from resisting. That allowed Sul to reveal him to her in one swift pull, like a grand reveal.

  The great horned woman eyed the trio. Her ever stiff face, carved from stone, gave away little of what she was thinking. “The little bird knows well which nests to seek refuge in, doesn’t he?”

  “Hail consul Sul,” Pullina greeted, “I hope your day has been well.”

  Gaia didn’t greet her, merely looking at her impatiently. “What do you want?” Richard was stunned and frozen, unable to chide her for her rudeness. Pullina shot her a warning look, but was blocked from doing more by Richard who was in between the two.

  “Thank you, tribune.” Sul grunted. “I was having a great day until a thieving cat, mischievous and blind to her own irrelevancy, decided to poach my prey.”

  “Who?” Gaia looked around, her tail wagging.

  Sul took a step to the side such that her shadow fell upon the far smaller girl. “Don’t think you’re too old to be punished, child.”

  “Wait, wait–the thieving cat was me?!” She cried. “What did I steal?!” Richard flinched at the sudden volume, making everyone take notice. “Are you saying–“ She gasped with so much drama she could have filled a full episode of a soap opera. “I stole your man?!”

  Murmurs arose around them. Only some of which were towards Gaia’s conduct.

  Sul took one step forward and all three flinched.

  Richard had no idea what was happening. He also had no idea how the women even operated while underneath Sul’s presence. Just being near her it felt like he was suffocating while she was in this mood.

  Pullina stepped up before him. “Consul, if I may,” she said.

  Pullina?!

  “I sincerely apologize for Julii Minor, it is my responsibility as her elder to teach her correctly. I have wronged you, consul.” Sul opened her mouth, but before she could say anything, Pullina continued. “However–“

  “However?” Sul’s expressionless face was the slightest bit taken back.

  “Are you reted or are his matron?”

  “No.”

  “May I ask if he’s your prospective husband?”

  Sul snorted.

  “Are you marrying him to any of your family members?”

  She looked insulted, grunting. “Sooner would Pluto relinquish the underworld than would I have him marry my daughters.”

  “Then, it looks like you have little stakes in this matter. I am in fact in the process of courting for the fair man’s hand, as to give him upon honors his barbarous origins could not have bestowed to him.”

  Sul watched Pullina carefully. “...You’re courting this barbarian?”

  “I have fallen in love.”

  Richard stared at the pin woman. Some gears started turning in his head and then immediately derailed and exploded.

  Sul ughed her humorless ugh. Her stiff facial muscles barely budged. “Bah! Mere transient lust, and you call it love?”

  “Yes.” Pullina said with straightforward surety. She turned to him. “If I may, I have even composed a poem.”

  “A poem?” Richard croaked.

  “Your raven hair, a midnight sky,

  Where sapphire stars, your blue eyes lie.

  A face carved sharp, a northern grace,

  My heart you stole, and left no trace,

  Except this warmth, this burning bright,

  A love for you, both day and night.” She recited.

  Richard felt like he died right there.

  “You wish to woo a barbarian with poetry?” Sul said incredulously.

  “As long as it shows my sincerity.” Pullina said. “And the depths of my love.”

  Richard twitched.

  Sul studied her, her gaze darting from the stubborn set of her jaw to the way her foot tapped an impatient rhythm against the ground. Each micro-expression, each minuscule movement, was a piece of data she desperately tried to analyze, searching for a crack in her armor, an opening for an argument to slip through her defense.

  Her eyes flickered to Gaia momentarily.

  Finally, she exhaled thoughtfully. “Then, I must make my leave.”

  The tension in Richard’s shoulders evaporated.

  “However,” Sul continued, making Richard tense up once more, “As a show of my blessing upon this potential union, I invite you to a banquet in my home for the evening.” She tossed the green pal back to Richard. Much to his shock, she spun on her heels and left with her entourage. She didn’t even wait for a reply. Richard gnced at Pullina, but she was also just as shaken.

