Tree of Truth by James Huss

Author:James Huss [Huss, James]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-06-28T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter XVII

Antimachus collapsed into the arms of elders on either side of him. It seemed they were waiting for him to fall. “Is he okay?” I asked of a poet.

“He does this every time. In a moment he’ll be fine. Only he and a few elders have the skill to recite verse like that at will. And they all from fatigue fall when the Muse from their minds withdraws.”

“The Muse?”

“Yes, of course.” Before I could press further, Antimachus had risen to his feet. Cheers and toasts rang out to him. The rest of the night was quite fuzzy. Shelley could not stop smiling—I think she was drunk. We stumbled to our borrowed tent and fell fast asleep.

*.*.*

I awoke quite suddenly to see Juvenal crouching in the tent doorway. “We have to break camp—the scouts have spied a looter tribe. Pack your things. My uncle wants to meet before you leave.” He darted away. I gently shook Shelley to wake her.

“Shelley. Shelley. We have to go.” She rolled over and ignored me. “Shelley!”

“I’m awake. I’m awake.” She didn’t move. I shook her again. She sat upright, holding her stomach. “I don’t feel so well.” She bolted for the door. She barely made it out of the tent before returning to the earth the feast it had provided her the night before. I held her hair as she vomited wine and plant and beast. Ever-cheerful Ovid came rushing over to us and offered Shelley a cup. She waved it off. “No more—I had too much already.” She was still a little drunk.

“No, my dear—this is no beer. This is the cure for your over-cheer. Drink, drink.” He held the cup to her lips and helped her down the concoction. That contagious smile never left his face, and soon Shelley was smiling too. “Feel better?”

“Yes, much.” He wandered off to heal more victims of the dreaded liquor sickness. Shelley gazed at the chaos unfolding around her. “What’s going on?”

“We have to break camp. A looter tribe is nearby.” We packed our things quickly. “Antimachus wants to see us before we leave.” We found Antimachus with several of the elders plotting their next move.

“Young Marlowe and beautiful Shelley—my apologies for waking thee. But we must flee this camp, and soon. The looters will be here before noon. If it is indeed the city you seek, I will show you the way. It should take less than a day. But first you must guide this elder and his tribe to the sacred hall of books whence great Homer you took.” I gave him directions to the abandoned village where we found the Library. He was as grateful as an explorer who’d stumbled across a treasure map. “We are indebted to your kindness. Before we make our egress, we will show you the street that to the city leads.”

“Before you go, I have something for you.” I took the copy of The Odyssey from my bag and handed it respectfully to Antimachus. “Please. Give this to your nephew.

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