"Dates, come get your dates! Tasty and picked fresh by the monkey's paw!"
Alas, it wasn't fruit he was on the search for. Neither he nor his master wished for them.
"Feel your days are numbered? Want Anubis to have the chance to weigh your heart? For an appropriate fee, we can make sure you will have a body to journey through the underworld!"
Though a slave, being raised in Rome meant that Hadrian did not care much for local customs. He knew his master already had such things in order.
"Cloth hats, Keep the sun off your skin with nice, cheap, ragged--who cares they still work-- cloth hats!"
Fully clothed, there was no need for a hat. But fabrics did mean he was getting closer...
"The finest silk in all the lands, nothing more illustrious. If you preside over true glory and wealth, show it off with these fantastic foreign articles!"
"Bingo."
After a bit of searching, he had finally found it, the thing his master had sent him out for. He was going to meet up with important people soon, so he thought about updating his wardrobe. A shirt of dazzling purple, embellished with the finest gold leaf, would do well.
After paying for the desired wares, He started on his way home. In hardly a moment later, he bumped into a small child in ragged clothing.
"Sorry sir. I'll be more careful next time!" the child uttered hurriedly.
Hadrian grabbed the child's wrist.
"Is there a problem sir?"
"I think there is. Empty your right pocket."
"Ah, a clever boy we got here." the small child said as he handed Hadrian a large pouch of gold coins. "Think you could spare a little for poor old me?"
Hadrian then took out a scrap of paper he had in his pocket. After writing something down he handed it to the boy and said "Take this to the bakery down past the palace. Give it to them and they will treat you well."
"Thank you sir. Hey, if you want, there's a play going on down the street, opposite direction. I won't be able to get ya in for free, but I can point you over there."
"Thank you. I just may." Hadrian said with a smile. " And you can keep those five coins in your pocket."
Eventually, he came to what appeared to be the play. Fortunate enough to have a sizable allowance, he paid admission and entered, taking his seat. But this one appeared to be different. It was about to start, yet there were no actors. Nor was there any room for a possible puppet master.'What is this all about? Is this a joke or was I just conned?' He thought to himself, confused. There was just one stand in the middle of the stage only about as tall as a man. Then a man spoke:
"Welcome, one and all! Today you will see something truly amazing! Prepare to watch a play of the legend of Dionysos........ play itself."
As he finished his brief intro, the structure on the stage came to life. Figures moved around with sounds, everything commanded in perfect timing and harmony by itself, not concerned that there was nobody pulling the strings. The backdrop changed in an instant, thunder roared as it did in the play, and fire erupted as if it was the will of the gods! Truly, what was before him was as miraculous as the very legend it told! Once it ended, Hadrian yelled:
"Who is the man that is responsible for this?"
YOU ARE READING
Automata Romana
Historical FictionHadrian had come to accept his relatively comfortable life as the favored slave managing a large roman estate. But as he becomes entranced with the curious mechanical devices of a natural philosopher while caught in the aftermath of a murderous sche...
