by Bryan Litfin
Dear God, be with me!
“Open up!” Neratius demanded with venom in his voice.
“Never!” Flavia yelled over her shoulder.
A hand grabbed her ankle as it dangled from the window. Though Flavia tried to break free, the grip on her leg was too strong. “Let go of me!” she cried.
“Not when you need me most,” said a strong and manly voice.
Flavia finally looked down. Rex stood there on a ladder, smiling up at her.
He had come for her at last.
Rex could tell from Flavia’s tear-streaked face that she had reached the limits of her endurance. She yanked her feet from the window and allowed Rex to follow her into the bedroom. As soon as he clambered over the sill and stood up, she tumbled into his arms. Like a castaway clinging to driftwood, she encircled his waist and buried her face against his chest. “Oh, Rex, finally, you’re here,” she whispered. “I needed you so much.” He could feel her body trembling as she spoke.
“I’m here with you now,” he soothed, stroking her back with the palm of his hand. “I’ll take care of you.”
“Where were you?”
“I came as soon as Onesimus found me in the Forum. It’s a long story, but I managed to get inside your house. When the pimps came upstairs, I climbed down to the street to try a different window. I didn’t know where you’d be. Then those nice-looking calves appeared out the window. That’s a sight that will always draw me closer.”
Rex heard Flavia utter a surprised giggle as she leaned against his chest. She separated and glanced up at him. “Even in a time like this, you can still make me laugh.”
He smiled back as warmly as he could, reassuring Flavia with his eyes, sending his brash self-confidence into her battered soul. “Those legs will always be worth fighting for,” he said with a wink.
Again a fist pounded on the door, interrupting the moment. “Daughter! Open this door immediately! Open it now, or you’ll never see one penny of your dowry!”
“I don’t care about that!” Flavia shouted back.
“We could climb down the ladder and run,” Rex said in her ear, “but is that our best choice? Can we always keep running? How about if we open the door and face your father? I’m not afraid of him. Let’s end this once and for all. Then I can get you out of this house and take you where you want to go.”
“Just take me far away—anywhere in the world, Rex, as long as I’m with you.”
Now it was Rex’s turn to be surprised by unexpected words. He drew back upon hearing the heartfelt plea and looked at Flavia’s face more closely. She smiled up at him, tentative and demure, yet hopeful and trusting too. Something had changed since he had seen her last. Underneath her tears, underneath her obvious distress, Rex could see a new firmness of resolve in Flavia’s features. Everything she had counted on before was gone. She had made her decision to cast her lot with him. Rex found this intensely beautiful—the thrilling recognition that such a radiant woman would put herself under his care and protection. It was time to give her exactly what she needed.
“Open the door this instant!” Neratius bawled, punctuating his bossy commands with insistent banging.
“It’s time to do it,” Rex said quietly to Flavia. “Stay close by me.” He squeezed her hand, then went and unlatched the door.
Neratius stood there with a sour expression, and beside him, to Rex’s surprise, was Geta. The unexpected presence of Rex’s best friend threw him off for a moment, though he did not let it show. Instead, he broke into a warm smile. “Well, there you are, brother! We have some stories to tell, I’m sure!” Though Geta returned the greeting with equal affection, Rex thought he sensed confusion on his friend’s part too. Each man was trying to assess the reason for the other’s presence in the mansion.
Not wanting to be trapped in the guest bedroom, Rex stepped through the doorway and went out to the gallery that ringed the rear garden. Since the walkway made a full circle, he could go right or left and still reach the stairs. He looked over his shoulder at Flavia and flicked his head to indicate she should stay near. The other two men were keeping a wary distance until they discerned how things would play out.
Neratius started to reprimand his daughter, but Geta put up a soothing hand. “Sir, if you will allow me to speak, I believe I can bring some clarity here.”
Though Geta’s tone was congenial, Rex recognized his friend’s approach as the classic tactic of special forces operatives. It was always better to talk one’s way out of conflict than resort to violence. Geta was stalling for time. Even so, Rex actually was interested in what he would say. “I think some clarity would help,” he agreed.
