I stood in front of the cell, speechless, for a long period of time when the strange little man noticed the expression of concern on my face. He looked into my eyes to the point of making me a little nervous.
"What is it?" He asked.
"I'm concerned for your well-being. I know, sooner or later, Nero will get well and carry out the execution," I said.
"I am not concerned. As I've said before, it was to this end I was born. No man has done what I have done. I've been given an audience before all the magistrates of Rome at one point or another. I have shared the truth about the Son of God, and some have listened, while others thought me mad. I have finished the job Christ instructed me to do," he said calmly.
"I wish I could be as calm as you, because let's face it, I have grown rather fond of you. You are quite an unusual man. I've never seen such clarity in purpose in even the greatest of our generals," I bragged as if I were somehow responsible for his confidence.
"Thank you, Michael. You can have the same assurance about who you are, and what you are chosen to do. It all comes through faith in the Son of God," he said.
"Well, that's where I fall short, I'm afraid. I'm not sure I have the capacity or capability to measure up to the faith required to give my life for Christianity," I said.
"Are you afraid to die on the battle field?" He asked.
"No, but I have received a lot of training for that very thing," I said.
"I have as well. All the experiences I've had to this point have prepared me for this moment," He said.
As we were talking Captain Antonio entered the building shaking off the rain, and approached the strange little man. Romy was right behind him. He must have slipped out while I was talking to the strange little man. The Captain turned to me, and asked politely if he could have a moment of the strange little man's time. I returned to my post so they could have some privacy. Romy walked with me, still trying to shake off the rain.
They spoke quietly for a few minutes, and then the conversation got louder and louder. The strange little man seemed angry about what the Captain had said to him, so I thought maybe it was bad news. I felt compelled to come to his aid.
"What's the problem, sir?" I asked the Captain.
He looked at me for a moment as if to size me up for something.
"You can trust him," the strange little man said.
"You think so? He doesn't claim to be a believer, even though he does wear the amulet," the Captain replied.
