Mithras smiled at the three men and the girl, his auburn hair tied back loosely, his curved dagger glinting at his waist.
His laughter lightened their hearts, even as they feared the days to come. He stared at them all and rested his eyes on Gaius last.
“You’ve come far, Heliodromus.”
“My Lord,” Gaius fell to his knees, his arms crossed over his chest, and Calgacus and Vitorix followed suit. Talia sat still, not on her knees, but silent and still.
“Only you can hear me,” Mithras said to Gaius. The god then reached out, his hand hovering over the heads of the others, one at a time, until each lay down to rest in blissful sleep. “They will be rejuvenated for the morrow.”
“Lord,” Gaius looked up. “What will the morrow bring? Do we go to meet Death himself?”
Mithras smiled sadly and step
