by Carol Ashby
The family gathered around the table with Decimus sitting between Rhoda and Galen in the chair that had become his assigned place. Valeria began their supper by giving thanks for the food and especially for the return of his sight. Again, the conversation was filled with good-natured humor and affection for each other. They seemed almost as glad as he was himself that his sight had returned. He felt more at home than he could ever remember. He was going to miss being with them when he returned to the legion.
Decimus lay on his bed as they gathered for their evening prayers. It was Valeria’s turn to read.
“As Jesus and his disciples went out of Jericho, a great crowd followed him. And behold, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, ‘Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!’ The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be silent, but they cried out all the more, ‘Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!’ Stopping, Jesus called them and said, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ They said to him, ‘Lord, let our eyes be opened.’ Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him.”
She closed the codex and rested her hands on its cover as she bowed her head.
“We thank You, Jesus, that You still heal the blind. We praise and thank You for all the healing that Decimus has received, and especially for Your miracle in restoring his sight.” She continued praying, with Galen and Rhoda joining in.
Decimus listened in silence. Valeria obviously believed his sight returning was a miracle from her god, but it could just as easily have been the natural course of events. The man had recovered from the horse’s kick about as fast.
Still, he was glad these Christians had found him and decided they would risk bringing a Roman tribune home. They would probably have done it even if they’d known he was the son of the governor. He would have died by the road without their help. He would have killed himself if she hadn’t talked him out of it.
The stories about Christians risking their own lives to help the sick during outbreaks of plague were probably true. He’d never believed people would do that for strangers before, but now he did. No one but Christians would have bothered with him, either. Whether her god had power to do miracles or not, he still owed her everything.
Decimus was on the verge of sleep when Valeria stepped out onto the porch alone. His eyelids were leaden, but he forced them open. No sleep for him until he was sure she made it back into the cottage for the night.
First there was silence. Then he heard her singing. The melody was hauntingly beautiful, more beautiful than any music he’d ever heard, but he didn’t understand even a single word. He lay transfixed by the sound until she stopped and entered the cottage. She closed and bolted the door, then walked over to the side of his bed.
In the dim light of the dying fire, he could see her face. Her eyes and smile were almost luminous as she gazed down at him. She pulled the blanket up over his shoulders, like she had every night since he’d been there. Her fingers pushed back the strand of hair that had fallen over his forehead, just like she did all the time for Galen. The shock coursed through him when she leaned over and kissed his forehead, just like she so often did to Rhoda.
“Good night, Decimus. Rest in peace, and know that God loves you.”
She patted his arm and climbed the ladder into the loft, still humming that haunting melody.
Valeria lay in her bed, praising and thanking God for the miracle of Decimus’s sight returning, praying for the continued healing of his body, and praying especially that his heart would be open to everything God wanted for him.
Decimus lay on his bed, thinking back to when all had seemed hopeless. It was a good thing Valeria had talked him out of killing himself. She’d told him how her god loved him and would restore his sight. He hadn’t really believed her, but now he could see again. He was a strong man, and he might have survived his injuries and regained his sight naturally. Then again, maybe she was right, and there was something special about the Christian god.
Chapter 22: First Meeting
Decimus awoke as Galen opened the door to go feed the livestock. The sunshine streaming in revealed Valeria coming down from the loft. There was no better way to start the day than seeing her smile as she walked over to his bedside. He swung his feet to the floor.
“How’s my favorite patient feeling this morning?” She pushed back the stray lock of hair that had fallen onto his forehead.
Her fingertips touching his face sent quivers down his spine. Did she have any idea how much that stirred him? Did she enjoy it as much as he did? Or was it just a habit? She did it all the time to Galen as well.
“Better each day and ready for another delicious breakfast prepared by a beautiful woman.”
“Well, you’ll have to settle for breakfast prepared by me instead.” Valeria patted his arm. “You and Galen are quite a pair. He says everything tastes delicious and devours anything I put in front of him. You give me compliments even though the food and the cook are plain.”
His gaze followed her as she stepped to the fireplace and laid the fire. She started humming as she poured some crushed grain into the porridge pot and added the water and herbs.
The food might be plain; the cook was anything but.
After breakfast, Decimus contemplated Valeria from the cottage window. She was standing beside the corral watching Astro and the mare. Baldric or one of his sons would be coming for her later that day, but his stallion had already succeeded. If he stayed long enough, Astro would earn Valeria the promised mare.
Galen had gone to the high meadow for the morning. That was too far and too steep a trail for him to try yet, so Galen had gone without him.
Decimus was tired of staying inside. A few minutes of conversation with her would enliven even a boring morning. With his crutch under his arm, he hobbled over to join Valeria at the corral.
A fleeting smile greeted him. “You really shouldn’t be out here until after they get the mare.”
“Don’t you think I look enough like a Greek merchant now to pass casual inspection? I promise not to speak Latin and give myself away.”
