Chapter 29: The Day of the Good News

“‘Twenty-three years have passed since the crucifixion.’ Footnote…59 CE. ‘And other than for my travels, I lived those years in Alexandria with Mary and Jesus.’

“‘Their daughter is now a beautiful young woman, well-respected for her wisdom and healings, and possessing the qualities of her Father in abundance. A year ago, she married Alexandros of the Great Library, a kind and hard-working young man, and now they are expecting their first child!’

“‘I am saddened to write here that Jesus passed on not long ago. I was there when He breathed His last, and I cannot express how deeply I miss my old Friend. But though He is gone from our Earthly presence, His Word and love live on within us.’

“‘Before he passed, He bade me to take His family and written Word to the furthest corner of the Empire, and there be kept safe. I believe it was I He chose because of our friendship, because I traveled broadly, and because my ancestors came from the furthest corner of the Empire – Britannia – where many of the Great Library’s scrolls and codices were already secreted away. Why His family and Word must go to Britannia is because of the growing persecution of believers and the Way.’

“‘Mark received a letter from Paul a few years back – a second one, apparently, though his Alexandrian ekkl?sia received only the one – and what it said greatly disturbed Jesus. Its words were cruelly misleading, its tone harsh and unforgiving, its strictures often at odds with the good news. And I believe it finally persuaded Jesus to write His own account of His teachings and life – the account I carry with me this day, and upon which I write these words.’

“‘A month has now passed since Mary, her daughter, Mary, and Alexandros stood beside me on the wharf of the Great Harbor. That day, we marveled one last time at Pharos’ extraordinary lighthouse, and looked past it to the sea, wondering what the Fates had in store for us. We had planned to sail to Rome, and from there to Gaul. Then follow the Roman roads north to Oceanus Britannicus,’” Mac paused to read the footnote and chuckled, “the English Channel, ‘cross over to Clausentum,’ Southampton, ‘travel to Glevum,’ Gloucester, ‘and there hire river sailors to ferry us north beyond the Empire’s border.’”

Joseph crossed the creaking gangplank, reveling one last time in the warmth of the Egyptian sun, and the crystal-clear blue sky. Despite his many travels, he had never quite become accustomed to life at sea. The rolling and pitching, the gusting winds and groaning hull, the rats and uncouth sailors – he much preferred caravans.

Under his arm, he held a leather satchel containing Jesus’ Gospel, the letter to Mark’s ekkl?sia, and an old wooden cup. Quite ordinary in appearance and worthless in trade, the cup was nonetheless priceless to him. For his fellow disciples and their Teacher had drunk from it the night before His crucifixion.

No, the cup would never be parted from him.

“I miss you, old friend,” he whispered.

Stepping over the gunwale, he turned and helped Mary onto the deck. Close behind was her daughter, serene and confidant as ever, with Alexandros, the quintessentially overprotective father-to-be, holding his arms out to either side of her.

Joseph recalled with a smile how Jesus had been the same way.

Then, the four of them remained on deck as the ship slowly sailed from port – the cool, salty sea breeze bearing with it a promise of adventure and new beginnings.

__________________________

The ship stopped at several ports along the eastern Mare Internum,[1] taking on cargo and exchanging passengers. By the time she sailed from Cnidus,[2] there were nearly 300 souls aboard.

When she passed beyond the islands into open water, a strong westerly wind came up against her. So violent and relentless was the gale, that the ship was driven southward towards Creta.[3] Several days passed in this way with no sign of the winds abating, so the Pilot took the ship around to the island’s leeward side, and dropped anchor in the bay of Fair Havens. There, the crew inspected the ship’s seaworthiness and rested.

In the evening, Joseph and several passengers took the air on deck, passing the time in greetings and idle chat. Just after sunset, an argument broke out between a passenger, the pilot, and the ship’s owner. Turning to look, Joseph noticed to his alarm that the passenger was dressed in the garb of a Pharisee!

“All will be lost!” shouted the man. “The ship, the cargo, even our lives if you sail from this place! I order you to stay!”[4] A taller, younger man dressed in a similar fashion stood silently by.

The owner, weary of such boorish and self-important passengers, reminded the holy man of his place and shooed him away.

The next morning, the ship set sail as planned, the pilot hugging the coast for several days until passing into the open Mare Ionium. Setting his bearings to the northwest, they sailed peacefully for two days.

But then a great storm the sailors called a Northeaster swept down upon them! The owner ordered the hull undergirded with ropes, and an anchor let down to keep an even keel. The crew jettisoned nearly all of the ship’s cargo and what tackle they could spare.

“You should have listened to me!” the Pharisee screamed at the owner and Pilot one evening. “The ship is doomed!”

