Before Winter: Chapter 26

Twenty-Six: On to Rome

Had it been a dream? When Timothy opened his eyes in the morning, his first thought, glancing at the cot where Mark lay silent and motionless, was to doubt the reality of the memory.

Whether Mark had actually woken up or not, he knew that the words he remembered hearing were true. He could not wait for Mark to get better, and he refused to endanger his friend’s life again, by letting him travel before he was ready.

Do your utmost to come before winter.

The words Paul had written were engraved in his mind, urging him not to tarry. It was nearing the season when sailing would be impossible, and Timothy feared he would have troubling finding a ship to take him all the way to Rome this late in the year. He had already wasted enough time, hopelessly chasing after Alexander.

Depression settled on him, as he thought of Paul’s other instructions. He was not bringing Mark after all, the books and parchments had been lost, and Alexander the Coppersmith had outwitted them despite Paul’s warning.

The anger he had once felt when he thought of the man was gone, replaced by a dogged certainty that no matter what, he would never trust him. Mark had advised him to give Alexander a second chance, and that had ended in disaster. It could not be undone now, but he had learned his lesson, he told himself grimly.

He could hear the old physician moving around in the back room, where he lived and slept. Sunshine streamed into the room, and Timothy guessed it must be mid-morning. A pang of hunger reminded him that he had not eaten the night before. Stretching, he got up. He would go to Euodice’s house and get something to eat, before explaining his reasons for continuing his journey.

“You cannot leave again already!” Euodice regarded him as she would a small and especially stubborn child.

Timothy hid a smile as he responded to the indignant woman. “I must get to Paul.”

“The storms are dangerous and frequent at this time of year, it is nearly the tenth month.” Arms folded, she glared at him.

Refusing to be intimidated, Timothy said mildly, “That is why I will depart as soon as possible.”

She continued trying to persuade him for the rest of the morning, but at last, seeing him immovable, she grudgingly admitted that there was, indeed, a ship departing from the port city in a few days time.

“Everyone knows that the captain is a fool to try it. Half of his crew refused to go, and he has been all over the city trying to hire new men.”

“Excellent.” Timothy stood up. “Where can I find this fool?”

As he left the house to search for the captain, Euodice thrust a bag of silver coins into his hand. “A gift from the Christians of Philippi,” she murmured, “to pay for your passage to Rome. Give our regards to Paul, and tell him we still pray for him.”

“I will.” Timothy grasped her hand. “Please, convey my gratitude to the other believers. God be with you, sister Euodice.”

Timothy discovered the captain at last, as he was coming out of the amphitheater, where he had been watching a gladiatorial combat. In the jostle and commotion of the crowds pouring out of the theater into the street, he could not make the man understand his business at first.

“What’s that? Speak up, lad!” he responded, cupping his hand behind his ear, each time Timothy tried to explain his errand.

In exasperation, Timothy grabbed his elbow, and pulled him along until they came to a wine shop, where they could get away from the noises of the street.

Again, he repeated his request to be taken to Rome, waving the bag of coins in front of the grizzled captain’s face. This time, the message seemed to penetrate.

“You want to take passage on my ship to Rome, do you?” The captain roared jovially.

“Yes, when does it sail?”

“Eh? I’m a bit deaf.”

“WHEN does the ship SAIL?” Timothy shouted into the man’s ear.

The owner of the shop glared at him from the back, and Timothy tried to look apologetic. The captain was oblivious.

“Ah, we’ll be leaving in a couple days, just as soon as we finish sacrificing to the gods, and get back to the harbor.”

After a bit more shouting back and forth, it was agreed that they would meet again at the port of Neapolis, in two days time, at noon, and that Timothy would pay half the price of his passage in advance. To mollify the wine merchant, Timothy ordered a glass of wine for the captain, and they parted the best of friends.