Emericus staggered into Lysandra's room with the potted fig tree. He then, by strict instruction from Lysandra, moved it slightly one way or the other until she was satisfied with its position. By the time Emericus got to the kitchen, he slumped onto the floor and leaned his head against the wall. His heavy breaths rivaled the sound of a knife on wood and Gaia turned her attention from the lamb leg she cubed.

"Where have you been all day?"

"Carrying a tree through the city," Emericus huffed. Supported by the wall, he pulled himself up and over to the water bucket. He gulped down two cups and turned to Gaia while sipping a third. "What needs to be done?"

She looked at him concerned. "I have the kitchen under control. You could weed the garden. But eat something first. I don't want you collapsing in the herbs."

He broke off a piece of bread and left the kitchen through the garden door. He took a deep breath, stretched his arms, and got to work. The sound from the kitchen held him company for a while until the lamb stew was served and Gaia got a moment of rest. When the clatter of plates returned, he rose on stale legs. In the kitchen, he washed off the worst of the dirt and sweat.

He faced Gaia with fake confidence. "Where is that wine master Hadrianus likes? I need to ask him... something."

She stopped with the plates still in her hands, hesitated, and then moved her head towards one of the cupboards. "Choose your words carefully, you don't need more trouble."

"I know. I will." He took out the wine and a glass and slowly walked to the dining room with the heart in his throat.

Emericus found the dining room empty and went to knock on the door to master Hadrianus's study.

"Come in," a tired voice answered.

Emericus pushed open the door and peeked inside.

Master Hadrianus looked up from a dark, wooden desk on which he was in the process of sorting papers. "What?"

Emericus gripped the wine jug hard enough to whiten his knuckles. "I'm sorry to bother you. I brought you some wine." He put the glass down next to a pile of papers, and fortunately, managed to fill it with a steady hand.

Master Hadrianus took a sip and returned his attention to the papers. "Anything else?" he said when Emericus didn't leave.

"Yes, Master. I was thinking. Hypothetically. If you don't mind me asking-"

"Out with it."

Emericus swallowed past the lump forming in his throat. "How much do I cost?"

Hadrianus put the papers down and raised an eyebrow at Emericus.

"How much would I need to pay to buy my freedom?" Emericus rephrased.

Hadrianus leaned his elbows on the table and propped his chin on his grasped hands. "I bought you for 300 silver. You were cheap, a good investment. Now you're a grown man. I'd say that price has doubled."

"600 silver?" Emericus gasped.

"Was that all?"

"Y-yes, Master." Emericus bowed, turned on his heel, and left the study. The colour in his face had seeped down into his hands, making them warm and sticky while leaving his cheeks ghostly pale.

When Emericus had finished his chores in the kitchen, he washed the dried sweat off his body, got a pair of blankets, and sat down on the floor with a piece of bread. The air was still warm from the oven.

He took out his three copper coins. They gleamed in the light of a single candle as he spun them in his fingers.

Were the risk of giving up decent food and a warm place to sleep worth 600 silver if he could be with Bion? Or would he be willing to run away, risking his life, to be with someone he barely knew? On a boat nonetheless.

He laid down on the floor and cocooned himself in the blanket, hoping to wake up with other options. However, the morning brought no clarity but a blue sky. Emericus hurried to the port with a piece of bread in one hand and a basket in the other. He needed to speak to Bion. Hopefully, he'd be able to calm the storm in his mind.

Lysandra had promised to buy him as much time with Bion as she could. But what difference would that make? He shrugged off the hopelessness. At least he would get to see Bion.

The port was cramped with sailors, merchants and slaves, all set to accomplish their goals for the day. Bion was somewhat separated from them in his boat, catching up with the cleaning he had started the day before.

Emericus stopped a meter from the boat. "We need to talk. Preferably where it isn't as crowded. I don't know how much time I have."

Bion rose and dried his hands on his clothes. "Then we shouldn't waste any. Let's just talk here, in the boat."

Emericus inched back, his gaze desperately searching for another private place.

"You said you'd try." Bion reached out a hand. "I'll be right by your side."

Emericus took a long, deep breath, wiped his sweaty palms, and gripped Bion's hand. He strained his mind to focus on Bion's brown eyes as he stepped on board.

"You're doing great. See? There's nothing to worry about."

"Mm-hm." Emericus held Bion's hand in an iron grip as if he'd fall through the deck if he relaxed for a moment.

"Do you want something to drink? It might calm your nerves."

Emericus nodded.

"Okay. For that, I'm gonna need my hand." Bion led him to the middle of the deck and placed his other hand on his shoulder. "Sit here and I'll be back faster than you can cook nuts."

Emericus wrinkled his brow, let go of Bion's hand, and sank to the floor. "That's not how the saying goes. You can't cook nuts."

Bion sat down in front of him with a bottle of wine and a smile. "I know." He handed the bottle to Emericus who took a swing and handed it back. "Now, what do we need to talk about?" Bion took a swing himself.

"600 silver." Emericus took another swing of the wine. "I need 600 silver to buy myself. I have 3 pieces of copper. And I don't even know what I'd get for it. A life on a boat?" He looked around with a hint of disgust and fear. "No offense."

Bion shrugged. "None taken. Although," he said as he covered Emericus's hands with his own. "I'd appreciate it if you'd explain why that thought scares you. Or boats in general."

A couple of waves rocked the boat and Emericus slammed his eyes shut and grabbed Bion's hands. "That. That feeling. It's like being on a slave ship again."

Bion steadied his trembling hands in his. "Open your eyes. Look, you're here with me."

"It was so long ago. Why does it bother me like this?" Emericus sighed. "You must think I'm being ridiculous."

"Don't say that. Just being here, right now, makes you brave. You can't just forget something like that." Bion cupped the side of Emericus's face and waited for him to relax. "You said we didn't have much time, so let's focus. You have three copper and I think I have 22 silvers and a handful of coppers saved. Then there are only about 577 silvers left. If you put your mind to it, I bet you'd be able to earn more from your stories. And I earn about half a silver every day."

Emericus smiled faintly. "We could try. Thank you."

"Any time." Bion smiled back. "And just to be sure; you still don't want to leave? I could set sail right now and we could wave goodbye to Vesuvius before you'd be able to understand how to cook nuts."

Emericus chuckled, momentarily forgetting the rocking of the boat. "As I said, I don't want to die. But I'll keep your offer in mind. And, by the way, you haven't seen Vesuvius up close yet. I wouldn't want you to miss out on that."

They glanced up at the mountain on which peak a light grey cloud rested.

Oh no.

Emericus reluctantly said goodbye to Bion and left half the weight on his shoulders on Aquila, blissfully unaware of what that cloud foreshadowed.