The following morning, he claimed, “An angel of God stood beside me in the night and said, ‘Do not be afraid, for you must stand before Caesar. God will grant you and those you sail with safe passage…if you run aground on the nearest island!” [5]

The Pilot being Greek, and the owner Roman, were unawed by the diminutive Pharisee and his Jewish God. “Leave us to our work,” growled the Pilot, “or I’ll use you as an anchor next time!”

Incensed, the Pharisee cursed and spun around. “Out of my way!” he barked, shoving Joseph aside and stomping off to the stairs leading below to the passengers’ quarters.

The leather satchel under Joseph’s arm set him off balance just enough that he began to tumble over the gunwale! The owner was close enough at hand, though, to grab Joseph’s arm and pull him back from the brink. Setting him upright, the owner said kindly, “There you go. Alright, now?”

Catching his breath, Joseph replied shakily, “Yes. I…I think so. Thank you, my friend!”

“That annoying little man has been a pain in our backsides since he came aboard.”

“So I have seen and heard,” Joseph replied, checking his satchel and trying to calm his nerves.

“Hard to imagine a man like Saul of Tarsus traveling to the court of the Emperor. With letters of greeting from Herod and Festus, no less. Official seals and all!”

Joseph froze. “Saul…the one the followers of Jesus call Paul?”

“Yes. The same. You know him?”

Joseph looked towards the stairs. It had been more than 20 years since he’d seen Saul. “I know of him. His young friend, the taller Pharisee, I am not familiar with.”

“Josephus Ben Matthias.” [6]

Joseph thanked him again and went below to the cabin Mary shared with her daughter and Alexandros. No sooner had he knocked and been welcomed inside than he exclaimed, “Paul is on board!”

Alexandros moved to block the door as if an attack was imminent.

Young Mary remained calm and self-possessed. “My father’s Gospel and all of you will remain safe. Worry not.”

“It is you I worry about, love.”

“I will be fine, husband,” she said, smiling, and placing a hand on his cheek.

Leaning into it, Alexandros’ eyes slowly closed, and his body relaxed.

“Paul and Josephus were on the same ship at the same time?” said T.J.

Dr. Barton was just as surprised, but she admitted, “The accounts of their shipwrecks are rather similar.” The others looked at her expectantly. “Okay. Well, in Josephus’ autobiography, he says, ‘When I was in the twenty-sixth year of my age, it happened that I took a voyage to Rome when Felix was procurator, though it were through a great number of hazards by sea. For as our ship was drowned in the Adriatic, we that were in it, being about six hundred in number, swam for our lives all the night. Upon the first appearance of the day, I and some others, eighty in all, were taken up into a ship of Cyrene. When I had thus escaped,’ we came, ‘to Dieearchia, which the Italians call Puteoli.’ Which is the port nearest to Rome.”

“In Acts 27, the author says, ‘On the fourteenth night, we were still being driven across the Adriatic. About midnight, the sailors sensed,’ the ship was, ‘approaching land.’ Fearing they, ‘would run aground on the rocks,’ they, ‘dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for morning. When daylight came, they sighted a bay with a sandy beach. Cutting away the anchors, they loosened the ropes holding the rudders, hoisted the foresail to the wind, and made for,’ shore. ‘But the ship struck a sandbar,’ and, ‘the bow stuck fast. The stern was broken up by the pounding waves. The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners so none of them could swim to freedom. But the centurion, wanting to spare Paul’s life, thwarted their plan. He commanded those who could swim to jump overboard and get to land. The rest were to follow on planks and various parts of the ship. There were 276 of us on board, and in this way, everyone was brought safely to land. After three months, we set sail on an Alexandrian ship that had wintered in the island,’ and eventually, ‘arrived at Puteoli.’”

“Josephus mentioned Felix,” noted Gen. “Acts says Paul was sent to Rome by Festus.”

“True,” Merrill acknowledged. “Acts 24:27. ‘After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. Since he wanted to grant the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison. Three days after Festus arrived, he went to Jerusalem where the chief priests and the leaders of the Jews gave him a report against Paul.’ Thus, Paul left for Rome within days of Festus becoming Procurator. If Josephus left for Rome just before Felix was succeeded by Festus, then is it not possible that Paul and Josephus could’ve ended up on the same ship?”

No answer was necessary, and Mac resumed his reading. “‘The great storm has ravaged our ship, and not long before I sat down to write…

The owner gathered everyone in the galley and told them to pray to their gods for deliverance. He ordered the cook to open the pantry and said, “Eat well. All of you. For come daylight, you will surely need your strength.” But the pitching and rolling of the ship left the passengers with little appetite.

Joseph returned to his cabin alone, took Jesus’ Gospel from the satchel, and began to write.

‘I am Joseph, friend and disciple of Jesus, whom I have known and loved most of my life. I am a follower of His good news, and I travel to Britannia to fulfill my promise to Him…’

Through the night, he set down his account of Jesus upon the papyrus, starting with His crucifixion and ending with, ‘Our ship is caught in a terrible storm. Light from the dawn illuminates the parchment I write upon, and I hear the sailors shouting for us to abandon ship. In the coming hours, I will do everything I can, even forfeit my life, to protect Jesus’ family and His Word.

