Highland Warriors of the Glade_William

by Charity McColl

  “Her name is Caitlin." Someone else knew. “She is the new slave that Master Tilenius paid a lot of money for. She is so barbarian."

  ”Barbarian or not…" the man answered, "She’s very beautiful. It’s a pity to crucify a fine body like that.”

  Tilenius motioned for silence and turned his attention back to Cantilia. "Is there nothing you can say in your defense?"

  Cantilia shook her head. “If you call the worship of the one true God a crime then I am guilty. However, I do wish to plead mercy for Caitlin…" She turned and pointed at Caitlin. “She has never been to a Christian meeting and she does not know God. I beg you to spare her life.”

  Tilenius smiled. “I will gladly spare her. Tell her she only has to make a blood sacrifice to Jupiter and all will be well. As for you… I see no hope.”

  Cantilia took Caitlin’s hands in hers and spoke to her in a pleading voice, but she shook her head and said something back.

  “What’s going on,” another one of Decius’ men wanted to know.

  Tilenius shrugged his shoulders. “I have no idea. I don’t speak barbaric.” He turned to Cantilia again and asked: “What did she say?”

  As Cantilia began to pass on Caitlin’s words, there was a scowl on Caitlin’s face. “She says… as from today, she will only serve the Christ… and as far as you are concerned, well… it's … eh… I prefer not to translate her words.”

  Nobody said a word and Tilenius’ face darkened. He stared for a moment at the two women before him and his fists tightened into balls. At last, he let out a roar and yelled, “So be it. Before the week is over you shall both die. Your own mouth has condemned you.” A little spit dribbled over his chin as he threw himself back on his seat. “Get them out of my sight… All three of them…”

  Cantilia still wanted to say something and lifted up her hand.

  "What?" Tilenius growled.

  "Master Tilenius, it is not my desire to offend you. But I beg you to repent of your evil ways. There is a place called Hell, but the Christ gave us the key to escape that horrible place, if only… you believe and—"

  "—Stop it. Stop that nonsense." Tilenius was beside himself and roared like a wounded tiger. "Out of my sight, you dirtbags."

  Pollius yelled as the soldiers grabbed him too. “Not me… Not me… I am on Jupiter's side."

  The soldiers looked up with a confused stare, but Tilenius was seething and did not want to listen to him. "Out of my sight."

  "Remember, Master…I…wanted to m-make the sacrifice…”

  But Tilenius was seething and repeated his order. “Throw them in the dungeon. All of them!"

  Pollius gasped and closed his eyes, as he was pushed out of the hallway and had to follow the two Christian rebels.

  9

  Trouble Again

  William tried to concentrate but his head felt heavy and his body was burning; especially his arm and his leg. Where was he and why was it so dark? He let out a groan and blinked as his eyes adjusted to the darkness. Slowly, image by image, it dawned on him what had happened. The Roman soldiers had pierced him with their arrows. He had not even had a fair chance to defend himself, and they had caught him. But where was Caitlin? He gritted his teeth as he relived the events that brought him here. The cowards had used arrows. In an honest fight these miserable Romans would not stand a chance.

  Waves of pain coursed through his body. The soldier who shot the arrows at him had probably yanked them mercilessly out of his body again. William imagined how the fiend had most likely taken great pleasure in being as rough as he could in retrieving his precious rods.

  There were big drops of sweat on his forehead, but when he lifted his hands to wipe them off, he was stopped by heavy chains that were locked around his wrists.

  He sighed. He was in deep trouble and so was Caitlin. He had failed in his mission. He had not been able to protect his own wife. What a shame it was… and there was no hope to ever make it right again.

  He could not tell whether it was day or night, nor how long he had been in this place. Leaning back against the damp stone wall he shivered, even though he felt hot. What a horrible place this was. It smelled stale and musty and the straw on which he was sitting was rotten. His mouth felt dry. He felt around and his hands touched a clay jar. Water… Thank God. He carefully placed the jar at his cracked lips. It tasted muddy and was lukewarm, but he was not in a position to complain. "O, God…" he whispered, "This is the end."

