Afterwards, they tried to eat, but the food caught in their throats, making it hard to swallow. They talked quietly before John left again, to pray privately.
When he returned it was to say, “I believe I have received guidance, but I must confirm it with you.” Turning to Thanos, he asked, “What is the mood in your city? Do the Romans fear a riot?”
“The Romans always fear a riot,” Thanos said with a trace of enmity, “that is why they executed Antipas.”
“You need to forgive them Thanos, or you will endanger your own spiritual life.” Thanos nodded and sighed deeply, reluctantly recognising that what John said was true.
After a pause, Polycarp spoke his thoughts, “John, you are thinking that it would not be wise for four of us to walk into the city with the soldiers nervous and on edge, an