‘Should I survive, I will write of Britannia, that land of mystery and wonder. But for now, I must stow away His Gospel, and with it, the letter Paul – who by the Fates is aboard this very ship – wrote to Mark’s ekkl?sia. If, however, I do not survive, may whoever finds this Gospel and the letter know the truth, and may they share the good news of Jesus far and wide.’

Second Letter to the Alexandrians

Clan Camulodunum Translation from Koine Greek to English

Saul, called by Jesus the Christ to be an apostle, and by God to profess the holy scriptures concerning His Son.[7]

To Amon, friend of Apollos, and to all God's beloved in Alexandria, greetings and grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus.

Having not received a reply to my earlier letter, I write again,[8] and ask that you share these words with your brothers and sisters in Jesus, who I thank my Lord for and remember always in my prayers.

I do not wish to begin with an admonition, but I must. You have forgotten, it seems, what we told you before in all earnestness. That if anyone, even an angel from heaven, preaches a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be under a curse! [9]  

Why do I begin this way? What have I heard said? That some among you have been led astray by false apostles. And no wonder! For Satan himself masquerades as an angel, and his servants drape themselves in righteousness.[10] [There is no Satan, dear reader. No angel of Sheol in opposition to the Creator.] [11]  

What have they done to you? Spoken of a Jesus we did not give you! Recounted a gospel we did not share with you. Said our Lord did not die on the cross, nor did He rise from the dead to ascend to heaven. Even claimed that He walks among you in the flesh to this day! [Jesus was indeed crucified, reader, for the sake of His Word and the hope of a Kingdom of Heaven on Earth. And He indeed walked among us after.]

You would be fools to believe such lies!  Fools!

Within our very sight, Jesus the Christ was crucified and rose in body to reveal Himself, the first heralder of our long desired Day of the Lord! This we have proclaimed to you. Do you not have faith in what we preached? And do not the righteous live by faith alone?[12] [Shameful! By good works and by love should we live. Not by faith alone.  Nor should we blindly believe what is told to us.]

I am speaking the truth! My conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit.[13]

Do not be led astray by those who claim to be above you in knowledge. For it is by erudition that deceivers begin to deceive. With the wisdom of philosophy and the empty deception of worldly reason do they try and take you captive.[14] [Only the unaware and close minded reprove philosophy and reason. Many a lesson of Jesus’ came from these, and together with the kindness of His soul did they bring Him to the good news.]  But do not let them bewitch you, my Alexandrian brothers and sisters. For if you do, you will be led to commit all manner of evils – sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, discord, jealousy, rage, rivalries, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and the like.[15] [Evil without does not exist, dear reader. It is hearts and minds twisted by victimhood and ill-thought that form an evil-of-a-kind within. But by the good news, and the love and aid of those who believe, will it be vanquished.]  I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will be denied salvation, and forfeit the kingdom of God.

I say to you, then, let the deceivers who agitate among you be emasculated.[16] Shun and cast them out. Waste not your mercy. Do likewise to the unbelieving, for their minds and consciences are defiled. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good! [17] [Jesus said to the Pharisees, “Go and learn what this means – ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’” [18] And to us He said, ‘Be patient and kind…love one another and everyone…let the good news into your hearts, and carry it everywhere, for the sake of others and yourself.]

Insolent and arrogant are they, the wellheads of wickedness, given over to depravity! The wrath of God is being revealed against them and all who suppress the truth by their wickedness. Such as they are futile in their thinking and darkened in their hearts. They claim to be wise, yet they are fools given over to dishonorable passions. Their women exchange natural relations for unnatural ones, their men burn with lust for one another.[19] [Jesus taught us that when two have come together in love, and promised to be as one flesh,[20] they may be as they wish to be – husband, wife, both, neither – for love is everything, first and last.]  But when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in blazing fire, then will the wicked suffer the penalty of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His might.[21] [Jesus was love, purely and solely. Retribution, self-righteousness, hatred – most fervently did He teach against these.]

You know I am trustworthy. I do not lie! I am in no way inferior to the most eminent apostles. Nor am I lacking in knowledge of the Law. If what I tell you is not so, then why do I endanger myself every hour? Why do I face death every day?[22]

Stand with me, then, and believe! The righteousness of God is revealed through faith in Jesus the Christ,[23] whose atoning sacrifice washes clean our sins committed beforehand. [Jesus was not crucified to wash away our sins! Only we are accountable to ourselves in this life. Only we can atone for our unkindnesses with good works. Only we can live true to the good news…and become exemplars of the Way. [24]]  

You know of my former way of life. I was advancing in Judaism beyond my contemporaries. I was zealous for the traditions of my fathers.[25] I mercilessly persecuted the followers of Jesus. Yet by His grace, I was set apart to be a disciple, and given His gospel through revelation, not by the flawed word of man. [Never was Paul made an apostle, nor was he instructed in the Way!]  Then did I resolve to know nothing except Him, and He crucified. I preached not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power. This I did so your faith would rest not on men’s knowledge, but on God’s glory.[26] [ us to pursue knowledge. To search for wisdom. To build upon the learning of men and women of renown who came before us. To question everything until we came to the truth. To discover the mind of the Creator, and become one with Her perfection.]

