"In the far southeast corner of the Empire is a place which was once called Mesopotamia, the Persian lands. I believe Amir comes from there, but perhaps even he is unsure where he was born," Gaius said.

Theo and Amir were sitting on the side of the pool in the frigidarium as Gaius enjoyed the cool waters after his hot bath.

"One of these days Amir shall meet another from his homeland, then we will discover from whence he came. But back to Mesopotamia and by that I mean almost four thousand years ago. The story of Gilgamesh, an epic that would appeal to the most stringent Greek mind.

"I call your attention to this because of the Greek study upon which we will embark. For a long time ago in Greece lived a great poet named Homer, and his finest work is called The Odyssey. It's about a journey, one that both of you could understand since each of you have experienced something similar."

"Then it's about sailors and the sea," Theo said.

Gaius smiled. The boy was bright and his thoughts ran ahead to the proper conclusions, a worthy pupil. Sitting beside Amir he could see the boys were becoming fast friends. Amir had oiled and scraped Theo in the caldarium, his touch light and affectionate, it was delightful to watch.

Gaius knew his desire for boys was in part due to his own youth. Summers spent in the mountains frolicking with the local lads, a myriad of naked bodies for the asking. He had never left that behind, youth was to be envied…and he envied these boys their growing relationship.

"Yes, The Odyssey is a sailor's voyage, and so much more. But the story was influenced by the epic of Gilgamesh, as was the tale of Noah and the Ark in the Old Testament written by the Hebrews. Just as the story of the Christ is also reflected in epic and myth from many lands to the east."

"Do you mean he isn't real?" Theo gasped.

Now the boy had it. "What is real, Theo?" Gaius asked. "The Christianity we are asked to believe is based upon the birth, life and death of the Christ, Jesus of Nazareth. It's real because the Christians believe in it and the Pope supports that belief. The question we must ask…we know he was a man, but was he a god?

"There is a certain appeal in believing Christ was the Messiah that was foretold in Hebrew scripture. The hard part of accepting it is the way this message is used to further the goals of men. They use God as a weapon against us. You know what happened to the Druids, and it's only a matter of time before the people of Amir's land feel that weapon. What will stop it?"

"This Pope, he is the cause?" Theo asked.

"No, he's just a man with a title, like a King or an Emperor. I have heard him say that he represents a kingdom that is not of this earth, and that means he feels that his right to rule comes directly from God. But he is an old man from Napoli, just another Italia Bishop. How can we as men defend against such skilled politics?"

"If he's a man he will die easily enough," Theo said.

"And only be replaced by another, there is no solution in thinking like that," Gaius said. "Even a bad Pope still holds the mandate of the Christians. It's one of the many problems I ponder, and I'm not alone in my concerns."

How could he explain, these boys would not understand. Gaius was the outsider in his own family. Claudio was the darling boy who became first a priest and then a Bishop. Gaius was but eleven when his brother, the charmer, the flatterer, the family darling…raped him. Claudio was four years older and still a mere boy himself.

But Gaius had seen the advantage of being the abused one and he still played that card with his brother. Claudio was still raping boys, only now he did it in the name of God. The rank within his church was protection, and the boys often saw it as a holy experience no doubt. If the Christian God did exist then Claudio would pay for his obsession in the afterlife.

The pain of that encounter had taught Gaius an important lesson…he was willing to be subservient, but only to a boy. As a Senator Gaius had brought many an adult to his knees begging for mercy, in private Gaius groveled before the desires of a boy. Many a young Adonis had been seduced by his wiles but Theo was the first who had seemed his equal.

"Amir, do you speak Greek?" Gaius asked.

Amir smiled and held up two fingers spread barely an inch apart. "A little bit, that's more than I do," Theo said. "You may speak, Amir…I told Gaius you talk to me."

Amir blushed and cast his eyes downward. "I cannot," Amir said.

"I understand," Gaius said. "Amir has no status in Roma because he is of the servant class. There are many like him and the authorities ignore them because they serve the greater good. He has been taught to appear invisible, never to attract attention and that's why he remains silent."

Amir nodded, and Gaius smiled. "You may speak to Theo, and I hope in time you will consider me a friend and we may speak as well. Will you think about it?"

Amir nodded. "Thank you," he said.

Gaius patted the boy's knee. "Such a fine young man, we must watch over him, Theo."

Theo cocked his head. "He will have my protection."

