Chapter 5 War Temple Cemetery (1)
"Where am I sorry for you, making me poor like this?" An ancient Egyptian widower cried before his dead wife's grave. Ancient residents believed that dead relatives could play the role of "arbitration" between two worlds
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"Oh, you said that this is how you fight in Gaul? When all the soldiers were surrounded, they had to use their shields to resist the swords of the barbarians' swords and swords?" In the courtyard's reception room, there were pink walls such as shells and fish bones. Atya widened her eyes and sat on the couch opposite her guardian with enthusiasm. While drinking pomegranate wine, she listened carefully to the talkative and handsome guest talking about the anecdotes of all parties.
This is the long-lost breeze in her house. After her husband passed away, due to his identity, she rarely attended gatherings between Roman ladies. Because her husband was just a knight and had no prestigious figures to visit, she was just a closed wealthy widow in the city of Seven Hills. She was originally waiting for her uncle to come back from Gaul and could arrange a new and decent marriage for her, but who would have thought that her uncle, who was the clan leader, had a document and arranged a guardian for her and her children.
At that time, Atya had thought about whether this young guardian in his early thirties would have the same wavy short hair as the usual Roman nobles, wearing pale fabric robe, sometimes speaking in a deformed Greek accent, sometimes mixed with rough Latin, and counting honors and official positions all day long, looking down on women, and beating and executing domestic slaves at will. His biggest hobby at home was not to talk about love with his wife, but to stand in the yard and sprinkle millet to feed chickens.
However, when Li Bida appeared in front of her, it was like giving her a surprise. His soft and iron-smoothed oriental black hair, his speech was neither humble nor arrogant, concise and contagious. He was indeed a hero who returned from the battlefield and a foreign country, but he was not as arrogant as the centurion and the big-headed soldiers, and he was polite to anyone. But this kind of politeness was not that kind of overwhelming. When the slave handed over the dining utensils, his gratitude was short and powerful. When he talked to him, his eyes were always gentle and sincere, without any intention of flattery or seduction, which made people feel very comfortable. "No wonder the Gatu family and the others were so disgusted with foreigners. Rather than saying that they were disgusting such people, they were afraid." This was Atiya's final conclusion.
Even when he was talking about how the craftsmen in Thebes, Egypt made their bows and arrows, they were much more interesting than those politicians who came to the axe and shouted.
"You were exiled before and returned to Rome without authorization?" When Atya finally heard this topic, she covered her mouth with her hands in surprise and excitement. To be honest, she has always been ignorant of the judgment of the Hundred People Group, and she would not know the past of this guardian. But now she is in a mood that she is actually having an interview with a charming exile. Perhaps other women will be afraid of the identity of this "exiled". But for Atya, who is curious about everything, she is actually giving extra points.
"Yes, I risk my life just to correct the unfair treatment of the law and politics to protect my master, even if I pay the price of death in Rome." The other party's awesome answer moved Atiya even more. At this time, a small colorful ball passed through the ground in the living room and touched Li Bida's feet. Then he saw a light yellow-haired child with a golden dolphin hanging around his neck on his neck. He stood there restrainedly, looking at his mother and guests, but before his mother could say anything, he saluted Li Bida politely. Then he walked forward and leaned forward to pick up the ball, saluted Li Bida again, and then walked at the pace that children of this age rarely had. Although they were sick, they were very regular, and went to the courtyard again with the slaves.
"He is a child who is too reassuring. He is different from the children of ordinary Roman citizens. He neither goes to the streets to play with other children, nor likes Trojans and wooden swords. He is weak and sick, but he continues to grow up tangibly. On weekdays, he only likes to read some simple books in his study, or play Egyptian chess with his sister." Atiya looked at the thin back of his son Tulinus and commented with some melancholy. Li Bida just smiled and thought to himself, "Maybe you don't know that Tulinus will become the sacred Augustus in the future, but it's okay. The one who often doesn't understand children the least in the world is their parents."
"Oh, you just mentioned your wish to return to Rome this time. Is there anything that the Octavian family can help you? If there is a shortage of money, please don't be stingy and I can let the account slaves raise funds at any time." Atiya was very cheerful.
No, no money is needed, Li Bida hurriedly explained that at the Temple of War, there will be a festival that all Roman cities will participate in. According to the custom, your family needs to send male members to participate.
Atya pondered and said in a hesitant tone, "My family has no males to act as priests, and Gaius has other branches, you should understand."
"I don't want to act as a priest. Just let me get into the team. I promise that I will never get into your family." Li Bida said with a serious expression. Atiya covered her mouth and smiled. She happily agreed to the guardian's request without any hesitation. Moreover, Roman law stipulates that after the exile returns to the state independently, the safety of his life is not guaranteed, but it has never been said that people have the obligation to take his life. In fact, the act of protection always exists, and it is rarely severely held accountable.
"Then I say goodbye, noble lady, I am very happy for your hospitality, but I cannot stay here for the sake of your family's reputation. I just want my years to pass as soon as possible and see the day when the little girl Corinna and Tulinus got married." Li Bida also stood up respectfully and said goodbye to Atya.
In the early morning of the festival, when the deacon slaves of the temple began to arrange cleaning in the square to the school grounds in groups of three or three, they suddenly discovered that in the lonely light under the morning star, "spectators" had arrived. About a dozen strong men covered in black cloaks sat on the edge of the fence and the podium, motionless and fiercely lit, the slaves did not dare to speak much. After finishing the task with biting the bullet, they hid in the temple yard.
On the first day of the morning, the temporary priests composed of men from the Gaius family entered the square altar one after another. Li Bida became a slave carrying a holy weapon behind him, following along. Under the guidance of the professional priest of the God of War Temple, he began to sacrifice the cattle's half-cooked internal organs, and was surrounded by devout citizens.
When the priests began to sing in unison, there was a legend about the internal organs of half-cooked cattle and let the god of war protect the martial spirit of the Romans, a riot occurred on the other end of the square, and a group of noble young men shouted slogans, carried someone's coffin and walked towards this side! (To be continued...)
Chapter completed!