Pompeii

Nefeli slipped out of the bath and climbed into her peplos. She raised the straps to her shoulders and connected the clasps. She then waved to her servant Cybele that it was safe to come in. “Any word from my father on Achilles?” Nefeli asked her. 

“No. I assume, my lady, that Sir Achilles is getting ready to see you though.” Cybele knew that she should not speak until spoken to, but Nefeli was more wavering on the rules of how to treat those higher than you. 

“You don’t have to wait until I allow you to speak, you know,” Nefeli said. Cybele nodded. She was Jewish, but other than that Nefeli knew nothing more of her or her family. She liked Cybele, but she would never say anything about her past. Nefeli’s father was Greek, but he enlisted in the Roman army and worked his way up to senator. Her family was very wealthy and they were vacationing in Pompeii for the summer season. Their domus flaunted wealth, showing off marble statues of the gods and marble pillars. 

Nefeli tied a golden girdle around her waist and rubbed perfumes and oils on her skin. Cybele braided her silky dark brown hair intricately and oiled her nails. She then put a golden circlet on her head, and to top it off, she laced up her leather sandals. Next, she put necklaces and a singular golden arm band on; then she put in golden earrings with the shape of the moon that dangled from them. 

Nefeli sent a quick prayer to Athena, the goddess of wisdom, that Achilles would keel over or not want to marry her. Achilles was a fat, greasy Roman who only wanted Nefeli for her beauty. He cared nothing for her kindness or feelings. He offered a large gift and Nefeli’s father accepted it. Achilles had first laid eyes on her when they were moving in to their new domus in Pompeii. He sent a servant saying that he would give a large gift if he could have Nefeli by the end of the month Quintillis. That night she had laid in her bed crying. She didn’t want to get married to a fat pig; she hoped to marry someone who loved her for who she is, not for what she looked like. 

Now she had accepted her fate and fought back the tears as Cybele pinned up the last braid. “Cybele, how did you come to my main home, Rome?” Nefeli asked her. 

Cybele looked startled. “Pardon me, but it is not a question my master should be asking me.” 

Nefeli waved dismissively. “Never mind that, I just want to know.” 

Cybele took a deep breath, “I was taken from my home, Capernaum. The Pharisees didn’t like that my family followed Christ so they sent us out to slavery,” her lip quivered for a moment and her arms dropped. “I was separated from my family; I think they are working at Emperor Titus’ palace as servants.” 

Nefeli gasped. 

“I think,” Cybele continued, her eyes shining, “That they are treated well.” 

Nefeli shook her head in disbelief. 

“And,” Cybele said quickly, “I am very grateful that you and the others in this household take good care of me.” Nefeli turned around and wrapped her arms around her. Cybele went limp and started to sob. 

“I can’t begin to understand what you’ve gone through, but I promise that you will have a seat at my table and I will do everything in my power to make sure you are treated well,” Nefeli murmured softly. 

“This is nice,” Cybele whispered and broke away. “Thank you, my lady, but I can’t…’’ She was cut off by a messenger who came to the door and bowed. 

“Very beautiful again, my lady,” Nefeli noticed he wasn’t looking at her but at Cybele. She smiled inside a little at the thought that maybe Cybele could find happiness. Cybele blushed a little at his comment. He now averted his eyes to Nefeli, “Sir Achilles is waiting at his terrace with your father. He expects you to come immediately.” He stopped at the pained expression on Nefeli’s face. “I’m sorry those are just the words he said and…” 

Nefeli cut him off, “It is okay, Quintus. I understand, it’s not you it’s just…something.” Nefeli looked at the ground. “Tell him I will come shortly.” She turned to Cybele, “Will you tell the stable boy to saddle my horse, Diana?’’ 

Cybele nodded, “Right away M’lady.”

She hurried out the threshold and Nefeli turned to Quintus and smiled a bit. “So, I see you like Cybele.”

He was flabbergasted, “Well, she is very pretty and, and she um…” 

Nefeli raised a hand to silence him. “It’s quite alright, but if you do marry her just make sure you treat her right.” 

He nodded vigorously. “I will.” 

Nefeli waved her hand. “You may go.” He nodded and rushed off. 

Cybele appeared again after a few minutes, “Diana is ready, M’lady.” 

Nefeli followed her out the door and to the gate. Her horse was white with blotches of black. Beside Diana was a pony carefully chosen for Cybele to ride. Nefeli climbed on top, sat sideways and grabbed the reins of the horse. Cybele did the same; the gates opened and they went out to the busy streets of Pompeii.

Achilles was not the actual hero, nothing close to him, not even a bit. When they arrived, Achilles was waddling down his stairs with the loose skin under his neck wagging like a puppy tail. He opened his arms and held his hand out to help Nefeli off her horse, but then there was a shout from his domus and he turned to it. Nefeli lost her balance and fell off her horse. Achilles looked at her disapprovingly and frowned. “Don’t get your dress soiled; you must be presentable to my household. I don’t want a dirty wife.”

