Almighty Father, you created the heavens above and around us. All other religions are man’s attempt to reach God. The Way is God’s attempt to reach man, giving up his throne and becoming incarnate. Every religion man created brought him into bondage while Christ stood arms outstretched in love, already having set men free.
O Father, why are we so blind? In Christ Jesus, we are free. We need not fear anything. Even a slave can have wings like an eagle and soar into the heavens. Even a slave can open his heart and God will dwell within him. Why can’t we accept the gift without question and be convinced that no walls, no chains, not even death itself can hold captive the mind, heart, and soul that belongs to Christ?
It took hearing Porcia’s fears to make her see her own failings where she herself too often erred.
You are my sustenance, Jesus, my life. Forgive my forgetfulness.
She felt joy bursting within her, a swelling bright and warm that made her want to cry out in exultation.
“Even fear can be used to God’s good purpose,” John was saying, his gentle eyes on Porcia. “I was afraid of death the night they took Jesus from the Garden of Gethsemane. I despaired when I watched him die. Even after I knew Jesus had arisen, I knew fear. When my brother James was cut down by the sword on Herod’s order, I was afraid. Jesus had given his mother into my keeping, and I and the brethren needed to get her out of Jerusalem to safety. I brought her here to Ephesus, where she remained until she went to be with the Lord.”
He smiled sadly. “We’ve all known fear, Porcia, and still do at vulnerable moments in our lives. But fear is not of God. God is love. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. Jesus Christ is our refuge and our fortress against any and all enemies. Trust in him.”
Rizpah could feel Porcia relaxing beside her. John’s words of assurance were a mere reflection of the assurance of Christ within him. It was impossible not to believe in the presence of the apostle. But what about later?
Timon came and stood behind his wife, one hand on her shoulder, as they all listened to the apostle speak. Porcia put her hand over Timon’s and looked up at him.
“Persecution drove us from Jerusalem,” John said, “but Christ used it to good purpose. Wherever we go, be it Ephesus, Corinth, Rome, or even as far as the frontiers of Germania,” he said, smiling at Rizpah, “the Lord himself goes with us. He is our provision as we carry the gospel to his children.”
Germania, she thought. Surely, it could not be the barbaric place she had heard it was.
As the men talked over plans to leave Ephesus and Ionia, Rizpah gave in to exhaustion. Curled on her side, Caleb held close, she slept. Some time later, Caleb awakened her, hungry. As she rose, she noted that someone had covered her with a blanket and left the brazier burning. The others were gone. As she nursed Caleb, she went to the window and looked out. The man was no longer standing beside the building down the street.
Cleopas entered. “You’re awake.”
“He’s gone,” she said, turning from the window.
“Someone replaced him several hours ago. The new man is in the fanum across the street. Sit. You’ll need to eat before you leave. You haven’t much time before you must return to Atretes, and I’ve much to tell you before you go. I’ll awaken Lysia. She’s agreed to exchange clothing with you. She’s going to leave with a bundle Caleb’s size. Hopefully, the man outside will follow her.” He left and returned a few minutes later with a tray of food and a pitcher of watered wine. While she ate, he explained the details of what had transpired the night before while she slept.
“The final arrangements are being made as we speak. All you need to do is take the information to Atretes and be at the ship by midnight tomorrow.”
“Do any of those accompanying us know how to reach Atretes’ homeland?”
“No, but John has gone to speak with a man who was in Germania ten years ago. His name is Theophilus and he mentioned wanting to carry the gospel to the frontier. If he chooses to go with you and Atretes now, he can guide you. If not, he’ll be able to draw out a map and give instructions of how best to reach his destination.”
“I don’t think I’ve met him.”
Cleopas smiled. “You would remember him if you had.”
10
Atretes walked through the open, unguarded gate late the following afternoon. He entered the back of the villa and strode through the baths and gymnasium to the inner corridor. Lagos was sitting in the kitchen, eating a modest meal while talking to the cook when their master entered. Both were startled to see him. “My lord!” Lagos said, bumping the table as he rose.