Geta looked Rex in the eye. “I’m a double agent,” he said flatly.
Rex didn’t flinch at the announcement. “For who? Maxentius? He’s dead, you know.”
“Give me more credit than that, my friend.”
Rex thought for a moment, then quickly realized there was only one plausible alternative. “So it’s Licinius, eh? You did once tell me he gives the most generous donatives. ‘We have to keep our options open,’ you said. Sounds like you’re doing that.”
“Of course. If we don’t look out for ourselves, who will?” Geta took a step closer to Rex. “Join with me, brother,” he urged. “Think about it! Licinius’s army is bigger, and he’s an excellent strategist. His provinces are full of good mercenaries too. Eventually he’s going to beat Constantine. It’s inevitable. And when he does, we’ll be at his side. He’s looking for good men like you. It’s an opportunity you shouldn’t miss.”
Rex could only throw back his head and laugh. “Were you even out there at the Milvian Bridge today? Constantine just crushed a much larger army of elite Praetorians. He captured Rome! Nobody has done that for seven hundred years. I don’t think Licinius will be taking his place anytime soon. Geta, you and I just need to go have a drink. Then tomorrow we can get to work for the new Augustus of the West.”
“No! Constantine does not deserve that title. It rightfully belongs to another man. The man who is my—”
“Your what, Geta? Your patron? Your benefactor who throws you some gold coins every so often? Can you be bought so easily? I thought more highly of you than that.”
“Licinius is my father.”
The astonishing news caused a sudden silence to descend on the foursome. Staggered by the implications, Rex could find no words to respond. For a long moment, he struggled to gather his thoughts and form a coherent reply. Finally he said, “I don’t believe it. You’re Germanic.”
“And so is my mother—a tall, blonde Saxon like me. She is one of Licinius’s favorite courtesans. For that reason, the augustus wishes to see me prosper, though he knows I can never rule the empire after him.”
“When Licinius is finally in charge of Rome,” Neratius put in, “Geta’s economic future will be as bright as can be imagined. He is a man on the rise.”
Geta took another step forward, his demeanor urgent and intense. “Please listen to my words, Rex! You have only one good option here. Join with me! Be assured, we will take good care of you when our day of victory comes.”
“No! I will never betray Constantine,” Rex declared.
“Then you have no place in my home, young man.” Neratius jabbed his finger toward the staircase. “I order you to leave right now.”
Rex turned to face the senator. Though Neratius had once been a man of influence, Rex now viewed him as a tragic and pitiful figure. Despite his money and connections, he was no longer the formidable powerhouse he once was. Flavia didn’t need the senator’s riches; she needed a man who loved her enough to lay down his life for her. It was time to free her once and for all from this sad excuse of a father.
He took Flavia by the hand. “I will leave now,” he said, his tone firm and unyielding. “But your daughter is coming with me, and you will not prevent it.”
Neratius’s response wasn’t what Rex expected. His reputation suggested he would fly into a rage, but he onl
y touched his fingertips together, dipped his chin politely, and offered an oily grin. “You are right,” he said in a level voice. “I cannot prevent it. However—”
The senator paused for a long time. No one dared speak, knowing that whatever words came next would require drastic action. Flavia sidled closer to Rex, and he encircled her with his arm to reassure her.
At last Neratius broke the tension. “My son-in-law will stop you,” he announced, then turned toward Geta. “Do not let your bride leave this house.”
Rex’s jaw dropped. His glance shot first to Geta, who was wearing a pompous grin, but Rex immediately whirled to face Flavia.
“Y-you’re married?”
“No, Rex! I love you! It’s just their crazy plan!”
A molten wave of anger surged through Rex. Geta made a play for my woman!
Although the revelation brought an instant urge to fight, the rage Rex felt was much more than battle lust, for it included the pain of betrayal and a desire for revenge.
He’s not just a double agent. He tried to take Flavia from me . . . connived with her father . . . stabbed me in the back!
Brothers, always?
To the death!
