OOC: This post follows from here.

Idris rolled his eyes and chuckled. Bedding Hermes had never crossed his mind, and even now that Sextus had hinted at the opportunity, he wasn’t tempted. He felt a warm glow in his stomach when they again passed the gate with the recently painted sign of Rufio’s estate, caused by two pleasant, yet contradicting emotions. On the one hand, since he’d left his village he’d never felt so at home like he did in Pompeii and also where his friends now lived, the estate. On the other hand, equally strong, he was inwardly whooping with joy to be on the road again, even more that he was on the road with the man he loved. And, as an additional bonus, once they had passed Nuceria Alfaterna it was new territory for him.

At this time, late in the morning, the road was alive with other travellers and ox carts piled high with goods transported from Pompeii to the markets and merchants away from the coast. A continuous breeze from the sea whipped the dust of the road ahead of them, making it awkward to talk to the rider behind. Nuceria Alfaterna was already in sight when the traffic suddenly clogged and then came to a standstill. Both Sextus and Idris craned their necks to find out what was going on, but all they could see were the heads of other travellers – craning their necks to find out what was going on, muttering among themselves. The sounds grew louder as the news spread, until finally one member of the party in front of them turned aside, spat onto the ground in disgust and cursed at length in a language Idris didn’t understand but was able to identify as Greek.

Sextus and Hermes, however, understood and groaned in unison. “There was an accident; two carts got entangled somehow, the gate is blocked for a while”, the Roman explained swiftly before he turned around and passed the news to the travellers behind them, inciting another flow of curses – this time in Latin. Idris rolled his eyes and added a few choice comments of his own. Soon it became obvious that they would be stuck for a good deal longer as both carts had to be unloaded and carried aside until the Pompeiian Gate was clear to pass again. Movement rippled like a wave through the lines of travellers as many of them dismounted, Sextus, Idris and Hermes among them.

The road had led them away from the sea; according to Sextus they would reach it again shortly before Salernum where they had intended to spend the night. The Silure gazed up at the sun. “Do you think we’ll reach Salernum today, despite the delay?” Sextus shrugged. “If they manage to remove those blasted carts speedily, yes, we can still make it there. If not”, another elaborate shrug, “we’ll have to stay at Nuceria for the night.”

After what seemed to have been ages, the obstacle was removed and the groups of travellers dissolved as swiftly as they’d gathered to commiserate and gossip. The lovers bid good bye to Oppius Memmius Afer, a rotund and balding wine merchant from Rhegium on his way back home after a visit to his daughter and her family in Puteoli. The cheerful man had joined them for a chat to pass the time, and then he had entertained them with outrageously funny stories, most of them revolving around his precocious grandson (of whom he was exceptionally proud) and his purportedly addle-brained son-in-law (of whom he wasn’t exactly proud). They had shared what was left of the food a doting Doris had packed for Sextus, and, sporting a smug smile, Oppius had thrown in a bottle of his best (“I never travel without – you never know!”).

Already astride on his horse and surrounded by his bodyguards, the merchant turned around again. “Don’t forget to pay me a visit should you ever happen to be anywhere near Rhegium!” “We will, thank you, Oppius Memmius”, Sextus called back. The merchant feigned a stern look. “I mean it. You’re welcome, anytime.” Idris chuckled and offered his thanks as well.

When they finally mounted their horses again, they were still grinning. “He’s … a bit overwhelming”, Idris observed and imitated their new friend’s accent and habit of speaking at high-speed without bothering to draw breath. “Yes-I-know-I-would-have-been-much-faster-if-I’d-travelled-by-sea-but-honestly-I’m-not-inclined-to-entrust-my-life-to-such-a-contraption-even-if-Neptune-himself-would-rise-from-the-waves-and-grant-me-safe-passage-trust-me-humans-are-not-meant-to—” “Stop it!” Sextus exclaimed and threw up his hands, laughing. “He’s quite nice, though”, the Silure concluded, a little winded.

Considering the late hour, the friends decided to stay in Nuceria for the night. With a bit of luck they found accommodation at a decent caupona. Leaving Hermes behind to watch over their belongings, the lovers entered the main room. The young slave wasn’t unhappy about this arrangement. Despite his repeated announcements, that he couldn’t wait to “see the world”, he was sore from having been atop of a horse all day, and consequently he was a bit disgruntled. He carefully applied the unguent Idris had left behind for him along with a dubious encouragement and a companionable slap on his shoulder. “If you think it hurts now, wait until tomorrow…”