As Sure as the Dawn(62)

Tibullus looked grim. “Sometimes one day is enough to discern truth from lie, Eunice. The Holy Spirit tells us. The gospel being preached in that church doesn’t resemble the gospel according to Jesus Christ. And I’ll tell you, one day in that church was enough to understand why they’re meeting openly without persecution: There’s no difference between them and the world.”

“We’ve had our difficulties in Ephesus,” Prochorus said.

“True, but we had John to hold up the standard of Christ and correct us.”

“Don’t the Corinthians read the letters Paul sent them?” Prochorus said.

“Not anymore,” Tibullus said.

“One of the two elders we spoke with who agreed with us said that the last time they read one of Paul’s letter to the congregation, there was a general feeling of discomfort.”

“They recognized their own sin and didn’t like being reminded,” Niger said. “Many of them protested.”

“Better the discomfort that leads to repentance and restoration than temporal comfort and eternal damnation,” Timon said.

“Unfortunately, they appear to have chosen the latter.”

“What if the church in Rome is the same as the one here?” Porcia said, distressed.

Timon put his arm around her. “We’ll know when we get there.”

“And if it is?”

“We hold to the truth of the gospel. We have copies of Paul’s letter to Ephesus and John’s letters.”

“The church in Corinth isn’t dead yet,” Tibullus said. “There are still two elders who are retaining the pure gospel. I think John was writing to them about false teachers.”

“What can so few do when struggling against so many?”

“Don’t forget who is on their side,” Tibullus said, grinning at her. “Christ has overcome the world. The world will never overcome him.”

“But what about Mnason?” Eunice said. “We should warn him and encourage him to accompany us.”

Parmenas’ face darkened. “You think too much about Mnason.”

“He’s our brother.”

“And our brother has decided to stay in Corinth. We’re going to let him.”

A taut silence fell over the group, and then they discussed other things. Eunice stood tight-lipped. Capeo, Philomen, and Antonia gathered close around her. She glanced back toward the gate once. As she did so, Parmenas called his children to him. They obeyed quickly, leaving their mother standing alone, outside the group. She hugged her arms around herself, looking bereft and confused.

“I think she’s about to meet her judgment,” Camella said with dismay.

“I pray not,” Rizpah said. She had seen Eunice’s infatuation for Mnason grow. Mnason had noticed as well. It was to his credit that he had removed himself from the path of temptation. But would Eunice choose to leave well enough alone? And would her husband forgive her in either case?

Rizpah prayed silently for them.

Lysia giggled as Caleb sneezed. Rizpah smiled, fond of the young girl. “Would you watch Caleb for me for a while?”

“Oh, can I?” Lysia said, delighted. Camella nodded, reassuring Rizpah that she would be near.

As she crossed the courtyard to the main gate, Peter ran to catch up with her. “Are you going to talk to Atretes?”

“I’m going to try.”

“Can I go with you?”

“I’m not sure your mother would agree, Peter.”

“Mama!” he shouted across the courtyard of the inn. “Can I go with Rizpah?” Busy tending Benjamin and little Mary, Porcia was too distracted to be bothered and waved approval. “See?” Peter beamed up at her.

“I’m not even sure where Atretes is, Peter. I have to look for him at the port.”

“I’ll help you find him.” He started out the gate ahead of her. Resigned, Rizpah put her shawl over her hair and followed. The street was crowded with people traveling to and from the port. Goods were being carted both ways.

“There he is!” Peter said and darted off.

Rizpah saw Atretes sitting in a fanum, staring straight at her, his face as cold as the marble that surrounded him.

Atretes curbed his annoyance as he saw Peter running to him. He wasn’t in the mood for his chatter. “We were looking for you, Atretes,” the boy said, entering the fanum.

“Were you?” He gave the boy a cursory glance and fixed his attention on Rizpah again as she walked toward him. She was perfectly formed, slender, yet fulsome. Her black hair was modestly covered, but wayward strands escaped to frame her lovely face. Men noticed her, though she appeared oblivious to their admiring glances.