The twinkle in her eyes and the broad smile his words brought to her lips drew a smile in return.
“No, I don’t, and neither do you. Baldric is no fool. He would spot you as a Roman the moment he saw you, and he wouldn’t greet you with pleasure.”
The hoofbeats behind him punctuated her prophetic words. It was too late to avoid the encounter.
Baldric himself cantered out of the woods as she finished speaking. Valeria spun to face him. Decimus leaned the crutch against the rail and turned in slow steps, favoring his left leg even though he tried not to.
Baldric reined in not ten feet from Decimus.
“Why is there a Roman here?” Baldric’s Latin had a rough Germanic accent made even more harsh by the anger simmering beneath the words. A scowl twisted his face as he fingered the sword at his side.
Valeria sidestepped closer to Decimus. “Rhoda and I found him near death after the ambush. We couldn’t leave Decimus there when he needed our help, so we brought him home to care for him, just as Jesus commands. He’s healing well and should be able to return to his legion before too long. God has been very merciful.”
Baldric eyed the crutch. His brows lowered further as he took in the calm, confident expression Decimus had assumed. Show no fear to an enemy, even when injured and unarmed―but don’t start the fight with a better prepared opponent. He’d taught his junior officers the same...before he got them killed.
Decimus sized up Baldric as well. He was a big man, as tall as himself and heavily muscled. He sat his horse like a man in control, much like he had before the ambush. Valeria had said he was a powerful man. He could see the truth of her statement.
Baldric’s fingers wrapped around the hilt of his sword. “Valeria, go into the cottage. I would be alone with this Roman.”
“My home is a sanctuary for anyone who needs my help. I won’t let any harm come to someone under my care. I’ll stay here.”
Three steps placed her between the two men.
Baldric swung his right leg over his horse’s neck and slid off. “And his great stallion is also under your care. You are wise to get some use out of him while his owner recovers. Perhaps that will take long enough for me to bring my other two mares.”
A wry smile appeared on his lips, and the tension was broken. He placed his sword hand on her shoulder as he looked down at her. “You need not worry, Valeria. I will do nothing right now to hurt this man that you have worked so hard to save. I only want to speak with him alone. Then I will come talk with you before I take my mare.”
She laid her hand on top of his and squeezed it as she looked up at him with an affectionate smile. “I always trust your word, Baldric. I’ll be in the cottage.” She smiled at Decimus as well before walking away.
The big German swung around to face Decimus with a scowl and ice in his voice.
“Roman, if you think Valeria has no man to protect her so you can treat her as you wish, you are a fool. She has been under my protection as if she is my own daughter since the physician died. She will marry one of my sons when she is ready. Anyone who tries to harm her will answer to me.”
Decimus kept his eyes locked on Baldric’s. “You have my word as a Roman that I won’t harm her.”
Baldric’s lip twitched before he spat on the ground between them. “That is worth less than nothing to me. Romans are thieves who take what they want―women, horses, whatever―without paying or caring who they hurt. I have seen no Roman honor that would make me trust your word.”
Decimus was a master at not letting his thoughts show, and he needed every bit of skill he had to keep his face passive. Baldric’s insult inflamed him like oil on glowing coals, and he normally would have struck down anyone who questioned his honor so insolently. But he was unarmed and in no shape to fight even a youth. Baldric was built like an ox.
He was not a reckless fool, so, for today at least, he must let the insult pass.
“Then I give you my word as a man who knows he owes her his life.”
Baldric fixed a glowering stare on Decimus, his head tipped as he took his measure. Decimus returned his stare, calm and unflinching. The silence stretched out longer than a man lacking Decimus’s self-control would have been able to stand.
“I will take your word...for now.” Baldric extended his arm. Decimus responded in kind, and the two men grasped each other’s forearms.
Baldric strode toward the cottage, then turned back toward Decimus. “If you break your word and hurt her, I will hunt you down and kill you.”
Valeria couldn’t make out their words, but she saw them grasp forearms in agreement over something. Their meeting had gone much better than she’d expected.
Baldric entered the cottage. He stood before her with his arms crossed and a grim set to his mouth.
“Valeria, I know your kind heart, but taking in this Roman was foolish...and dangerous. Roman soldiers are not men who can be trusted. Right now he is weak. He may seem like a friendly farm dog, but when he is strong, the wolf will return.”
“I know Romans can be dangerous, especially since we follow the Way, but we had no choice but to bring him here. Jesus commands us to love our enemies. I couldn’t leave him there to die when I might be able to save his life. God told me I should help him, and He’ll protect us.”
“Relying on your god might not be enough to stop a Roman soldier. I told him that you are like a daughter to me and under my protection. I hope that will be enough to keep him from hurting you.”
She laid her hand on one of his crossed arms. “That means more to me than you’ll ever know. I am truly grateful.”
