I’d wondered what my response would be when the Roman soldiers eventually came. Would I hide? Would I pray for them to be blinded, and send them the in the wrong direction like Elisha the prophet.
But there is only one way.
The story of Valentine, the bishop of Interamna, continues…
This is part 6, part 5 is here, 4 is here, part 3 is here, and 2 here…and it began here.
While the horses are still jostling…
and the men surrounding the house…
I open the door.
The bride and groom were still on the roof.
To try any means of escape would endanger them.
I could not have that.
There was only one soldier still mounted on his horse. The Centurion moved his red cape to the side, revealing his sword and resting his hand on the hilt, tapping it lightly.
“Valentine,” he said in calm monotone, “You will come with us.”
“You know my name,” I replied, “I do not know yours.”
“This is all you need to know.” The words were stiff and practiced.
He removes his free hand from the reins, pulls out a scroll…
…unrolling it he read:
Against the decree of the glorious Emperor of the world, Claudius II, you, Valentine of Interamna, have illegally married thousands. You are hereby to be arrested. Your subversive and illegal activity shall cease. You shall be herewith transported to Rome where you will face the punishment for your crime against the Empire.
As he was reading I noticed a young soldier…
soft eyes peering from under his helmet…
they led my vision down to the ground…
with the tip of his blade he drew in the dirt…
this first…
then this…
A knowing nod from him and I remembered.
The name of the commander I did not know.
This one’s name I did.
It was only weeks ago that Italus and Alena had come to me by night to be married.
Now emboldened by the presence of a friend I spoke up.
“It has been a long ride. Your horses are tired. With you to Rome I shall go. But come first, breakfast is made, share it with me, and your horses can rest for the journey back to Rome.”
“The horses are fine.” He replied, head raised proud.
“Their coats are wet…
noses are down…
eyes half shut.
A few moments of rest.
It is breakfast, not subtrafuge.”
Young Italus moved forward and spoke quietly with the Centurion.
Then raising his hand, the soldiers moved toward me.
But suddenly he lowered it and they retreated.
Dismounting his horse he spoke again, “I am Marcelus Marius – and breakfast it is. But just that. We have our orders.”
Between bites of meat and bread I had the chance to tell them of our Lord, and the Centurion present at the foot of the Cross. But Marcelus was clearly uneasy, so I did not keep him for long.
Rising from the table I extended my hands forward to be bound.
“You do not plan to try escape, do you priest?”
“No, I do not.”
“Then perhaps there is no need to…”
I interrupted his words.
“You are a man subject to authority, Marcelus, as am I. I understand.”
With that he relented…
…and my hands were bound.
There would be no more marriages in Interamna this day.
♥✞ღ
There is more to this story of Valentine, Bishop of Interamna, which will conclude on Valentine’s day.
Please come back.
and if you hearted this at all…
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Spellbound I am! Craig you are such a good story teller…honestly. Reading these words is like being transported to that time and place. Offering them breakfast…that sounds exactly like something Jesus would do, doesn’t it? Brilliant!
Looking forward to the rest of it. Hope your weekend is wonderful. How is your sister doing? Is her due date close? I was wondering about her when I was praying the other day for some pregnant ladies I have met through blogging. I hope she is well.
God bless
I would love take credit for that as an original plot move. But I took the idea from the second century story of Polycarp. in the 200s he also was arrested in his home – and he invited the soldiers in for a meal. I’m borrowing from one story – a true story – because I can see Valentine doing the same thing – and yes – I see Jesus doing the same thing! As for my sister, I babysat for a few hours, and moved some furniture, figuring from all the advice I got that just occupying her toddler was a good thing to do – she called later telling me how really thankful she was for that. So obviously I got good advice from everyone – I plan to do more – I’ll be attending an ultrasound with her on Thursday maybe – she seems less overwhelmed if I’m around a little bit – so I will have to be (ツ) thank you Lisa Maria – and God bless you!
Good story for sure. 🙂
thank you – I didn’t even know the story until last year – the facts of the story come from church tradition – and on that I based a little bit of fiction. Thank you again, and God bless you.
Your story engages me. I can’t wait to read more.
the story is engaging me too, Katie, as I write it. I’m pretty sure I’ll be able to time the ending for Valentine’s Day – it may actually spill over a day or two past – but I’ll try. Anyway, thank you Katie, and God bless you my friend.
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