Chapter 23

Prepared to Leave

On our last day in Alexandria; Yarrl and I put together some packets of dry bread and dates, checked our water bags and decided we were ready. The days ahead would be hot, the nights chilly. Water and food might sometimes be hard to find. We’d also packed a blanket sewn for use as a kind of sunshade against the heat and glare of midday.

Yesterday, Theon and Hypatia had argued about whether or not we should be armed. Heat and scarcity of water weren’t the only risks of desert travel; Berber bandits went for an easy target, which we would be. Hypatia thought we should each carry a pugio, a Roman dagger with a poison tip. Theon thought that unwise when traveling in such a small group. He explained that when bandits came upon a monk, they usually took the robe and sandals and left the victim to die in the desert. If a dagger was found on a person, the throat was cut. As for Yarrl and I, we’d likely be dead with or without a weapon. Theon won, we would travel unarmed.

After lunch, Hypatia came to check on our progress. She brought us each two pairs of leather Roman military sandals. She thought it best to be prepared. Traveling as monks, we planned to wear rough-woven, brown linen tunics with a cord around the middle and linen headgear.

“Akakios will be your guide.” She sat down to reassure us we’d be well-advised and protected on our long walk. “Yarrl, I’m sure you remember he’s fluent in Coptic, the language of local people you might meet along the way and many desert monks. Plus you know he’ll be able to handle any awkward or threatening situations.” Yarrl could handle self-defense; but neither of us could speak or understand much Coptic.

“He’ll be here later this afternoon; then we’ll eat together.” Hypatia rose to leave.

We relaxed, and finished packing. There wasn’t much. We each had to carry whatever we needed and didn’t want it to be too heavy under the unrelieved heat of the sun. We each had a blanket for sleeping.

“Artemus, let me tell you about Akakios before he gets here. He’s a good friend and used to work in the library. I know you’ll like him.”

“He came from Greece; and when he got here he saw the big warehouse on the docks where I work and came in looking for a job. We talked about work he’d done before, and I thought he’d be a good fit for our security unit because of his military training. They took him on. He started at the bottom and did very well. Then a few years later he handled a terrible incident in the basement storage area where original scrolls are stored. One of Bishop Cyril’s black-robed monks sneaked in and attacked a library staff member. Akakios came to his rescue, otherwise he would have died instead of suffering a flesh wound.

“That was the first violent incident aimed at a staff member and our most important holdings. He always seemed to have a good instinct for being at the right place at the right time.” Yarrl paused, as if remembering that day. Theon had already been aware of an increasing number of threatening incidents inside and outside the building, and there were other problems. Hypatia had been harassed by black-robed monks on the streets and in the Library when they stood at the door to her office and stared at her, saying nothing.

“Theon decided she should have a bodyguard and assigned Akakios to spend most of his time arranging for her personal security. He had the staring, black-robed monks banned from the building, and often accompanied her when she left the complex. Of course, this brought him to the attention of the Church; one night he was attacked by three of Cyril’s monks as he walked back to the complex alone. His instincts and training kicked in and he wasn’t badly hurt, but he was moved higher on the Church’s watch list.” Yarrl shook his head.

“Not long after that Cyril ordered the elimination of Akakios.”

I hadn’t realized there’d been serious security problems in the Library for several years.

“So although Hypatia still needed a bodyguard, she and Theon believed Akakios was in more immediate danger and decided he should leave Alexandria. Theon talked to Bishop Synesius who was able to help Akakios find a job far from Alexandria. Now he works with the monasteries in the Scetis desert, helping them plan and prepare for security problems. He also delivers the latest news and messages and escorts visitors from one to another. I’m very glad he’ll be with us; I trust his judgment always.”

When Akakios arrived, he checked our supplies and said they were adequate. I liked him as soon as we met and looked forward to the trip with less trepidation. Everyone was relaxed at supper. The three of us retired early as we intended to be up and on our way out of the city at dawn.

 NEXT.....Chapter 24
Mount Nitria and Kellia