CHAPTER 9
The Sibyl of CumaeAs chance or destiny would have it Bladud’s ship was bound for Cumae, a thriving Greek colony on the Italian coast. They approached it on a clear and golden day at the Winter Solstice. This was where Aeneas, the grandfather of Brutus, had once landed many centuries before; led to this place by the messengers of the gods. Bladud thrilled to his story for he himself felt his destiny lay in a land very distant and different from his own country.
The sailors raised a cheer when they caught sight of the blue mountains of the island of Ischia, and they rowed with good heart the final calm and silver leagues to the port of Cumae on the mainland. Since not only the captain but several of his crew hailed from this town, there was quite a welcoming party when they lande
