A Short History of Kings
By Chris James
Chapter Seven
Maps, Septimus had maps... lots of them. Theo stared at the dozens of scrolls with disbelief.
"You made all of these?" Theo asked.
"Some... many actually. In all of our campaigns I copied the terrain over which we traveled," Septimus explained. "But I also had the chance to see many of the original Greek maps made during the reign of Alexander and the expansion of his empire. It was my diversion to copy them closely. I think this is the largest collection of its kind in the empire."
"We must cross the sea to Egypt if we are to return to my home," Amir said.
"I can guide you... here, look at this map."
For the first time Theo saw the shape of Italia and its place in the Mediterranean Sea. The coast of the African continent seemed a great distance away.
Amir nodded and placed a finger on the map. "We would sail across to Alexandria, travel the desert to the Red Sea and again take a ship to the great city of Kolachi."
"That sounds easy," Theo said.
Amir shook his head. "It is not."
Septimus agreed. "A ship to Alexandria may be the best part of your trip, providing the Romans are not still after you."
"I have a suggestion," Gaius said. "Come to Greece with me. The Empire still controls those lands but they will not be as vigilant, they may not even know the Pope seeks to find you."
"The Pope is after them too?" Septimus asked.
"Not Amir, it's me they seek," Theo said. "Daniel has told them about the medallion, they would seek to learn its power."
"Well we can't allow that," Septimus said. "Greece would be a better place for you to take a ship south to Alexandria, closer too."
"We have friends in Athina, members of the Circle. But first we have to get there, that's why I brought us to Septimus," Gaius said.
"You have a ship?" Theo asked.
"Me? I'm no sailor, but I know several. Lucius has a merchant fleet in Pescara," Septimus said, and then he laughed. "He would like nothing better than to cheat the Pope out of something. But it's a risk for you, the Via Valeria runs straight and true, but as the back door to Roma it's heavily patrolled."
"Theo can take care of keeping us safe," Gaius said.
"Oh, you have more surprises?" Septimus asked.
Theo smiled. "A few... so how far is Pescara?"
"Three days by horse, but that will only attract attention. I think I'd better come with you and deliver you safely," Septimus said.
"But then you have to ride back, I can't ask that of you," Gaius said.
"If we go in style then it doesn't matter, besides, why should you have all the fun of thumbing your nose at the Pope's soldiers." Septimus laughed. "I bet the boys would like a chariot ride."
"Chariot? I am unfamiliar with the term," Theo said.
"Trust me, it's better than riding in that old cart of yours, which might take you a week. I will need to make some arrangements, shall we say day after tomorrow?"
"Fine," Gaius said. "You're too generous."
"After what you've done for the Circle, you must be joking," Septimus responded.
"And this voyage, how much will it cost?" Amir asked.
"A few coins, Lucius runs across to Greece several times a month. He'll probably know how you can get to Alexandria as well. Does this sound like a good plan?"
"Yes, Septimus, and we're grateful for your guidance," Theo said. "Do you have a map for the desert we will travel?"
"Yes, Alexander conquered that whole area and much further as well. I wouldn't be surprised if I have the means to guide you all the way to Amir's kingdom. If I do then we will make copies for you to take along. I wish to assure your success after all you have done for me."
They made plans as best they could and Septimus set the boys to copying his maps. Amir grew more excited as he saw the map of his homeland and the great river they would follow north to his kingdom. But he knew it would not be the same with new masters ruling the land.
Lucia baked bread and bound it with cloth for their trip. Vessels of wine, cheese, olives, fruit, enough for a huge company of men. Septimus showed them the chariot, a quadriga that would be pulled by four horses.
"I'm sure the eight of us will be quite comfortable in the evenings, there are wayside inns where we may stop for the night," Septimus said.
"Eight? Who else is coming?" Theo asked.
"Our escort, I never go anywhere without them as is fitting to my rank as tribune."
Theo grinned. "You have your own soldiers so that others will not stop us."