  The crowd around them, who had been there to watch the show and hoping for a blood bath, started dispersing with disappointment.

  Richard had not wrapped his mind around the entire situation yet, but he already knew in his gut that Pullina had just pulled a miracle. “Pullina…” He started, before she suddenly colpsed to her knees. “Pullina!”

  “I’m fine, I’m fine!” She said, “My legs just gave away. And my heart–it feels like it’s about to burst.”

  “Oh, how I know how you feel…” Richard muttered. “I assume that the banquet invitation… It was more of a command?”

  Pullina shakily nodded from the floor.

  “And you!” He turned to Gaia, who was just rubbing the top of her head with a pout. At her name she perked up before wincing as she saw his face. “You idiot! Your mouth is going to get you killed someday!”

  “But–!”

  “No buts young dy!” Richard reached forward and yanked her right ear. He continued talking as she yelped in pain. “I never want to see you do that again, understood? Don’t piss –don’t anger important people for no reason!”

  “But it wasn’t for no reason!” She whined. “She clearly wanted to take you away! You’re not some object she can just steal–“

  “Then let me fight my battles.” He interrupted her. “I’ll ask for help if I need it, but you need to stop risking yourself for me. Yesterday–you didn’t even give me a choice. Do you know how I felt?!”

  She looked stunned. “Didn’t you feel… happy?”

  “Yes I was happy that you cared enough,” He admitted, letting go of her ear. “But not when you’re putting yourself in danger like that! Aren’t these the most powerful politicians of the current era?!” He imagined it was like committing a crime in front of a king. A crime that was even a personal slight. Who knows what kind of consequences could come from that? It was not like this world was a paradise. This was the world two thousand years ago, more brutal than anything he had imagined. The question of whether they would give corporal punishment to a child was definitely yes.

  Gaia looked so very confused, and he felt a pang in his heart. “But you came with me. You’re doing the same thing, angering them.” She said, a little hurt. Her cat ears drooped.

  “No, I’m only this furious because you did it not for yourself, but for me.” He wrapped his arms around her, eliciting a squeak of surprise. He grimaced, the fshes of horrid visions freezing him momentarily. “They can beat me, take away my freedom. But just the chance that you would get hurt because of me…” He whispered. “That would feel worse in ways physical pain can’t compare.” She felt so small in his embrace. After all, that’s what she was. Just a child.

  It’s a torturous world, he thought. A cruel, maniacal world.

  “I can’t thank you enough for what you already did, Gaia.” He continued. “But please, don’t worry me so much?”

  She didn’t answer.

  He let go of her, not sure why he wasn’t getting a response. As he faced her once more, he realized there was a flush on her. Flushed from her neck all the way to her cute, round cheeks. Her eyes flickered to him, then to the ground, then back.

  “Sorry to interrupt, but someone else also risked their life in that ordeal without making a fool of themselves. Shouldn’t she receive some kind of reward too?” Pullina said, having gotten up in the meantime.

  He turned to her. “Yes, of course, thank you very much too. I didn’t want to downpy your efforts, you in fact saved us all.” He said honestly. “Reward? What kind of reward would you like?” He paused, giving a small grin. “A hug too?”

  “Well…” She scratched her other arm, awkwardly.

  Seriously? He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her. She was about average height for a woman in his old world, but would count as short in this world. One of his arms rested around the small of her back while the other wrapped itself around the back proper. She pressed herself against him and they came together, feeling the curves of her body against him through their clothes. She smelled like paper, ink, and olive oil –again. She id her head on his broad shoulders, and by his ear, he felt her sigh. Her own arms first touched his behind, but it must have been accidental as she flinched before raising them.

  When they let go, the two were breathless.

  …Thank god I didn’t get a hard-on. It’s been a month since I hugged a girl like that. Richard thought. It’s nice… Too nice. He thought women might not take as good care of their hair or something in this world, because of their more cssical masculine roles, but Pullina, at the very least, tended to it. There was a healthy shine to it and It smelled like olive oil, like everyone else in this world.