Picking up a loaf of unleavened bread, Atretes tore off half and sat down to eat. Within a few minutes, the cook had placed a plate of fruit, sliced meat, and boiled eggs in front of him. Atretes glanced at Lagos as he peeled an egg. “Did Rizpah return?”
Lagos frowned slightly. “No, my lord. I thought you sent her away.”
“I did.”
“Do you wish me to send for her, my lord?”
“Would you know where to send?” he said dryly.
“Wherever you instruct, my lord.”
Atretes barked a dark laugh and ate the egg. The woman be cursed. He knew where the apostle lived. He would start with him. When he found her, she would wish she had never been born.
In silence, he finished the rest of the food that had been placed before him. Scorning the elegant silver goblet, he drank the wine from the pitcher. Emptying it, he slammed it down, making both slaves jump. Glowering at them contemptuously, he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand as he rose. “Send Silus to my room,” he said and left.
By the time the guard arrived, Atretes had changed into a fresh tunic and was tying the leather strips of his heavy belt. “We’re going into the city,” he said, picking up a dagger and shoving it into its sheath.
“I’ll send for more guards, my lord.”
“No. Just you. More guards will draw attention.” He pushed the knife into the belt and donned a long flowing Arabic robe. “The woman Rizpah took something I want back.”
“Rizpah, my lord? She was here a short while ago.”
Atretes head came up sharply. “Here?”
“At the gate, not more than an hour ago.” The color was seeping from his face. “She said she wanted to speak with you, but I sent her away.”
“Without telling me?”
Silus stood rigid, whitefaced. “You cast her out, my lord. Your orders were very clear.”
Atretes said one short, exceedingly foul word. “Where is she now? Speak, you fool!”
Silus swallowed. “She left, my lord.”
“Which direction did she go?”
“I don’t know, my lord,” he stammered. “She turned away and I closed the gate.”
Atretes grabbed him by the throat, his heart pounding a battle beat. “Then I suggest you go and find her, fast,” he said through his teeth and shoved him back.
Silus left quickly, the sound of his cingulum jangling loudly as he ran down the corridor to the stairs. Atretes strode out on the balcony and scanned the road. Rizpah was nowhere to be seen. Swearing, he turned and came back inside. Impatience burned through him, he threw off the robe and shouted out a string of German curses.
The house was still and utterly silent. Undoubtedly, the servants had already run for their usual hiding places.
Atretes strode out onto the balcony again. The gate stood open. Silus was running down the road toward the city. Atretes clenched his teeth in frustration.
“Atretes,” came a hushed voice behind him. He swung around and saw Rizpah standing just inside his doorway, a finger to her lips. She closed the door quietly as he came inside.
Annoyed at the way his heart jumped at the sight of her, he was terse. “You’re late!”
She gave a soft laugh of surprise as he strode toward her. “I wasn’t exactly greeted at the gate. I had to sneak in.”
Atretes resented the rush of strong emotions he felt
. She was flushed, her eyes bright. Worse, she seemed perfectly at peace, while the last two days of his life had been filled with torment. “Silus said he turned you away. How’d you manage to get in?”
He sounded as though he wished she hadn’t come back. “Someone left the back gate door open.” She unwrapped the shawl sling as she crossed the room. “You?”
“An oversight.” He hadn’t thought about it when he had come in from the hills this morning.
She smiled up at him as she placed Caleb on his big bed. “If it hadn’t been left open, I’d have climbed the wall.” His son gave a gurgling laugh and kicked his legs, obviously happy to be loosed.
“I was about to come looking for you,” Atretes said, putting his hand on her hip and nudging her aside so he could pick up his son.
Rizpah noted the dagger tucked into his belt. “Were you planning to slit my throat when you found us?”
“I was considering it,” he said and grinned into Caleb’s face as the babe tried to grab his hair. He nuzzled the child’s warm neck, relieved to have his son back in his possession.
