Theophilus saw Rizpah’s distress and offered what reassurance he could. “Extra patrols are traveling the road.”
“It gets harder the further we go. Sometimes I think the closer we get to Germania, the further we go from God.”
“God is with us, Rizpah.”
“It’s so cold.” She drew the cloak Atretes had given her around herself. “He still doesn’t trust you.”
“I know.”
“He knows his way from the Rhine.”
Theophilus nodded. “You and I both know if it’s God’s will we reach Germania together, we will reach Germania together.”
Rizpah prayed fervently that Atretes’ eyes and heart would be opened to the truth.
They left at daybreak.
28
Rizpah’s breath came out in soft cloud puffs as she trudged through the snow on the narrow mountain road. Caleb had finally stopped crying after she bundled him beneath the heavy tunic against the warmth of her body. Every muscle in her body ached. Her lungs burned. Her feet felt numb. They had reached the summit two days before and were winding their way down from the glacial heights, but it was slow going. Each day was more difficult, more physically trying.
The valley lay like heaven below, and she drank in the sight of a crystalline lake surrounded by evergreens and sloping meadows. “Tomorrow’s the Sabbath,” Theophilus had said. A day of rest.
Thank God, she thought. A week wouldn’t be enough, for the long journey was wearing down her strength. She paused to shift Caleb’s weight. He was growing steadily, adding to her burden. Atretes stopped as well, glancing back at her. She smiled and started off again, praying as she did so that she would have the strength to make it down the mountain.
“Is that Germania?”
“Not yet,” Theophilus said, his breath coming out in a puff of white. “A few days more and we’ll reach the Rhine. Two days farther and there’s a fort.”
Atretes glanced at Rizpah again and she felt the force of his look. You see, it said, and I should trust this Roman?
“Do we need to stop there, Theophilus?”
“The foederati may be able to tell us about the Chatti.”
“Foederati!” Atretes sneered, unable to believe there were any Germans who would willingly join the Roman army. “German slaves, more likely.”
“Not all Germans see Rome as the enemy.”
“Ja! Those who are fools and traitors.”
“It’s been eleven years since you were home. Much has changed.”
“Not that much.”
“The rebellion has been subdued.”
“Rome can build a hundred forts, and this land will still not belong to the Empire!”
“I agree,” Theophilus said, unintimidated by Atretes’ wrath.
Atretes glared at him distrustfully. “You agree,” he drawled in disbelief. “You, a Roman centurion, sworn to serve Rome.”
“Gaul was subdued and absorbed, but the Germans are still feri,” he said, using a word that encompassed savagery. “They’ll be quiet for a while, perhaps a long while, but they’re not conquered. It’s my hope to win them to the Lord. If they turn, all the strength of their attributes will be for the Lord.”
Atretes gave a contemptuous laugh. “No Chatti will accept a god who let his own son be crucified. What good is a god who is weak and useless.” He made a sweeping gesture toward the forests beyond. “This land belongs to Tiwaz.”
“But was created by almighty God,” Theophilus said.
“Then let him try to take it back.” Atretes turned his back and headed down the road again.
They camped beside the crystalline lake. Theophilus and Atretes headed for the shore to try to catch fish while Rizpah collected pinecones. She removed the nuts from them while keeping an eye on Caleb as he toddled about the camp. The child was delighted with everything around him, tottering from rock to tree to patch of snow.
When she finished, Rizpah used the dry cones to fuel the small fire Theophilus had built. The centurion returned with three large fish and placed them beside her. Spitting one, she set it over the fire to roast.
The sun went down, and the colors splashed a spectacular reflection across the smooth surface of the waters. She had never seen anything so beautiful.
Atretes appeared, a black shape against the colorful sunset. He walked up the slope empty-handed. Rizpah removed the third fish from the spit as he entered camp, and Theophilus knelt to pray.
“Lord, we give thanks for this food which you have provided for us. May it renew the strength of our bodies and open our hearts to your constant presence and mercy upon us. Bless the hands that have prepared this food for our bodies’ use. We pray in the name of your blessed Son, Jesus. Amen.”