Arretium, circa 128 BCE Death, when it comes, rarely arrives with a knock at the door, waiting politely while one prepares oneself. This is a lesson I had learned long before, yet still the following events struck me with a force beyond any I had experienced in many centuries. Two days before it came, Salia […]
Posted on January 31st, 2006 by Zsallia
Filed under: The Past | Comments Off on Whom the Gods Would Destroy…
Pennsylvania, April, 2005 CE She woke me up the next morning some time after sunrise. She was already dressed and told me if I didn’t shower and come downstairs soon I’d miss breakfast. When I got downstairs she seemed cool, distant. She was making pancakes, eggs, and bacon, puttering around and humming absent-mindedly. She insisted […]
Posted on January 27th, 2006 by Zsallia
Filed under: The Present | Comments Off on Interlude
And so I found myself that next morning on a sun-drenched stone patio engaged in light verbal sparring with an old Greek, envying him his family and the joy they gave him. Once Marieko sent Salia on her way he turned his gaze fully upon me and his displeasure was clear. I tried to imagine […]
Posted on January 19th, 2006 by Zsallia
Filed under: The Past | Comments Off on Arretium, continued
Circa 129 BCE I watched as the young man left the patio, his olive skin rippling over smooth muscles, his body alive with energy that can only be captured by youth in full bloom. “He’s beautiful,” I offered, then stifled a laugh as I saw Marieko’s spine stiffen. “There are things I could teach him… […]
Posted on January 16th, 2006 by Zsallia
Filed under: The Past | Comments Off on Arretium
What follows is the recounting of a conversation told not by me, but by my companion. I will admit to finding some of his characterizations mildly irksome. -ZM
Posted on January 9th, 2006 by Zsallia
Filed under: The Present | 1 Comment »
The forest enveloped me as I ran in a long, loping stride while watching my footing along the game trail. Branches tore at me unnoticed as I let the seething anger in my breast drive me forward, expending it in the physical exertion of separating myself from the Roman camp. Following the game trail let […]
Posted on January 6th, 2006 by Zsallia
Filed under: The Past | Comments Off on Surrender
I awoke swinging by my ankles and wrists, bound to a pole carried on the shoulders of two men, like some fresh kill being carried home after a hunt. I was naked, my throat was on fire, and I could feel neither my hands nor my feet. As I realized my predicament a roar of […]
Posted on January 2nd, 2006 by Zsallia
Filed under: The Past | 1 Comment »