"Clever lad, you learn quickly. If we didn't come along what would you have done in your own defense?"
Theo looked around and noticed they were alone at the moment. "We would disappear." And with that he did.
Septimus gasped and then looked around. "Are you still here?" He asked.
"Right beside you," Theo replied and Septimus jumped. "And if I touch you then you will disappear with me."
"Really? Now that would be fun, we could spy upon the boys."
Theo chuckled and grasped Septimus' hand. "Oh, things do look different, are you sure no one can see us?"
"Yes."
Lucia walked in the room with her broom and went right past them. Septimus swatted her on the rear and she jumped. "What?" She said, looking about the room.
"It is I my dear, speaking to you from the other side," Septimus giggled.
She swung her broom and caught him in the stomach. Theo laughed and released the magic. Septimus was doubled over and it was Lucia's turn to laugh.
"Very sneaky my love, don't do it again," She said.
"Count on it," Septimus said.
Lucia smiled and patted Theo's head before she left. "Your magic gets me in trouble," Septimus said.
"No, your hand swatting her got you in trouble," Theo said.
"A useful piece of magic, I wondered how you entered the Pope's residence so easily."
Septimus' men rolled the quadriga out of its shed and began to clean it. The four wheeled version of the famous war chariot looked impressive but dirty. Emblazoned on the sides were symbols Theo didn't understand and so they were explained.
"The fasces represent the strength of the Empire, the bundled reeds around the battle axe are symbols of power," Septimus explained. "The eagle and the laurel wreath symbolize the power to rule. SPQR specifically points to the Senate, the ruling body of our land."
"This is your chariot, you were that power," Theo said.
"Yes, and I don't think a troop of legionaries will challenge us when they see us traveling in this, my form of disguise," He laughed.
The morning of departure arrived and Lucia kissed them all. The assembled looked like nothing more than a troupe of Roma's finest citizens. Septimus and Gaius wore togas with the purple striping; there could be no mistaking these men as anything but Senators. Amir and Theo wore tunics of the finest cloth and a short sword as befitting a boy that age.
The surprise came when their escort rode forth dressed in the finest armor befitting a legionnaire of the highest class, their horses decked out in red and gold trappings. The four horses of the quadriga pawed at the ground, ready to run and Septimus nodded to his wife and the three boys beside her.
The way east was slow until they reached the paved Roman road and then Septimus allowed the horses their head. Theo imagined they must make quite a sight rolling along at a fast clip, he was glad Septimus was with them.
The four soldiers in front cleared the way, and smaller carts and peasants moved out of the way as they charged on through. There was not much traffic this early and that made things easier. They were on the road towards the village of L'Aquila, the halfway point to Pescara, and making good time. But four hours into the journey they ran across the first of the Roman patrols.
Septimus slowed down and handed Amir the reins. "You don't look like a servant as much as my grandson learning to drive the chariot so that is how we will act. The horses are gentle, you must be as well," He said.
As they approached the soldiers by the side of the road an amazing thing happened. The patrol soldiers lined up and gave a salute as they rolled slowly by, Septimus bowing slightly in acknowledgement. Theo was stunned, no one had tried to stop them, but Gaius laughed.
"A soldier is conditioned to respect rank and authority; they certainly took Septimus as an important man. The charade is a success, our safety assured."
They stopped in the low hills outside L'Aquila and rested the horses. The road led upwards, heading towards a pass through the mountains. This would be the steepest grade on their journey, but it had the most magnificent view.
They would secure space for the night in the village and have the animals tended before their journey tomorrow. The four men of the escort sat in the shade and watched the horses drink from the nearby stream. Gaius and Septimus sat on the rear of the chariot and shared a skin of water.
"We made good time, at this rate we will make Pescara by tomorrow evening," Septimus said.
"I just wonder if the word about us has reached Pescara," Gaius said.
