The last time I saw Herophile⊠yes, the year was 1509 CE. Iâd coaxed her out of her cave for one last visit to Rome, where Michelangelo was painting her portrait on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Apparently she was being celebrated for some obscure prophecy long ago, when sheâd predicted the birth of Jesus the Nazarene.
âI dont know, Micheal,â Herophile said, sitting next to him on his scaffold, watching him paint. âIts beautiful, but⊠my arms are not thatâŠâ Her voice seized up. âEight letters, starts with M.â
Michelangelo tapped his paintbrush to his lip, âMuscular?â
Herophile nodded vigorously.
âI can fix that,â Michelangelo promised.