Amir's eyes grew large and he looked at Gaius before turning back and touching Theo's arm. "You will fight for me?" Amir asked.

Theo nodded. "That's what friends do, Amir."

Amir had been sitting an arm's length away, but now he scooted over beside Theo and took his hand with a smile. Gaius chuckled and went on with the lessons.

"The Empire has always been about the strength of the individual but our leaders see themselves through the eyes of great ego. Of course this leads to great corruption as well. The Greeks were more civilized in many ways and they recognized the weakness we all have as humans. It's probably enough to say that Greece founded the concept of our republic, but that Roma has done it's best to corrupt those ideals."

"You speak as if the Empire is finished," Theo said.

Gaius nodded. "It is, what you see is the remains of the greatest civilization we humans have ever known. We have no great leaders left and there hasn't been a true Caesar to rule us in centuries. It's a tribute to the solid foundation of our system that we still exist, but even that is being squandered away. Now the western Empire is but a shadow of its old self while Byzantium grows ever stronger in the east thanks to Hadrian."

He shook his head and looked at the boys. "In Greece they had oracles, great seers who could look into the future. It doesn't take an oracle to see our future here. Christianity will soon rule the land. Italia will reorganize and drive out the northern invaders, and then the state will grow strong again. But this time whoever sits on God's throne will rule, and yet he will still be Roman, do you know what that means?

"No, you could not. The Caesar's were ruthless to the enemies of the Empire, the Popes will be the same because they are Romans first and God's creatures second. It's the curse of Italia, the ego I mentioned before, the need to devour other lands in the name of civilization. Greed, young sirs, our destruction will come from greed, and now they will do it in the name of God."

"I would not like to remain here when that happens," Theo said.

"Learn your lessons well…study hard and become a strong man," Gaius said. "Then you will be able to set your own course in life. The structure of our society protects me now, but one of these days I will not have the strength to fight back. Even now the holy ones seek out those who would oppose them and work to convert the rest into a massive army of believers. We must be cautious."

The afternoon waned and Gaius left the baths to seek his supper, only Theo remained and for that Amir was grateful. He had listened to the discourse from the great man, wondering that Gaius would speak of such things to mere boys. But Amir had been amongst these people for five years and had learned their language. Since his supposed rescue he could distinguish many things about them. And because of that knowledge he could not tell them his truth.

These Romans were so caught up in their own class structure that they failed to sense the currents swirling about them. Like spoiled children they were pampered, to Amir and the others who served them in the baths it was laughable. The men had grown fat and lazy, the women so focused on their bodies that they starved themselves to stay thin. And the holy ones, Amir had met a few of these Christian priests and he avoided them if at all possible.

This Gaius was also a man with hungry eyes, he did not like the way the man looked at Theo. Yes, Theo was a handsome creature, even Amir recognized that appeal. The boy had come back to the baths and sought him out, that was an act of friendship. In all these years Amir had never made friends with a Roman, they were not like his people.

Theo was different, and now Amir knew he was not Roman but from a land called Britannia. It had been lonely without family, but he now knew other Persians in the enclave outside the city's walls. Old Basir had taught all the children in Amir's family the basic words of the Roman languages, Latin and Greek.

But that was years ago in another life. Amir could not forget the lessons of childhood, but much of that past was confusing. Listening to Gaius brought back many memories of his early education and that was good. He must not forget the wisdom because he still had a task to perform and in time he would remember what must be done.

The money he made at the baths was enough to pay the woman who fed him each night, and to bribe the watchman for the pallet he kept in the back storeroom of the bath. He was not ashamed of his situation in life since he had done well for a boy of fifteen years, but the past still haunted him.

And so when he took Theo's hand and led him to the storeroom he was inviting the boy into his home. Amir was sure Theo lived in a grand house, but this was all he had to offer, he hoped it was enough for now.

Theo stood in the doorway of the back room and glanced about. "You live here?"

"I sleep, nothing more, it costs little," Amir said in halting words, would Theo find this repulsive?

"The walls are cool, you're lucky to be out of the heat," Theo said.

Amir smiled. "It gets cold, I must use a cover."

Theo frowned. "In my land the snow falls in winter, and that is cold. I don't think anything here could ever be cold like that."

"I have seen snow…in the mountains," Amir said. "Will you sit with me before I must return to work?"

