Читать книгу I Am The Emperor - Stefano Conti - Страница 4

26 June 363 AD

T he battle between the roman army and the Persians is raging. Suddenly time seems to stop: a javelin pierces Julian’s abdomen.

«Come quick, the emperor has been hurt!»

The young king sways on the saddle of his horse and falls. Lying on the ground he tries to take out the sword, blessing his fingers.

«Leontius, take off this spear.»

«I cannot, my lord. You would die.»

«I am already dead.» The blood flows incessantly. «I am just asking to finish my days as a warrior: help me get back on my horse.»

The trusted soldier, for the first time, does not obey: «Call Oribasius, quick!»

Julian understands this is the day marked by fate: «I did not want to listen to the haruspices, but I knew that falling star was announcing my end».

Oribasius, his personal doctor, tries to stop the haemorrhage in vain.

The prince looks at him benevolently: «Do not trouble yourself. The gods are waiting for me… I’m ready».

His doctor and friend takes him from under his arms: «Leontius, help me take him back to camp.»

«No!» Julian stops them. «I ask a last favour of you: take me to the Tigris’ shore.»

In the meanwhile, Maximus arrives, he is the spiritual guide of the emperor-philosopher: «He is inspired by Alexander the Great. He wants to throw himself in the river and let his corpse disappear among the waves. When his body has vanished forever, we will say he ascended to the Olympus on a fire chariot. Thus, we pagans will celebrate a new god: Julian!»

But a squad of soldiers blocks the access to the river: «Stop! We Christians won’t let this happen. No one dares, now or never, let the Apostate’s body disappear. We will forbid anyone to lie about him ascending to heaven».

Julian looks at the earth soaked with his blood and turns his eyes to the sky: «Helios, here I come!»