  He froze, realizing where his thoughts were going. A wave of mencholy swept through his body.

  Suddenly, he felt a tug on his tunic, breaking him from his moment. Looking down, it was Gaia once more.

  “Shouldn’t we get going?” The little girl frowned. Her childish disappointment was pretty clear, and Richard gave her a gentle smile. “What is it?”

  “Don’t worry, you’re still my number one.” The smile turned into a teasing one.

  Gaia sputtered a bit. He waited patiently as she diverted the topic clumsily, then requested her to lead them to the next event. She talked about lunch, and he was happy to have some food. He was quite curious about roman dishes, though he was worried about seasoning and fvor.

  He wrapped the pal over his head and around his body. It helped to block the searing rays of the sun.

  As they walked, his mind wandered to review his present situation.

  Pullina is quite intelligent. Using her excuse, it was difficult for Sul to pull any moves out in the open. Powerful men have appearances to uphold and kidnapping someone’s girlfriend while they were on a date in broad daylight is severely distasteful. Not that she couldn’t do it, of course, powerful men can get away with anything–Pullina merely correctly judged Sul would be too prideful for such despicable actions while the public was watching.

  I don’t think it’s the st I’ve seen of Sul, however. Literally, since we’re meeting her tonight, but also metaphorically in terms of her overtures towards me.

  He sighed. I wonder why she’s even so interested in me. I’m not that handsome, pretty, or intelligent. Using Crassa’s husband as reference, my frame is too broad and I’m too ‘feminine’ as per their standards to be attractive in their eyes. Could it be merely my exotic eyes? But it seems a little much, doesn’t it? Exotic eyes may make people take notice, like Sul had with her offer to buy him. Exotic eyes didn’t make people chase him in the middle of a crowd like a wolf on a hunt.

  Richard felt like there was something he was missing. Information he wasn’t aware of, or information he wasn’t looking at the right way. However, no matter how he considered it, he couldn’t figure out how it would be advantageous for Sul to have him.

  Unless it really is a passing fancy, which if we consider Esmeralda’s fate… Is just as dangerous.

  Therefore, it all came back to his initial problem. Leverage, leverage, leverage… All this time he had still no idea on what he could provide of value. Nevertheless, an option was brought to him by Gaia’s kindness, and through the events of the early afternoon, he had slowly considered it far more seriously.

  Marrying Pullina.

  Somehow, she had the unfortunate luck of being the least beautiful one out of absolute supermodels. Her initial impression was also weak, having treated him like a prize that she was offered. She was also a poor conversationalist, if her story earlier was anything to go by.

  But then she saved him from Sul. Her gift was thoughtful, thinking of the sun and his own comfort.

  If I consider her specs, I wouldn’t say it's bad. Good looks, intelligent, and has a degree of power in her own right if I consider that whole discussion with the matron of the Julii family. She has her own estate and her personality isn’t terrible.

  If it was marrying someone, he could certainly do much worse.

  I could certainly live with only banging that bod for the rest of my life. The skin of his hands tingled with echoes of their close contact. It was brief, but he had felt the curvature of her back and her breasts against his front. Closing his eyes, he imagined himself tracing those erotic lines, as his imaginary remaining hand raised to cup her perfect boobs.

  Not to mention….

  He opened his eyes with a ugh. Surprised, Pullina and Gaia turned to him with curious expressions. “Pullina,” He said, “I must ask, why a poem of all things?”

  “Oh.” She looked a bit bashful. “I… I do write on my own time. Minimally, of course. I spend most of my time on business, managing a decent sized estate in the countryside, and on martial pursuits and other useful matters. I assure you–”

  “No, no!” He chuckled. “It’s not a bad thing. I just never met someone who was into poetry before. Tell me, what do you write about?” That was unexpected for him. Nothing indicated to him she was a poet of all things. He was expecting a more sophisticated look, and perhaps even a french bonnet–though for obvious reasons reality differed.