  "Pssst! William… Is that you?"

  William opened his eyes. "Huh?"

  "Over here," someone whispered from somewhere in the dark.

  "You speak my tongue?" William answered.

  "It's me… Cantilia."

  "Cantilia…? W-what are you doing here?"

  "I am in prison… just like you. We've been here several days. Tilenius wants us killed."

  "Several days?" William had a hard time believing. "I-Is Caitlin with you?"

  It was still for a moment. Then Cantilia spoke again. "Yes… but she's very weak. They beat her."

  Anger rose within William and he jerked up. A new flash of pain shot through his body and his cruel chains pulled him instantly back to the floor of his cell. "Caitlin… can you hear me?"

  William peered into the darkness but heard or saw nothing. At last, Caitlin spoke. Even though it was frail and weak, it sounded like music to William's ear. "William…, my dear, sweet William."

  William grunted. "What did they do to you, Caitlin?"

  "T-they wanted me to worship a god called J-Jupiter. I cursed them, Romans and idols alike, but then they beat me."

  William pulled on his chains again. He could not remember he had ever felt such rage, and he cursed.

  "Trust in God, William," Cantilia's voice was soft and tender.

  "In God? What good is that going to do?" he shot back. "These cowards beat my wife, shot my leg and my arm and they are about to kill us all, including you, Cantilia."

  It was still for a moment. Then Cantilia's comforting voice broke through the silent darkness. "Death is our graduation, William. The Christ came to give us everlasting life. We are only pilgrims on this earth and are on our way to Heaven… if we believe. This earth and all of its sufferings and injustices will pass. We need to have a heavenly vision."

  "A heavenly vision?" William was not sure how he could have a heavenly vision when he was surrounded by darkness and pain.

  "I-I believe it too, William. At least I want to." Caitlin's voice was barely more than a whisper. "Remember, Teherlach often speaks of these things in our own village. It always fascinated me." She spoke with great difficulty and William had to do his best to understand what she was saying. "It's just that I never understood it, but then when I was standing before Tilenius, and they told me I needed to sacrifice to Jupiter, I understood…"

  William wished he could hold Caitlin again. He wanted to press her again to his body and kiss all her pain away. But at least, he could hear her voice. "Tell me then, Caitlin. What did you understand?"

  "I don't know how to say it, William, but Christ is true." William heard a certain lightness in her voice that he had never heard before. "It's like when I was sick that time many years ago. I was in bed for months, but then the day came I could get out of bed. I remember Father opened the door and the morning sun was streaming in. The birds were singing and all of nature seemed to be in a conspiracy to show off their beauty. My heart was singing and I embraced my father. To me, that was heaven. But when I stood before Tilenius, it was as if that door opened again. That moment I knew God is real and He is our true Father."

  William listened in awe. "B-But, how did you know?"

  "I don't know, William. I just did."

  "But if God is such a good Father then why are we here in the dungeon?" William did not want to be contrary, but he did not know what else to say.

  "You need faith, William," Cantilia spoke up. "God is not the cause of bad things. People are, but He walks with us in our pain, and ca
rries our burdens. But look at it from this point. If God is really our Father, as so many people believe, shouldn't He be able to reveal Himself to you if you ask Him?"

  William thought for a moment. "I suppose so," he said at last.

  "Try Him, William," Cantilia coaxed. "Talk to Him."

  "I’ll think about it," William answered. He closed his eyes again. The pain in his wounds was causing him to shiver and he needed to rest. He had always known there was a god, or maybe gods… but that you could actually talk to God was a new idea.

  For a time it was still and William kept thinking about the words of Cantilia. Then, her voice sounded through the cold, dark and dreary dungeon. Sweet and melodious and it deeply touched William's heartstrings. Cantilia was singing. A hymn… A beautiful hymn in his own tongue. How could such beauty be present in such darkness?

  Peace, troubled soul, thou need’st not fear;

  Thy great Provider still is near;

  Who fed thee last, will feed thee still:

  Be calm, and sink into His will.

