Roxanne of Vesper

Two weeks ago

"So what happened?"

"I don't know Roxanne, I just came back and it was in flames!"

We stood back from the inferno that had devoured most of my new home. Inside I heard the cracking of beams and splintering of wood as the heat reached my study, and I thought immediately of my books...

"Did you manage to salvage anything?"

"Oh yes!" Jenny managed a half smile "With the aid of my beetle I transported all your belongings to the First Bank of Britain, just as the blaze was setting in".

I breathed deeply in relief... If Jenny had not had returned....

"But what caused it?" We stood silent for a moment and watched in amazement as the very stone appeared to burn, a dark noxious fume rose upwards and wafted towards the forest.

"I don't know. Maybe the gods decreed it".

"What should we do now?"

"Rebuild".


One Week Ago

"Roxanne! Roxanne!"

I awoke from a mid afternoon nap to find Jenny standing over me, waving her arms around.

"Are you alright Jenn? You look hurt" Her face was blackened as if sooty and her cloak torn. "I was attacked, but it is not important". But look what I have found!"

Jenny put down her bag and untied the strings, her fingers trembling with excitement. She drew a small, leather bound volume out and turned it over so that I could read the title: "The apotheosis of Zymoon Tar". "So?" I shrugged, looking unimpressed.

"It tells of a Britannian, Rox" she hurriedly thumbed the pages "One who completed a series of quests and was rewarded with apotheosis".

"Interesting" I said, "but there are many such volumes, most written by lunatics"

"But at the end, there is a list of names Rox, it appears to have been inserted by the books former owner"

I raised my eyebrows as Jenny turned the book towards me. There were seven names on the list. The Fifth, written in a cursive script with an unsteady hand appeared to read "Roxane of Vesper".

Two days ago

"You can open your eyes now"

I did so. I stood in front of my home, except it was my home no longer. A white marble temple, full of colonades, sculpture and stone furniture stood in front of me.

"So what do you think?"

I read the signpost that Jenny had fashioned. It said "Templum divi Roxanni".
I gulped in surprise and tried to think of something to say to my old friend who was waiting patiently for an answer.

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One Wish
One Kiss
Uale