Getting up, Antipus waited for Chara to rise, also. They made their way slowly back to the villa, and Chara thought how much she had grown to love this man and his wife in just the few days she had been here.
Agrippina met them in the atrium, smiling at her husband. “Beloved, can you spare me your charming companion?”
The elderly man arched a brow, cocking his head at Chara. He grinned, giving her a wink. “Well, if I must.”
Agrippina’s gaze followed her husband across the atrium. When she turned back to Chara, they still glowed with her love.
“I wondered if you would show me that intricate stitch you were telling me about. I have decided to use it to trim Antipus’s tunic that I have had made for his birthday.”
Chara smiled. “He’ll be pleased.”
While Agrippina was engrossed with her stitching, Chara took the time to study her. Her hair was piled on top of her head in an elaborate style that the Romans loved. Although it was streaked with gray, there was still much black showing through. Her face was unusually devoid of wrinkles for one of her age. Although Agrippina was slightly plump, she still had a fine figure for an older woman.
Chara longed to grow old with a husband of her own, but her stepbrother had pointed out to her time and time again that she had no looks and that no man would want her. She didn’t want to believe him—but she did.
Candace knocked on the doorpost. “My lady, supper is ready.”
Agrippina looked up in surprise. “Oh my goodness! Is it that late?” Apologetically she squeezed Chara’s hand. “Oh, my dear, I had no idea. And you just sat there patiently. Please forgive me.”
When Chara and Agrippina descended the staircase, they were arm in arm, laughing together. Decimus watched them from below and marveled again at how lovely Chara could look when she laughed. Her eyes lost their veiled look and took on a special radiance. Each time he saw her, something seemed to tug at his heartstrings a little more. He shook his head in irritation. He was letting his imagination run away with him. Sara was the one he loved, the one he had longed for with every fiber of his being for years now. Hadn’t he? Closing his eyes, he tried to picture her face, but no image came to mind except that of a young blond girl with artless brown eyes. Sara’s hair had not been blond.
Decimus gritted his teeth in frustration. This was going to be a long journey, and he needed to keep his wits about him. He surely didn’t need his mind filled with confusing thoughts.
After the meal, Antipus excused himself, saying that he needed to attend a party in honor of Senator Secubus. “Secubus is an old friend,” he told them, lifting his mantle from the stool in the hallway. “It would seem odd if I didn’t attend.”
Agrippina folded her hands in front of her and gave her husband a skeptical look. “Beloved, be careful.”
He frowned at her. “I’m always careful, Agrippina. You know me.”
“Yes, Antipus, I do. That’s what causes my concern.”
Decimus grinned as the old man threw his wife a disgusted look. After Agrippina closed the door behind him, Decimus stepped forward and put a hand on her arm. “My lady, could I have a word with you?”
Surprised, she glanced first at Chara. “Of course.”
She followed him into the triclinium, where Decimus shut the doors carefully behind them.
Chara stared at the closed doors, knowing a moment’s disquiet. What did Decimus wish to talk with Agrippina about? Was he going to suggest that she, Chara, remain in Rome after all? A knot formed in the pit of her stomach. Realizing that she could do nothing, she made her way to her room to prepare for the night.
A soft, warm breeze stroked against her face as she stood leaning against the balcony. Turning her face into it, she closed her eyes, smiling with contentment. She had always loved the wind blowing against her face. Her mind turned to a psalm of David that she had heard long ago, and she remembered that the psalmist had called the wind “God’s breath.” When the breeze drifted against her, she felt loved. Protected. If only she could always feel like that.
A noise from below indicated someone’s presence. As she watched, Decimus came from the villa, his head bowed in thought. Chara watched him walk to the fountain and lean against it. His handsome face was creased with worry. What preyed so heavily on his mind?
Sensing someone watching him, Decimus turned and looked up. They stared at each other a long moment before Chara turned away.
