Edge of Destiny

by Darlene Mindrup

Decimus noticed Chara among the men lining the rails. Quickly he crossed to her side. Taking her by the arm, he hurried her down the steps to Galla’s quarters. “Stay here!” he commanded, and his voice brooked no argument.

  Chara sank to the bunk, listening to feet pounding above her head. What was happening up there? Could they withstand an attack? Sliding quickly to her knees, she began to fervently pray.

  At the rails, Galla watched intensely as the ship drew closer. He prayed to God that his people would be kept safe. What irony to flee death sentences in Rome only to meet their deaths at the hands of pirates. He knew his men were strong and competent and might win the day, but someone was bound to die in the skirmish. He prayed that Chara would be spared.

  A fiery arrow flew across the water, falling short of its intended target. Others followed, arriving closer each time.

  Decimus gritted his teeth as he prepared to defend himself. He had never been trained in the art of self-defense, and though he knew less about using weaponry, he wielded his sword with a determination that surprised Galla.

  Suddenly the pirate ship veered off. The Roman ship’s occupants hurried to the port side as the pirate ship put distance between them.

  “What happened?” Decimus asked Galla under cover of the confusion.

  “I don’t know!” He was as confounded as the rest of them.

  “Ship off the starboard!”

  All eyes turned in time to see a Roman triple-banked warship slide around from their left. Its three rows of oars sliced effortlessly through the water, adding momentum to the wind that suddenly filled their sail.

  The Roman warship rapidly cut the distance between itself and the pirate ship. As it drew closer, Decimus could see the soldiers as they prepared for battle. The pirate ship was hopelessly outnumbered.

  Before long, the warship overtook the other. Their speed had been rapid, and they were so far away by this time that Decimus could barely see the figures of men running to and fro. A plank was dropped from the Roman ship to the pirates’, and troops surged across.

  “Poor lost devils,” Galla commented softly.

  Decimus watched as fire filled the sails of the pirate ship. The battle was over almost before it began.

  “Drop sails!” the captain bellowed. “Man the oars!”

  The ship moved sluggishly against the wind. Before long, they were back on course.

  Decimus went to Galla’s cabin and found Chara curled up in a ball on the bunk. Her eyes were frightened, and her lip trembled noticeably. She was clutching Galla’s dagger in her hands.

  Decimus’s lips twitched. “Are you going to use that on me?”

  Giving a sharp cry, she threw the dagger to the bunk and ran across the room, throwing herself into his arms. “Thank God, you’re safe!”

  He pulled back from her enough to look into her face. He shook his head slightly. “No. Thank God, we’re safe.”

  Decimus explained what had happened, and Chara sighed, leaning her forehead against his chest. His warm arms tightened gently around her, trying to impart some measure of consolation.

  Chara gave a prayer of thanks to God for their safety. She felt comforted by the warmth of their embrace, and her trembling slowed, then ceased altogether. Leaning back against Decimus’s arm, she smiled into his face, suddenly realizing how dear he had become to her.

  Decimus returned her smile, thankful himself for their safety. They had come so close to dying. What would have become of Chara if the attack had not been thwarted? As he continued to stare down into her eyes, the smile slowly slipped from his face. His gaze fastened on Chara’s parted lips.

  Chara could feel the pounding of Decimus’s heart beneath her palms, and her own began to race in response. Slowly he moved his face closer to hers until their lips were only a breath apart. Without knowing she had moved, Chara leaned closer, closing her eyes as their lips met.

  As Chara melted into the embrace, she slid her hands up around Decimus’s neck. Warmth spread through her unlike any she had ever known. If only this moment would never cease.

  Decimus suddenly broke the embrace as he heard thundering footsteps along the passageway. Galla slammed into the room.

  “Are you all right?”

  Chara nodded, her face suffusing with color. Galla grinned at her, unaware of the tension in the room.

  “Well, at least one good thing came of this. Trophimus is no longer seasick.”