Theo nodded and sat on the pallet as Amir pulled the curtain across the opening and then sat down beside him. They stared at the wall and then Amir giggled.

"I have never brought anyone here before."

Theo sighed and took Amir's hand. "I am honored," he said.

"You are nice," Amir said, and Theo turned his head to look in this boy's blue eyes.

"I think you are handsome, you have great beauty," Theo said in a whisper.

Amir blushed, it was too much, and then Theo leaned over and kissed him. The contact came as a shock…Amir had never been kissed like this before. But it felt good, so good and he found himself kissing back.

The kiss lasted but a few moments and when they parted Amir looked startled, but Theo smiled. They were both aroused by it, the results plain to see in their loincloths. Theo looked down at Amir's lap just as the boy looked at his.

"This pleases you?" Amir asked.

"You please me," Theo replied.

Amir had seen many men respond to him with erections, it happened in the baths. But this was Theo, and his own reaction to the boy felt certain, felt right. He wondered what he ought to do and then Theo kissed him again and he knew. This was a passionate kiss and Amir slid his hands around Theo's waist and their bodies came in contact.

The emotions that suddenly came over Amir made him cry, and Theo felt the boy sob. All he could do was pull Amir in close and provide comfort. Alone in a strange land, it was something they both shared. If not for Daniel, Theo was sure he would have felt lonely too, but Amir had no one…until now.

Theo knew he could not become one of these Romans, and neither could Amir. From what Gaius had said this would become a hostile land very soon, he would have to leave. Britannia was a world apart and there could be no return to the land of his birth. He would have to make a choice, and if he could, take Amir with him.

The boy had become silent as Theo hugged him. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have made you cry," Theo said.

"I have been so alone, and you give me hope," Amir said. He sat back and gazed in Theo's eyes. "There is more in your heart…I can feel it."

Theo nodded. "I understand what it means to be alone, now we have each other. But I don't think this place will be safe for us much longer."

"Yes…yes, I hear things, terrible things," Amir said.

"When it comes time to leave I want you to go with me," Theo said. "I don't know where to go and it will take me time to figure this out."

"I can help, there are people who will show us the way," Amir said.

"Good, now I must go home before my guardian worries."

"The people here, they are not your parents?" Amir asked.

"No, it's a long story, and I'll tell you the truth when we have time. But they have been kind and I don't want to hurt them or Daniel. I'll come see you tomorrow, will you be here?"

"Yes…for you I am always here," Amir said.

Theo smiled, and then kissed Amir again…and this time the kiss was returned with such passion it made Theo's head swim. Again he could see Amir blush.

"What?" Theo asked.

"With you I have feelings, you must as well for your body tells me how strongly you feel."

Theo nodded. "Sometime I will show you what I feel for you, but not here, it isn't safe. Maybe we can go see Gaius, I would feel free to kiss and hold you there."

"And what else would you show me?" Amir asked, his eyes flashing with amusement.

Now it was Theo's turn to blush. "I…I would show you the moon and the stars, and take you on a ride to the heavens. But first I must understand you better. I would do nothing unless you agreed."

Amir ran a hand down Theo's cheek. His eyes were luminous, and Theo was riveted by that stare. "I would be what you need me to be. With you I have no fear, my Theo."

The emotions washed over him…not now Theo told himself. We need time to grow closer, to know one another. But Theo knew that he would surrender himself to this boy and never look back.

"I will go…until tomorrow," Theo said.

"Tomorrow," Amir repeated.

Theo was in a daze as he hiked the lane towards Luciano's house. The feelings he now had for Amir were beyond friendship, they were deeper. He had fallen in love with Daniel because of the needs they shared, and now all that had changed.

Daniel would have a life with Luciano and Antonia, he could see that. His life was changing in a different direction, and once that was discovered they would not want him around. His life revolved around the medallion…and Amir. Both of those things would fly in the face of this Christian God the Romans worshiped.

Luciano was a servant of this God, and Daniel would be as well. Maybe he would find comfort there, but Theo could not. Gaius was right, Roma was going to change and there was no place for a Druid from the old world.

Druid…yes, and that is what he had been his whole life without knowing. He was the servant of the Goddess, and Lugus had been his master. This reincarnation had happened for a purpose, the medallion had come to him for a reason. It was his quest to discover what he was supposed to do with this power, and his odyssey had just begun.

