long as you’re not drinking on duty. I don’t mind a bit of friendly gambling,” He looked around at the many groups of local people who had witnessed the executions. He took in the four sobbing women.
“Has there been any trouble?”
“No sir. No trouble.”
“Good. Perhaps these people are starting to learn a little discipline,” he studied the dark clouds above.
“There seems to be a storm brewing. I personally don’t fancy a soaking today,” he looked at the three crucified men for the first time. One of which was muttering to himself.
“Let’s get this over with.”
“Right you heard the Tribune. Break their legs.”
The first two men howled hideously as their thighs were smashed. With broken legs they would be unable to support their upper bodies and would suffocate quickly.
“I see you’ve left the king until last,” Atronius mocked, “privileges of royalty your majesty,” he said to the amusement of his men.
Longinus was standing directly under the man called Christ.
“Well? What are you waiting for?” Atronius asked.
The other Romans grinned in anticipation. Longinus blindly swinging at the condemned man’s legs should be hilarious.
“There’s no need to break this one’s legs sir. He’s already dead.”
Atronius stepped towards Longinus, disappointment on his face.
“Dead! He was talking to his father only moments ago.”
“I heard him gasp his last breath sir.”
“Heard him? Oh you and that sense of yours. You see with your hearing. I forgot. You should be careful Longinus. They’re crucifying men for being miracle workers. Eh! Eh!” he laughed at his own humour.
The first few splashes of rain began to fall. Tribune Plinius came rushing up to them.
“Come on! What’s taking so long?”
“Longinus says this man is already dead Tribune.”
“Well is he?”
“He does look it sir.”
“Well why don’t you find out.”
Atronius grabbed Longinus’ spear while Longinus was still holding it and rammed it upwards into Christ’s side. There was no reaction from the still form on the cross and Longinus was looking up as Atronius wrenched the spear free. It came out smoothly and a torrent of blood and fluid splashed down into Longinus’ face. He instantly sank to his knees, his hands letting go of the spear, still held by Atronius, and clutched at his eyes.
“Longinus!” Atronius said cursing at the blood that had splattered his arms and uniform.
Longinus by now had his head between his knees and he was moaning.
“It’s only a bit of blood Longinus. Get up man.”
A bolt of lightning flashed down from the black clouds and struck the spear. There was a large shower of sparks from the iron tip of the spear. Atronius cried out as he was thrown fifteen feet through the air and landed heavily on his back. Staring up at the sky he brought his hands up to his face. His palms were burned badly and it was agony but as he watched the pain disappeared and so did the burns. His hands had completely healed right in front of his very eyes. He rubbed his palms together but there was no pain.
“What the….?”
He got to his feet and went back to Longinus who had stopped moaning and was also staring at his own hands.
“Are you all right?” Atronius called, “Longinus your eyes.”
Longinus looked up open mouthed.
“Atronius.”
“Yes.”
“I can see you.”
Atronius grabbed either side of Longinus’ face as Longinus stood up.
“Your eyes. You no longer have that milky film over them.”
Longinus, tears running down his face, turned to his comrades who were staring in disbelief. He called them each by name and they nodded open mouthed.
“I can see.”
“It’s a miracle.”
“Look at this,” Atronius said standing over the spear. They all gathered round. Tiny blue sparks danced and fizzed around the iron spearhead. Then one by one they grew smaller and disappeared inside the metal as it consumed them. It seemed to take on a different tinge, almost as if it was glowing from within.
Longinus picked his spear up. It felt exactly as it had before. As the day it had been issued to him. But he knew it had changed. As he had changed.
“My hands were burned by it,” Atronius said, “And before my very eyes they healed themselves. As has your sight.”
“It truly is the work of the Gods.”
The Roman soldiers turned slowly to look at the figure on the cross.
CHAPTER ONE
TUNIS, TUNISIA, PRESENT DAY
The flashing lights from the two police cars and ambulance bounced back off the buildings as the three vehicle convoy sped through the dark city’s streets. The convoy had set out just after sundown from the general hospital and was