Book I: Chapter 5 | Gens Romani

All night they labor. By morning, Cook is well enough to sit up and breathe better.

Bird Catcher embraces him, relieved. “Thank you.”

Barbara asks, “Who are you all?”

“We are from another world.”

“Like the Great Hero?”

“Who?”

“Long ago, the Great Hero came from elsewhere, fought monsters, and saved the world. Our parents worked for him.”

Pliny murmurs to Pompanianus: “This sounds like a founding myth. They confuse parents with ancestors.”

Bird Catcher: “How can we help you?”

Pompanianus: “Do you have elders on this island?”

“No. Just us. Our parents died. At least since last winter.”

When they see the fortifications built, Pliny suggests, “Why don’t you return to your campsite? We’ll decide what to do.”

But Bird Catcher insists, “I’m staying here.”

Barbara agrees. Pompanianus and Pliny relent. “If you are under our care, we will adopt you.”

Pliny: “If we do this, we will adopt you as children.”

Bird Catcher: “Yes.”

Barbara: “Yes.”

“You don’t understand. We must teach you to be Roman.”

“That sounds great.”

Pliny: “Then we must give you names.”

Barbara points out, “You already gave me a name, Remember. I'm Barbara!”

Pompanianus chuckles. Pliny looks almost sad he adds. “What was your mother’s name?”

“Sylvia.”

“Then Barbara Plinia Sylvia, is your name.”

Tears fall from Barbara's eyes and she rushes to embrace the man.

And what about us, Bird catcher then turns to Pompanianus. She stands up tall to look at the seated man in the eye. He might be shorter, but we are twins. Our Mother's name was Midoria.

:How about Romula and Remus?" The man suggested.

Pliny interrupts. "I'd caution against that, unless you want to find out which one becomes Remus."

"Point acknowledged, verywell. Castra and Pollux, The Gemini Twins then."

"Who were they?" Pollux sat up, still struggling to breathe but excited.

"Twins, famed for their boxing and hunting."

Castra and Pollux barely get time to take in their new names before the other orphans crowd the two Romans.