In the weeks that followed Theo began to see and feel the changes that he and Gaius discussed during their daily lessons. Their time together began in late morning after Gaius arose. His place in Roma society allowed him late nights with friends and dinners until the early hours. Theo knew the man drank copious amounts of the best wine, spiced and heated in the local fashion.

"Wine gives man a soul," Gaius had told him, "You can judge a man by how much water he takes in his wine." Theo thought it was a horrid drink. He would rather have the plebian beer.

But Theo often ate the first meal of the day with Gaius, and was instructed in the preparation of foods. The upper classes ate wonderful breads with cheese, succulent pork dishes and tasty sausage. Fish, vegetables and fruits always seemed to make their way onto Gaius' table.

Theo knew Amir ate mostly porridge made of wheat since the lower classes had little meat unless it was chicken. But by mid-day the heat became oppressive and Gaius would stroll down the lane in the shadow of the trees towards the baths.

Lessons over, Gaius would retire to be massaged and steamed, sharing the time with other members of his class and political affiliation from the neighborhood. Their talk was not for Theo's ears and so he would slink away to Amir's storeroom where he would share some fruit or sweetbreads from Gaius' table.

Their talk was about memories or observations of what each of them had seen in daily life. Amir traveled outside the walls and so he saw so many different things that Theo could only imagine. Men with slanted eyes, others with black skin, it made Theo realize that he was missing out on the flavors of life here in the city.

He had been to see Gaius on one formal occasion when there had been a dinner with Luciano, Antonia and Daniel that lasted late into the evening. The men talked while Antonia joined them by the pool and watched the boys swim. But there had also been other nights as well.

Theo found it amazingly easy to don the medallion and vanish before he left the house and used the secret entrance to Gaius' pool house. They would spend several hours alone without servants present.

Gaius enjoyed these sessions, and Theo was only too willing to share his thoughts. But it was not pleasure Theo desired, and Gaius seemed to understand. It was enough that Theo spoke of his growing feelings for Amir.

But there came a day when Theo could tell Gaius was supremely agitated, and as was their way he waited for the man to tell him what was wrong.

"That sniveling bastard, he presumes too much," Gaius finally said. "The Pope has decided that the senate should no longer rule and claims our illustrious and absent Heraclius has agreed. It was all I could do last night to keep the peace…they would have him murdered in his palace."

"They?" Theo asked.

Gaius looked around the patio and saw no one near. "The hard-line senators…Crassis, Velorious and the others, men you do not know. Opposition to the Christians has always been a quiet, back room effort…until now. Boniface is a senile old fool, my brother no better for supporting him. Now the Pope claims to rule Roma with the approval of the Emperor, which leaves the senate powerless to govern.

"Govern we have for a thousand years or more, no Pope will overthrow that rule so easily. But to murder him in the Lateran Palace would be an outrage and the Emperor could not ignore the insult. The day has come for change…ours not his."

"He would run the government, does he know how?" Theo asked.

"He would turn those Christian senators loose to rule for him, chaos will ensue, the citizens will riot. There is already a group of soldiers who follow his bidding, the Pax Romana is shattered."

"Are you in danger?" Theo asked.

"I'm viewed as a moderate, little do they know of my affiliations with the hard-liners. Some still worship the old gods and when the Pope seeks to end that nothing good will happen to the city. My person is safe, for the moment…I have friends."

"You told me that before, I worry for you."

"As I worry for you, my boy. The Christians will now force conversion, and at your age they will find you a tempting target. The foreign population is fearful of expulsion and the confiscation of their livelihoods. The ranks of Christians will swell, but it will be meaningless, not true faith at all.

"Those who resist will face sanctions and heretics have been executed before. This church is a dangerous manifestation, Theo. The Pope is no more sacred than I am because to him it's about greed. To rule means to control the tax, the money will flow into his treasury and not the city's. Our way of life will change while the Pope and his Bishops will grow fat at our expense."

"He has an army to enforce this?"

"He will, and so do we. But to turn Roman against Roman goes against the very foundation of our society. For centuries it was decreed that no legion may march within the walls of the city, and when that did happen it split the Empire. We will see what will come of this edict, just be careful who sees you, watch the shadows around you."

The winter came, a mild season this year, and yet Gaius felt the chill in his city. Senator Crassis had left the city, 'for extended travel in Greece' they were told. Gaius feared he had been taken by the forces of the Pope, and inquired of Greek friends about his welfare.

