Rhesus stopped to rest for the night. Hed had a long day of traveling, and the night sky was beginning to awaken. Rhesus was glad that the sun decided to stay behind the clouds all day. He was still shaken by the incident at the villa when he touched the light.
He unmounted his horse and tied him to a nearby tree close enough to a stream so the horse could get plenty of water and fresh grass.
Then, he built a small fire and started to whittle a point on the end of a stick to use as a spear, so he could hunt for some fish in the stream.
Once he was finished, Rhesus went to the stream and looked into the cool, dark, flowing waters. He gasped and took a step back in surprise. Although it was twilight, he could not only see fish in the water but details on the fish. He could see stripes, circles, and their earthy silver and green scales. "What is happening to me?" he said half in shock, half in disbelief.
He wasn't sure what was going on, yet he knew it had something to do with the gash on his leg, now healed. "What has Manius done to me?" he murmured to himself.
Although what was occurring seemed to have a salubrious effect, he understood if it was purposely done by Manius, it could not be good.
Rhesus focused on a fish, aimed, and struck it right through the eye with absolute precision. He speared 4 more the same way and returned to the fire to cook and eat them, still in disbelief.
Rhesus devoured all 5 fish, and he still didn't feel satiated. He could have easily eaten another 5. He decided to take his spear back to the stream to look for more to eat.
He caught 3 more fish when he heard a noise coming from the other side of the stream.
In the distance, although it was even darker now, Rhesus could see an elderly man riding on a cart being pulled by a large workhorse.
Rhesus decided to take the fish he speared and retreat to his campsite without waiting for the man to approach.
When the man got close enough, he could see the glow from his fire and stopped.
The man tied his horse to a post along the old dirt road and crossed the stream at a shallow point, stepping carefully as not to slip, then approached the fireside where Rhesus was preparing more fish.
Rhesus could hear every step the man took from the cart to his campsite. Rhesus could even hear the man's strained breathing and racing heart.
He took a moment to catch his breath, holding his hand to his chest, then said, "Hello friend, mind if I join you and camp here for the night?"
He paused, and when Rhesus didn't respond, he continued,
"I've been traveling for many hours now and I'm very tired. It would be a great comfort to know I am not sleeping under the stars alone. An old man such as myself would be an easy target for those with ill intent." He studied Rhesus, waiting for a dialogue to begin.
Without looking up from the fire where he was cooking the fish, Rhesus said "Please, sit."
Rhesus finished cooking the fish and offered a spit to the man, finally lifting his head and making eye contact. The campfire danced in the reflection of his kind and caring eyes. He knew those eyes. They reminded him of something or somewhere that he could not place in his mind.
"Have we met before?" asked Rhesus.
"I think not, friend." The man replied.
"Y-you look familiar," he said, raising a confused brow while trying to scan his memories for a link of recognition.
The man shrugged in response, then lifted his spit as if toasting with a glass of wine, and said "Thank you for the nourishment and for the safety of your camp." then began eating his fish.
After they finished eating both men decided to go to sleep for the night.
That night, Rhesus dreamt of the village he lived in as a child. His mother and father were stern but loving. His father would take him during the day to do outside chores, go hunting, fishing, and to train with a wooden sword to protect himself and his family.
His dream flashed forward to the night his village was attacked. His mother told him to take his sister Sete and hide in the forest. She said she would come to find them when it was over. It was the last time he saw his mom. He picked up little Sete and ran like the wind.
Outside their home, as he ran away, he could see people he knew defending the village. He could see dead and wounded people all around. He saw his father, the leader of the village, fighting with two swords as he struck men down as if he were merely swatting mosquitoes. He wanted to stop and help, but he knew if he did Sete would be in harm's way. He ran until his legs were tired and he couldn't run anymore. He discovered a hole from a tree that blew over in a storm and hid in it. His leg muscles were throbbing and it was sweet relief to get off them. Poor little Sete was so frightened. He couldn't stop her from wailing out for her mother, "Momma, Momma!" He hoped it was far enough away for anyone to hear her.
Next, his dream went to the slave ship and his fight for Sete's life. Fear filled him from top to bottom as he looked into the eyes of the huge slave in front of him. "How can I possibly save her?" he thought. Suddenly, an inexplicable force within gave him the strength to lift the sword he was unable to only moments before. He dispatched the slave with ease, which also terrified him, but at least Sete was safe.
Finally, his dream went to the last time he saw Sete at the auction. He was so afraid she would be sold to someone perverse and evil. After all, he thought, only truly evil people bought other people. He watched as people bid on his sister as if she were a material possession. It sickened him to the core. He felt a flow of strange energy beginning to surge through him, the same as when he was on the ship. He was getting ready to fight his way out and save her when the bidding ended. As the man and woman who won the auction approached the sale pit, his anger grew. Then, he saw them pick her up and hug her. They were showing her affection and trying to calm her in the way a parent would calm a child. The anger and energy surging through him died down.
In his dream, the man looked up and met his eyes. He knew those eyes. They belonged to the man sleeping at his camp.
Then, Rhesus woke up.