annr.pandora-第13章

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ne　else。　Look；　fire。〃　He　told　the　men　to　hurry。
　〃All　right；〃　I　said。　〃Never　say　my　real　name　again。　From　now　on　say　this　name：　My　name　is　Pandora。　I　am　a　Greek　from　Rome。　I　paid　you　to　bring　me　here。〃
　〃You　have　it；　my　dear　Pandora；〃　he　replied。　〃You　are　some　strong　woman。　The　Deed　to　your　new　house　is　made　up　in　a　fake　name　with　less　charm。　But　the　Deed　verifies　you　are　widowed；　emancipated　and　a　Roman　Citizen。　We'll　get　the　Deed　when　we　pay　up　the　gold；　which　we　won't　do　until　we　are　in　the　house。　And　if　the　man　does　not　give　me　that　Deed　with　everything　written　out　in　full　to　protect　you；　I'll　strangle　him！〃
　〃You're　very　clever；　Jacob；〃　I　said　wearily。
　On　and　on　went　this　dark　bouncing　journey　in　the　litter　until　at　last　it　came　to　a　halt。　I　could　hear　the　metal　key　turning　in　the　lock　of　the　gate；　and　then　we　were　brought　into　the　large　vestibule　of　the　house　itself。
　I　should　have　waited　out　of　consideration　for　my　guardians；　but　frantically　I　limbed　out　of　this　miserable　little　black　veiled　prison；　throwing　off　the　cloak　and　taking　a　deep　breath。
　We　were　in　the　broad　vestibule　of　a　fine　house；　with　great　charm　to　it　and　much　ingenuity　in　its　decoration。
　Even　now；　my　thoughts　scattered；　I　saw　the　lionhead　fountain　right　near　the　gate　through　which　we'd　just　e；　and　I　washed　my　feet　in　the　cool　of　the　water。
　The　receiving　room；　or　atrium；　was　huge；　and　beyond　it　I　saw　the　rich　couches　of　the　dining　room　on　the　far　side　of　a　rather　large　enclosed　garden　…　the　peristyle。
　It　was　not　my　massive　ancient　opulent　old　home　on　the　Palatine　Hill；　which　had　grown　new　corridors　and　rooms　over　many　generations；　penetrating　its　broad　gardens。
　It　was　a　bit　too　glossy。　But　it　was　grand。　All　the　walls　were　freshly　painted　with　a　more　Oriental　bent；　I　think　…　more　swirls　and　serpentine　lines。　How　could　I　judge？　I　could　have　fainted　from　relief。　Would　people　really　leave　me　alone　here？
　There　sat　the　desk　in　the　atrium；　and　near　it　books！　Along　the　porticoes　flanking　the　garden；　I　saw　the　many　doors；　I　looked　up　and　saw　the　second…story　windows　dosed　on　the　porches。　Splendor。　Safety。
　The　mosaic　floors　were　old；　I　knew　the　style；　the　festive　figures　of　the　Saturnalia　on　parade。　They　had　to　have　been　brought　here　from　Italy。'
　Little　real　marble；　plastered　columns；　but　so　many　well…executed　murals　full　of　the　requisite　happy　nymphs。
　I　went　out　into　the　soft　wet　grass　of　the　peristyle　and　looked　up　at　the　blue　sky。
　I　wanted　only　to　breathe；　but　now　came　the　moment　of　truth　regarding　my　belongings。　I　was　too　dazed　to　ask　about　what　was　mine。　And　as　it　turned　out；　no　such　thing　was　necessary。
　Jacob　and　David　first　did　an　entire　inventory　of　the　household　furnishings　they　were　purchasing　for　me；　as　I　stood　there　staring　at　them　in　near　disbelief　at　their　patience　with　detail。
　And　when　they'd　found　every　room　quite　fine；　and　a　bedchamber　down　the　hall　to　the　right；　and　a　small　open　garden　somewhere　to　the　left；　beyond　the　kitchen；　they　went　upstairs；　found　things　proper　and　then　unloaded　my　possessions。　Trunk　followed　trunk。
　Then　to　my　utter　shock；　Jacob's　father；　David；　drew　out　a　scroll　and　actually　started　taking　a　full　inventory　of　everything　that　belonged　to　me；　from　hairpins　to　ink　and　gold。
　Jacob　was　meantime　sent　on　an　errand！
　I　could　see　the　hasty　writing　of　my　Father　on　this　inventory　that　David　read　under　his　breath。
　〃Personal　toilet　articles；〃　David　said　in　final　summation　of　one　portion　of　this　examination。　〃Clothes；　one；　two；　three　trunks　…　to　the　largest　bedroom；　go！　Household　plate　to　the　kitchen。　Books　here？〃
　〃Yes；　please。〃　I　was　too　shocked　at　his　honesty　and　meticulousness　to　speak
　〃Ah；　so　many　books！〃