Cybele came and helped her up; she frowned in his direction as his was back turned. Nefeli brushed off her peplos and walked to the entrance with Achilles on her arm. His arm was very sweaty and the sweat showed on his face as he walked up the steps to the threshold of his house. The big ivory doors swung open and they walked into the courtyard. There were peacocks running around with their colorful feathers fanned out. Nefeli had to admit that the courtyard was very beautiful. There were statues of the gods who were unclothed, there was a giant fountain in the middle with butterflies of different hues fluttering around. There was a large glass dome that stretched over the courtyard in an attempt to keep all the animals in. Right in the center was a statue of the actual Achilles. She lingered over it thinking about how much of a difference there was between the two Achilles. 

“You like my statue of Achilles? I thought that it would be good to have a statue of someone I was named after.” He chortled a little and his belly shook. She slipped her arm out from his and smoothed her peplos. 

She turned towards him, “You are famous for your collection of big cats, right? Why don’t you show me your most ferocious one.” He blanched a little; Nefeli liked watching the short pig squirm. 

“A..are you sure you want to see our f..fiercest?”

Nefeli nodded, “I am quite sure. Unless your fiercest is too mighty for Achilles.”

He squirmed a bit more, “Of course not, I shall take you right away.” He scurried to the left side of the courtyard and they walked down some steps. They came into a lavish room with Cybele following behind them. She kept her distance because it was rude to intrude on a soon-to-be-married couple, especially if you were a lowly servant. In the center of the room was a handsome young man with golden curls playing with lion cubs as if they were pet puppies. He threw a ball and then the cubs ran towards the ball and he hid behind the sofa. After the cubs retrieved the ball, they looked around the room for him. One of them climbed on top of the sofa, then fell off the back into the servants arms. He emerged from behind the couch and lay on the pillows. All the cubs pounced on him and he started to giggle. 

“Aristides!” Achilles bellowed, “My future wife is here and you must give her a proper greeting; I ought to have you whipped!” Aristides looked up, startled. 

He stood up and bowed, “My apologies…” he trailed off. 

“Nefeli.” She replied. 

“Ah yes, Nefeli. Forgive me for forgetting your name.” His voice was smooth like honey. “Nefeli, would like to see Apollo, our fiercest,” Achilles said coldly. 

Aristides nodded vigorously, “Of course, right this way madam.” He led her down a hallway and they stopped at the end. On the left was a cell with a powerful looking lion. His muscles in his shoulders rippled as he paced. His large velvety paws were silent as they hit the cold stone floor. His fiery mane shook with the slight breeze that came through the cracks in the tiny window. He turned towards then and growled softly at the sight of Achilles. 

Aristides unlocked the cell door. Achilles hid behind Nefeli and started to tremble. Nefeli pushed him away as Aristides quickly slipped inside. Apollo the lion looked at him challengingly. Aristides kept his eyes locked on Apollo and he beckoned Nefeli into the cell. She cracked open the door and then slipped through. She looked at Apollo and he returned her gaze. He ran towards her and knocked her off her feet. He started to lick her face and she laughed boisterously. Aristides stood over her and helped her up. She brushed off her clothes and ran her fingers through Apollo’s soft silky mane.

“I’ve never seen him act like that towards someone. He must like you. Maybe my master will let you keep him.”

Achilles nodded vigorously. “Yes, yes, please do take him.” 

Nefeli nodded thoughtfully.

“Oh!” Aristides exclaimed, “If you are to own him you ought to know how to ride him.” He turned to Achilles, “May I teach this lovely lady how to ride a lion?’’ 

Achilles waved his hands. “Please do, go right now if you must. But I command you to be back by dark, as dinner will be waiting.” Aristides nodded enthusiastically. Nefeli beckoned Apollo to come. They walked back up the stairs and into the lavish room. They walked up the other set of stairs and into the courtyard. Aristides waved her to the gate and they walked outside of the courtyard. At last they stopped at the gate of Achilles house. 

Aristides turned towards her, “Now we are going to ride him to the back of the house where that offers a clear area where we can train.” 

Nefeli nodded slowly. “I will ride in front to guide him; I mean, after all you have no idea how to ride a lion.” He then hopped on the lion and extended a hand to her. She took it, then climbed on Apollo too, while wrapping her arms tightly around his abdomen.

Aristides bounded off and he was right – riding a lion was hard. Apollo’s muscles were constantly moving in order to move fast. And all Nefeli had to hold on to was Aristides. But what a rush! She could feel the wind in her face; it felt like she was flying. 

They neared the back of the household and Apollo slowed down with caution. When they got to the back, Aristides hopped off and extended his hand to help her off. Now you might be thinking, aren’t humans taller than lions? Well, to answer your question, Apollo was massive and was larger than most lions.

Nefeli appreciated that he helped her and didn’t leave her to fall. She brushed off her clothes and smoothed her hair, and that’s when Mount Vesuvius exploded. 

After the mountain exploded Nefeli panicked and she ran to Aristides. They hopped on Apollo and rode back into town. They found Cybele who was attempting to escape Pompeii on a horse. Achilles perished, and Nefeli never had to marry him. They all escaped Pompeii. Sadly, Nefeli’s mother and father perished and after some years they went back and found Nefeli’s inheritance. Nefeli married Aristides and they had two children. Cybele stayed with them and helped raise the children. She married the young messenger and they had a house filled with four children. Cybele and Quintus lived in a house on Nefeli’s estate grounds. Nefeli instructed Apollo be sent back to Africa where he ate wildebeest to his heart’s content. The End.