face. Who is to say who is right?"

"Christ was the son of the true God!"

Severus gave Venator a look of exasperation. "You have invaded my

privacy. State your case and leave."

"So you can ravage this poor heathen?"

Severus did not answer. He rose, grabbed the chanting girl by the arm

and threw her roughly on his camp cot.

"Would you care to join me, Junius? You may go first,"

Venator stared at the centurion. A chill of fear ran through him. The

Roman centurion who led an infantry unit was expected to be a hard

master. This man was merciless, a savage.

"Our mission here is finished," said Venator. "Macer and the slaves are

preparing to seal off the storage cave. We can strike camp and return

to the ships."

"Eleven months tomorrow since we left Egypt. One more day to enjoy the

local pleasures will not matter."

"Our mission was not to pillage. The barbarians will seek revenge. We

are few, they are many,"

"I'll match my legionaries against any horde the barbarians can throw

against us."

"Your men have grown soft as mercenaries."

"They haven't forgotten how to fight," Severus said with a confident

smile.

"But will they die for the honor of Rome?"

"Why should they? Why should any of us? The great years of the

Empire have come and gone. Our once glorious city on the Tiber has

turned into a slum. Little Roman blood runs in our veins. Most of my

men are natives of the provinces. I am a Spaniard and you are Greek,

Junius, In these chaotic days who can feel an ounce of loyalty toward an

emperor who rules far to the east in a city none of us have ever seen?

No, Junius, my soldiers will fight because they are professionals and

because they are paid to fight."

"It may be the barbarians will give them no choice."

"We'll deal with that scum when the time comes."

"Better to avoid conflict. I say we leave before dark-"

Venator was interrupted by a loud rumble that shook the ground. He

rushed from the tent and stared at the cliff wall. The slaves had pulled

the supports from under the crib, releasing a thundering avalanche that

plunged over the cave opening, burying it beneath tons of massive

boulders. A great dust cloud erupted and spilled into the ravine. The

echoing rumble was followed by cheers from the slaves and legionnaires.

"It's done," said Venator, his voice solemn, his face weary. "The wisdom

of the ages is safe."

Severus came and stood beside him. "A pity the same can't be said for

us."

Venator turned. "If God grants us a smooth voyage home, what have we to

fear?"

"Torture and execution," said Severus flatly. "We have defied the

Emperor. Theodosius does not forgive easily. There will be no place

for us to hide in the Empire. Better we find refuge in a foreign land."

"My wife and daughter . . . they were to meet me at our family villa at