  Chara forced a laugh while Decimus smiled lamely. He was watching Chara intently, though Galla noticed nothing of their exchanged gazes.

  “We shouldn’t have any more problems with pirates. A Roman legion is patrolling the area. Apparently they want these ships with supplies to Britannia to arrive intact.”

  “How long until we reach Massilia?” Decimus wanted to know.

  “Soon. Another four days, perhaps less if the wind changes.”

  Decimus turned to Chara. “And when we reach Massilia, you will have your freedom.”

  Chapter 6

  Chara stared morosely at the approaching port of Massilia. Typical of ports anywhere, the docks were alive with activity. The hot sun’s rays reflected against the tile roofs of the buildings.

  Although the sun was warm against her skin, Chara felt cold inside. What would become of her now? Decimus promised her freedom upon reaching Massilia, because this far from Rome, Christians were in less danger.

  Crazy man! What did he suppose she should do with her freedom? Find work somewhere? She let out her breath in frustration. Obviously he wished to be free of her. Free from his responsibility.

  Galla joined her at the rail. “Why such a pensive look on such a beautiful day?”

  Chara smiled slightly. “What’s to become of me, Galla? Where do I go from here? Trophimus, Caleb, and Thomas will have no problem finding work. They are strong and skilled, but what of me?”

  Before he could answer, a soldier approached them, snapping a salute. “Centurion, the captain wishes to speak to you. He’s below in the cargo hold.”

  Galla nodded, watching as the soldier turned and abruptly left them. He looked at Chara. “I’ll talk to you later. Will you be all right?”

  She smiled slightly. “I’ll be fine. Go ahead.”

  The ship was sliding into the dock, the smoothness of it showing the sailors’ expertise. Chara watched as the plank was dropped and men scrambled up in a surging horde.

  Sacrarii carried their loads from wagons, waiting their turns at the scales. A stuppator balanced on scaffolding, ready to caulk the ship that had just entered the dock. Chara marveled at his ability to twist and turn, never losing his balance.

  So intent was she on watching the scenes around her that Chara failed to hear Decimus come up behind her. She jumped when she heard his voice.

  “I haven’t seen you for a few days.”

  Chara glared at him. “ ’Twas not by my choice.”

  He had the grace to blush. True, he had avoided her for several days, ever since the attack on the ship. He hadn’t known what to do or even what to think. His thoughts were even now in a turmoil about what to do with Chara.

  “Chara, we need to talk.”

  Chara noticed the way Decimus refused to look her in the face. She felt her anger begin to rise. Well, he needn’t bother worrying about her. She could take care of herself. He needn’t worry that she would beg for his attention.

  Galla was hurrying toward them, his lips set in a grim line. He pulled up beside Decimus. “Have you seen Thomas?”

  Decimus frowned at the urgency of his tone. “Yes, he went below to see about our provisions.”

  “I’ll go find him. You find Trophimus and Caleb and bring them to my quarters. Chara, you wait for us there. Hurry!”

  Decimus didn’t wait to ask questions. He hurried in the last direction he had seen the young Roman and the Jew. Chara watched them both disappear from sight and hastily went to the cabin to wait for them.

  Galla was the first to arrive with Thomas, followed
shortly by the others. Decimus closed the door behind them, and they all looked to Galla for an explanation.

  “We have a problem. The soldiers will be accompanying me all the way to Britannia.”

  Chara dropped to the bunk. Decimus’s eyes grew wide. “They will be coming with us?”

  Galla nodded. “There’s more to it,” he told them grimly, going over and sitting next to Chara. “It seems that I am not entirely free from suspicion after all and that there is some question as to my loyalties. Captain Caltupa wasn’t supposed to tell me this, but he has known me a long time.”

  “What does that mean for the rest of us?” Caleb wanted to know, his suspicions rising.

  “It means,” Galla told him tersely, “that you have to come with us.”

  Thomas surged away from the wall where he had been leaning. “To Britannia? Not if my life depended on it!”

  Galla glared at him. “What about six lives?”