"Perhaps, but Lucius will not bend his will to that of the Pope. The city was attacked not so many years ago and they sent pleas to Roma for help, none came. Lucius lost his brother in the fight. He received word that the new order in Roma did not feel pressured to defend the eastern cities, they were busy consolidating their own base of power."
Gaius shook his head. "How sad, we used to be a unified people."
"No more," Septimus said, standing up once again. "Now it is every man for himself unless this new upstart church blesses the endeavor. Come, let us ride on. A hot meal and a soft bed call my name."
Three hours later they were in L' Aquila. A small cluster of shops, a tavern and several inns, their money would be welcome here. The soldiers stabled the horses and gratefully took the coins Septimus gave them before heading off to the tavern.
Theo and Amir stood looking at the snow capped mountains that lay to the north of the village.
"I haven't seen snow in a long time," Theo said.
"I don't want to remember the last time I saw snow, it was as the slave of that Persian general," Amir said. "Cold, it was so cold."
Theo placed an arm around Amir's shoulder. "No more, that will never happen to you again."
Amir smiled. "I will need your strength; we will be far from our friends and headed into the unknown."
Theo nodded. "This should be a great adventure, and I finally get to see Greece. Gaius says it's the home of civilization, a place of great knowledge."
Amir smiled. "My people make the same claim, we will see."
Septimus led them into the inn and they sat at a long table. Servants brought them food and drink. Gaius asked a servant about the baths and was given directions to find it. The owner seemed to grovel at their feet, attending to their every wish. It seems he was certain that he had two important Senators on his hands and Septimus did nothing to dissuade him from that thought.
A bath and bed served them well, and at dawn they were back on the road. The road led them higher, mountains rising around them and then falling away as they approached the coast. The road turned south as they came out of the hills and stretching away before them was the sea.
The miracle of salt air and sun gave them a burst of energy as they made the ride into Pescara. The city was a seaport of great value to the Empire. From here the commerce of merchants from all over the Mediterranean entered the peninsula, Lucius was amongst them somewhere.
Septimus drove them to a small estate snuggled against the cliffs north of the city where they were welcomed by Lucius' family. The horses and men were quartered while Lucius' son was dispatched to fetch his father from the docks. Septimus, Gaius and the boys sat in the shade of the veranda and gazed out at the expanse of water.
"I should have moved here after I left the city," Septimus sighed. "Nothing in Roma matches this view."
"I don't see any large ships in the port," Gaius said. "I wonder how we shall make the journey to Greece."
"Ships come and go; they don't make any money sitting at the dock. But the matter of travel to the Greek islands is not difficult, even a small ship can make the passage."
Within the hour Lucius arrived, and again the three men greeted one another as old comrades in arms. Unlike Septimus and Gaius, Lucius was a thin and wiry man, his face weather beaten by years on the sea.
"Greece? Yes, we will sail for Athina on the morning tide two days hence, unless you're ready to leave first thing in the morning," Lucius said.
"The sooner the better," Septimus said. "Gaius and the boys are wanted men."
Lucius smiled. "Ah, Gaius... what have you done now?"
"I have offended the Pope by escaping his clutches, isn't that enough of a reason?"
"The very best, screw the old bastard. Octavian sails in the morning; I will have no problem getting you on board. I would give you passage for free but he will require some grease on his palm."
Gaius reached under his toga and withdrew a pouch, dropping it on the table with a resounding clink. "How much for the three of us do you suppose?"
Lucius raised an eyebrow. "Not all that, for sure. By the gods, Gaius, did you clean out your treasury?"
"No, I had to leave it all behind, we left in a hurry," Gaius said. "But nothing that can't be replaced."
"It's sad when a man is dragged from his own home like that, what have things come to in Roma? Do the rights of a citizen matter any more?" Lucius looked angry now and Septimus held up a hand.
"We will have time to speak of these matters, what arrangements need to be made for the passage?"
"I will send Flavius to the docks and he will speak to Octavian, will you give him some coin to seal the bargain? I don't know what he will charge, but it won't be much more," Lucius said.
