"Tribune!" Gaius called after Misenus.
"Yes, Optio."
"Thanks for keeping an eye out for us, sir."
Misenus smiled, nodded. "I’m only sorry I doubted you, Optio. It won't happen again."
When Antonius had left, Gaius motioned for Daxos. The boy came slowly and sat on the stool next to the bed. Gaius held out his arm and Daxos laid his head on it, his eyes closed.
"Thank you for standing by me, Daxos," Gaius said, tears burning his eyes.
It was another two weeks before Gaius had enough strength to walk about. He had been in bed for so long that his limbs had come dangerously close to atrophy. It was, he believed, only some reserve of Mithras' strength that had ensured his health. It would take time, he knew, to regain his former state of physical fitness, and so he looked forward to gett
