Chasing Blue- The Final Saga (Book 4)

Chapter 14: All Roads Lead to Rome

Clitus was never much of a talker. I often initiated conversations to see how he was doing or what he was thinking. I realized in almost two months of our journey I had not really learned much about Clitus, other than he was a slave of Philemon and was originally captured when he was very young. His family was probably dead or captured, never to be seen again. He had not really known me much either. I suppose we both got what we wanted. While some built great roads, we built great walls. This time when he finally spoke I listened...really listened.

"It was last summer that Philemon embarked on his journey to the heated pools in southern Italy before arriving to Pompeii," Clitus continued.

"Was that around the time Philemon's eyes begun deteriorating?" I asked; clinging to his every word.

"It was already deteriorating. He hid it nicely for about three years. His severe headaches began early last year. And when it started his vision would completely go blank," Clitus said closing his eyes. "He visited different doctors but none of their potions and medicines could cure his headaches or help his eyesight. He had heard about the pool of Aurora for some time but he was largely doubtful. But desperation gets everyone. We tried to tell him there was no way of knowing whether the stories were true or not but he already made up his mind," Clitus shrugged before looking out into the Marketplace of Appius which was lined with stone and mortar shops, where people casually strolled about without a care in the world.

"So what happened when you got to the Pool of Aurora?" I probed.

"Well, by the time we reached the Pool, we did not realize how hot the water was. When Philemon tried to bring the water to his face, he almost burned the skin off his hands. His hands began to redden and peel from the burns like a snake. He demanded that we try scooping out the water with a bucket. We waited about an hour for the water to cool before splashing the water on his face. I had to rub the water in his eyes. After the procedure we all held our breath, wondering whether it worked. For that short while Philemon claimed that the sky appeared brighter. That he could still see the blue of the day sky; something that was growing dimmer by the day. But after we descended from the plateau and made our way down to town it became apparent it didn't work."

"How far did you have to travel?"

"Philemon is from the Greek states, near Thessalonica. The journey was almost as long as this journey that you and I are on. After all the stories, in the end, that is what it amounted to. Just a good story," Clitus said clearing his throat.

"No wonder he was so bitter," I said shaking my head. Clitus solemnly nodded his head.

"It was after that trip that Philemon changed. No longer was his heart in the rest of the trip to Pompeii. It did not matter anymore. He gave up hope on ever seeing again. So, he got mad. Mad at the gods for cursing him to this horrid fate. Mad at the crew. Mad at me; just mad at the world."

"Did you ever make to Pompeii?" I asked.

"Yes. It was a beautiful city. It was unfortunate Philemon was in bad spirits the whole time." My curiosity was aroused. A city just as beautiful as Rome?

"I would love to see that city. Perhaps the next expedition," I said in a wistful tone.

"I am afraid there is nothing left to see there," Clitus answered. I frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"The city was wiped off the earth by Mt. Vesuvius. Rumor has it the city is buried under ashes." My eyes widened in disbelief. A whole city; gone?

"Sorry it took so long fellows," Marcus interrupted as he came walking briskly towards the wagon.

"A lot of the cisterns are unusually foul-smelling today," Marcus said, wrinkling his long nose. "I usually ignore the scent but this time I would not even let Lucia take a sip," he laughed nervously. The horse began kicking her hooves against the stone-cladded road as Marcus tried to pat her long silky mane. I supposed Lucia was unhappy she was not getting her drink after all.