Gaius extracted nine coins, three for each of them and handed them over. Lucius looked at the stamps on the coins. "Caesar's finest; I haven't seen these in a while."
"The Pope hoards them... well he did," Gaius laughed.
Lucius gave him a shrewd look. "I would hope you took it all?"
"All that we could carry, the rest is useless to him now. I will explain... "
Flavius was given the coins and Theo asked if he and Amir might accompany the boy and see the docks. Septimus nodded, he couldn't worry about Theo anymore. If only he had such power, Septimus thought, they could retake the Empire.
There were old fortifications around the town but much of it had crumbled. Flavius explained that the area had been invaded many times, the old torn down and replaced each time... except now. The Germanic hordes had swept through less than thirty years before and the plight of the town had been ignored.
The town was rather large, two distinct areas divided by a river that flowed to the sea. The area of the docks was swarming with workers loading and unloading the small cargo ships.
"There, that is Octavian's vessel, he will be aboard," Flavius said.
They approached the small wide beamed vessel and saw that it was low in the water. Flavius leaned over the side and yelled down into the hold.
"Octavian, are you here?"
"And where else would I be? Is that Flavius who calls my name?"
"The very same, my father sends his greetings and asks that I give you something," Flavius laughed.
"If it's payment on that bet then I'm your man." And a tall slender young man climbed the ladder up from the depths of the hold. He smiled at Flavius and looked at Theo and Amir.
"And what have we here?" Octavian asked.
"Paying passengers for Greece," Flavius said.
"Paying did you say? Now you speak my language, welcome, come aboard," Octavian said.
He led them to the stern of the vessel where they sat on benches. Octavian looked healthy and strong, but Theo could see that he had eyes that appraised a boy's body as well. Interesting, Octavian was barely ten years older than Amir. Theo thought him young to be captain of his own ship.
"You're mighty young to take a passage such as this," Octavian said.
Amir bristled at the challenge. "I have sailed the Mediterranean, the Red Sea and the Great Southern Ocean," He said.
Theo almost laughed at Octavian's surprised reaction. "And I have sailed here from Britannia. Neither of us is a stranger to the sailor's domain," Theo threw out.
Octavian grinned. "I was wrong; forgive me my lack of understanding." And he bowed. "Well if Lucius says you sail with me then you do."
Flavius held out his hand and dropped the coins in Octavian's palm. "Ah, and thus your passage is guaranteed."
"There will be another, our teacher will come with us," Theo said.
Octavian smiled. "A lucky man to have such worthy students. We will sail the hour after dawn, don't make us late or the tide will make it difficult for me to round the point."
"We'll be here," Theo said.
Flavius laughed once they were headed back to his home. "Have you really sailed all those places you mentioned?"
Amir nodded. "Yes, although I was not a willing sailor. This time it will be different, I'm going home."
Gaius and Septimus joined Lucius in the laughter when Flavius told them about what had transpired.
"Octavian is a fine sailor; he just has a great opinion of himself as the captain of his first ship," Lucius said.
As promised Octavian and his crew of four was ready when they arrived just after dawn. Gaius greeted the man quite civilly; playing the role of teacher was comfortable and wise. He wore a long tunic and sandals with a cloak around his shoulders, even his clothing said academic.
Their farewells to Septimus were warm and affectionate. His eyes were filled with tears for the boys as he bid them a safe and expedient journey. He also promised that should they ever return there was always a place for them in his heart. For Gaius there was only a warm hug, they had shared many separations in life before, this was just another. A sad parting, a joyous departure towards the future.
The ship was loaded with goods for the markets of Athina and for the great city of Constantine which was its final destination. Octavian took his ship down the coast and Theo watched by his side.
He asked Octavian if he might see the map of their route and the man gave him a quizzical look in return. "I use no map. My father showed me the way and I had to memorize every step of the voyage before he would allow me to do it alone."
Gaius was not surprised. "It takes a brave man to sail unknown waters, the perfect analogy for what we are about to do. I've been to Greece, but that was many years ago; it takes an age for changes to affect that land. I wish you could stay on a while, there is much to learn from the Greeks."