He uncrossed them and patted her hand. “Grateful enough to make it true by marrying one of my sons?” The corner of Baldric’s mouth lifted as his eyes softened.
Valeria’s eyes crinkled as she returned his smile. “If one of your sons becomes a follower of the Way, I would consider it a great honor to become your daughter-in-law.”
As Baldric and Valeria walked out of the cottage and toward the corral together, Decimus saw them both smiling. It was a relief to see that his presence hadn’t damaged their friendship. Baldric’s chilling glance swept over him as the German entered the corral to get his mare. Valeria resumed her place standing beside him at the rail.
Baldric led the mare out of the corral and mounted his horse.
“Farewell, Valeria. I will bring my other mares soon.”
“Farewell, Baldric. I look forward to seeing you, as always.” An airy tone accompanied her warm smile.
Baldric focused icy eyes on Decimus, who calmly returned the fixed stare. “Remember what I said, Roman. I will be watching.”
Decimus nodded once without speaking.
Baldric wheeled his horse and cantered off, leading his mare.
Decimus watched Baldric until he disappeared into the trees. It was a sure bet the big German was planning to return often and unexpectedly to make sure he was keeping his word. It was what he’d do himself.
Valeria rested her hand on Decimus’s upper arm. “Well, that went much better than I’d feared it might.”
“Baldric has restored my high opinion of him.”
“I’m glad. He’s a very good man. He’s watched out for us like family ever since Gaius was killed. I’m glad you had a chance to meet him. What did you talk about?”
Decimus placed his hand over hers. “How he will kill me if I hurt you.”
Valeria’s eyes widened as her free hand shot up and covered her mouth. “Oh, Decimus!”
“Don’t worry. I won’t give him any reason to do it.”
Her hand dropped. “I know. He warned me that Roman soldiers are dangerous men, but I told him you weren’t dangerous to us.”
He chuckled. “Baldric is right, but so are you.”
Her happy smile and warm eyes were proof that she believed him.
Chapter 23: Never More at Home
Decimus lounged on the porch bench, enjoying the warmth of the morning sunshine as he watched Rhoda stroking Astro’s nose. His high-spirited stallion sought attention like a puppy whenever she came near. He’d sold two stable slaves in Mogontiacum because Astro had been too much for them to handle. A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he pictured Valeria at that age riding her father’s stallion. She’d have no trouble with Astro, either.
His gaze drifted across the farmyard in time to see Galen start down the trail from the high meadow. Maybe after lunch they could work on some chore together. He was tired of resting and ready to do something useful with his time.
As Galen approached the porch, Decimus stood and put his crutch under his arm. “So, what’s the afternoon project?”
Galen shook his head as he washed up for lunch. “Sorry. It’s taking longer than I thought it would in the meadow. I have to go back up after lunch.”
Not what Decimus wanted to hear. “Will you be up there all afternoon?”
He turned as footsteps came up behind him.
Valeria slipped past him and rested her hand on the post holding up the porch roof. “It will be better for your leg to rest today. Besides, I have sewing to do, and I’d like your company.”
Rhoda came skipping up to the porch. “I like your company, too.” She smiled up at him before going through the door.
After lunch, Valeria brought her sewing and joined Decimus on the bench. He sat with his leg propped up on the stool, sometimes watching her sew, sometimes watching Rhoda with Astro, sometimes watching the breeze make the leaves at the top of the trees dance.
If he couldn’t b
e doing something with Galen, sitting with her beside him was a pleasing alternative. Her fingers moved swiftly, making the stitches so uniform and placing them so precisely. There was something soothing about it. She didn’t speak much, but she was humming one of the melodies that had helped him relax when he lay in darkness and pain.
What a difference between then and now. He’d been suspicious of everything she said and did when he first awakened to the darkness. Now there was no one in the world he would trust more. What had been almost unbearable pain had become mostly fatigue from the loss of blood, and that wouldn’t last much longer. He felt stronger every day.
Her hands kept making the tiny stitches, but his gaze drifted to her face. Serene, with a smile constantly on her lips. The quiet humming continued as she worked. Stitch after stitch until suddenly her needle paused midair. Her smile brightened as she turned her face toward him.
“You’ve been very quiet. I know you’re bored, but a day of rest really is better for your leg.”
“Sitting next to a pretty woman is never boring.”
“Perhaps so, but you have to settle for my company.”
“I can’t think of anything better.”
“Then I guess you don’t have a very good imagination.”
Her eyes sparkled during their exchange and made her even prettier.
Decimus enjoyed these playful conversations, but did she only see him as an older Galen, teasing her about being attractive but never meaning a word of it? What was it going to take for her to admit to herself that she attracted him?
The afternoon passed more quickly than he’d expected. Valeria finally gathered up her sewing and rose. “Time for me to start supper.”
He’d been leaning back with his hands resting on top of his head while he gazed off into the distance. He straightened and reached for his crutch to follow her into the cottage.