  Even if she was a mere amateur poet, he wouldn’t mind. There was romance in the idea of carefully chosen words to embody a concept, be it an emotion, a fleeting experience, or perhaps glints into deeper truths. He thought it was a worthy undertaking.

  ”Er…” She awkwardly said, her hesitation saying everything. “It’s only a young girl’s hobby. Are you sure?”

  “Of course!” He said enthusiastically. He’s always felt people reading poetry were of two kinds: those who thought it was meaningless sophistry disguised as pretentious substance, and those who found great joy in the complex emotions ascribed to the text resonating with them. He was of the ter–one who believed poetry to be an art form not unlike painting and dancing. A poem to him was a condensation of thought much alike water to a window, extracting the essence of vaporous atmospheres into visible droplets of ideas.

  “I write about lots of things… Erm,” She shuffled a little bit. “There’s not really any single theme. I write what comes to mind.”

  He wondered if whatever power he had that transted their nguage could even work on poems, since it was difficult to transte cultural nuances–one to one mappings were rare when considering the entire history of a people. That’s why many transtors like to call themselves interpreters instead. “Tell me one!” He stepped forward, cupping her hands in his own. “You must, can’t you see I’m honestly dying with curiosity?”

  “Ah. Ah? Ah?!” She looked like she had no idea what to do. Pullina gnced down at her hand held in his grasp, and then met his eyes again.

  “Oh,” He quickly released. “I’m sure you need to grab whatever book–or scroll you had written them down, yes? It would be much to expect you to remember them all.” He sighed.

  “No, no!” She hurried. “I’m just, well…” She shyly rubbed her knuckles of the hand he grabbed. “Here’s one:

  Bertram loved his beard.

  Geraldine the goat loved Bertram's beard.

  One nibble at a time. Bertram stroked Geraldine's ears.

  Unaware of the disappearing beard.

  A love story for the ages.”

  He stared at her. There was a moment of silence, and Pullina hurried to expin. “You see–I was on a campaign in the West and I had seen this tribe of barbarians and the men, you see, they didn’t shave–“

  He barked out ughing. Stunned, Pullina trailed off as his mirth bubbled over. “Why–You–“ He could already imagine her seriously in her study, surrounded by ancient scrolls of knowledge and hundreds of years of history, writing what could be only described as an absurd, comedic little excerpt all in the moment. Written what probably amounted to a thousand dolrs worth of sheep skin–since cheap paper wasn’t invented yet. “That’s amazing.”

  She was clearly unsure, but as he continued guffawing a small smile finally formed on her face. “I have another one. This one is about a scene I had seen..”

  “Is it–“ He snickered, “As funny as the st?”

  “Mayhaps.”

  “I think I need to leave.” Gaia said.

  “Oh?” Richard’s attention turned to the child.

  “I have an appointment.”

  “Yes, yes, please, don’t let us hold you up.” Pullina waved at her.

  Gaia scowled.

  He gave her a wave while she left with the world’s rgest pout for some reason. Pullina just had a strange grin that she tried her best to smother.

  Turning back to Pullina, he continued their previous conversation. “Well, go on, say your poem.”

  With more confidence, she recited her work.

  “A tangerine dream dipped in molten cheese,

  Whispering secrets only a spirit could see.

  The day yawns, stretches, pulls a starry bnket tight,

  And a mischievous grin of moon winks in the night.”

  He frowned, passing the poem through his head again. When things still didn’t make sense, he asked her to repeat it, and she did so slower and more deliberately.

  “...Is this one about the sunset?” He finally said.

  “Correct.” She nodded, pleased. “I’m surprised you got it.”

  “Only in the ter part of the poem. I must admit, it is the first time I’ve ever heard the molten rays of the setting sun be compared to cheese.”