  All in the room stared helplessly at Galla as the meaning of his words penetrated.

  “Is there no other way?” Trophimus questioned.

  “I have thought of a way for you to still have your freedom, but it will be risky.” Galla waited until he was sure that his words had sunk in. “I will still give you your letters of manumission. I had them prepared before we left Rome. I will also give you part of the money that was given to us for this mission. As we travel overland, you are free to slip away.”

  “Just like that?” Caleb asked incredulously. “What happens if we’re caught?”

  Chara shivered at the look on Galla’s face.

  “Then we will all be on our way back to Rome, and most probably the arena.”

  Trophimus swallowed hard. “Then I’d suggest we not be caught.”

  Decimus frowned. “And what of Chara?”

  Galla sucked in a breath, pressing his lips tightly together. “That is something I need to talk to you and Chara about alone. But before I do, are we all agreed so far?”

  His look went from person to person, pausing lastly on Caleb. Slowly the Jew nodded his head.

  “Good. Then I need the three of you to go to the supply hold and help with the unloading.”

  Chara watched uneasily as the three others left the room. This was sounding more ominous by the minute. She swallowed apprehensively as Galla fixed his gaze upon her. He seemed hesitant to speak.

  “Well?” Decimus prodded impatiently.

  “I think the two of you need to marry.” Galla dropped his bombshell and waited for a response. He hadn’t long to wait.

  “Are you out of your mind?” Decimus’s fists clenched and unclenched at his sides.

  Chara merely stared at Galla as though he had grown horns. His lips twitched. If the situation were not so serious, the looks on their faces would have been amusing.

  “Before you take my head off, listen to me. The others will be leaving us soon. Eventually they should be able to find passage to wherever they wish to go. That will leave the three of us. You, Decimus, will have your letter of manumission, as we agreed. But what of Chara?”

  “I will do the same for her,” Decimus told him impatiently. “I will hardly keep her as my slave. She will be free, just as the others will be.”

  “So she will be a free woman alone in a foreign land. Or she can continue to accompany me, traveling with a group of soldiers. What then? What does that make her?”

  Decimus felt his anger begin to rise. “Don’t even suggest it.”

  “Would the two of you stop talking about me as though I weren’t present? It’s out of the question, anyway.”

  “Chara, it can be no other way. We have no choice,” Galla remonstrated softly.

  “I refuse,” she told him adamantly.

  “As do I.”

  Galla stared from one to the other. “Let me see if I can make it plainer. This is going to be a long, hard trip over a great distance. At times Chara will be the only woman within many miles. Now, if my men think her my slave, they may leave her alone for a time. But eventually this could cause difficulties. For her to sleep in my tent could cause. . .problems. They will think I should. . .share.” He cleared his throat uncomfortably.

  Chara stared at him uncomprehendingly, but Galla could see the dawning realization on Decimus’s face.

  “In any event,” Galla continued, “she would have no privacy. I usually share my tents with my captains.”

  “Oh.” Chara’s tiny voice was the only sound for many minutes.

  “I would marry you myself,” Galla told her softly, “but Roman centurions are forbidden to marry.”

  Decimus and Chara exchanged looks briefly before they both quickly turned their eyes away.

  “It’s really the only way,” Galla told them. “Unless, as I told Thomas, you want to risk six people’s lives.”

  Chara dropped her head, her blond hair dropping down to conceal her face. “I can’t.”

  Decimus raised his face to the ceiling, his teeth clenched.

  Sighing, Galla turned to Decimus. “Let me talk to her alone for a minute, would you?”

  Decimus glanced at Chara. Nodding his head briefly, he went to the door, turning back when Galla called him. “If Chara agrees, do you?”

  Decimus looked briefly at Chara. He jerked his head in the affirmative and exited the room.

  Before Galla could open his mouth, Chara attacked him with her words. “It will do you no good to talk to me, Galla. You could talk to me until the moon turned blue, and my answer would still be the same.”

  “Chara.”

