NOVEL EXCERPT-Heart of Nicaea

The sweet taste of Minerva’s lips still lingered. Constantine pressed his horse faster. He shook away the tears rising in his chest and looked ahead; the long road to Bononia and his father. Constantine had not seen his father since his parent’s divorce, when he was sent to Nicomedia. The very place he was running from.

When the blue shades of dusk turned to the blackness of night Constantine slowed his mount. He held his right arm close to his chest with the linen bandages showed his crimson wounds. The pain blurred his thoughts and exhaustion crept over his eyes. He needed to change horses at the first post before resting. He tapped the ribs of his mount to move faster. Come morning Galerius’ would seek to capture him again. Urgency filled his mind. He couldn’t return to the courts of Nicomedia. His skills had caused jealousy and rumors to flood the courts, which landed him in the sandy pits of Galerius’ courtyard. He fought day and night for his life even though he was the son of an Augustus.

His head dipped as exhaustion once again attempted to slow his progress. The firelight of the first post wasn’t even in view. Why does sleep wish to claim me? Please Jupiter give me safety. Constantine prayed as his body fell to the ground in sleep.

“Hosius please slow our pace,” a woman’s voice pleaded in the torch light of a caravan.

“We must press on Minerva.”

“My son and I can not handle much more of this wagon,” Minerva said holding tight to her nine year old’s aching body.

“Let him ride with me,” a raspy voice whispered in the dark.

“No, Ralius.”

“He can ride with me for a while then,” Hosius offered slowing his mount along side the luscious wagon. Minerva gave her lover’s good friend a calculating gaze. There was something about Hosius that she didn’t trust any more. Mainly it was the presence of Ralius, a stranger to her, but one that had a firm hand on Hosius’ mind.

“When is the first rest post?” Minerva held her son closer at the offer of Hosius’ hand.

“Not for many miles.”

“Why didn’t we travel with Constantine?” She asked trying to shake the worry that surrounded her heart.

“He needed to escape quickly to his father. Galerius will be seeking him by morning light.”

“You are sure of this?”

“Minerva, you know how Galerius sought Constantine’s death. This is his chance to be free of the Augustus’ dangerous fancies.”

“But we’ve not been apart since his son’s birth.” Tears rose in her eyes as she looked at Crispus. Thick brown hair surrounded his head, and the traits of his father’s dimpled chin and chiseled face made her ache for Constantine even more.

“Drepanum will be a good place for the both of you. Constantine’s mother has asked Lactantius to tutor Crispus until you can join him in Gaul. He is a great mind.” Minerva sighed and stroked Crispus’ hair. She could feel both Hosius and Ralius watching her, but the only man’s eyes she wanted to see were Constantine’s.

“Lactantius will be a good man for you too, Hosius,” Ralius said once he and Hosius had pulled their horses away from Minerva’s wagon.

“How do you mean?”

“You will rise to bishop with his support. My master has great things for you in such a position.”

“My faith abounds with you near.”

“Every servant of my master will know a prosperous life.” A grin slithered across Ralius’ face as Hosius held claim to his words.

It was not long after midnight when the fires of the rest post came into view. Minerva held tight to Crispus resting in one cot, as the servants of Constantine’s house ate heartedly before succumbing to sleep.

“I will take first watch, Hosius.” Ralius stood away from the light watching everyone find their place.

“You must sleep, my friend.”

“My master does not require us to sleep.”

“I suppose the agents of God do not need rest.”

“I suppose not,” Ralius whispered.

Hosius sighed once inside the tents. They had done it. Years of planning finally allowed dear Constantine to be free of the whims of Galerius. A smile stretched across Hosius’ face at his success. He was responsible for Minerva being halfway to Drepanum, and tomorrow Constantine’s mother would be thanking him for her family’s safe travel. But as he sat on his cot his heart felt hollow. There not ten feet away was a beautiful woman, and a regal son. Why Constantine had never married Minerva confused him greatly. Tinges of jealousy rose in his chest. He wanted a family like Constantine’s; a loving woman, a gracious son, a powerful father and a religious mother. All things he had lacked. But God had called him to His service. Hardly a substitute, he mumbled with his head sinking into a lush pillow.

An unseasonable chill hung in the night, and come morning a fog seemed to hinder each breath.

“Momma, where are we going?” Minerva sighed trying to be rid of her anxious heart.

“We are going to stay with your grandmother,” Minerva said joining Crispus in the wagon.

“Why?”

“Because our old home is not safe for us any more.”

“Where is father to protect us?”

“He needed to run far away, but he did write a letter for you.” Minerva turned to her bundle and pulled out a scroll. Minerva’s fingers traced over her lover’s seal knowing the devotion placed in each word to her son. Crispus pulled the scroll from her hand longing to be near his father. She watched him read over each word several times before turning to her with a smile.

“He will send for us when it is safe,” Crispus said with a childish smile.

“Till then you will need to study hard to help him and your grandfather rule the northern countries.”

“Yes, that is true.” Crispus was encouraged by his father’s words. Minerva wished to see what Constantine had written, but she knew the pride of men was not for her eyes.

“Morning,” Ralius said riding next to the wagon just inches from Crispus. Minerva’s skin cringed at the ominous look she received from Ralius.

“Good morning,” Crispus greeted unaware of the racing of his mother’s heart.

“Would you care to ride a war horse, son?” Minerva’s voice caught in her throat at the question.

“Yes, please.” In one swoop Ralius pulled Crispus from the wagon into the saddle of his massive horse.

“Please…” Minerva started to dispute but Ralius had spurred his horse away from her.

“You shouldn’t worry about Ralius as you do,” Hosius said riding along side the wagon.

“Why do you give him so much trust?” Minerva’s eyes tried to keep track of her son in the early morning mist.

“He is an agent of my faith, Minerva. There is nothing to fear from him.”

“There is something about him that has me holding firm to my fear, Hosius.”

“He is with us as a manifestation of God’s protection.”

“If that is so I don’t know that I want your God’s help.” A chill ran down Minerva’s spine at the thought of Ralius as an agent of Hosius’ god.