Inconvenient Testimony

By Xlibris US

Do you ever wish that you had the freedom to do what you wanted to do and be friends with whomever you choose? To dress however you wish and eat only the foods you like?

Third century Carthage was a dangerous place for Christians, but Christianity is only one of the problems standing in the way of Marcus and Elissas friendship. Elissa, a Christian, is a slave and her owner is Marcus grandfather, Verbius. Their friendship is further complicated by their discovery that, when they were infants, their mothers, Perpetua and Felicitas, were best friends who were martyred because of their faith.
Verbius hostility toward Christians has grown since then. If Marcus becomes a Christian, his grandmother, Elissa, and all their Christian friends will be at risk, and he will lose his inheritance.

Elissa nudges Marcus closer to accepting faith, but his questions and concerns still have not been resolved. His journey remains difficult, until his grandmother is injured and near death.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Aug 6, 2014
• ISBN: 9781499011562

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Death mystified Marcus. A week ago his grandfather, Titus, was grumbling and snarling and spitting and carrying on like he always did. Today he was a small pile of ashes, contained in a brass urn.

The story Marcus had heard about his father, who died at sea, ended in that unknown place where Titus was now. The story of Marcus’ mother started and ended in a single breath. No one would say how she died, or why, where, when, or what kind of person she had been while she was alive. He didn’t even know her name.

The ancient writings tell us that death is part of the circle of life, Marcus’ grandmother, Celia, had said when she set the urn beside the wooden crate in the corner. A tiny smile appeared on her face, as if she might add something hopeful, but it disappeared in an instant.

For days, people had filled the house with tears and condolences for the end of Titus’ life. None of the mourners had offered encouragement for the future. Now the rooms were silent, except for a voice at the other end of the kitchen. Grandfather’s business partner, Verbius, poked his finger on the table top as he whispered to Celia. His face became red. At times, his whisper was loud and he hissed each s he spoke, like an attacking serpent. He seemed anxious about the shipping company and the two large boats he was suddenly responsible for.

Celia’s lips were a tight, straight line. Before Verbius arrived, she had confided that she wanted no part of the shipping business. She also advised Marcus to avoid any dealings with Verbius, but she didn’t say why.

Marcus had worked with his grandfather and Verbius since childhood. He had coasted the Great Sea eastward from Carthage and when he was twelve, he began to join the frequent voyages to Sicilia, Sardinia, and Corsica. The seaports in other countries were exciting. The foreign sights and sounds and smells tickled his imagination with dreams of adventure.

But going to foreign ports was the only fun part of the shipping business.

Loading and unloading the boat was very hard work. Caravans from places far south of Carthage brought huge bundles of salt, spices, gold, and animal hides to the dock. Caravan slaves sometimes helped Marcus and Titus load the bundles onto the boat. Then the bundles they had just brought from across the Great Sea or had amassed locally—textiles, bronze and pottery—were loaded onto the carts and camels in the caravan, to be sold to people who lived in those faraway places south of Carthage.

Titus had said that shipping goods across the Great Sea would always be an important business because people everywhere liked to trade things with people from other places.

Still, Marcus had no interest in the business of shipping. He knew how to row and he had helped his grandfather adjust the sails once in a while, but he had never steered the boat or learned to anticipate wind and weather patterns.

Sailing inspired his poetry and stories. Between ports, he spent most of his time writing.

Verbius turned away from Celia and said in a loud voice, Marcus, you’re nearly fifteen years old, a grown man. Are you ready to captain Titus’ boat?

The offer was so ridiculous that Marcus grinned despite his effort not to.

You honor me, sir, he said. Although I have pulled the oar and unfurled the sail on occasion, I have neither the knowledge nor the skill to captain a boat on the Great Sea, nor would I put your business at risk by agreeing to do so.

Verbius’ wide smile tightened into a frown and his eyebrows knitted together. He glanced toward Celia, but she ignored him, so he said, I realize that you’re in mourning and might not be ready to make this kind of decision, Marcus, but you can’t delay for long. I will give you a day or two to think about it. This is a perfect opportunity. It deserves some very serious thought.

Marcus escorted Verbius to the front door and said, Thank you for visiting.

This is for Celia. I won’t forget her. Verbius pressed a small pouch into Marcus’ hand.

Marcus watched Verbius walk down the road. Then he returned to the kitchen and gave the pouch to his grandmother.

Scowling, Celia opened it. As she poured the silver coins into Marcus’ hand, she said, Do you see how he bribes me? Be very careful, Marcus. Verbius cannot be trusted.

CHAPTER 2

Elissa peeked around the corner and checked the road in both directions. She quickly stepped back into the shadows. Her heart pounded.

