Free Pello Island: Cassia by A.L. Jambor Page A

lift her spirits.  
    She tried to put thoughts of Darius out of her mind, but she couldn’t help remembering the first time she met him, in her father’s house, two thousand years ago.
     

Rome - Cassia's Fifteenth Birthday
    Cassia stretched.  She was so cozy that she wanted to stay in bed forever, but she and Novia had to go to the market.  She looked toward the window and saw that the sun was already up.  She knew she had no time to waste.
    Cassia put her feet on the floor.  Her back was stiff from working on the spindle.  Her father still fostered dreams of Cassia marrying into a noble family, even though she was 15 years of age today.  Her mother had been married three years by that time.  Cassia rarely thought of her mother, but when she did, it was with deep sadness and regret.  Cassia shook her head, forcing the image of Agatha’s lifeless body out of her mind.  She stood up and walked over to the window.
    Cassia looked out into the courtyard she shared with several other domus.  She could see the slaves tending the gardens.  Cassia had talked her father into freeing their slaves and keeping them on as hired servants. Quintus hadn’t liked the idea, but he still felt ashamed.  Since that day three years ago, Quintus had tried to atone for his misjudgment and the consequences of his anger.  Any request Cassia made of him he granted.  Cassia was aware of Quintus’ efforts and tried not to take advantage of him.  She loved her father despite everything, and she still wanted to please him.
    She breathed in the morning air as she leaned on the edge of the window. Cassia loved watching the birds fly around the courtyard; they seemed so carefree.  Novia entered her room and broke her reverie.
    “Cassia, we really must be going,” she said.
    Novia walked over to Cassia and pulled her away from the window.  She helped Cassia change her dress, and then fixed her hair.  When Novia was satisfied, they walked through the atrium toward the shop.  Cassia would always glance at the place where Agatha had fallen.  There was a table there now and a new couch pushed up against the far wall.  The two women hurried to the shop and passed Flavius filling the spice jars.
    “Good morning, Flavius!”  Cassia called as they left the shop.  For a woman of advanced years, Novia could walk extremely fast, and Cassia wanted to stroll to the Forum while gazing into shop windows as they passed.
    Cassia felt so constrained by her life.  The only places she ever went to were the Forum and the Temple, and even at the Forum they only shopped for food.  She knew that if she were married, she would have more freedom, but she was loath to bring up the subject. Quintus’ single-mindedness regarding the nobility made any other choice of a husband unthinkable.  So, every day she would walk to the Forum with Novia, trailing behind and hoping to catch a glimpse of something new and exciting.
    “Stay with me, Cassia, or I’ll make you hold my hand like a child.”
    Even though Cassia was now in charge of the household, she still deferred to Novia.  Without the presence of a strong matriarch, Novia had taken to forgetting her place as a servant and would issue orders, even when Cassia was present.  Quintus had witnessed one such display and had taken Novia to task for it.  She’d apologized and humbled herself, and Quintus had forgiven her.  But she’d soon forgotten his admonitions and begun issuing orders once again.  Cassia didn’t really mind Novia taking over the household duties as it gave her more time to daydream.
    As she trailed along behind Novia, they entered the Forum.  The crowds had thinned out and Novia frowned.
    “We’re too late.  The best will already be gone.  We’ll have to settle for the leftovers,” she said.
    “Oh, Novia, we’ve never had to before.  Come, let’s go to Amatus’ first.”
    Cassia grabbed Novia’s hand and pulled her to the last in a long line of carts.  Amatus had