Theo was spending more of his spare time with Amir, a fact noticed by Daniel. But the boy had entered schooling at Luciano's bidding and his education was run by teachers favorable to the Christian faith. Daniel had asked about the medallion and what Theo was planning to do with it.

"It's surely an evil influence, Romans are not allowed to have pagan symbols or idols," Daniel said.

"It doesn't work anymore," Theo lied.

"Then why keep it? Give it to Luciano."

"No, it's all I have from the past. If I forget about those bad times I will never learn to enjoy the good," Theo said. "We may never see Britannia again, Daniel, our roots are gone."

Daniel smiled. "I have new roots here. Luciano says if I master Latin and learn my Greek that I may attend the Bishop's school, maybe even enter his service."

Theo made the mistake of laughing. "You want to become like those fops? You had best be careful of that Bishop or you'll become his butt boy too."

"Shut up, Theo…don't talk like that, it's blasphemous."

"Daniel, the Bishop is not God, he's just a man. We both know what he does to boys, the same thing we ran away from Leopold to escape, or have you forgotten?"

"He would never touch me, Luciano will protect me," Daniel said.

"And I don't matter, is that it?" Theo asked.

Daniel frowned. "You need to change, Theo. Don't you see that? If I can serve the Bishop he might be Pope someday. Then I would be close to the most powerful, my future would be assured."

Theo shook his head, and yet did not speak what was on his mind. Daniel's future would not be as he wished. Bishop or Pope, Carpinio would always be a deviant. If Daniel got that close he would find out the hard way, the man certainly had an eye for new fops.

Theo couldn't talk about this with Gaius, and so he turned to Amir. They had wandered outside the city's walls and Theo had met the woman and her family who fed Amir. Her family was numerous, most of them working as servants in the large houses of the city.

It was to her that Theo brought the cloth he had purchased in the market. He explained to Amir what he wanted and the boy translated, she nodded in understanding. Theo produced a coin and offered it to her, but she refused. He didn't understand, she was poor, she needed the money. Amir explained that she would sew the garment without charge because he was a friend.

It was the moment that Amir almost told Theo the truth. None but his own people knew of his past, something that had given Amir small comfort these past few years. He didn't want to lie to Theo, but would the boy understand? He hesitated and the moment passed.

The robe was just as Theo had dreamed and with the hood down his face was hidden. If he was to discover the many facets of the medallion Theo knew he would have to pray and probably perform the Druid rituals of supplication. Amir had no knowledge of what he wanted to do.

The first day of the month called November would bring them to Samhain, the end of the summer season, the harvest. All over Britannia there would be fires and celebration, but not here. Theo knew that the Druids saw the day differently since the night before was dedicated to the dead and their memory. For on that night Theo planned to be out in the forest, with or without Amir, he had to try and make contact with Lugus's spirit.

Amir did not understand what Theo was going to do, only that they were going to follow the aqueduct out of the city and into the laurel forest beyond the walls. The moon was up as they made their way without aid of a torch. Theo knew they could not afford to attract unwelcome attention. The trees were unfamiliar, but their fragrance was appealing.

They walked beside the flowing water in the lined channel until Theo was sure they were far enough away from any prying eyes, and then he turned into the undergrowth. The moonlight cast beams of light through the leaves and the cool night air made them both shiver. Theo carried his robe in a sack and when they came to a small clearing he took it out.

Amir helped him don the robe and then stood back to admire it. It was then that Theo reached below his tunic and brought forth the medallion. He slid the hood up and clasped the oak leaf around his neck allowing the dull metal to gleam with the soft light from above.

"What is this?" Amir asked.

"Magic…power, watch and you will see," Theo said.

He led Amir to a spot by the trees and told him to sit. "No matter what you see, you must not cry out. It will not seem possible, but it will be real. I will try and explain what happened after it's over, if I understand it myself."

"This is a ceremony for what purpose," Amir asked.

"I'm not sure, my friend. It's what I have seen in my dream visions. All I know is that I am myself and someone from a time past, or at least I was someone else in another lifetime. This medallion is very powerful, but I'm ignorant of its use. This may help me to understand."

"Is it dangerous?"

"It can be in the wrong hands, but not in mine. I was meant to use the power, I'm sure of that, but there is no one to teach me. I have seen the priest who forged this power, I will ask him to explain it to me."