  She leaped from the bunk, her hands curling at her sides. She turned to him. “No! I won’t marry a man who doesn’t love me.”

  Galla noticed she hadn’t mentioned not loving Decimus. He was hopeful that he could win her to his way of thinking. And he didn’t have much time.

  “He does love you, only he doesn’t know it yet.”

  Chara’s eyes widened, her hands slowly uncurling at her sides. “I don’t believe you,” she whispered.

  “I think you do. I don’t know why you’re fighting it. It’s obvious to everyone that he cares for you.”

  “Oh yes,” she told him derisively. “He handles his responsibilities well. He takes care of me as well as he would a horse.”

  “Were you his responsibility on that auction block?”

  Chara dropped back onto the bunk. “That was different. He felt pity for me.” She glared into his eyes. “And if he allows this marriage, it will be for the same reason.”

  Galla sighed. “What about you?”

  “What about me?”

  “Are you willing to let five men die and yourself, as well? Do you think it’s any easier for the others to play the part of slaves when they are so close to freedom?”

  “That’s different,” she argued. “Their situation is temporary. Marriage is permanent.”

  “So is death.” Galla didn’t mean to be cruel or to make her feel guilty, but as a trained soldier, he knew that sometimes one had to sacrifice oneself to save many. More was at stake here than their six lives.

  Chara buried her head in her hands. “Oh, Galla! You’re beginning to make sense, in an awful kind of way.”

  “Chara, listen to me. Decimus loves you; that I can tell. You love him; that I can tell, also. So where would be the harm?”

  Chara threw back her head, closing her eyes. “What if you’re wrong?”

  “I’m not. Trust me.”

  Was what Galla said possible? Could Decimus actually have some feelings for her? She gave a wry smile. “I once told Decimus that I would trust you with my life. It seems I have to make good my words.”

  Galla returned her smile, then reached out a hand and stroked a curled finger gently down her cheek. “You won’t be sorry.”

  ❧

  Decimus stood beside Chara, his face drawn and white. Chara stood as she usually did, her golden hair a veil that hid her true feelings. The priest of the temple of Zeus chanted words and watched as the tw
o exchanged grain wafers. After chanting a few more words, he stepped to the side. Another priest used a pot of ink, registering their names on the prepared document with his stylus. Galla paid the priest, taking the rolled document from his hand, and the three of them left the temple.

  Married. The word echoed around and around in Chara’s head. And by a pagan priest. All her life she had dreamed of what her wedding day would be like, and her dreams were nothing like the reality.

  A tear trickled down her cheek. She prayed to God that this was not a horrible mistake. Looking at Decimus, she realized that he looked no happier than she. Did he really love her as Galla had suggested? She had wagered her whole life on one man’s assurances. Her life and Decimus’s.

  Holding out her left hand, she stared at the ring that Decimus had purchased for her. A golden ring, the symbol of continuity, placed on the finger nearest her heart. She closed her eyes. One thing was certain: She loved Decimus. Now she had only to make sure that he loved her.

  Decimus’s voice broke the quiet that had shrouded them since they had left the temple. “Will there be any problem with the soldiers?”

  Galla shook his head. “No. It’s permitted for two slaves to marry as long as they have permission. Fortunately you made their acceptance of the act easier because of the disturbance you made on the ship.” He shrugged. “They will merely think I tired of her and gave her to you.”

  Decimus felt his face burn with anger. He had felt like killing the soldier with his bare hands for suggesting that he and Chara were doing something inappropriate. Now, the thought of the soldiers’ assumption about Galla and Chara filled him with rage.

  They walked slowly back to the inn where they had booked accommodations. Decimus thought of the document of manumission inside his pouch. It nestled safely next to the other document that declared him married. One scroll gave him his freedom; another took it away.

  He sighed but refused to look at Chara. He had noticed the tear winding its way down her cheek, and his stomach had coiled tightly within him. He wanted to comfort her but didn’t dare.

  Opening the door to their room, Decimus allowed Chara to precede him inside. He hesitated on the threshold.