　〃Fine；　don't　count　them。〃　I　said。
　〃I　cannot；　you　see；　these　Fragile。。。〃
　〃Yes；　I　know。　Carry　on。〃
　〃You　want　your　ivory　and　ebony　shelves　assembled　here　in　the　front　room？〃
　〃Magnificent。〃
　I　slumped　down　on　the　floor；　only　to　be　lifted　at　once　by　two　helpful　Asian　slaves　and　settled　in　an　amazingly　soft　cross…legged　Roman　chair。　I　was　given　a　cup　of　fresh　dean…smelling　water。　I　drank　it　down；　thought　of　blood。　Closed　my　eyes。
　〃Ink；　writing　materials　on　the　desk？〃　asked　the　old　man。
　〃If　you　will；〃　I　sighed。
　〃Now；　everybody　out；〃　said　the　old　man；　dispensing　coins　quickly　and　generously　to　these　Asian　slaves；　who　bowed　from　the　waist　and　backed　out　of　the　room；　nearly　stumbling　over　each　other。
　I　was　about　to　try　to　form　some　sensible　words　of　gratitude　when　a　fresh　brace　of　slaves　rushed　in　…　nearly　colliding　with　the　departing　crew　…　carrying　baskets　of　everything　edible　that　a　marketplace　could　yield；　including　at　least　nine　kinds　of　bread；　jugs　of　oil；　melons；　green　vegetables　and　much　smoked　food　that　would　last　for　days　…　fish；　beef　and　exotic　sea　creatures　dried　out　to　look　like　parchment。
　At　once　to　the　kitchen；　save　for　a　plate　of　olives　and　cheese　and　bread　at　once　for　the　lady　on　that　table　to　her　left。　Fetch　the　lady's　wine；　which　her　Father　has　sent。
　Oh；　how　incredible。　My　Father's　wine。
　Then　everyone　was　ordered　out　again　with　lots　of　coins　freely　given　and　the　old　man　at　once　returned　to　his　inventory。
　〃Jacob；　e　here；　count　for　me　this　gold　as　I　read　off　the　list　to　you！　Plate；　coin；　more　coin；　jewels　of　exceptional　value？　Coin；　bars　of　gold。　Yes。。。〃
　On　and　on　they　went；　rushing　at　it。
　Where　had　my　Father　hidden　all　this　gold？　I　couldn't　imagine　it。
　What　was　I　going　to　do　with　it？　Were　they　really　going　to　let　me　keep　this？　They　were　honest　men　but　this　was　such　a　fortune。
　〃You　must　wait　until　everyone　is　gone；〃　said　David；　〃and　then　hide　this　gold　yourself　in　various　places　about　the　house。　You　will　find　such　places。　We　cannot　do　that　for　you；　for　then　we　would　know　where　it　was。　Your　jewels'？　Some　I　leave　here　to　be　hidden　for　they　are　much　too　valuable　to　be　flashed　abroad　among　the　populace　in　your　first　days。〃　He　opened　a　casket　of　gems。　〃See　this　ruby？　It　is　superb。　Look　at　the　size　of　it。　This　can　feed　you　for　the　rest　of　your　life　if　sold　to　an　honest　man　for　half　of　its　worth。　Every　jewel　in　this　box　is　exceptional。　I　know　jewels。　These　are　hand…picked　from　the　finest。　See　these　pearls？　Perfection。〃　He　returned　the　ruby　and　the　pearls　to　the　casket　and　shut　the　lid。
　〃Yes；〃　I　said　weakly。
　〃Pearls；　more　gold；　silver；　plate。。。〃　he　muttered。　〃It's　all　here！　We　should　take　more　care　but。。。〃
　〃Oh；　no；　you　have　done　wonders；〃　I　declared。
　I　stared　at　the　bread　and　the　wine　in　the　cup。　My　Father's　wine　bottle。　My　Father's　amphorae　around　the　room。
　〃Pandora；〃　said　Jacob；　addressing　me　most　seriously。　〃Here　in　my　hand　is　the　Deed　to　this　house。　And　another　paper　which　describes　your　official　entry　into　the　port　under　your　new　made…up　name；　Julia；　La；　La；　La　and　so　forth。　Pandora；　we　have　to　leave　you。〃
　The　old　man　shook　his　head　and　bit　his　lip。
　〃We　have　to　sail　for　Ephesus；　child；〃　he　said。　〃I　am　ashamed　that　I　must　leave　you；　but　the　harbor　will　soon　be　blocked！〃
　〃There　are　ships　on　fire　already　in　the　harbor；〃　said　Jacob　under　his　breath。　〃They've　pulled　down　the　statue　of　Tiberius　in　the　Forum。〃
　〃The　transaction　is　closed；〃　said　the　old　man　to　me。　〃The　man　who　sold　the　house　has　never　laid　eyes　on　you　and　does　not　know　your　real　name；　and　there　is　no　evidence　of　it　remaining　here。　Those　were　not　his　slaves　who　brought　you　here。〃
　〃You've　done　miracles　for　me；〃　I　said。
　〃You　are　on　your　own；　my　beautiful　Roman　princess；〃　Jacob　said。　〃It　hurts　my　soul　to　leave　you　like　this。〃