  The Lord, who built the earth and sky,

  In mercy stoops to hear thy cry;

  His promise all may freely claim;

  Ask and receive in Jesus’ Name.

  When the song was over, William did not dare to speak for fear of breaking the holy hush and so it was quiet for quite some time. At last, someone coughed.

  "William?" Caitlin spoke. Very soft but very tender.

  William sat up again. "Yes, Caitlin…"

  "T-Thank you for coming for me. If we die, I want you to know I die happy, knowing that you have loved me."

  Tears were brimming in William's eyes. "I have always loved you too, Caitlin. Even though I am in the dungeon, I still think I am the richest man in all of Scotland."

  Cantilia chuckled. "And in all of Rome," she said. In spite of their desperate situation, William had to smile.

  Amazing, we can still smile even though we are surrounded by death.

  Was that God too?

  Keys rattled and the cell door opened with a clang. Two soldiers stepped in. Volusenius appeared in the doorway and was holding a flickering torch. The light cast deep shadows on the walls of the cell. William's heart skipped a beat as he faced the tormentor, who barked out his orders to the soldiers.

  "Take them, all three," Volusenius barked. "We'll see how well they do in the arena. Let's find out how powerful their god really is."

  The soldiers unleashed the chains of the three prisoners and ordered them up. William struggled to raise himself, but it didn't go fast enough to the liking of Volusenius, who stepped forward and yanked him up by his shoulders. "Come on, you barbarian dog."

  A sickening wave of pain threatened to overcome him, but he gritted his teeth. He was not going to give Volusenius the satisfaction of seeing him stumble. Cantilia and Caitlin, although weak and bruised, got up by themselves and so the three were led into the corridor. William's heart jumped for joy when he saw Caitlin's face again and for a moment he forgot his pain. He reached out and touched her shoulder.

  She looked up and cast him a grateful smile. "We'll be together, William… forever."

  "Quiet," Volusenius barked and ordered them to start walking. In the far end of the corridor with its rounded ceiling, some twenty yards down, a torch was attached to the damp walls and it lit up a heavy paneled wooden door.

  "What's going to happen to us," Cantilia asked Volusenius.

  He grinned. "You stupid woman… You should have yielded to Jupiter. Now it's too late."

  "What's going to happen?" Cantilia repeated her question.

  Volusenius shrugged and grinned. "Our great Emperor has organized a spectacle in honor of Jupiter. He wants to make the new decree against that Christian religion widely known. You'll see," he cackled, "Today, there will be games and loads of fun, and you and your friends…" he peered at Cantilia, "…will be at the center of it all."

  When they came to the paneled door Volusenius banged on it with his fist. It opened right away and led into a small open space that was lined with iron cages. In some of them, skimpily dressed people were locked up and stared at them with hollow, empty eyes. As William stepped into the sunlit area he blinked, as his eyes had to adjust to the bright light. Volusenius pointed to an empty cage on the far end of the small, open space and ordered the soldiers to open it. "In you go," he ordered. The girls walked to the cage, but as William followed them Volusenius stopped him and said something. Although William did not understand the words, he knew very well what the man was saying. "Not you… We've got something else planned for you."

  William shouted out and swung wildly at Volusenius with his good arm. The fugitivarius ducked right on time and moved away. He retaliated immediately and planted his fist into William's face. The soldiers grinned as William sunk to the ground.

  "You wicked Barbarian," Volusenius shouted with glee, "Your last hour has come."

  William tasted blood. Rage was fighting to take over his emotions, but he knew he had to control himself.

  "Remember, God is your defender, William…" Cantilia's voice sounded loud and clear and it strangely comforted William. "He will reveal Himself to you… if you only ask Him."

  Although Cantilia spoke in the Gaelic tongue, and Volusenius could not possibly understand the words, it angered him. "Silence," he roared and banged his fist on the cage. Cantilia stared at him and shook her head. "May God have mercy on you. You fight against the Most High God, Volusenius. Be careful… You are sticking your finger into His eyes. Even though he can still forgive you, He will wipe you away like an annoying fly..."