  She hummed with a smile. “A poet’s romance, you see. What comes to us in the moment may not always make sense to another.

  “Or you were hungry.”

  “...I was hungry.” She admitted. “But that is neither here nor there.”

  Bemused, he returned her smile with his own. “Are all your poems so whimsical?”

  “Well…” She suddenly paused, stopping.

  “What is it?” He stopped his pace too.

  “It’s a little… Hmm… hard to understand, I think.” She eyed him with a little wariness.

  “No, that’s fine,” He encouraged with enthusiasm, “I think your poems are quite neat! Give me it.”

  The sudden hesitation that took a hold of her was different this time. He watched her eye the people moving past them on the street and her eyes became more guarded.

  Oh… He knew exactly why she was doing that. There could be only one reason: the poem was a dirty joke, wasn’t it. “If you wish, could we move to a more private location?” Seemed only right for a date. Maybe a restaurant? Do restaurants even exist at this time?

  She locked eyes with him. “No, it’s fine.”

  When she recited her poem this time, it was quieter, underneath her breath. Yet, she enunciated every word with power that she hadn’t for her previous works. “The eagle, once soaring, now fights in its nest.” She intoned. “Feathers, stained crimson, drift on winds of unrest.”

  That’s about…!

  “The iron fist weakens, ideals ground to dust.” She continued, her fist at her side that was free of the white toga balling up. “We, bound and helpless, can only watch and distrust.”

  He walked through her words in his mind. The eagle had been a symbol for the United States, but before that, many nations had made the bird of prey their national symbol. Germany, Serbia… and perhaps the first of all, Rome.

  Her poem was about Rome.

  “So you are aware.” He said. Intelligent and observant.

  “The Gracchi sisters have been dead for almost forty years–yet their legacy stands as strong as a hundred legions.” She smiled back. “From the lowest of sves to the most exalted of consuls–they all feel it in the air, even before yesterday.” She took a deep breath. “A hint of copper, a sweetness masked by musk. A scent familiar to all of us whose lions still roar or once roared within our breasts: The heart of Rome bleeds a sanguine stream, unseen yet all felt.”

  She certainly has a way with words. Richard thought. That’s kind of fucking cool. On the other hand, however, I’m living in the midst of this political turmoil. That is usually not good for one’s health, be it physical or financial. He verbalized that thought to her, sighing.

  “Then we should discuss Sul’s invitation.” She said. “Follow me, we can walk as we talk.”

  “Yes. We should.” He followed after her, stepping up to walk side-by-side. “Where are you leading me?”

  “To the other temples.” She said. “You seem to be interested… do you not wish to?”

  “Oh!” He gave her a wide smile. “Of course, I’d love to!” She certainly knew what he liked. Many people his age would perhaps scoff at the ‘boring’ shaped rocks, but certainly not him. Rome architecture, unlike the bnd, washed out whites and greys that he imagined, was a bit like an exotic, vibrant plumed bird. A feast to his senses, made all the better by the presence of a pretty, female companion.

  “In order to prepare for tonight,” She said as they walked, “I’ll need to know more about the situation. What is your retionship with Sul?”

  “None. We helped each other when we escaped Sulpicia’s men–er women, and that’s it. She seems to want to… uh… buy me.”

  “Why?”

  “That’s the thing. I don’t know.”

  “...You certain?”

  “100%.” He couldn’t think of any reason for Sul to really want him. It’s not like he was a harem protag or something, or had a magic dick that granted women that fucked him superpowers.

  …Do I have a magic dick? He shook his head, trying to get rid of the dumb idea. No, no, how would she even know I have a magic dick even if I had one? He tried to keep out of his mind the image of how banging Sul would be like. He was with Pullina, after all, and might become her husband someday. It seemed a little rude thinking of having sex with a different woman while they were on a date.

  “Maybe she just took a liking to you.” She said. “Your… body shape is… unique, if you’d excuse me for putting it in such a way.”