Amir patted his hand. "I would stay with you; we have become such good friends. But I need to return home and see what remains of my family and my people."
Gaius looked over at Theo. "And now you shall, I have every confidence in you."
At dusk the ship anchored in a small harbor and the crew turned in. Tomorrow they would leave Italia behind and cross the sea to the Greek Isles. Gaius bedded down and was soon snoring, that left Octavian alone with the boys.
His eyes showed his admiration, for by now he had discerned the nature of the relationship between Amir and Theo.
"I envy you, my youth did not allow me to share the favors of those I would love," Octavian said.
"We met by chance, although I would credit the gods for our meeting," Theo said.
"You do not find favor in this new religion I see."
"There is nothing wrong with the teachings I have heard, just the people who would speak for this God. Gaius says the teachings of this Jesus speak of love and human compassion, he obviously didn't know too many Romans."
Octavian sighed. "Romans are a breed apart from the rest of us. We have our share of priests, but the life of a sailor allows us to leave that all behind. It's really no better in Greece, the Byzantine influence is great, and you will have to be cautious.
"Athina has changed, the great men of the early times are gone, and the Christian God has greater influence there. And despite the Roman rule, hordes from the north have invaded many times in the past century. Much of the great city is now in ruins. No, the Athina you will see is but a shadow of its former self."
"Gaius says that man cannot be united by faith in one God, there are too many differences amongst us." Theo shook his head. "In Britannia the soldiers were used to enforce the new religion. I question how such methods will make people feel about joining this faith."
"They will forget," Octavian said. "In time the cruelty will be forgotten and only the results will remain. People forget what they do not want to remember."
"Will you ever stop being a sailor?" Amir asked.
Octavian nodded. "Yes, I'll come ashore and take over my father's business. My brothers will grow and learn to sail." Then he smiled. "Maybe then I can find a nice young man to share my life."
Dawn found them heading into the rising sun, the sea was calm, the voyage idyllic. But Octavian regaled them with stories of huge seas and great storms, the Greek islands were known for their ferocity. And by day's end they were sailing between the first of the islands and again stopped for the night.
"The passage is fraught with rocks and shoals, only those with evil intent travel in darkness here," Octavian informed them. Tomorrow they would complete this leg of the journey and Athina would embrace them.
This night Octavian slept while Gaius sat awake for a while. He explained the contacts he would make and the man who would find them safe passage to Egypt.
"There are many Roman vessels which use the port, a greater military presence. We will have to be cautious and not attract attention. Nikolas serves the military governor but he is one of us in secret. The Circle has spread its eyes far across the Empire; he will be a wealth of information about the road ahead for you."
Gaius finally lay down, his snores soon attested to his state of deep slumber. Theo and Amir rolled up in their cloaks and kissed. There had been no time, no place where they were alone to indulge their feelings, and not even this moment would allow them to consummate the love they felt. Love, tinged with concern about what lay ahead, it held them fast together.
Theo awoke at the gentle thump alongside and the sound of hushed voices in the darkness. Someone was crawling over the side from a small boat beside them. More whispered voices and the sound of weapons being drawn.
Theo sat up and then stood tall. "Halt," He yelled... and they didn't. More voices, men scrambling aboard.
Theo raised his hands and a great ball of fire formed and was flung at the boarders. Screams of dismay, men jumping away and overboard. Octavian and his men appeared on the deck, weapons drawn, but there were no enemies left on board. A torch was lit and the small craft attached to their side was cut loose and drifted away.
Cries for mercy from the water beside the ship and Octavian ignored the calls. "What happened?" He asked.
Gaius and Amir were huddled by the rudder, only Theo stood up and answered. "Men began to come aboard, I told them to halt and they ignored me... who were they?"
Octavian looked over the side and saw nothing. The only sounds they heard were the lapping of the waves against the ship. He turned back to Theo.
