The writer sits down and begins to write. It is so hard to get time to oneself…managing the slaves, the vineyards, and the holdings in Africa. He is determined that the world shall know his true worth. The night previous he had dreamed that the muse of epic poetry Calliope made love to him in a rain drenched forest. This would be the day to write his epic.
The Shepherd had lived at the base of Mount Olympus for most of his life. He had hunted in the lush forests, and fished the great rivers. However, he was a young and foolish shepherd who did not believe in the gods.
The children burst into his study and demand his attention. He plays ball with them before sending for the house slave to keep them entertained.
One day the shepherd discovered a pool, that shined brighter than a fire. He stood dumbfounded behind a bush…tree and watched the Goddess Ceres…Athena walk out from its depths.
There is a knock on the door. Bellico the slave says the mistress is shouting his name. Julia, the younger, is on the other side of the villa, but she thinks he can hear her every word…even that far away…even if it is whispered. Her voice grows angry…and writer drops his stylus and heads for the door.
“Hurry, master. She is angry,” Bellico says with his voice shaking in fear.
“BLAST THE GODS…NOT A MOMENT’S PEACE! NEPTUNE’S BALLS, WHAT MUST I DO TO BE LEFT ALONE!” the writer shouts as he stomps down the hall towards her voice.
Julia is writing a book herself, and wants his opinion on chapter four.