I became all things to all people to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To the Gentiles I became like a Gentile, to win the Gentiles. To those under the law, I became like one under the law. To those without the law, I became like one without the law. To the weak, I became weak. To the strong, I became strong.[27] [Brazen duplicity! Immoral hypocrite!] 

I do not write these words to shame you but to warn you as my beloved children. For in the Christ Jesus, I became your father through the gospel.[28] [A disgraceful untruth!]  Imitate me, then, and avoid God’s righteous judgment on the day of His wrath! [Jesus did not come to judge the world – He came to save it. He did not judge those who heard the Word and did not live by it –He loved them. But on our last day, we will be judged nonetheless…by the deeds of our lives…by whether we took hold of the Word and its perfection.] [29]

Be good soldiers of Jesus.[30] Subjugate yourselves to the authorities, for they are God’s servants. Submit to those who are superior, for God wished you to be inferior. Pay taxes as a matter of conscience, and obey the laws of men. Then you will be free of their punishments.[31]

Do all as I have told you. For if I come to Alexandria, I will not spare anyone. The Lord is not weak in dealing with you, and neither will I be. Though He was crucified in weakness, He is powerful. And though I am weak in Him, by His power am I His wrath. [32]

It is your choice, then. Do I come in ill spirit, with rod in hand? Or in a gentle spirit, with blessings in word?

This letter have I written in my own hand. If it has caused you sorrow, I do not regret it. No, I rejoice in it! For it means you have felt the Godly sorrow that brings repentance and leads to salvation without regret.[33] Should I  one day be present among you, I hope that I may use the authority given to me by the Lord to build you up, not tear you down.[34] [Of whose authority does he speak? None was given him by Jesus. To what Lord does he refer? It was not Jesus to whom he paid obeisance.]

Brothers, aim always for perfect harmony. Encourage one another and be of one mind. Believe all we have preached to you without question. Love your wives and do not be harsh with them. Tell your slaves to obey you in everything, and to fear the Lord. [35]

Sisters, learn in quietness and full submissiveness, neither teaching nor holding authority. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And it was she who was deceived, not him. Through childbearing, faith, holiness, and self-control, may you be saved.[36] [Jesus taught us we are all the same by nature, deserving of respect and honor equally. Thus does my heart break for our sisters in the good news.]

Finally, greet one another with a holy kiss.

All the saints send you greetings.

The grace of the Lord Jesus the Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.

______________________

The tall windows of the great hall had long since grown dark, and the fire in the hearth had dwindled to glowing embers.

Cameron, her eyes half-open, rested her head on Clarice’s shoulder.

“I think it’s time for someone to go to bed,” Mac said with a smile.

“Nooo!” she cried with a yawn. “I want to stay up with you!”

“It’s past your bedtime, young lady,” said Genevieve.

“What if I take you to the cottage, love?” suggested Clarice. “We’ll have some hot chocolate. I’ll tell you a bedtime story of our Clan –”

“Yay!” cried Cameron, throwing her arms around Clarice’s neck, and yawning again.

The two stood, and as they walked to the old wooden doors, ‘Good nights’ and the sound of creaking floorboards echoed softly off the fieldstone walls.

“We’ll be down soon,” Gen assured her.

“Okay. Night mommy. Night Daddy.”

“Good night, Sweetie,” Mac said as he got to his feet.

The heavy doors swung shut, their resounding thud rolling down the length of the great hall and back again. Walking over to the hearth, Mac lifted the iron coffee pot off its hook with an old woolen cloth. “Anyone for a top-off?” T.J., Gen, and Dr. Barton raised their hands. “Good solid Americans!” he said with a grin. “None of that sissy tea stuff for us, eh?”

“Hear, hear!” said T.J. with a chuckle, lifting his mug in salute.

“Typical American bravado,” Merrill grumbled good-naturedly. “Sound and fury, signifying…an inferiority complex.”

“Hey, hey, hey!” T.J. said, getting to his feet and posturing as if ready to draw his six-shooters. “Them’s fightin’ words, mister!”

Everyone burst out laughing.

“Shall we continue? Please?” implored Kyle.

“Sure thing, Keeper,” said T.J., still chuckling as he sat back down.

“Paul’s Letter to the Alexandrians was pretty jarring,” Gen remarked as Mac filled their coffee mugs, “considering most believers quote Paul and Jesus as if their words were interchangeable and carry the same weight.”