"You did something... I saw a great flash of light, what did you do?" He asked.
"It will take time to explain," Theo said with a nod towards the crew.
"Return to sleep, we will be up in a few hours," Octavian told his crew and they went below decks. The torch burned brightly in his hand and Octavian held it out over the water before allowing it to drop and be extinguished.
The darkness settled back in and only the stars lit the sky. Octavian sat on a bench and Theo joined him. Gaius and Amir sat on the deck at their feet, no one was tired now.
"Pirates, that's who you chased away. They had come to steal my ship and cut our throats, I should have kept a watch for our safety... .I apologize."
Gaius nodded. "Theo is a light sleeper, he keeps a constant watch."
"And that explains nothing, how did you chase them off the ship so quickly?" Octavian asked.
"I set them afire," Theo said.
"Fire... you have magic?" Octavian asked.
"Yes, it's something like that, I don't use it lightly, but we were in danger."
Octavian grinned. "You amaze me more each day. Forgive me for ever doubting you."
"You're like everyone else; you see a boy and nothing more," Theo said. "I don't know the limits of this power and that makes me cautious. But the gods protect me and my friends, I'm happy to call you friend."
By mid-day they sailed into the harbor of Piraeus, the main port for commerce to Athina. Octavian sought out the docks he favored, passing several large Roman warships along the way. Ships of every shape and size lined the port, some looking quite strange to Theo's eye.
"That ship is familiar to me," Amir said.
"Yes, it would be, that's a dhow from the Arabian lands to the south," Octavian said. "Quite possibly that's the kind of ship you will take to Alexandria."
"Oh, it's pretty small," Theo said.
"They come in all sizes, but you don't see many of them here," Octavian said. "There, a space at last." He turned the rudder and the crew lowered the sail as they approached. The vessel lost its forward motion and lightly kissed the dock allowing a crewman to jump ashore and tie them off.
"Here you are, safe and sound," Octavian said. "I will give you passage again if you choose."
There were hugs and the boys stepped up on the dock. Gaius slid some more coins into Octavian's hand despite his reluctance to accept them.
"Thank you, my friend," Gaius said. "Have a safe voyage and give my regards to Lucius when you see him again."
The boys pulled him ashore and they waved at the crew, then it was off to the city. As when they arrived in Roma, they made their way into the city by cart, only this time they were surrounded by onions. Gaius begged to be forgiven; it was the only transport available.
Athina, the city on the hill, was once a great fortress. Piraeus still had solid fortifications maintained by the Romans; the city had seen greater destruction. The road followed a long defensive wall that had been breached in several places. Theo could see gangs of slaves working to make repairs, but the task seemed endless.
The road led them to the city walls and Roman troops stood guard at the gate. The cart driver didn't even stop as they rolled through the opening; Theo took that as a good omen. Maybe no one was looking for them here. Once through the gate Gaius called to the driver to stop and they got off.
The city felt ancient, and was more crowded than Roma. Gaius' eyes lit up as he spied a tavern with people sitting on benches outside eating something. Theo caught the smell of food and he too was pulled towards the door.
"By the gods, I'm starved," Gaius said.
Amir just smiled, he had spent years with hunger. Theo pulled the boy inside and they spied an empty table. Within minutes they were plied with roasted lamb, a spicy dish made of dark green vegetables, bread and goat cheese, and a pitcher of the local wine.
They ate in silence for a while and then Gaius said that they should arrive at Nikolas' house before dark. If the man did not have room for them then he would find them a bed at an inn. But tonight they would talk, and learn of the situation here in the city.
Gaius led them down an ancient street to a gate and saw it was shut tight. "We will come back," He suggested, but then he spied a man walking up the street and they eyed one another.
"Gaius?" The man called.
"Nikolas," Gaius laughed.
The two men embraced and stood back to appraise one another.
"You haven't changed a bit," Gaius said.
Nikolas shook his head. "I am the same, but my wife was taken by a fever three years ago. Come in, come in... and who have you brought with you?"
