Marcus Aurelius Betrayed by Alan Scribner

Author:Alan Scribner [Scribner, Alan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2014-11-27T07:00:00+00:00

XXI

CLIMBING THE LIGHTHOUSE

In the three days following Severus’ interview with Petamon, there was some progress. Severus prepared for Secundus’ trial and listened to the reports of his aides. Straton had succeeded in worming his way into the Moon Gate Serapeum as a devotee and with the help of the young initiate Psen-Mon, had met some of the other priests. Two of them had been in the Rhodes Serapeum at the time of the Paulina Affair and Straton was working on teasing information out of them.

A report from the Prefect said that an expert had confirmed the antiquities he purchased from Isarion were all genuine.

Vulso reported that Secundus and Cupid had, for the most part, remained together in Cupid’s apartment. One night, two girls had gone there and stayed until the next morning.

Severus and Artemisia took a day to go to the Pharos Lighthouse and climb to the top. First, with other tourists, they boarded a wagon which took them up a ramp to an entrance part-way up the first stage – the square almost 300 foot high base. Then they climbed up inside, stopping here and there to peer out the slitted windows. At the top of this level there was an observation deck with a great view and food vendors with snacks and drinks. Severus and Artemisia concentrated on the view, walking around the octagonal base of the next stage enjoying the magnificent, breathtaking scene – the sea on one side, the city on the other. Though most tourists stopped at this stage, some with aching thighs and dizzy from the height, it was only a start for Severus and Artemisia who were determined to go on and up to the fire chamber and reflecting mirror.

The second stage was the octagonal 100 foot tower where they entered and ascended a spiral ramp, along with a few tourists and carts carrying up wood to feed the flame at the top. But at the top of the octagonal tower there was another observation deck. Now almost 400 feet high, 4 times as high as the 10-story insula of Felicula in Rome, they were buffeted about by even stronger winds than below, and were even more amazed by the magnificent panoramic view of the gleaming white city and the sparkling blue-green sea. They could even see to the south past the city to the Nile delta and Egypt itself.

Artemisia flung her arms out wide, with her feet wide apart, and her head tilted upward to the Sun, feeling the wind and smiling into the sky. Then she threw her arms about her husband, whispering into his ear, “If there were no other people around, I would throw off all my clothes and make love to you right here.” Severus put his arms around her and melted in her embrace.

But there was still one more level to go; the third 100-foot tower, circular in shape, leading to the fire chamber and mirror on top. After resting for a bit, they looked up, nodded

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