  Volusenius' eyes widened as he let her words sink in. Then he started to laugh. "Bold words, slave woman… We'll see how bold you are at the end of this day." Then he turned and ordered the soldiers to move William away. They grabbed him again by the shoulders and dragged him to an iron gate near the cage in which Cantilia and Caitlin were locked up.

  "Open it," Volusenius barked.

  One of the soldiers unlocked it and swung it open. They pushed William through it and the giant stumbled forward and landed in the sand. The wound on his arm opened again and begain to bleed once more. For a moment William lost touch with reality. He saw visions of Ghilles Bhains… There were Toby and Hamish too. Where did they come from? Now, he saw Teherlach who was marrying him. Will you, William MacChonaill, take this woman, Caitlin MacThom to be your wife? William wanted to shout it out. Yes, I do. I do. But William did not see Caitlin. He only saw sand and he tasted it in his mouth. There was Teherlach again. He leaned over and smiled as he gently spoke. Trust in God, William. Trust in the creator of heaven and earth. Trust in the only true God.

  God? William looked up. What he saw made his breath stop. He was in the arena. There was a sea of onlookers, yelling and screaming from off the bleachers and there, before him was a man, or rather a creature. His helmet had a large dorsal fin and his face was completely covered. Only his dark eyes that were staring at him shone through. The man was wearing a red tunic, although his brown torso was uncovered and his right arm was plated with a protective metal covering. The other arm was holding a large, oblong shield that was big enough to cover most of his body. In his hand he clutched a gladius, an infantry sword, and his left leg was partly covered by a heavily padded overboot and a leg greave. He hissed something to William, and although William did not understand the words, he figured it was some sort of insult and he had to fight. But with what? He had nothing to defend himself with. His arm was bleeding and the wound on his other leg made it impossible to move swiftly. This was an unfair fight, but the crowd loved it and yelled and cheered.

  If God is really our Father shouldn't He be able to reveal Himself to you? Cantilia had said that. His beloved Caitlin believed it too. Right there, as William struggled to get to his feet he mumbled a prayer.

  "God in the Heavens… I know very little, but if You are truly my Father too, then show me. I need You more than ever."

  The crow
d roared and the battle began.

  10

  The Gladiator

  The crowd loved the sight of blood, and even though not a single blow had yet been delivered, William's arm was now bleeding profusely again. At first, William tried to stay out of reach of the gladiator before him. The man circled around him like a stealthy tiger monitoring William's every move, ready to slash at him with his sword. William had moved back to the side of the arena and moved along a protective stone wall with slow, determined steps. His eyes were glued on the enemy before him. Even though William was greatly weakened by his wounds, he noticed the gladiator before him hesitated. He seemed to have a healthy respect for his giant body. At one time, when William had unexpectedly stepped forward and uttered a warlike cry, the gladiator had yelped and stepped backwards.

  He's afraid, William thought, and with some relief he noticed that this warrior was apparently not very experienced. If he would have been given equal weapons he would have no doubt already sent the man to the next world.

  The crowd became restless and wanted to see action. Some started to yell and whistle their disapproval and one person threw something into the arena. It distracted the warrior and he turned his head. That was the chance William had been waiting for. It was only a fraction of a second, but that was all he needed. The gladiator had made a fatal mistake. William lurched forward and grabbed the gladiator by the throat. No longer did he feel the pain. In fact, he did not feel anything. For just that moment his heart was void of emotion.

  The gladiator screamed as William pulled him into the sand and with one swift move William yanked off the gladiator's helmet. At the same time, he planted his wounded leg on the man's arm. The man yelled in pain and dropped his sword and it landed near William in the sand. William grabbed it and pushed himself up and away from the stripped gladiator. As the gladiator tried to scramble up, their eyes locked. For a moment, William stared into a pair of fearful brown eyes. Then he spat on the sand, and shook his head. He knew that gladiator. "Pollius!"