Rex noticed Geta’s hand resting on the pommel of his sword. He dropped his hand to his own weapon, though he did not draw. “Do not try to stop us from leaving here, brother,” Rex said, spitting out the last word like poison. “We’re getting out and never coming back.”
“Unfortunately, I can’t let that happen.”
Blood is going to be spilled today, Rex realized. Some of it probably mine. But I will die before I let any man claim Flavia as his own!
Using the same tactic Geta had employed earlier, Rex decided to talk first and buy some time to enhance his position. He began to chastise the two men; yet as he did, he subtly shifted his stance so that he stood between Flavia and danger. Her pathway to the staircase was clear.
“Your arrogance is disgusting!” he accused the evil conspirators. “You think you can make Flavia do whatever you want. And when she was alone, you could! You’re too strong for her. Together, you could beat her down and defeat her. But no more! I’m here to defend her now. I will stand against you forever and never let your plans for her life prevail!”
“Impressive words, little orator,” Neratius sneered. “Nice speech for a barbarian.”
Geta’s hand moved from his sword to the pouch on his belt. He reached into it with his fingers and withdrew a parchment, which he held up with smug self-assurance. “Well, Rex, I assumed it would come down to this at some point. You love Flavia—I can see that. I’ve known it since you snatched her from the lion’s jaws in the amphitheater. That’s why I had this document drawn up.”
“What is it, you snake?” Flavia demanded angrily, though Rex could also hear apprehension in her voice.
“An eyewitness affidavit of something I saw on the battlefield.” Geta intensified his gaze and met Rex’s eye. “Your so-called augustus isn’t going to hold you in such high esteem once he learns of your cowardice and treason at Verona!”
Flavia sucked in her breath and recoiled deeper into the safety of Rex’s side. She gripped his tunic in her fists. “No, Geta! That will be Rex’s death!”
“So be it. Cowards should get the fate they deserve.”
With haughty confidence, the tall Germanic warrior turned away from the horrified couple and bowed deeply to Neratius. “I will come tomorrow for your daughter’s hand. I believe under the present circumstances we should be quick about the nuptials and leave the family celebrations for later.”
“I agree,” said the senator. “By noon, you shall be wed.”
“By noon,” Rex countered, “Flavia and I will be far away from this house of death. I’m taking her now.”
“As I told you before, young man, I forbid it.”
“And as I told you before, I’m doing it anyway.”
Metal scraped against metal as Geta drew his sword. “Then today is the day you die,” he said.
“Today is the first day of my new life,” Rex answered, and the battle began.
The two warriors had no shields, so they didn’t immediately spring to close quarters. Rex knew that good footwork would matter most here. He held his sword low and circled around Geta, thrusting, feinting, and parrying his opponent’s attacks. Both fighters were consummate swordsmen, evenly matched and highly trained. The first one to make a simple mistake would be the one who died.
“You’re tired from battle,” Geta taunted. “I can see it. Your grip is weak. And you’ve been wounded in your side.”
“I fought an army today while you were taking your rest. I think I can handle you.”
Geta tried a low stab of his spatha. Rex sidestepped the attack and deflected the blade with his own. The loud clang! made Flavia squeal, and as Geta recovered his stance, he glanced toward her. Before Rex could stop him, he grabbed Flavia and put his blade to her neck. “Throw down your weapon!” he demanded.
“Hiding behind a woman, Geta? Now who’s the coward?”
“Do it! Or I’ll slit her throat!”
Rex’s heart pounded at the thought of the great risk he was about to take. Geta was unpredictable; yet Rex believed he wouldn’t kill the woman who guaranteed his alliance with a powerful senator. He fixed Geta’s eyes with a malevolent stare and began to advance toward his enemy.
“Throw down your sword, Rex! Do it now!”
But Rex kept coming, never breaking his fierce gaze.
Flavia squirmed in Geta’s arms, her eyes wide with fear. The sharp steel edge was at her neck. “H-h-help me, Rex!” she said in a shuddery voice.
