Nicholas kept his time at court to a minimum, and when invited to banquets or the theater, he did what he could to politely bow out. Then one day after court Valerius and a two other young lawyers decided they should have lunch together on the forum. Nicholas said, “Sorry. Maybe another day.”
Valerius said, “You’re getting to be like Faustinus.” They all laughed. “I don’t even see him at court anymore.”
Nicholas said, “Well, I suppose a quick lunch.”
In the forum they settled on one of the more expensive food counters and sat down at the outdoor tables to soak in the sun. At places like these, the poor would gather like pigeons, meandering back and forth, hoping for a handout. Valerius noticed one, a filthy man robed in little more than rags. He grinned and said, “You inspire me Nicholas. I should be more of a benefactor like you.”
Valerius got up and pulled out a handful of denarii. He held them up in the air and declared, “In the name of Apollo!” He then handed them to the beggar.
The other two lawyers clapped for him. One called out, “Great is Apollo!” Nicholas could only smirk, hoping they wouldn’t notice his silence until he could excuse himself. The ragged man bowed to the ground and thanked Valerius, saying “May Apollo grace you with his kindness.” He then slipped away. The other beggars took notice and began to edge closer in hopes of another handout.
As Valerius returned to his seat, one of the other two lawyers rose to the challenge and approached a woman with two young boys. He reached out dramatically and handed her a gold coin, saying, “In the name of Artemis!”
Valerius and the other lawyer laughed and clapped as the woman blessed him in Artemis’ name. Nicholas held his smirk, but inside, he felt sickened at the display. They didn’t understand. They were devoting themselves to a lie.
The other lawyer was up on his feet before the first had returned to the table. He found a beggar grinning with expectation and handed him two gold coins, saying, “Apollo is greater!”
Valerius laughed and the first lawyer warned, “Careful. You may arouse the jealousy of Artemis.”
Valerius said to Nicholas, “Perhaps you can settle our argument. Apollo or Artemis?”
Nicholas could no longer maintain his smirk. He said, “I...” but he could find no words to explain himself without speaking of Christus. He said, “I must be going,” and hurried away.
As he left, he could hear them laughing. Valerius said, “I guess he is not so generous as he led on.” It relieved Nicholas to know that they did not suspect.
That night, he slipped away across the rooftops, concealing his face under a hooded cloak. He came to his tomb on Mount Taurus, and there in the dimmed light of his lamp, he pulled out a handful of gold coins. He placed them each into tiny sacks. Now was the time. He would give in the name of Christus, and he would give more than they would give in the names of their hollow gods.
Valerius said, “You’re getting to be like Faustinus.” They all laughed. “I don’t even see him at court anymore.”
Nicholas said, “Well, I suppose a quick lunch.”
In the forum they settled on one of the more expensive food counters and sat down at the outdoor tables to soak in the sun. At places like these, the poor would gather like pigeons, meandering back and forth, hoping for a handout. Valerius noticed one, a filthy man robed in little more than rags. He grinned and said, “You inspire me Nicholas. I should be more of a benefactor like you.”
Valerius got up and pulled out a handful of denarii. He held them up in the air and declared, “In the name of Apollo!” He then handed them to the beggar.
The other two lawyers clapped for him. One called out, “Great is Apollo!” Nicholas could only smirk, hoping they wouldn’t notice his silence until he could excuse himself. The ragged man bowed to the ground and thanked Valerius, saying “May Apollo grace you with his kindness.” He then slipped away. The other beggars took notice and began to edge closer in hopes of another handout.
As Valerius returned to his seat, one of the other two lawyers rose to the challenge and approached a woman with two young boys. He reached out dramatically and handed her a gold coin, saying, “In the name of Artemis!”
Valerius and the other lawyer laughed and clapped as the woman blessed him in Artemis’ name. Nicholas held his smirk, but inside, he felt sickened at the display. They didn’t understand. They were devoting themselves to a lie.
The other lawyer was up on his feet before the first had returned to the table. He found a beggar grinning with expectation and handed him two gold coins, saying, “Apollo is greater!”
Valerius laughed and the first lawyer warned, “Careful. You may arouse the jealousy of Artemis.”
Valerius said to Nicholas, “Perhaps you can settle our argument. Apollo or Artemis?”
Nicholas could no longer maintain his smirk. He said, “I...” but he could find no words to explain himself without speaking of Christus. He said, “I must be going,” and hurried away.
As he left, he could hear them laughing. Valerius said, “I guess he is not so generous as he led on.” It relieved Nicholas to know that they did not suspect.
That night, he slipped away across the rooftops, concealing his face under a hooded cloak. He came to his tomb on Mount Taurus, and there in the dimmed light of his lamp, he pulled out a handful of gold coins. He placed them each into tiny sacks. Now was the time. He would give in the name of Christus, and he would give more than they would give in the names of their hollow gods.
Click here to go to beginning of the book
No comments:
Post a Comment