Amir sank to the ground, a look of concern on his face. Theo nodded and turned back to the middle of the clearing. Grasping the medallion Theo cleared his mind and then willed himself to vanish…and he did.

The moonlight seemed to change, and yet Theo could see Amir still seated by the tree. The tree…that was the first clue that something was different, it was now an oak. There seemed to be a smoky residue drifting between the trees and the temperature had plummeted. Theo knew he was back in Britannia.

To see if this was real Theo leaned over and picked up a stone. It felt solid and as he stood up he saw other figures dressed in white robes had materialized around him to the sound of a familiar chant.

"Theodoric," A hooded figure said as he stepped forward. "The Circle of Gwyddan welcomes you."

"Master Lugus?" Theo asked.

"The only Master resides above us all," Lugus said. "Why have you summoned me?"

"I am the…I have the medallion," Theo said, opening his hand and reveling the oak leaf.

Lugus raised his head and pushed back his hood. The long stringy hair was as white as his robe, the eye sockets were deep and his skin seemed almost transparent. "It was mine, I made it with my own hand…and then it was stolen." He smiled, a grimace, and his eyes seemed to flash with an unearthly light. "I need it no more for I am beyond the need for such things. Does it serve you well?"

"I am ignorant," Theo admitted.

Lugus laughed…a deep rolling sound that slowly subsided. "We are all ignorant in our mortal flesh, Theodoric." And then his face became passive. "Does the medallion work for you?"

"Yes, it makes me dream," Theo said.

"And what do you see?"

"I have seen the circle, I have fulfilled the sacrifice to the Goddess…and I have seen you."

Lugus nodded. "You have crossed the Void of Dalgn on the Hallowed Eve of Samhain. I have been waiting for someone like you to bring the medallion back to me, but now it's yours, you shall keep it. So listen well, for only once will I tell you before I return to the eternal sleep.

"The mask you have discovered…be careful that you do not lose yourself behind the cloak of invisibility. Harder still is the ability to shift from human to animal, but never choose to become a bird, you may not fly as that is reserved for the gods. Under the shield of the medallion you may transform the elements: iron to gold, stone to water, air to the void without breath, and all back again.

"But most important, no blade or arrow can touch you. The shield will wrap around you and all you touch. You could stand in the depths of hell and feel cold, or be buried in an avalanche of ice from the tallest mountain and feel warm. The medallion is there to give you strength if you use it wisely, just remember this…it cannot think for you."

"And how do I make these things happen, holy one?"

Lugus smiled. "I was once worthy of that title, now I am but a shade in a world devoid of life. The mighty oak casts a stronger shadow than shapes my existence. I am no longer of your world, Theodoric. You only conjure me with your magic. Yes, you have magic, for I tell you only something you already know. Your mind controls the medallion and you have only to ask it for what you desire. I am now your shadow under the light of the moon, you have become the master. Live well…" The chanting resumed, the priests fading away.

Theo shook his head, the circle was gone, and all the figures vanished. He was standing alone in the clearing and Amir was asleep under the tree. He shook back the hood and tried to remember every word Lugus spoke. He could shift his shape, transform elements and the medallion made him invincible.

He walked over to the tree and dropped down beside Amir, giving the boy's shoulder a shake. "Amir…Amir, wake up."

"What happened? I was asleep?"

"I accomplished much…and I love you," Theo said.

"You…you love me?" Amir asked.

"I am blessed to walk beside you, what a valiant friend you are. I love you."

Amir babbled something, and then he stopped to laugh. "I'm sorry but you don't speak my language. It is I who has learned to love you, could you not feel it when we kissed?"

Theo smiled. "I felt something strong and hard pressed between us."

Amir's laughter filled the clearing. "You jest, but I do not." And with that he leaned over and kissed Theo with more passion than either of them had shared before. Theo fell back and pulled Amir on top, feeling the strength of manhood pressed between them.

"I love you dearly," Amir whispered. "You are like the precious jewels in my crown."

A strange expression, Theo thought, what did it mean? But Amir quickly pulled away and Theo could see a look of concern on his face.

"What's the matter?" Theo asked. "You're a wonderful lover."

"It's not that, I have experience from my past. I…I have not been truthful with you," Amir said.

"And now you feel the need to tell me something. Nothing can change the way I feel about you, Amir…look what I showed you tonight…that has to be the strangest thing you've ever seen."

