Chapter Four: Mark: In which we celebrate the Feast of Jupiter
The Feast of Jupiter was coming up which meant that Father, Stupid Jerkface, and Grandfather would be home from the war. I never looked forward to the week leading up to the Feast of Jupiter because it was a week of fasting and I already didn't have enough to eat. But, the day of the actual feast was the best day ever. It was one of the few days out of the year in which I actually had enough to eat. The others were the other feast days for: Saturn, Mars, Mercury, Venus, Diana, Neptune, Vulcan, and so on. One feast for each of the ten months of the year.
Father and Julian arrived right before the fasting week.
During that week, Father kept our minds off of being hungry by telling us stories about what had been going on in the war.
They were all about Julian.
Apparently Julian had done a lot during the war so far, like: killing a boar, leading a charge during a drill, and beating another Remen in a wrestling match meant to amuse the other soldiers on a day when there was no fighting. By the end of the first day, I was very hungry and wishing that the fasting week and feast were over so that Father and Julian could go.
Finally, the day of the feast arrived. I jumped out of bed and ran into the yard. Several others were outside and we greeted each other cheerfully. Then we returned to our houses and waited.
Mother, Father, and Julian joined me in a few minutes. We were going to Grandmother and Grandfather's for the feast.
We strapped on our sandals and left the house.
We made it to Grandmother and Grandfather's house just in time for the feast. Grandmother herself greeted us at the door and walked us to the table where Grandfather was waiting. He stood up and placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.
"Welcome," he said. "Let us begin." We sat down and proceeded with the prayer to Jupiter.
"May Jupiter protect and guard us all our days." Grandfather said.
"May Jupiter smile down upon us." Grandmother said.
"May Jupiter bring us all good fortune during this day of his." Father said.
"May Jupiter show us good fortune." Mother said.
"May Jupiter let us be victorious in whatever we do." Julian said.
"May Jupiter bless this day of his, now and in the years to come." I said. We all opened our eyes and started eating. It was the best day ever.
