Pliniad II: Scriba Virumque Cano

"Faster, Helmsman, Fortune favors the Bold after all."

The Shade Laughed. What remained of the corpulent man waited for a reaction from the silent pilot steering the ship through ichor dark waters . There was none.

"I don't think he was as inspired as you were, friend. Perhaps there is something you could say to inspire him to haste. I've seen enough dark seas under starless skies.”

The shade continued as he looked out to his friend on the other side of the craft. He continued.

" I only knew enough Greek to bark at my slaves, maybe some of those fine texts you translated could sway him?",

The solemn figure continued to look out the Black Ship as the shade spoke. There was no breeze, the air was completely still, thick mist covered the sky and the torches of the craft only illuminated the silhouettes. As though they were all made of shadow.

The Solemn Figure responded to his friend.

"I don't see any reason to approach eternity any faster than we are already going."

He turned around to look at his friend, who continued to look up towards the stern at the silent figure piloting the craft.

"Truthfully, I am surprised that it is an actual craft we sail across the river styx."

The black ship moved as though guided by current, the sky absent from the sounds of birds and people so frequently heard by river travelers.

"Well, perhaps we need to turn around then. It sounds like that entry in your book about gods and the afterlife might need a small revision.

'Most noble Emperor Vespasian, It has been said by me, that belief that the gods have a personal involvement in the affairs of mortals was ridiculous and pathetic. As I sail down The River Styx with coins to pay the ferryman, I may need to revisit this position.’ Haha",

The solemn figure chuckled as well. Looking at the coin dancing around the large sausage like fingers of the corpulent figure across from him.

"Since we are on the topic, why did you keep your coins with you when the ferryman didn't accept them? Still attached to your wealth?"

Both figures now hunched over on opposite sides of the craft. Aside from the Helmsman they were alone on the ship.

"You mean why didn't I bury them in the sand as you did? I just thought it suspicious, perhaps, we have a benefactor who is paying our fare.,The larger man stopped shuffling the coin to look at the image of Vespasian on it.

"As to what I did with them I gave one away to that one woman on the shore with us."

Both figures were large men, a sign of their class and wealth, one large from his love of food, the other large from strain of sedentary work.

The Solemn figure continued.

"The myths say you need two coins to pay the ferryman. Why not give her both coins?"

The larger man looked up to his old friend thinking about his question while the dark ship glided across the dark waters.

"I was never the wealthiest man in the senate, nor did I have the temperament to become so. Much to my wife's chagrin. But now I can say that I am the wealthiest man in the world. The loud throaty laugh of the large figure echoed across the silent empty sky.”

"Then I congratulate you."

A hint of levity could be heard in his voice, but in the shadows it was impossible to see. The Helmsman only looked out, steam emerging from his lips as though it was winter.

"When we make it to shore, shall you lord your wealth over Poor Crassus, or perhaps destitute Creasus?"

Having said this, the figure stopped and stood up. Looking around his bleak surroundings one more time, hoping to see something change. The figure held his hand close to his chest as he spoke, his chest moving back and forth.

“There are faint sounds of ships that can be heard along the silent river. The body of water, convention calls “styx” is black, but not because of the water itself, but the lack of light. Faint glimmers of large towers can be seen on both sides of the river, whether they are from ships or a lighthouse remains to be seen....,”

"Oh come now, Pliny, you don't have a slave to transcribe for you anymore, there isn't a point to this?”

“It is just as much for me. I wish to remember this and record.”

Pliny turned back, making mental notes to himself. The corpulent figure interjected again.Well it looks like we are about to dock, so you will finally be able to tell the denizens of Hades about your trip to the netherworld.The Helmsman with his large oar steers the vessel into a simple wooden dock, a large city with a walled garden loomed over the dock.

"Who is that figure coming towards us? Mercury, perhaps?"

From the faint network of torches that flanked each side of the road. He walked carrying a large club as he came towards the craft.

"He doesn't show any of the appearance of Mercury, he resembles Hercules."

The burly bearded figure continued his pace towards the dock. His club was emitting sparks as he walked.

"I am he who the Hellens and Bactrians called Heracles Thunderholder. Welcome to the Serapeaum below,” Spoke Hercules,

“You now dwell in the realm of the dead, and I am here to bring you to its lord.",

The figure spoke with a voice like a thunderclap, his face illuminated by the lightning of his eyes and staff. The two figures nodded and moved closer to Hercules and stepped off the craft. Pliny stepped off first, his friend waited.

"Here, for those who need it.",

Pliny’s friend handed the coin to the ferry man who finally with an outstretched hand nodded and accepted. The figure turned back to meet his old friend.

"Behold, Pliny, I, Tullius Pompanius Plotius Firmus, was the wealthiest man in the world in one moment, and now in the next I freely give it all away. Could your cynics and stoics compare to such a philosophical act?”

The chill from the windless air sat on their bodies and their breath as they stood on the docks. The figure called Hercules gestured for them to walk with him, and they complied.

The shades in simple linen tunics walked behind their divine escort, looking at the torch illuminated palaces and temples on each side of the road.

"I suppose the merchants of Pompeii were on to something with all their Isiseums and Egyptophilia."

Pompanianos remarked as they passed down the road. Pliny nodded as they looked around the tombs.

"They did tell us she was goddess of the underworld, and The Egyptians are a people particularly obsessed with death.” Replied Pliny.

The Sandstone walls with massive Papyrus shaped stone pillars lined the pathway to the palace like cypress trees and hedges. Creatures with human bodies and animal heads walked around the complex with golden staffs. With his club, Hercules gestured them to enter the palace guarded by three men with jackal heads.

They are led inside the palace to a great hall with several dining halls with various godlike beauties reclining and feasting.

"Even Nero would weep at the opulence on display here."

Pliny remarked as their feet moved noiselessly across the red silken carpet.

“I can’t say I had the misfortune to know him,” replied Pompanius, “Though my father would likely concede.” Pompanianus looked away, hoping to find something to change the subject. He found it.

"This is Egyptian writing, is it not?",

Pliny's friend looks to him as he points to a large iron and gold door before them.

"It is, but I hope you weren't expecting me to translate it for you. That knowledge died with Cleopatra and Mark Anthony.The door opened to reveal a massive dining hall where several egyptian and some non-egyptian figures. All radiant and beautiful dined.

"Well perhaps we can ask her then.",

Pompanianus pointed a weighty hand towards the couple in the center.The first was a large beared man with green skin and bull horns in his hair. Beside him was a beautiful matronly woman in Egyptian linens and headdress. They immediately recognized her as Isis, queen of The Seas.

"Plinius and Pompanianus come, join us in our funerary feast for you."

The green figure lifted up his cup and let out a rich laugh.

"We have a guest who has been anxious to meet the two heroes of Pompeii.With his cup he gestured towards the Golden haired woman sitting, not reclining on the couch next to the Queen.

"Yes, I have been eager to hear of you.",

The woman seemed uncomfortable with the Recliner’s couch, choosing instead to sit in it with her hands clasped on her legs.` Where her mysterious Red and Black silken robes flowed down the couch to reveal her bare legs and strange sandals.

“Perhaps you can tell me your tale, and I can tell you of my need.”

Her voice rang in the hall like a chime. The figure lifted up her hand enveloped in a large drooping sleeve as she pleaded for them to speak.