When Decimus closed his eyes that night, a vision of Chara standing in the moonlight, her hair flowing like a golden halo around her head, filled his mind. He fervently hoped Agrippina could make Chara understand the things he couldn’t bring himself to tell her.
❧
When Chara left Agrippina’s room the next afternoon, she was a wiser, and less naive, young lady. Her cheeks burned at the things Agrippina had shared with her. A young woman must always be aware that her actions can be misinterpreted by men; a young woman traveling alone with men is in a precarious position; a young woman in such a position must take extra care not to appear to be encouraging unwelcome advances. Had it been Decimus’s idea to have Agrippina tell her all these things? She felt mortified. Was it because of the innocent kiss she had bestowed upon him that first night?
Chara’s cheeks filled with color when she came upon Decimus in the atrium. His wide-eyed innocence convinced her, however, that he had had nothing to do with her enlightening conversation with Agrippina.
“You’ve been with Agrippina?”
Embarrassed, Chara looked away. “Yes. She had some things she wished to discuss with me.”
“Indeed. I hope it was nothing too serious.”
The color deepened in her cheeks. “No! No, not at all.”
Decimus hid a grin. “Would you like to come with me to the market today? I have most of what we need for the journey, but there are some things that perhaps you need for yourself?”
Chara smiled brightly. “I would love to come. Let me tell Agrippina.”
They wandered through the market, listening to the merchants hawk their wares. Everywhere the crowds surged around them, the clamor of different languages mixing together into a cacophony of sound. Decimus stopped at a booth and purchased two peaches. “Hungry?” he asked.
Chara shook her head. “No, but they look delicious.”
“We’ll save them for later.”
As they meandered through the crowds, Chara began to feel happy. For a time she could forget that Rome hated Christians, she could forget that she was a slave, she could forget that her life was in danger. For a time she could pretend that she and Decimus were just a couple of. . .what? Friends?
“You were smiling a minute ago. Why the frown now?” Decimus demanded softly.
Chara looked away. “It’s nothing.” She stopped, eyes growing wide with fear. Decimus followed her look and encountered the eyes of the merchant who had bid against the priest at the market. The merchant’s look roved boldly over Chara’s form that in the past week had begun to fill out slightly.
Head thrown back in anger, Decimus glared at the man with cold blue eyes that glittered dangerously. Finally the man looked away, but not before throwing Decimus a murderous look.
“Let’s go back to the villa,” Chara begged softly. The afternoon had been ruined.
Decimus tilted her chin, and her fears subsided at the calm look on his face. “You don’t have to worry about men like that. I will let nothing happen to you. I promise.”
She smiled wryly. “You shouldn’t make promises you might not be able to keep.”
He remained silent, knowing she was right. Taking her by the arm, he turned her in the opposite direction. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe we should return to the villa.”
Opening the gate that led to Antipus’s villa, Decimus ushered Chara ahead of him. Once inside, they both seemed reluctant to part company. Instead, by unspoken consent, they wandered across the courtyard, pausing at last in front of the fountain.
Chara sa
t on the marble bench, but Decimus remained standing. He studied her face slowly, and Chara bent her head, embarrassed. Franco’s critical words were never far from her thoughts. What did Decimus see when he looked at her? Was she only a responsibility to him? Seeing her reflection in the water, she knew it could not be otherwise.
“Hello.”
Both Chara and Decimus glanced up, Chara smiling when she recognized Galla. He strode across the yard, motioning to the villa.
“I’ve been waiting to speak to you. You’ve been gone a long time.” There was a question in his statement.
Bristling at the Roman’s arrogance, Decimus took instant offense. This man didn’t own him. At least not yet. “We were searching the market for any lastminute items we might need for the trip.”
Galla’s eyebrows flew up at the surly tone of voice. “It wasn’t my intention to pry, or to suggest anything improper. I merely wondered if there had been some kind of trouble.”