“Sadly true,” said the Professor, gingerly sipping from her steaming mug. “To their shame, in my opinion.”

“What will the churches do when they read the letter?” Mac wondered aloud, placing the woolen cloth on the table and setting the coffee pot down atop it.

“Have a bloody cow,” Merrill said with a grin. “That’s what!”

“Perhaps it’s necessary they do,” posited Kyle. “Truth can be healing.” He gestured for Mac to sit down. “Please finish reading, lad. We’re almost done.”

“Yes, Keeper,” he said with a smile, repositioning the binder in front of him one last time. “‘It has been half a year since I last wrote. By these words, I reveal our deliverance from that terrible storm, and I thank the heavens for the good men and women who brought everyone safely ashore. On that island they called Malta we languished for nearly four months. The Marys, Alexandros, and I kept our distance from Saul and Josephus as best we could. Thankfully, they took passage on a ship bound for Italia, and a few weeks later, we set sail on a ship bound for Arelate.’ Footnote…ancient and prominent Mediterranean trading port.

“‘I write now from a sort of oppidum-râ in the province of Gallia Transalpina, not far from the Rhodanus.’ Another footnote…fortified provincial Roman town near the Rhone River delta. Southern France. Mediterranean coast. ‘Mary gave birth to a beautiful, healthy daughter not long after we arrived, and she, too, is named Mary! For the time being, then, we wait for mother and child to increase in vigor, though I am eager to fulfill my promise to Jesus and continue to Britannia with His Gospel and family.’”

Mac looked up with an awed smile. “Like the legend of Joseph of Arimathea coming to Britain with the Holy Grail.”

“Aye,” Kyle said proudly, “the very grail you saw in the catacombs, and the grail you read from now.”

“There were, of course, other legends about Joseph,” Merrill mentioned. “Legends of him founding Glastonbury Abbey. Trading in tin with the Empire. Being Mary’s uncle. Even bringing Jesus to Britain!”

“Well,” Mac replied thoughtfully, “he was a trader. He did look after Mary. And he did bring Jesus’ Word and the grail here.”

“Aye, that he did,” allowed the Elder. “Truth, time, and hope. From these come legend.”

“I don’t recall any legends about three Marys coming to Britain,” T.J. remarked.

Merrill smiled. “Ah, but there is a legend about ‘three Marys’ – three Marys who sailed from Alexandria with Joseph of Arimathea to escape persecution. And landed in France at a place called Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer.”

“Saint-Marys-of-the-Sea!” Gen exclaimed.  

“Aye. They were said to be the Marys named in John 19:25 – Mary Magdalene, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary the mother of Jesus. Or, in Matthew 27:56 – Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of Zebedee's children, and Mary the mother of James. Of course, Mary was the mother of James and Jesus.”

“The Gospel of Jesus, though, says they were Mary Magdalene, her daughter Mary, and her granddaughter Mary.”

“Correct.”

“Do you think there are descendants of Mary and Jesus alive today?”

“The Da Vinci Code says there’s at least one still alive,” T.J. said with a grin.

“The Clan has no record of Jesus’ bloodline after His granddaughter, lass,” admitted Kyle, “though there are still thousands of scrolls and codices in our archive yet to be translated.”

“If an heir of Arthur can still be alive,” Gen said, smiling at Mac, “then why not an heir of Mary and Jesus?”

“I can’t argue with that,” the Keeper replied with a smile of his own.

“Does Joseph say what happened to the three Marys?” said T.J.

“Ever heard of the Cathars?” Merrill answered.

Mac’s eyes went wide. “The legends of the Languedoc are true?”

“Aye, lad.”

The others looked to Mac for an explanation.

“Catharism was a religion centered around Mary Magdalene in southern France. The Languedoc region, to be specific.”

“The former Roman province of Gallia Transalpina,” said Dr. Barton.

“Correct, lass,” said Merrill

The Professor shrugged. “Of course I’m correct.”

The others laughed.

“Merrill’s pomposity is rubbing off on you, Doc,” Mac quipped.

“Tell us more about the Cathars,” said T.J.

“Well, they believed Mary and Jesus had a daughter, Sarah, who was the first of a long, unbroken royal bloodline.”

“In Hebrew, Sarah means, ‘princess,’ by the way,” said Dr. Barton.

“They also believed God was male and female. Men and women were equal. The soul was reborn until it renounced the world. Good and evil were at war for dominion over the Earth and our souls. The Holy Grail resided at Château de Montségur in the foothills of the Pyrenees. The four gospels were sacrosanct. And Paul’s epistles were unnecessary.”

“A unique body of literature called ‘courtly love poetry’ grew out of the Cathar era,” Kyle mentioned, “its most famous author being Chretien de Troyes.”

Mac enthusiastically nodded. “First one to write about Arthur, the quest for the Grail, and Camelot.”