“I surrender,” Rex proclaimed. “Look!” He raised his sword above his head, then hurled it in a high arc over the gallery’s railing to the garden below. Everyone watched it tumble end over end, waiting for it to clatter onto the marble terrace.
And as they watched—mesmerized by the whirling blade—Rex lowered his shoulder, exploded from his stance, and barreled into Geta and Flavia at full speed.
The three of them crashed through the flimsy railing and went over the edge into empty space. Flavia’s piercing scream was the last thing Rex heard when he hit the water of the garden’s cistern.
Unlike the shallow decorative fountain in the atrium, the cistern here was deep—an ample reservoir of rainwater to be used throughout the dry season. Rex plunged into the cold depths but immediately surfaced and grasped the pool’s rim. He scrambled out and spun toward his opponent. When he turned, he saw exactly what he had hoped for. Victory was about to be his.
Taken by surprise at Rex’s audacious move, Geta hadn’t been as quick to prepare his body for the fall. He had surfaced after Rex and was just now crawling from the cistern. His body was splayed out on the pavement while his lower legs were over the water. For an instant, he was completely vulnerable.
Rex seized the opportunity, knowing the stakes of the battle were too high to pass up any advantage. He dashed over to Geta. Raised his boot high. And shattered his enemy’s shinbone against the rim of the pool.
“Argh!” Geta cried at the top of his lungs. He writhed in agony and clutched his leg with both hands.
But Rex felt no pity for the man who would betray him to Constantine. Treason was a capital crime, which meant Geta was essentially planning Rex’s murder—not to mention a life of misery for Flavia. This fight was to the death. Geta himself had made it so. Now he would die, and his terrible secret would perish with him.
A few steps away, Rex’s cavalry sword lay on the marble patio. He retrieved it and stood over his enemy. A dreadful hush descended on the garden.
Rex pressed his sword’s point into the base of Geta’s neck. Bright red blood welled up. “You started this battle,” he said evenly. “Now I’m going to finish it.”
“You aren’t brave enough,” Geta mumbled through the grimace that contorted his pale face.
“I’ve always been braver than you.”
“Ma
ke it quick, then. I’m not afraid.”
“You should be. Hell is waiting.” Rex raised his sword for a clean blow to the heart.
And that was when Lady Junia Flavia—not even twenty years old, yet as noble and heroic as any great matron in Roman history—did something Rex would never forget.
She darted to Geta and draped her body over his. “No, Rex!” she cried. “Please! Don’t do it.”
Rex staggered backward, stunned by what he was seeing. “You love him?” he exclaimed.
“Of course not!”
“Then get up and let me finish it. Why are you protecting him?”
“Because I love you! Not the killer the army has tried to make you. Not a savage barbarian and murderer. I love the real you, Rex. Who you are now . . . and who you could be!”
Rex clenched his jaw and gripped his sword’s hilt in his strong, sweaty hand. He wanted to believe he could be someone else, someone who didn’t kill to solve his problems. Yet peace wasn’t in his blood. Violence was.
“You . . . you can’t change me, Flavia.”
“Perhaps not. But I know someone who can.”
“Your Jesus?”
“Yes! Bow the knee to him, Rex. He’s worth every sacrifice you can make.”
Rex towered over Flavia as she lay across Geta’s body. He showed her the crimson droplet that stained the tip of his sword. “See this? This is who I am. No one can change that.”
“There is one in heaven who can.”
“I don’t believe it.”
“Try him, Rex. Just try, I beg you.”
“Don’t you understand? If I don’t kill Geta, I’ll lose you—and probably my life!”
“But if you do this, you’re lost anyway! I refuse to believe you could slay your best friend in cold blood. It would change you forever. You would cease to be the man I love!”
Rage had a deep hold on Rex now. “Stop this nonsense!” he roared. “Are you trying to ruin our future together? Get up! Get up, Flavia, and you’ll see who I really am! I’m a killer, and I have been since I was a child. I took my first life when I was twelve. If you want me, you have to accept that. It’s who I am. It’s what I am!”