Feeling ashamed of his outburst of temper, Decimus shrugged. “Nothing important. We saw the merchant who was trying to buy Chara, but he didn’t accost us in any way.”
Galla’s searching gaze flicked over Chara, but he could find no sign that she was upset or harmed in any way. Whatever had happened, the young Briton seemed to have taken care of the situation.
“I need to speak with you and Antipus. The time for our departure seems to be approaching more rapidly than I had anticipated.”
Decimus gave him a questioning look but waited until Chara rose from her seat and followed them inside. A strained look about Galla’s mouth didn’t bode well for Decimus’s peace of mind.
Antipus joined them in the triclinium, as did Agrippina. When they were all seated, Galla began to explain. “I’m not quite sure what has happened, but the army has ordered the search for Christians to be intensified.” He looked at Antipus somberly. “It seems that it has come to the generals’ attention that certain men within the Senate are following this ‘vile sect,’ as they call it.”
The color drained from Agrippina’s face. She reached for her husband’s hand. He clasped his fingers with hers and began to knead them gently. “Are there any names being mentioned?” he asked quietly.
“Some,” Galla answered. “But not yours that I’m aware of.”
The fear in the room seemed a tangible thing, leaving a sour taste in Chara’s mouth. What were they to do now?
Galla rose. “There will be room for three others to go with us, but that’s all I can arrange.” He looked at Chara. “I’m afraid that I must insist that the others be all men. Anything else would be suspect.”
Antipus nodded his head. “Agreed. I only wish. . .” He stopped, looking at his wife.
“Don’t even think of it,” she told him firmly. “My place is with you, and I will not leave, no matter what you manage to arrange.”
“Beloved.”
Agrippina rose to her feet. “I will hear no more about it.” Quickly she left the room.
Antipus was shaking his head. “She’s a headstrong woman,” he told them softly, “but what a woman.”
Decimus felt the helplessness of the situation. “You have to leave, Antipus. It’s no longer safe for you here.”
The senator looked at him sadly. “Where would I go? I’m too old to be a missionary to Britannia. Besides, I may have nothing to fear. Whatever the circumstances, God will take care of me.” He smiled at them. “And if it is my time to die, then no power on earth can stop it. Frankly, if not for Agrippina, I would be eager for death, for then I will see my Lord.”
The room was silent. Galla and Decimus exchanged glances. Shrugging his shoulders, Decimus rose to his feet to stand beside Galla. “When will we leave?”
Galla sighed. “I’m still not sure, but you need to be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice. Have your things packed and ready.”
Antipus got to his feet. “I have something for you. Wait here.”
He left the room and returned shortly with a large cedar box. It had an inlaid mosaic design of pressed silver. Lifting the lid, Decimus could see that it was full of coins. Antipus lifted out a small bag and handed it to Galla.
“This is my contribution to your mission work in Britannia. Since I can’t come myself, I want to have a part in spreading the Word.”
Galla opened the bag curiously. His face paled, and he glanced at Antipus in stunned disbelief. “There are several talents’ worth of gold here!”
Antipus nodded. “One hundred, to be precise.”
Decimus’s legs gave way, and he dropped to the couch behind him. He was speechless. What a fortune!
Galla tried to hand the bag back to Antipus. “I can’t take this. It’s too much!”
“No. You have no idea what you will face when you reach Britannia. But one thing we know for certain, Roman currency is used there, as well as everywhere else.” Pushing Galla’s hand away, Antipus smiled at him. “You have no idea where you will be able to find work or how you can make a living. Take it.” He smiled at Decimus. “It’s for all of you, including Chara and the other three men whom I will choose to send with you.”
Galla’s voice was hoarse as he gave Antipus his sincere thanks. He handed the bag to Decimus. “You take care of it. I have to return to the garrison and then to the palace. I must keep my eyes and ears open.” His look was intent. “Remember, have your things ready.”