"This is Amir and Theo, my traveling companions for the moment... it's about them that I come to your door."
"Then we will talk, come in," Nikolas said.
He opened the gate and led them into a quiet garden. The house was cool and deep, the furnishings sparse yet comfortable. An old woman stood in the kitchen as they entered and Nikolas introduced his sister, Demetria. Then he led them out the back door and Gaius beamed.
The veranda was covered with an arbor and flowers bloomed everywhere. Demetria brought them pitchers of watered wine and plates of cheese, olives and bread. They had just eaten but they all took something to be polite.
"We have been traveling in good company these past few weeks, Septimus sends his greetings," Gaius said.
Nikolas laughed. "That sorry dog, I haven't seen him in years, is he well?"
"Well enough, he still plots and plans for the return of the old ways."
"Don't we all," Nikolas said. "The Romans here are too busy to bother us; the Empire is focused to the east where new threats seem to spring up yearly. There is something afoot in the Arab states; a new movement of allegiances is underway."
"Oh, not another move to regain Jerusalem?"
"No, there is claim of a new leader and his following," Nikolas said.
"Nothing good can come of this, Amir and Theo would travel that way quite soon," Gaius said.
Nikolas turned to the boys. "I can see the heritage of Amir; he must come from the Persian lands. No, I would venture that he's from further south, the middle kingdoms."
Amir smiled. "You're the first one who has guessed it right."
"Nikolas traveled with the legions in that part of the world, but those were younger years, we were all much younger then," Gaius laughed.
"Don't remind me," Nikolas laughed in return. "And I would guess you seek a return to your people."
"I was taken captive as a small child, I don't know what has happened to my people," Amir said.
"The Persian wars are about at a standstill, the Sassanid Kings have been defeated time and again by the Roman armies. Heraclius has his legions all over that area, where are you bound?"
"Kolachi, and then up the great river to my homeland," Amir said.
"That's well; the war will not touch you there. Heraclius seeks to drive them from the Tigris and that is far north of your destination. I would avoid the Arab lands at all costs; they are an angry and vengeful people at this time."
Nikolas took the boy's hand. "What is the name of your village, do you remember?"
"It was not a village but a city, it was called Ror and ruled over the Sindh, my father was Dariush, their King. We are descendants of the Harappa, the people of that civilization brought greatness to Mesopotamia."
"And so they did," Nikolas said.
"You know about this?" Theo asked.
Nikolas nodded. "It's my job, I'm the Roman historian for Greece, and before that I followed Heraclius from Carthage to Jerusalem."
"But you are Greek," Theo said.
"And Greece is now Roman, but I have high born friends, of which Gaius is quite knowledgeable. So Amir, were your people Hindu or Buddhist?"
"I don't know, I was too young to know. I've been exposed to both ways of thinking. I think my father was Hindu. In time I suppose my father would have chosen a path for me, but he was killed."
"And so the son returns to claim the father's throne?" Nikolas asked.
"I am unworthy to rule, I don't even know my own people. But my mother said I must return to claim my crown, she said it must be the most important thing in my life." Amir bowed his head. "I cannot make this journey alone, and Theo has the... the strength to guide me."
Nikolas turned to Theo. "And you are not Roman, where did you call home?"
"Britannia, land of my gods and the source of my strength," Theo said.
Nikolas raised his eyebrows. "He speaks with force, what am I missing here?"
Gaius looked at Theo. "If there is one man in Greece you trust then let it be Nikolas, your secrets will be safe with him."
Theo nodded and pulled the medallion out from under his tunic. "I have been given the magic of the Druid priests. I am the reincarnation of an ancient one, and the power of the great Lugus resides in me. Nothing can harm me, neither sword nor arrow may pierce my flesh or that of the one beside me, and that person is Amir."
Nikolas gaped at the revelation and then looked over at Amir. His eyes softened, his mouth turned up in a smile. He understood their commitment and nodded.