Amir shook his head. "In truth, I saw nothing except you vanished from sight, and then a great tiredness came over me and I slept."

"Oh, then tell me this great secret and trust me to keep it in my heart," Theo said.

"I know you will because our hearts are bound together. I am not the son of a fisherman, no one here knows the truth…and now you will." Amir sighed. "My father was King in Sindh, until the Persians came. To Romans all from that area are Persian, but I am not.

"Ours was a small kingdom, and yet cultured. Bound by the ancient Harappa lands to the north, we lived on the fertile plains and forests of the mighty Indus River to our south. My father ruled graciously and had the will of the people. My older brothers were groomed to take his place since I was the youngest of four. I was taught Greek among many things, we value knowledge above all else.

"But the Persians came to our border and did not respect what we had. My parents were killed, as were my brothers…only I survived and was taken captive. The Persian general that held me did not know of my royal blood. My mother had dressed me as a commoner and hidden my crown, only I know where it lies.

"But this general took me, not for ransom as is their way, but for a plaything. His desire for a nine year old boy was hidden from his troops as he made me his servant. He did not violate me, but he taught me how to please him. And in his own way he was gentle and kind to me in the privacy of the bedroom.

"There were further battles to be fought and so I was carried away from my homeland to the mountains, and thus into the deserts beyond. The armies fought the Romans on the battlefield of Egypt and my general was killed. His closest friend gave me the news and I wept in his arms, I did not know what would become of me.

"This man, I do not recall his name, put me on a fisherman's ship for protection as the battle raged. But the Roman ships came and the fisherman escaped the harbor, fleeing for his own safety. The Romans did rescue me, but only because their great warship destroyed the fishing vessel. They brought me back to Roma and put me ashore, it was there that I ran into Delinia, the woman you have met.

"So this is my truth, and only you are left in my life. Dear Theo, we are both so far from home, it must be the will of the gods that brought us together. I will love you as no other until such time as the gods rend us apart."

Theo saw the tears on Amir's face and understood the sincerity of those words. Here was something that had to be protected at all costs, and not just because the boy was a prince. Titles like that had little meaning here and Amir never pretended to be anything but himself. And Theo's heart swelled with pride for he knew he had the means to save them both from whatever future awaited.

Theo used the hood of his robe to wipe away Amir's tears. "We are bonded, heart to heart, in thought and deed. Love is not for the weak, Amir, but we are both strong, and we survived the past. I would have you in my life forever if you wish it so."

Amir's face lit up with joy and he clasped Theo so tightly. "Forever may not be enough," he whispered. "It will be difficult."

Theo sat back and nodded. "I think we had best make plans to leave Roma. I worry about Daniel and what he will reveal to others about me."

"He will turn against you?"

"Not by choice, but this urge he has to become a good Christian will lead him in that direction. Don't fear, I can protect us both," Theo said.

"How is this possible…we are children in their eyes."

Theo picked up a stone and held it out. Amir looked at the stone and then watched in amazement as it turned to water and dripped from Theo's hand.

"You have magic," Amir gasped.

"And more," Theo replied. "You know I can vanish, what you don't know is that I can make you disappear with me. They cannot catch that which they cannot see, and thus when the time comes we shall escape…but to where?"

"Do you trust me enough to accept my judgment?" Amir asked.

"With all my heart," Theo said.

"Then I will take you to my people, we will return to my land."

"Will you still be prince?" Theo asked.

"He who wears the crown shall rule, it is written in the Book of Ages and my people have always respected that," Amir said.

"I don't know your land, what's it like?"

Amir sighed. "Gaius was partly right, it was once called Mesopotamia. Our civilization is older than modern knowledge and our history speaks of ten thousand years. The land is rich with water and life, and there a man may choose his own path in life. Come with me and I will keep your arms around me."

"Yes, then we go. I don't know how to get there…I don't know how we'll afford to pay for the travel. But we should go if for no other reason than to restore your crown," Theo said.

"Dear Theo, I don't really care about the crown except that I was told I must find it. You are my strength and we will be safe because of you. As for money, the Romans should provide. We may have to borrow it for a while, but I will show you where they keep it."

"Borrow? You mean steal, I could not steal, Amir."

"It belongs to the Bishop of Roma, their Pope," Amir said with a grin.

"Oh…why didn't you say so in the first place? That would be just fine."


On to Chapter Six

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