“You can trust me, Atretes.”
“Maybe,” he said without looking at her. “You kept your word. This time.” He put Caleb back on the bed again. Drawing the sheathed dagger from his belt, he dropped it beside his son. Caleb rolled onto his side and reached for it.
“What are you doing?” Rizpah gasped, moving quickly to take it away.
Atretes grasped her wrist. “Leave it.”
“I will not!” She tried to jerk free.
He was amazed at how fragile her bones felt and was careful not to hurt her. “He’s not strong enough to pull the dagger free.”
“It’s what it represents,” she said and tried to reach for the weapon with her other hand. Atretes yanked her back. She glanced up at him and went still. His blue eyes stared into hers. She couldn’t fathom what he was thinking, nor was she sure she wanted to know. His gaze drifted, causing worse upheaval within her.
“He’s the son of a warrior,” he said, looking at the curve of her mouth, “and will be a warrior himself one day.”
“He needn’t start training at seven months.”
His mouth curved wryly as he ran his thumb lightly across the smooth, soft skin of her wrist. He allowed her to jerk free. She turned from him abruptly, took the dagger from Caleb and set it firmly on the table beside the bed. Caleb, stripped of the new and intriguing toy, rolled onto his back and cried petulantly. Rizpah quickly took a wooden rattle from a fold in her belt and shook it over him. The sound distracted him briefly, but when she put the toy in his hand, he shook it once and sent it sailing past her head.
Atretes smirked. “He’s my son.”
“He certainly is,” Rizpah said dryly, watching Caleb’s face turn red as he wailed louder.
Atretes’ mouth tightened. He took the sheathed dagger from the table and held it in front of her face. “It’s looped,” he said. “Do you see?” He flicked the leather strap with his index finger and tossed the dagger onto the bed beside Caleb. When she started to reach for it again, he caught her arm and spun her around. “Leave him be. He can’t hurt himself with it. Now, tell me what you’ve learned over the last two days.”
She let out her breath sharply, but made no further effort to take the weapon from her son. Atretes would only give it back to him. “We can sail for Rome tomorrow morning at dawn. All we have to do is make it to the ship.”
“Good,” he said, a surge of excitement spilling through his blood. He was going home! “I take it the money I gave you was enough.”
“Enough to take us part way, but you needn’t worry. John and the others have seen to the rest of the expense.”
He frowned, a muscle tightening in his jaw. “The others? What others?” His eyes darkened. “How many people did you tell about these plans?”
“There are twenty—”
“Twenty!”
“. . . going along with us.” She raised her hands at the look on his face. “Before you explode and lose all reason, listen.” She told him of the others’ plights as quickly as she could. When she finished counting off the various members of the party, all except one best left unmentioned until unavoidable, Atretes uttered one word in Greek that made her cringe and then blush.
“And I’m to guard this little band of yours,” he said, glaring at her.
“I didn’t say that. We will be in their company.”
“I’d rather go alone.”
“If that’s your wish, I bid you God’s speed. Caleb and I will remain here.”
His eyes caught fire.
O Lord, I’ve done it again! She shut her eyes briefly and then looked up at him. “Atretes, would you discard the welfare of others as your welfare was so easily discarded by Rome? Would you allow them to be used as you were used? Their need to leave Ephesus is great,” she said. “If they remain, they’ll end up in the arena.”
A muscle jerked in his jaw, but he said nothing.
“Rome is becoming less and less tolerant toward the Way,” she said. “Officials on all levels misunderstand our faith. Most believe we preach rebellion against the Empire.”
“Rebellion?” Atretes’ interest quickened.
“Rome holds up its emperor as a god, but there is only one God, Christ Jesus our Lord, who died for us and rose again. Jesus himself told us to yield unto Caesar what belongs to Caesar. We pay taxes. We obey the laws. We give respect where respect is due and honor where honor is due. But we yield our lives and works to the glory of the Lord. Because of this, Satan has moved them to destroy us.”
