Wrath of Rome (Book Two of the Dominium Dei Trilogy) Read Online Free PDF Page B

forgiveness. I know he must, as many times as I ask. So I wait for the day he cannot bear the burden any longer and tells me what I want to hear.”
    “What is that?”
    “The meaning of the Book of Revelation.”
    “Oh, you mean there is one?” Athanasius said, prompting some nervous laughter. Then he got tough. “Your failures are not my concern, Commander.” He glanced at the brothel boat in the harbor. “Nor your lack of discipline. I have my orders, and so do you.”
    Barbatio, none too happy with the tribune’s tone, nodded. “Cornelius here will escort you to the cave. It’s a bit of a climb.”
    A young officer stepped forward, and Athanasius followed him toward some stone steps out of the public square and up the hill. Behind him he heard the music of Patmos play again with the snap of a whip and the cries of the prisoner.
    Athanasius went up the long, zigzagging path toward the cave. He was almost out of breath by the time they came to the iron gate at the entrance, which was flanked by two prison guards. The guards opened the gate at Cornelius’s orders.
    “You’ll wait outside,” Athanasius said and stepped inside.
    •    •    •
    The cave was dark, illuminated only by a few flickering candles and a shaft of dim light from some crack in the ceiling. There was movement in the back. Athanasius waited for his eyes to adjust.
    He could see the recess in the rock, close to the ground, where the apostle would lay his head when resting. But he was not there. There was another recess to the right a little higher up where the apostle would probably support his hands as he knelt to pray. But John was not there either. And there was a more or less level place in the rock that looked to be used as a desk. There were papers and writing instruments on it.
    Perhaps another revelation? Athanasius wondered. One that could explain what had happened to the last apostle?
    He took a step toward the desk when he saw a shadow move at the back of the cave. A flicker of light appeared. An old, bearded man with white hair emerged from an alcove holding a candle. He wore the simple tunic of a prisoner and broken sandals. He looked at Athanasius curiously.
    “I haven’t seen your face before, Tribune.”
    “No, but perhaps you’ve heard my name. Chiron.”
    The last apostle screwed his eyes and paused before answering. “I doubt that. Who are you, really?”
    Athanasius looked around the cave and back toward the opening. Satisfied they were far enough away from being overhead outside, he said, “My name is Athanasius of Athens. I’m here to free you.”

V
    “I don’t want to be freed,” John the Last Apostle told Athanasius after listening to his sad story. They were sitting on the sleeping ledge of the cave. John had a gentle, soft demeanor, completely at odds with his character in the gospel accounts and the violence of Revelation. “I’m already free. You’re the one who needs to be free. Free from this hatred I see in your eyes.”
    This was precisely what Athanasius feared might happen. “My hatred is reserved for Rome, old man, and for Dominium Dei. Not Jesus or The Way.”
    “You must love others, Athanasius, and forgive your enemies.”
    Athanasius resisted the insanity of John’s easy words. “You don’t know Caesar Domitian like I do, nor his vile master of the Games. They killed the consul, Flavius Clemens, your top Christian in Rome, I hear, along with many others. They will keep on killing. They want to destroy your Church.”
    “It’s not my Church, Athanasius. Jesus is the head.”
    “Then come with me to Ephesus and say as much publicly. Expose the Dei and Domitian. Leave the rest to us in Rome.”
    “You will accomplish nothing by killing Caesar.”
    Athanasius threw out the bait that Clemens’ servant Stephanus threw him: “Even if Young Vespasian becomes emperor and bows before Christ?”
    “That’s his business,” John said, unimpressed with the vision of a Christian