Decimus felt a cold finger of foreboding slide down his spine. “I’ll see to it right away.”
Galla nodded. Turning, he gave Chara a half smile before he rapidly exited the room.
Antipus watched him go. He stood staring after him for several moments before he turned back to Decimus and Chara. “I must go see to Agrippina.”
After he left the room, Decimus slowly rose to his feet again, taking a deep breath and releasing it slowly. He turned to Chara. “We need to get our things together.”
She didn’t answer right away. When she finally looked at him again, there were tears in her eyes. “What of Antipus and Agrippina?”
Pressing his lips together, he avoided her eyes. “I don’t know. All we can do is pray.”
“Can’t we. . .”
“No,” he interrupted angrily. “We cannot force someone to do something they don’t wish to do. In the end, we are all responsible for our own actions.”
A tear trickled down Chara’s cheek, and she rose slowly to her feet. “I’ll see to the packing.”
Decimus noticed the tear and felt his own frustrations mount. Why was God allowing this to happen to the people who loved Him most? Why were such evil men allowed to live and prosper, yet the obedient suffered? He had no answer.
He wanted to reach out and take Chara in his arms and soothe away her hurt, but how could he when he didn’t know how to make it right? What words of comfort could he offer when he had so many questions of his own?
He watched as Chara walked out of the room, her head bowed low. Sighing, he clenched the bag of coins. A veritable fortune. But what good was money if you died before you could use it? Tucking the bag into his belt, he followed Chara from the room.
Chapter 4
T hat evening Antipus had three guests for supper. Each man was a Christian, and each had his own story to tell.
Caleb was a slave of Judea who had been in hiding for some time, ever since his master had been killed in an accident involving a chariot. Caleb was a Jew, but a converted Jew who now served the Lord Jesus, and when the opportunity had presented itself, Caleb fled to other Christians who were willing to hide him until they could conceive of a way to get him out of Rome. Although the authorities weren’t looking for him, per se, they were always on the watch for runaways. Especially someone who would prove useful in the arenas.
Caleb hated his slavery, but he had felt compelled to serve his master well, since the apostle Paul had commanded it. But upon the death of his master, Caleb had fled. Since the one who owned him was now dead, Caleb was not waiting around for someone else to
take his place. He had done his duty, and now he considered himself free.
Then there was Thomas, a Greek. He had been set free from slavery years before when he had saved the little girl of his master from drowning. Since she was an only child and dearly beloved, they had repaid him with his freedom.
He had remained with the family as a servant, doing what they had purchased him to do, teaching their children Greek and Greek literature. Thomas was a very learned man, a man of letters.
And last, but not least, was Trophimus, a very young Roman who had recently witnessed his parents’ death in the arena. Although Trophimus’s father had been an influential man, not even that had been able to save him when it was discovered that he was a member of the Christian sect.
Chara felt drawn to the young boy. He couldn’t have been as old as her own eighteen years of age, and he seemed even younger than his chronological age. She smiled gently when she was introduced and felt a decidedly motherly urge to protect him.
As they dined on pheasant and fish from the Mediterranean, they got to know one another. Antipus explained Galla’s plan for getting them out of the city.
Caleb’s dark eyes flashed. “You expect me to sell myself to a Roman? Willingly?” He rose to his feet, and Chara noticed the man’s powerful build. Although Caleb was probably middle-aged, he was a commanding presence. “Never!”
Antipus frowned, motioning for him to be seated again. “Galla is a Christian, and although he feels slavery to be wrong, still he is willing to purchase all of you for a short period of time.”
“How kind!” Thomas’s voice dripped with sarcasm.
Antipus sighed. “Let me try to explain this better. Galla, being a Christian, will not lie. Now, if you are going to accompany him on this trip, you will need to be just what he says you are. His slaves. If you have a problem with this, let me know now and I will arrange for someone else to take your place. God knows, there are enough Christians willing to leave Rome.”
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