Only one thing Rizpah said made any sense to Atretes. “Rebellion,” he said again, tasting the word and finding it sweet as revenge. “So, if this faith spreads throughout the Empire, it could bring Rome to its knees.”
“Not in the way you mean.”
“It could weaken her.”
“No, but it could take the sword from her hand.”
Atretes laughed softly, the sound chilling. “Take the sword from Rome and death follows.”
Rizpah had never seen his eyes more alive or on fire. “Not death, Atretes. Transformation.”
“We’ll travel with them,” he said in decision. “Anything Rome fears, I’ll protect.”
She started to speak, but a knock came on the door.
Atretes strode over. “Who knocks?” he demanded, his head near the door.
“Gallus, my lord. Silus hasn’t found the woman yet.”
“She’s here with me.”
Caleb gurgled happily as he gummed the leather sheath.
“He’ll be much relieved, my lord. Did she bring your son back?”
Rizpah tensed at the question. “Atretes, don’t . . .”
He opened the door and Gallus saw her. “She brought him. Go back to your post for now. We’ll need you later tonight.”
“She will return to the city, my lord?”
“I’ll be going with her.” Closing the door, Atretes turned to her. He frowned slightly. “What troubles you?”
She shook her head. “Perhaps I’m becoming like you. Distrustful. I wouldn’t have told anyone in this household that Caleb was here or that we were leaving tonight. Least of all Gallus.”
His eyes narrowed. “I bought him out of the ludus. He owes me his life.”
She bit her lip, saying nothing. She had suspected there were spies within the household. She knew Gallus was one. Once, while standing on the balcony of the room next door, she had seen him speak to a man through the small window opening in the gate. A moment later, that man had walked away, joining another beneath the shade of the terebinth tree. They had spoken briefly, and then one man had headed down the road for Ephesus. Atretes himself had told her later the men at the tree were Sertes’ spies. She had wondered then if Sertes had spies other than Gallus within the household, watching and reporting everything Atretes said and did.
Now, looking at Atretes’ cold face, she wished she hadn’t said anything
about her suspicions. She was afraid of what he might do about them.
“We can leave without saying anything more,” she said. “He doesn’t know our destination.”
Atretes stepped past her. Crossing the room, he moved into the shadows near the balcony and looked out.
Caleb fussed, and Rizpah sat down on the bed to distract him. She nibbled playfully at his toes, his laugh making her laugh. He lost hold of the sheathed dagger, and she talked to him as she carefully slipped it out of reach and sight. What a loathsome toy to hand a child.
Atretes still stood near the balcony, looking out, saying nothing. She was disturbed by his cold concentration. Why had she spoken?
Atretes muttered a curse and turned.
“What is it?” she said.
“You were right,” he said, striding across the room.
Her heart jumped in alarm. What cost my careless words, Father? “Wait!” She rose and ran to the door, standing in front of it to bar his way. “Where are you going? What are you going to do?”
“What needs doing,” he said and yanked her roughly aside.
“Atretes, please . . .”
“Feed the babe and get him ready to travel.”
“Atretes, don’t. . . .”
The door clicked shut behind him.
When Rizpah tried to open it, Atretes pulled it shut again and locked it. “Be silent,” he commanded when she called his name again.
* * *
Atretes went down the steps quickly and strode through the atrium. He took the corridor that led to the gymnasium instead of the one leading to the front door. He would deal with Gallus later. Right now, he had to prevent word from getting to Sertes.
He took a framea from the wall as he passed through the gymnasium. He strode into the baths, passed between the pools, and went outside to the back gate. When he was beyond the wall, he ran along it, around to the south side, away from the road, where Gallus and Silus wouldn’t take notice of him.
He caught up quickly to the man Gallus had spoken to by the gate. He was alone on the road and walking fast, carrying his information to Sertes. Atretes recognized him from the ludus.