At last, along the ridge of the mountain, he spotted what looked like the tall tree near the path they had taken down the mountainside. He paused to catch his breath and chew some of the dried beef he had in the scrip at his waist. Birdsong reached his ears and he relaxed, breathed, and tried to remember Mithras’ face. Gaius hoped the strength he had been given would hold out. As he pressed on along the ridge, the ground between boulders sounded hollow beneath his feet. He slowed as he approached the clear area about the tree and path, crouched in some bushes to listen.
Sunlight pierced a crack in the clouds, and rays angled their way down. He stepped forward, the point of his gladius prodding the air before him.
“Optio!” a voice called from above. “Over here!”
Gaius ran into the cleari
