Читать книгу Valeria's Cross - Kathi Macias - Страница 8

Valeria was haunted by the words spoken by the old monk, but she was also intrigued, so she accompanied Prisca without a word of protest when they returned to the monastery. Their first studies went so well that their group returned daily to learn from the monks. With all the miracles recorded in the Bible, it was hard for Valeria not to believe in this Savior. Before long, both she and Prisca made the decision to convert to Christianity and accepted the forgiveness that the monks explained had been purchased for them through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Valeria was eager to meet other young Christians, so she accepted an invitation from Cornelia, the daughter of a respected Roman senator. The girls had met at a luncheon hosted by Cornelia’s mother in honor of Prisca and Valeria, and they had become fast friends. Now they were attending an athletic event in Thebes at an arena similar to the Coliseum in Rome, though it was far more ornate and much smaller. The finest athletes in the area would compete for the prizes, and the girls were excited to join the other spectators.

They climbed the steps of the large circular arena and found a seat in the center mezzanine. Valeria instructed her bodyguards to watch from above so she would not attract a lot of attention from the crowd. From her vantage point, Valeria was able to focus on a young Roman soldier who had successfully completed a race on one of the tracks below. The crowd cheered wildly for the handsome athlete, as Valeria strained her neck to get a better look. Never had she seen such a handsome man! Though tall and slender, every muscle of his bronzed body appeared to have been carved by a master sculptor. While most of the Roman soldiers had their hair closely cropped to their heads, this one’s shiny black hair curled around his face, framing dark eyes that seemed to sparkle with sunbeams, even from a distance. When he stepped up on the podium to accept his medallion, his smile ignited Valeria’s heart.

“Do you know the athlete who just won the race?” she asked Cornelia.

“No, I do not,” Cornelia swooned, “but he is the most handsome man I have ever seen.”

“Just remember, I saw him first,” Valeria said.

“But what if he wants me?” Cornelia teased.

“You cannot have him,” Valeria laughed.

“Should we not let him choose?” Cornelia smiled, raising a brow.

“Absolutely not. He is mine!”

“Well, I shall not sit here and wait for him to come to us,” Cornelia announced. “I am going down to the field to meet him.”

“I dare you,” Valeria challenged, and then laughed in amazement as she watched her friend depart. If Cornelia wanted the handsome young man’s attention, she should have no problem getting it. She was a beauty, tall and lithe, with a complexion the color of warm honey, highlighted by her rosy cheeks and lips and eyes the color of topaz. Her blonde hair was braided and tucked neatly into a chignon at the nape of her neck. As she sashayed down the steps of the stadium, her diaphanous linen gown, covered with a gold striped tunic, lapped at her slender ankles and attracted many admiring looks from within the crowd.

Part way down, Cornelia turned back. Smiling mischievously, she waved, her gold and topaz bangles jangling at her wrist. Then she continued down the steps two at a time.

Valeria watched, envying Cornelia’s courage. Her friend would probably walk right down to the field and introduce herself to the attractive athlete. But then she noticed a throng of admirers had surrounded the handsome young man. It seemed Cornelia must wait her turn.

Valeria turned to a group of Egyptian girls seated in front of her. Perhaps one of them might know his name. She studied the bronze-skinned girls until she had picked out the friendliest of the bunch, a pretty Egyptian with raven hair that swept up into an intricate knot atop her head, with bangs that fringed her dark eyes. Fashionably dressed in an elegant lime green sarong, she was so animated that when she spoke to her friends, her emerald and gold hoop earrings danced about her ears.

Valeria tapped the stunning girl on the shoulder and introduced herself.

“Nice to meet you,” the girl answered in response. “I am Nanu.” She brushed Valeria’s cheek with a kiss, the customary greeting.

Valeria skipped the pleasantries and got right to the point. “Do you, by chance, know the name of the Egyptian athlete who just won the race?”

When the group of girls broke into laughter, Valeria was puzzled. “What is so amusing?” It was at times like this that Valeria felt humiliated and longed to tell her offenders she was their emperor’s daughter. But this new spirit who lived inside her heart nudged her before she had a chance to react.

“Forgive us,” Nanu explained, once she caught her breath. “Yes, we know him—very well.”

Valeria’s heart soared. “Who is he? What is his name?” Suddenly she felt the heat creep up her neck and into her face. “Oh, dear, I hope he is not your sweetheart.”

The group of girls giggled, but Valeria paid them no mind until Nanu said, “I adore him, but alas, he is not my paramour; Mauritius is my brother.” The girl touched Valeria’s arm. “No need to feel embarrassed. There is scarcely a young woman in this stadium who has not declared her love for him.”

“I should have known,” Valeria replied, studying the girl’s face. “The resemblance is . . . remarkable. You are as beautiful as he is handsome.”

“Thank you.” Nanu’s black eyes flashed, as she, in turn, studied Valeria. “You are stunning yourself. Such a lovely face! And your hair . . . it is the color of the Nubian lions.”

“Nubian lions?” Valeria paused to think. “Why do they sound familiar?”

Nanu lowered her eyes. “During Nero’s reign, the Romans transported the lions from the nearby Nubian jungles to fight the Christians in the Coliseum.”

Valeria winced. “Oh, how awful!”

