The Road To Rome

He leaned over and shook Suniaton. 'Wake up!'

The only response was an irritated grunt.

'Suni!' This time, Ha

'Hey!' Suniaton cried, sitting up. 'What's that for?'

Ha

All semblance of drunke

'It had to be two hours or more,' Ha

'Well?' Suniaton could not keep the fear from his voice.

Ha

What little colour there had been in Suniaton's face drained away. Instinctively he clutched at the hollow gold tube which hung from a thong around his neck. Decorated with a lion's head at one end, it contained tiny parchments covered with protective spells and prayers to the gods. Ha

'In these seas?' screeched Suniaton. 'Are you mad?'

Ha

His friend looked down. Both were more confident in the water than most, but they had never swum long distances, especially in conditions as bad as these.

Seizing the short oars from the floor, Ha

Finally, when the muscles in his arms were trembling with exhaustion, Ha

'No,' Suniaton replied grimly. 'Move over. It's my turn, and this is our best chance.'

Our only chance, Ha

Gingerly they exchanged places on the little wooden benches which were the boat's only fittings. Thanks to the mass of slippery fish underfoot, it was even more difficult than usual. While his friend laboured at the oars, Ha

At length, his energy spent, Suniaton shipped the oars. He looked at Ha

Ha

Suniaton cursed. 'It's supposed to be the middle of summer! Wind like this shouldn't happen without warning. The Scylla must be angry.' He shuddered.

Ha

Suniaton flushed and hung his head. 'I'm sorry,' he muttered. 'It's my fault. I should never have taken Father's wine.'

Ha

Suniaton managed to crack a smile. That was, until he looked down. 'No!'

Ha

A loud rumble of thunder overhead nearly deafened him.

Suniaton moaned with fear, and Ha

The sky overhead was now an menacing black colour, and in the depths of the clouds a flickering yellow-white colour presaged lightning. The waves were being whipped into a frenzy by the wind, which was growing stronger by the moment. The storm was only just begi

'What's going to happen to us?' Suniaton asked plaintively.

Realising that his friend was looking for reassurance, Ha

In his palace at the bottom of the sea.