"You have found the one person that will assure the success of your return, young prince, the gods have been kind to you both. May the Goddess bless your journey."
Three days, it took three days for Nikolas to find them passage on a dhow to Egypt, and it would be a long journey at that. The ship would sail the coast and a week later seek the port of Alexandria. But the captain was trustworthy, and Nikolas said that was a rarity for an Arab sailor.
They spent the time gathering supplies for the voyage, things that would not be available at their destination. Theo and Amir were taught how to wrap themselves like an Arab, and Nikolas managed to teach them some basic language skills. But three days went quickly and with their departure imminent Theo spent a few moments alone with Gaius.
The man had tears in his eyes as they sat down to talk. "Our friendship is so new, we should have had time to grow old together," Gaius said, and then he laughed, wiping his eyes. "I am already old on the outside... "
"And the youngest person I know on the inside," Theo said with a smile. "If the gods are kind there will be a time of return once Amir has satisfied his needs."
"There is something about that boy, but then you know him better than I."
"I know who he is but not what he is. I have never known someone of his position, his life would have been so different if not for such tragedy," Theo said.
"Tragedy is the lifeblood of the Greeks; it must be these infernal islands. But I'm here to seek comfort from old friends and make new ones," Gaius said with a wink.
Theo laughed. "I'm sure you will, there is no end to beautiful boys playing on the streets of Athina."
"You keep a close eye on Amir, I think he will astound you," Gaius said.
Theo smiled. "He already has, it's as if he were one of the gods himself."
"Will we ever know? I will miss your warmth; you share it with another now. But when you have a moment, think of me fondly."
"I shall sing your praises to the gods, if they will listen to me," Theo said.
"You are becoming a very special man, and I don't just mean because of the medallion. I don't think the power resides in that oak leaf, it's inside of you because you use it wisely. Go forth and keep that wisdom close to your heart, it's your finest quality."
And so they sailed from the harbor of Piraeus aboard a dhow loaded with textiles. Their captain was named Ptah, a distant acquaintance of Nikolas' who had paid him a wealth in coin for the passage. Ptah was made to understand that the boys were off to Egypt for a study of the ancient culture. And he was told that if they did not arrive safely that his head would be sought by the might of the Roman Empire. Ptah believed every word of that threat and trembled when a tall Roman soldier delivered the message.
Theo and Amir found themselves closeted in the captain's cabin, if such a small space could be afforded that name. Ptah was gracious, fed them well and otherwise left them alone. It allowed them time to get used to the smell of the raw textiles beneath their feet in the hold.
"We will soon enter the desert, a place you will feel great discomfort," Amir said.
Theo grinned. "If I could mask my presence the heat could not get through the cloak of invisibility."
"That would not be wise, discovery would be dangerous. The culture is given to belief in the spirit world; we would not want them to think ill of you. Have you ever seen a camel?"
"Camel? Oh, the great beast with the hump, I saw them in Roma."
"We will ride them," Amir said.
"No... how is that possible?"
"They make a saddle that rides above the hump. It's awkward, but the beast is made for the desert."
Theo shook his head. "You lead me into strange things, but if you will instruct me I will learn."
Amir snuggled up close. "There is something I want for which you need no instruction."
Theo laughed. "I'm yours, I am always yours."
Amir kissed him lightly. "I'm counting on it."
Authors deserve your feedback. It's the only payment they get. If you go to the top of the page you will find the author's name. Click that and you can email the author easily.* Please take a few moments, if you liked the story, to say so.
[For those who use webmail, or whose regular email client opens when they want to use webmail instead: Please right click the author's name. A menu will open in which you can copy the email address (it goes directly to your clipboard without having the courtesy of mentioning that to you) to paste into your webmail system (Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo etc). Each browser is subtly different, each Webmail system is different, or we'd give fuller instructions here. We trust you to know how to use your own system. Note: If the email address pastes or arrives with %40 in the middle, replace that weird set of characters with an @ sign.]
* Some browsers may require a right click instead