“Indeed,” said Kyle, tapping a finger on the binder.

“Okay, okay,” Mac said with a chuckle and continued reading. “‘On that distant isle will my family’s history come full circle. All in nature is balance, Jesus taught us, a tide that ebbs and flows. So it will be for me, as my grandparents left Britannia a century ago, and there I will live out my days. From the village of Camulodunum, “the stronghold of the war god,” did they come. Oddly enough, I hear from traders it is Camulodunum that the Romans have made their provincial capital.’ Footnote…modern Colchester, southeast England. ‘I hear as well that our tribe, the Trinovantes, have migrated north to the free lands, there to build a new Camulodunum.’ Another footnote…Trinovantes. Celtic pagans. Dyed their skin with woad. Lived communally. Traded in tin and iron.”

Mac looked up from the page. “Isn’t our Clan descended from the Trinovantes?”

“Aye,” Merrill said proudly. “Which means we, and you and Cameron, share a common genetic ancestry with Joseph.”

“Oh, geez,” muttered T.J. “First Arthur, now Joseph. Who’s he gonna be related to next? Robin Hood?”

They all laughed again, and Mac read on.

“‘My grandparents left Britannia because of one man…the greatest man the Empire ever knew…Julius Caesar.’” Mac looked up again, this time in disbelief. “Julius Caesar? Really?”

Kyle smiled and nodded. “Believe it or not, Joseph’s account tracks well with the Commentarii de Bello Gallico.”

“Commentaries on the Gallic War?”

“Aye. Caesar’s firsthand account of his campaigns in Gaul and Britannia.”

Mac shook his head in amazement and continued. “‘A century ago, the Empire knew nothing of Britannia – how large she was, what tribes inhabited her lands, whether she held gold or silver, if the edge of the world or even Hades itself lay beyond her horizon. Wishing to be the one who unraveled her mysteries, Caesar set sail in anno urbis conditae, 699.’  Footnote…‘from the founding of the city,’ 54 BCE. ‘With him were 800 ships, five legions, and 2,000 cavalrymen.’

“‘The venture, however, was ill-fated from the beginning. The crossing was formidable – rough seas, banks of fog, stinging rain – to the point of nearly forcing the fleet back. And the debarkation was calamitous! Native charioteers and warriors, their skin dyed blue, struck at the Roman soldiers as they waded ashore. Volleys of stone and boiling pitch from the ship’s catapults sent the indigenes into retreat, but not before the number of Roman dead and wounded was vast.’

“‘The injured were brought back aboard. The corpses were dragged ashore. Funerary pyres were built and set ablaze. And amidst the ashes of the fallen drifting from the skies like gray snow, the landing recommenced.’

“‘By the next afternoon, the base camps of the legions’ blanketed the flatlands above the harbor. The following morning, Caesar and his soldiers set off inland. For seven days, all proceeded without incident, though distant sightings of native scouts were oft reported.’

“‘At the great Tamesis,’ footnote…the River Thames, ‘fate again arrayed against them, this time in the guise of native warriors armed with blade and bow, and eager for battle!’

“‘Undaunted and arrogant, Caesar ordered his legions into the river. Scores of charioteers advanced, turning the rushing waters red with Roman blood. Still, the soldiers pushed forward until at last they dragged themselves ashore. But by then, their foes had faded into the shadows of the forest beyond. The exhausted Romans regrouped as best they could and set off in pursuit, abandoning their wounded to the Fates.’

“‘Three-days’ forced march to the northeast, they reached the long, narrow valley of Camulodunum. There, they came face to face not only with the Trinovantes, but the warriors of all the southern tribes! From the day of the Roman landing, they had begun gathering together and preparing for an all-or-nothing stand.’

“‘The river between the Roman position and the warriors’ had been spiked, their tips hidden just below the surface. A warren of ditches and hillocks circumscribed by sharpened posts surrounded the village. Tribal archers and foot warriors within the warren waited for the call to battle. Armed women and young men hidden in homes and halls prepared to strike at a moment’s notice. Charioteers and horse folk concealed in the forests overlooking the valley watched and listened for the moment to attack.’

“‘Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall, it is written, and so it was with Julius Caesar. The moment he entered the valley, the order was given to attack. His troops quickly advanced to the river, but there many were brought low by the spikes. While the soldiers crowded the banks, searching for a path across, Cassivellaunus, chief of the Trinovantes, ordered a ram’s horn blown. Responding to the call, the archers in the warren rose up and unleashed their arrows! Volley after volley rained down on the hapless Romans, felling hundreds in a matter of minutes.’

“‘In desperation, the soldiers heaved the bodies of their dead and dying onto the spikes, and with shields raised, crossed their gruesome footbridge. Charging the post line, they heard the ram’s horn sound a second time. The foot-warriors of the warren appeared, blade-sharp lances in hand, and ran the Romans through by the score!’