What is it? Did you see soldiers? Julia asked.

No, whispered Elissa. The man I told you about, the one who would betray us to the soldiers, is walking this way. Come quickly. We must warn the others.

The girls hurried through a maze of narrow alleys that led to the ruins.

Nearly four centuries had passed since the Roman army destroyed Carthage and ended the Punic Wars. The Carthaginians eventually rebuilt the city, but remains of toppled buildings still littered a few areas, providing a constant reminder of what Carthage had once been and what Roman soldiers could do. Elissa and Julia hurried toward the shell of an ancient building where their Christian friends had gathered.

We must remain here and be very quiet, Elissa said, trying to catch her breath.

Soldiers? asked Justin, the leader of the Christians.

Worse, Elissa whispered. It’s Verbius.

Justin sent two lookouts high into the dilapidated skeleton of a tower to keep watch.

Persecution of Christians in Carthage had declined during the past few years, but it hadn’t ended. Each time the Christians gathered, they risked being arrested by soldiers who patrolled the roads and byways. If they were arrested, they stayed in prison until a trial was held. At the trial they were almost always found guilty and sentenced to death because they almost always refused to worship the emperor and heathen gods of Rome.

To avoid attracting attention, the Christians of Carthage had formed small groups that met in different places throughout the city. The ruins provided one of the small groups a safe place to worship, and to hide from soldiers. Skeletons of a few buildings, made of huge granite and limestone blocks, still stood among the ruins. One of the skeletons consisted of parts of three walls—quite high in some places and crumbled almost to the ground in other places. The fourth wall had fallen down completely. The roof was also gone. The Christian family used the three-sided shell as a chapel. It was open to the starry heavens at night and to the blue sky during the day. Broken blocks of stone, randomly scattered throughout the chapel, served as seats, tables, or hiding places.

Elissa and Julia crouched behind a large broken block. Justin and three other men stood nearby. They were ready to run if necessary, to lead the soldiers away from the chapel so the women, children, and elderly men might escape to their homes. No one said a word as they waited for the lookouts to signal. One waving arm meant everything was all right. They each prayed they would not see two arms waving—the signal for danger.

Many minutes passed.

Finally, Justin heaved a great sigh and smiled. Then he closed his eyes and whispered, Thank you, Lord, for the safety we always find in your loving embrace.

The lookouts stayed at their posts, watching for trouble, while the other members of the Christian family gathered around Justin. They offered prayers and thanksgiving and shared news with one another.

Celia’s husband has been cremated, Elissa said. She is still very sad that he refused to accept Christ Jesus as his Savior before dying. She asks, once again, that we pray for the salvation of her grandson Marcus.

Several people were concerned about the difficulties Celia would face now that she was a widow. Justin volunteered to visit her and find out how the Christian family could help her adjust to her new life. Then he led prayers for Celia’s well-being and for Marcus’ salvation.

When the gathering ended, Justin said to Elissa, Thank you for letting us know about Celia’s problems and the death of her husband, Elissa. You must be very close to her.

Elissa’s face became hot and red. She lowered her eyes. I am an unpaid servant in the home of Verbius, who was in business partnership with Celia’s husband. All the servants know about his death, and Verbius’ great wealth, now that he is sole owner of the business.

Justin frowned. I have heard many rumors about how evil Verbius is. I didn’t realize that you are his servant.

Elissa shrugged. I work for my owner, whoever that might be.

But he is not a friend of Christians. You must be very careful, Justin said. I wonder what role he will play in Celia’s future. He might make her life very difficult. Have you met the grandson Marcus?

Elissa forced a small smile. Servants never meet the grandson of the business partner.

Of course, Justin mumbled. Of course they don’t. You’re a slave. I didn’t know. Let’s call on Celia together. We can go right now, if you wish.

Justin had recently moved to Carthage from Italia and Elissa knew that he was still unfamiliar with some of the customs of Carthage. But she was puzzled that he didn’t seem to understand servitude. He was nearly old enough to be her father, so she hesitated to remind him that she was not free to come and go as she pleased.

She took a deep breath and said, Right now I am an unpaid servant with many unfinished chores. I can sometimes sneak out in the evenings, but not tonight because I’m here now, so I’ll have to work tonight to finish my chores.

Tomorrow then, after dinner?

Elissa nodded. I’ll try to meet you at Celia’s house after dinner.

Elissa, if Verbius would sell you, I would buy you and give you your freedom.

You are very kind, Justin. If I were free, where would I live? How would I buy food?

He frowned, his eyes squeezed closed. After a moment he said, I must pray about this.

Elissa smiled to herself. Justin’ reputation for generosity was well known. She