First Year of Nero, the City-State of Thebes, under the reign of Lord Vitellus.

The messengers of Lord Amiran arrived at Thebes. A few months after the death of Claudius, Amiran was ready to let Arete return to Syracuse to reunite with him. The 8 years old lady did not packed anything despite given fine silk, jewelries and fancy wines to be along her journey.

Her maids were all anxious as they do not wish to leave Thebes.

“Syracuse is a city-state that worshiped Athena as their pantheon, just like Athens.” The maids said.

“They adopted the Stoic practice and could be in war anytime.” One of them whispered.

“Not like Thebes, Lord Vitellus would avoid any war simply sending whatever earth and water they want.”

“Of course, I prefer the Epicurean way!” They said.

The maids used to have their small talks during their lunch time at the kitchen, a space for them to take a short break. They never noticed Agave who used to hide herself above the empty top shelves of the wine cellar. Munching on the freshly baked sweat bread and the reserved wine, she heard their small talks clearly.

Well, those nosy maids! They use to bad mouth about me, but when it comes to leaving Thebes with their ‘most beloved Lady Arete’, they chickened out!

Poor cuzzie, those maids are not some loyal servants. Hmm… she never had playmates too.

That day, Arete left Thebes without taking anything from Thebes. Guided by the two messengers sent by Lord Amiran from Syracuse, and a few pieces of tunic, she left.

Agave did not bet farewell. But she ran to the city gates, climbed up to the oak tree. Staring at the two messengers and the lady’s cart. They left Thebes.

How I wish to follow her to Syracuse. I never been there before. She never played with me, never played with anyone in the temple, although those nosy maids always circling around her, she seemed such a loner. How I wish to get to know more about her. What she thinks, what she likes, and what makes her smile?

* * *

“Where’s my cuzzie? She had left us!” Agave asked.

“Do you know there will be an important festival in Rome in coming month? There will be chariot race, fights, banquets with delicacies and wines.” Petosiris came to them.They were surprised, looking at the nearby river area, they saw some abandoned items. The civilians had left the area, as it was too dusty for them to stay and they unable to go back to the ruined city.

“Damn it! How selfish of her! I wanna go to that festival too!” She whined.

“And then, the real reason you followed Lady Arete to her unknown journey is not about all the great food you can try around the world, Aren’t you?” Petosiris asked with a smile.

“I don’t like you! Oracle!” Pointing her finger at him, Agave dislike being exposed of her true intention. Petosiris simply returned her with a smile.

“We’ll head to the festival! Mate, let’s go!” Agave took her broken thyrsus and hopped on Brownie. While Matea was about to follow along, Petosiris strangely stared at her.

“Weren’t you already freed by Seneca the Younger?” He said.

Clueless about what he was trying to say to her, Matea hopped on Blackie and followed Agave, and so did Pryne with Peggy.

They left Petosiris, heading to Rome.

You had a choice to rebel, a choice to go against the order. What makes you keep running in that waterwheel, running with the flow and filling the aqueduct? A dirt soul incapable of realising choices? Probably. I guess she simply unable to set herself free. Probably. Or she simply choose to be a servant. Probably.

* * *

With the spear tied to her back, Arete was heading to Rome with the galloping Aethon. Realising this was her own journey, either to find an answer about the fate of the Syracuseans, her people, or simply to avange the death of her father. The only way she could accomplish this mission, was to face her enemies by herself, Nero and his imperial advisors, the Three Elders.