“‘The advantage of numbers lay with Caesar, though, and eventually the post perimeter was breached.’

“‘The ram’s horn blew a final time. The foot warriors exchanged their lances for swords and charged. The women and young men of the village poured into the streets and ran into the fray. The charioteers and horse folk stormed down the hillsides and drove hard into the legion’s flanks!’ 

“‘Hour after bloody hour, the battle raged with no side gaining an advantage. Then, as the sun touched the hills to the west, the last Roman standard fell – the standard of Julius Caesar! Surrounded, the great General was pulled from his horse and about to be run through when my grandfather, Gosyth, stepped forward and ordered his men and women to stand down! Handsome and strong, with sky blue eyes and wavy brown hair curtaining broad shoulders – so my father described him to me – Gosyth, the son of Cassivellaunus, took the reins of Caesar’s horse and ordered him back into the saddle. Then, side by side they rode down the length of the battle line. Chieftains and Roman officers alike fell in behind, and the clashing soldiers and tribespeople backed away when came their leaders. In this way did the battle end.’

“‘When all was silent and still, my grandfather said to Caesar, “Take what you need for your journey home. And no more. Then, leave my island, and never return!” The General was contrite but firm in his reply. “You and your people have fought valiantly this day, young Chief. And I will grant your request – with one provid?re. You see, proof of my campaigns comes in the show of captives and wealth to the Senate. Though I will leave with provisions alone as you wish, I must bring with me some among you. But on my honor, they will be treated with respect and set free the day we march through the Forum.”’

“‘Gosyth knew his father and the chieftains would never surrender their own. He knew as well that to refuse Caesar meant more bloodshed. “I shall allow you one captive. At week’s end…I shall leave with you. And neither of us will ever return. On my honor.”’

“‘Overcome by the young man’s nobility, Caesar assented at once with a bow of his head. Cheers rolled up and down the line as word of their oath spread.’

“‘Poor Cassivellaunus heard the news and his heart broke. When next he saw his son, words failed him, and he pulled Gosyth into a tight embrace. “I will miss you, too, father. But the sacrifice of one man for the sake of the many is a simple matter, and one I do not regret.” They held each other a long while until finally Gosyth pulled away. “What news is there of Nenius, father? Has he fared well this day?”’

“‘Cassivellaunus wiped away his tears and turned to his chieftains. “Find Nenius. If he be alive, bring him to my honored son at once!”’

“‘This they did, and as father and son tended to the wounded, a man about Cassivellaunus’ age came near, aided by his two strapping sons. His left leg was bound in blood-soaked rags, and he spoke with a weak, but respectful voice. “As you can see, son of Cassivellaunus, I have fared…well enough.”’

“‘With gladness, Gosyth put his hands on the man’s shoulders. “Nenius. Thank the gods!” Taking a half-step back, he gave a slight bow. “I have known you and your family since I was a child. And it is no secret I am in love with your daughter, Aryl. Unfair though the circumstances be…I…I ask that you allow us to be bound together.”’

“‘Cassivellaunus, Caesar, and the others turned expectantly to Nenius. Tears streaming from his eyes, he freed himself from his sons. “By the heavens, young Gosyth,” he exclaimed, pulling my grandfather towards him until their foreheads met. “What has taken you so long to ask?” The others broke into laughter and cheers. “But tell her of your oath to Caesar first, Gosyth, and let her alone decide.”’

Lithe and fair, with striking green eyes and long, copper hair, Aryl watched over the children in the great hall. Together with the other young women of the village, they waited anxiously for news of the battle.

“Aryl!” she heard Gosyth calling from a distance. “Aryl!”

She unbarred the door, threw it open, and ran outside. “Thank the gods you are alright!” she cried, throwing herself into his arms.

They shared a gentle, lingering kiss. “Thank them as well for your wellbeing,” he said softly, “and the wellbeing of your father and brothers.”

Aryl did just that, tears of relief and joy rolling down her cheeks.

“And I bear still more good news. Your father has given his permission for us to be bound!”

She drew in a breath, and slowly a smile came to her. “You finally asked?” she said teasingly.

His face flushed slightly as Aryl bounced up and down on the balls of her feet. “Let us go this very moment and find the Elders!”

“They were there when your father gave his permission.”

“And they gave their blessings? Did they say when the rite of bonding will be?”

“This very week.”

Her feet settled to the ground. “So soon?” she said, looking into his blue eyes. “What have you not told me, Gosyth?”

He had given her father his word, and he told her everything – how the battle could have gone either way, how it ended, and how he and Caesar made their pact.

Tearfully, she whispered, “Leave my island…never to return.”

Gosyth felt as though his heart had stopped beating. “I did what I had to do, Aryl. For the sake of our people, our families…and you. Whom I will always love, wherever I go, and for as long as I live.” He let her go and began to turn away.