　〃We　must；〃　said　the　old　man。
　〃Don't　go　out　for　three　days；〃　said　Jacob；　ing　near　to　me；　about　as　near　as　he　could；　as　if　he　even　meant　to　break　all　the　rules　and　kiss　my　cheek。　〃There　are　enough　legions　here　to　quell　this　riot；　but　they　will　let　it　burn　itself　out；　rather　than　slaughter　Roman　citizens。　And　forget　those　Greek　friends。　Their　house　is　already　an　inferno。〃
　They　turned　to　leave！
　〃Were　you　well　paid　for　all　this？〃　I　asked。　〃If　not；　take　from　my　gold　now；　freely。　I　insist！〃
　〃Don't　even　think　of　such　things；〃　said　the　old　man。　〃But　for　your　peace　of　mind；　know　this：　your　Father　staked　me　twice　after　my　ships　were　captured　by　pirates　in　the　Adriatic。　Your　Father　put　his　money　in　with　mine　and　I　made　profits　for　both　of　us。　The　Greek　owed　your　Father　money。　Worry　about　those　matters　no　more。　But　we　must　go！〃
　〃God　be　with　you；　Pandora；〃　said　Jacob。
　Jewels。　Where　were　the　jewels？　I　leapt　up　and　opened　the　casket。　There　were　hundreds　of　them；　flawless；　dazzlingly　clear　and　exquisitely　polished。　I　saw　their　value；　their　clarity　and　the　care　of　the　polishing。　I　took　the　big　egg…shaped　ruby　David　had　shown　to　me　and　then　another　just　like　it　and　thrust　them　at　the　two　men。
　They　put　up　their　hands　to　say　No。
　〃Oh；　but　you　must；〃　I　said；　〃Give　me　this　respect。　Confirm　for　me　that　I　am　a　free　Roman　woman　and　that　I　shall　live　as　my　Father　told　me　to　do！　It　will　give　me　courage！　Take　this　from　me。〃
　David　shook　his　head　sternly；　but　Jacob　took　the　ruby。
　〃Pandora；　here；　the　keys。　Follow　us　and　lock　the　gate　at　the　street　and　then　the　doors　to　the　vestibule。　Don't　fear。　There　are　lamps　everywhere。　Plenty　of　oil　…〃
　〃Go！〃　I　said　as　they　passed　over　the　threshold。　I　locked　the　gate　and　held　to　the　bars；　staring　at　them。
　If　you　can't　get　out；　if　you　need　me；　e　back
　here；〃　I　said。
　〃We　have　our　own　people　here；〃　Jacob　said　soothingly。　〃Thank　you　from　my　heart　for　the　beautiful　ruby；　Pandora。　You　will　survive。　Go　back　in；　bolt　the　doors。〃
　I　made　it　to　the　chair　but　I　did　not　sit　in　it。　Rather　I　collapsed　and　prayed；　〃Lares　familiares。。。　spirits　of　the　house；　I　should　find　your　altar。　Wele　me；　please；　I　bring　no　ill　will　to　anyone。　I　will　heap　your　altar　with　flowers　and　light　your　fire。　Give　me　patience。　Let　me。。。　rest。〃
　Yet　I　did　nothing　but　sit　in　shock　on　the　floor；　my　hands　limp；　for　hours　as　the　daylight　waned。　As　the　strange　little　house　grew　dark
　A　blood　dream　began；　but　I　wouldn't　have　it。　Not　that　alien　Temple。　Not　the　altar；　no！　Not　the　blood。　I　banished　it　and　imagined　I　was　home。
　I　was　a　little　girl。　Dream　of　that；　I　told　myself；　of　listening　to　my　eldest　brother；　Antony；　talk　of　war　in　the　North；　driving　the　mad　Germans　back　to　the　sea！　He　had　so　loved　Germanicus。　So　had　my　other　brothers。　Lucius；　the　young　one；　he　was　so　weak　by　nature。　It　broke　my　heart　to　think　of　him　crying　out　for　mercy　as　soldiers　cut　him　down。
　The　Empire　was　the　world。　All　that　lay　beyond　was　chaos　and　misery　and　struggle　and　strife。　I　was　a　soldier。　I　could　fight。　I　dreamt　I　was　putting　on　my　armor。　My　brother　said；　〃I　am　so　relieved　to　discover　you　are　a　man；　I　always　thought　so。〃
　I　didn't　waken　till　the　following　morning。
　And　then　it　was　that　grief　and　pain　made　themselves　known　to　me　as　never　before。
　Note　this。　Because　I　knew　the　full　absurdity　of　Fate　and　Fortune　and　Nature　more　truly　than　a　human　can　bear　to　know　it。　And　perhaps　the　description　of　this；　brief　as　it　is；　may　give　consolation　to　another。　The　worst　takes　its　time　to　e；　and　then　to　pass。
　The　truth　is；　you　cannot　prepare　anyone　for　this；　nor　convey　an　understanding　of　it　through　language。　It　must　be　known。　And　this　I　would　wish　on　no　one　in　the　world。
　I　was　alone。　I　went　from　room　to　room　of　this　small　house；　ba