  He struggled to figure out where Sul took a liking to him. He was thankful to her for saving his life twice, but that didn’t mean he had to become her sve if there was any other option. To him, it sounded like there was something else there.

  “Yeah, maybe she just wants me for my body.” He finally said.

  “Not as the only reason.” She commented. “It is well known she usually prefers older, experienced men and women.”

  “...And women?” He repeated.

  “Yes?”

  “She’s bisexual?”

  “Well, yes.” She said casually as his eyebrows went way up. “It’s not like it’s out of the ordinary. Most women are to some degree.”

  Eh?! Da fuq?! Wait, back in my old world, are most women… No, no, stupid porn brain. He shook his head. The internet brain rot was clearly getting at him. It must be a strange aspect of this world. He frowned. A necessity? The popution is almost all women, after all. But saying necessity seems a little weird, as it’s not like you need to be attracted to both sexes in order to reproduce. Maybe it’s in retionship with bonds? Like the homosexuals in Greece? Since women are attracted to each other sexually, it makes camaraderie easier? It didn’t seem entirely correct to Richard.

  “By chance, do you also…” He turned to “Uh… also appreciate the… uh…” If men were the ‘fairer’ sex in this world, what were the women? “...more adventurous sex?” Better to learn your partner is gay now rather than a year in the retionship. On some level, no matter how incorrect and irrational, it hurts to know someone would rather fuck someone of their own gender than be with you. Which is definitely not what it would be. But love is irrational in that way, he supposed.

  She tensed up.

  Didn’t she just say it was nothing out of the ordinary? What’s the problem, then? “Sorry if it’s a little personal,” He said, “But if we’re to be married, we should know more about each other, right?”

  “You want to know more about… those aspects of me?” She looked surprised.

  “Well, I think spending time with you is fun.” He said honestly. “But shouldn’t we also check for compatibility in other regards?”

  She scratched her arm. “It’s… It’s a little difficult speaking such things to your groom-to-be. Not to mention it’s already decided by my matron and it’s not like you have room to refuse, don’t you? Unless you wish to be taken by Sul…”

  He pushed the fsh of annoyance down. “I understand, I am fine with giving you some room.” He said patiently. Still, with how accelerated their retionship was with them skipping the dating phase all together and going straight into their marital life, there was bound to be disagreements and perspective conflicts. Better to know them as early as possible to set expectations.

  Even matters of the nightly activities are good to clear up. Sexual compatibility, while not often discussed before marriage for the more conservative, serves as a possible point of contention between spouses. In his case, if she only wanted to have sex for reproductive purposes, it would make him quite pent up. With the gender roles flipped, he assumed it’d be frowned upon for him to sleep around or masturbate and be an ‘impure’ man.

  Putting the previous topic aside, they visited the other temples on the hill. They were dedicated to a number of other gods and figures. Richard didn’t know about many of them, for example the gods Fides and Ops. Fides was the god of good faith, Pullina expined, whose statue showed him as a young teenage boy with a white veil covering his face. In his hand was a funny turtle and dove mutant–though Richard would never mention that out loud–and in the other, a symbol of some kind. Ops on the other hand was the god of abundance, holding a bundle of sticks that Pullina expined was grain and a really, really phallic carrot-something that was supposedly a cornucopia. He thought the sculptor might have been a bit downbad.

  She had not asked him why he randomly burst into immature giggles.

  In between their visits, a messenger had brought them the official letter of invitation from Sul. Included were the exact time–though only the hour. Afterwards, they had to head back to the forum a few times to check the public water clock to make sure they weren’t te. And wasn’t that a surprise to Richard, he didn’t think they had anything more advanced than a sundial. Instead, he was met with the sundial, of course, but also with a rge contraption that was mostly hidden behind a stone box, and a figurine of a man holding an arrow pointing at a vertical cylinder where the hours of the day were inscribed.

  bcktealeafs