“I will always love you, Gosyth,” she replied, pulling him back to her. “No matter where we go, and for as long as we live.”

“‘We?’” he said, daring to hope.

She smiled and wiped away her tears. “We are to be bound, Gosyth. My home will be with you, and yours will be with me. So, let us go and see the world. Let us give our children and our children’s children experiences beyond our imagining. And perhaps, someday, one of them will return…to tell our people the story of us.”

“‘My grandfather was 20 and my grandmother 17 when they were bound. All of Camulodunum, even Caesar and his officers, came to bear witness and give their blessing.’

“‘At week’s end, Aryl and Gosyth said their goodbyes and departed with the legions.’

“‘For the next 10 years, they traveled with Ceasar through Gaul, Germania, and Italia. They were with him when he crossed the Rubicon and marched on Rome. They were in attendance when the Senate granted him supreme powers. When he was assassinated, they mourned with the rest of the Empire. And then they left the Eternal City forever, and sailed for Alexandria. For its grandness and reputation for intellectualism was unparalleled, and they hoped to begin a new and rewarding life there.’

“‘Given how well-traveled they were, and the many important people they knew in Rome, they soon became successful traders and citizens of the Empire. Their largesse grew as time went by, and they became benefactors of the Mouseion and advocates for the less fortunate.’

“‘Inspecting a storehouse one day for purchase, Gosyth happened upon a cache of scrolls – some remarkably old. With the owner’s permission, he took them to the Didáskalos of the Mouseion, who told him of the fire Caesar had set in the harbor. Hundreds of people had come out that day to aid in the Mouseion’s and Library’s rescue. By the armful did they carry away scrolls and codices and treasures to keep them safe. But when the collections were being reconstituted, the refuges of many items were forgotten.’

“‘Gosyth made the Didáskalos a promise to find all that was still missing and return them to her. That he did, and because of it, he was forever honored by the caretakers of the Mouseion, and by the librarians of the Great Library.’

“‘My father, the last of Gosyth’s and Aryl’s five children, was born fifteen years after Caesar’s death. At 20, he and my mother, the youngest daughter of the Didáskalos, were married. In the years that followed, they worked closely with Gosyth and Aryl, and at their passing, assumed their ventures. I worked closely with my parents as well, and assumed their ventures, which I in turn gave my children when I became a disciple.’

“‘Years later, when the wisdom of the Library was again in jeopardy, this time by the ignorant and intolerant, the librarians remembered my father and came to me for help. Thus, I began secreting documents away on trading ships, helmed by captains I could trust, and bound for Britannia. Upon my direction, island traders were hired to carry the scrolls and codices upriver from the ports to my people beyond the border for safekeeping.’”

Mac turned to the last page.

“‘Again, many months have passed since I last wrote upon this parchment. Tomorrow, I set off for Britannia. Alone. For Mary, her daughter, and granddaughter have chosen to remain behind with Alexandros and the kind people of Gallia Transalpina who are honorable nearly to a fault. Though my heart is heavy as I gather what little I possess, I do so knowing I continue to fulfill my promise to Jesus.’”

Mac looked up from the page. “Final entry,” he said, and read aloud one last time. “‘I stand atop a hill overlooking the valley of Camulodunum. With thankfulness, I take the cup I carried with me from Jerusalem and pour into it the last of my wine. I raise it, give thanks for my safe journey, and say once more how much I miss my old friend. For the rest of my days, I will share this cup and His Gospel with everyone I meet. May all who hear the good news share it likewise, and may His Kingdom of Heaven on Earth come soon.”’

______________________

Mac stood beside the others atop the small rise, looking out over the valley of Camulodunum. The faint yellow of farmhouse windows dotted the landscape. And outlines of moon-shadowed orchards and fields stretched to the horizon.

He imagined the grand silhouette of a new Camelot rising from the valley floor, its majesty a symbol for the nascent world government he, T.J., and the good people of the United Nations were forging. What will come of it? he wondered. Equality and prosperity, humanism and civil liberties, self-determination and peace, freedom from tyranny the birthright of all?

And what will happen in ten days’ time when the Gospel of Jesus, the Gospel of Joseph of Britannia, and the Letter to the Alexandrians are taken to the Louvre? Will someone try and stop us? Will they succeed?

And if they don’t, how will the world react when the Louvre releases its translations of the Gospels and Letter? Will the good news bring people closer together? Will they value and respect one another for who and what they are? Will they love and help those in need? Will there finally and forever be peace and goodwill in the world?

Only time would tell, he knew. But tonight, he chose to have hope.

He put his arm around Genevieve’s waist and kissed her cheek. He looked at his friends and Clansfolk gathered to either side of him and thought how fortunate he was to be with such noble people on this amazing night. And how proud he was to be part of such an incredible journey.

Smiling contentedly, he pulled Genevieve a little closer, put a hand on T.J.’s shoulder, and looked forward to tomorrow.

The End