“Trust me, it is not an export Egypt is proud of, especially those of us who are Christians. But Nubian lions are the most beautiful creatures you will ever see . . . from a distance, of course.”

Valeria nodded. Encouraged by Nanu’s friendly manner, she asked, “Does your brother have a sweetheart?”

“Oh, no. Mauritius has many admirers, but he is far too committed to his Savior and to Rome to seek a wife. He has no time for courtship.”

Valeria’s heart leapt at the realization that Mauritius was a Christian, though she tried to temper her excitement. “What is your brother’s position in the Roman Army?”

“He is the captain of the renowned Theban Legion.”

“My father says that the finest Roman armies are here in Egypt.” Valeria had chosen her words carefully, not yet ready to reveal her identity; that confession would come soon enough, particularly if she was blessed to meet Nanu’s brother.

“Your father is right. There is no finer legion in the Roman Empire than the Thebans. It is comprised entirely of Coptic Christians.”

“Really? My mother and I are studying Christianity under the Coptic monks at a monastery in Aswan.”

“Mauritius and my fiancé, Baraka, have studied with them for years, until recently, when they had to undergo their rigorous military training.”

Her hopes of running into Mauritius at the monastery dashed, Valeria noted, “You are so young to become engaged.”

“I am fourteen, which is not considered young in our culture. Girls in Egypt marry as young as twelve or thirteen. Baraka and I plan to marry before the legion is called to battle.”

Surprised by the Egyptian girl’s friendliness, Valeria thanked her. Then, just as Nanu said she hoped they would meet again, Cornelia returned and announced, “His name is—”

Before Cornelia could utter his name, the group of Egyptian girls sang out in unison, “Mauritius,” and then laughed, leaving Cornelia looking baffled.

Valeria blushed again. “Nanu, this is my friend, Cornelia. And Cornelia, this is Nanu.” She paused, and then added, “She is Mauritius’ sister.”

Cornelia’s eyebrows lifted in obvious surprise, but she recovered quickly, and after the introductions were made and the girls had chatted for a few minutes, Valeria and Cornelia returned to their seats.

“Did you meet him?” Valeria asked as soon as they were alone.

Cornelia shook her head. “Someone told me his name, but there were far too many admirers surrounding him for me to get closer. I only got a tiny glimpse of him, but he is even more handsome up close. There was an intensity about him that is difficult to put into words. But I can tell you this: his eyes exude love. When he looked my way, I felt . . . like I really mattered.”

“He must have liked you,” Valeria admitted, feeling somewhat slighted.

“No, it was not in any personal way. There was just so much love and kindness in his eyes. Forgive me if I sound sacrilegious, but when he looked my way, I had a strange sensation, as though I were looking into the eyes of Jesus.”

“Oh, I should have gone with you!”

“Why? You met his sister, which is far better. Did she agree to introduce you to him?”

Valeria shook her head. “Nanu was adamant that Mauritius had no time for courting. She explained he was far too busy with his military training and his dedication to his faith.”

“Did you even ask her to introduce you to him?” Cornelia prompted, propping her hand on her hip.

When Valeria blushed yet again, Cornelia sighed. “I have a lot to teach you, especially about men, my friend.”

Valeria felt her defenses rise. “I know about men!”

Cornelia smirked. “Is that so? Have you ever kissed a man? Or even flirted with one?”

“Eugenia accused me of flirting with Alara, one of the younger monks at the monastery.”

“That is nothing to boast about, Valeria.”

“But he was so handsome.”

“Forget the monk. Here is what you do about Mauritius. You must persuade his sister to invite you to her home.”

“How will I do that? I do not know if I will even see her again.”

Cornelia leaned close and spoke in a conspiratorial tone. “Ask one of the servants to find out where Nanu lives, and then send a messenger to her home with an invitation for her and her mother to have lunch at the palace with you and your mother. Enclose a note explaining that you would like to return the kindness she showed at the athletic event.”

“But what if they refuse?”

Cornelia rolled her eyes. “No one will refuse an invitation from the empress and her daughter. Besides, every one in the area is curious to see inside the palace. I know that firsthand because everyone nags me to tell them about it, now that they know I have been inside with you.” Cornelia laughed. “Believe me, they will come.”

“But I do not want Nanu or Mauritius to know my identity yet. I want him to care about me for who I am, and not because I am the emperor’s daughter.”

“Nanu seems a bright girl. She has probably already discovered your identity. Besides, do you want to lose your chance at Mauritius? Listen, if you had seen those women down below, clamoring for a chance to speak with him, you would not hesitate. You must use any moral measure to attract his attention.”

“But what good will that do if his only interest is God and country?”

“After one look at you, my dear, he will quickly change his mind.”

Valeria hesitated. “I will consider it.”

“There is no time for that. Rumor has it that the Theban Legion could be called to Gaul any day now. Worse yet, what if your parents decide it is time to arrange a marriage for you?” Cornelia put one hand over her brow and fanned herself with the other. “I can think of nothing worse than to be married to a man you do not love.”

Valeria shuddered, but as the emperor’s daughter, it was imperative for her to maintain her dignity and pride. Another thought flitted into her mind, and she smiled. She had found the answer. Just this week Valeria and her mother were studying prayer at the monastery. If she could not finagle an introduction to Mauritius from Nanu, she would ask God to arrange one.