The next morning, after a simple breakfast, Paul sent the two of them out to find work. “What about a day of rest?” Timothy complained. Silas wanted to hit him. But the need was too urgent. Sewing hides all day took its toll. And the last few Sabbaths had completely drained him. The dread of [...]

Crispus was determined. Saul would be heard. That determination hardened through the week as he poured over the Scriptures and prayed for wisdom and talked again with Saul. There was something about this unlikely Messiah that called to him, that seemed strangely fitting for his surprising God. The fact that Sosthenes didn’t like it only [...]

Paul was dyeing hides at the shop when the messenger arrived. He took off his stained leather gloves to accept the note held out to him. He grimaced at two fingers glowing red. The gloves, apparently, leaked. The note was from Stephanas. An invitation to dinner that evening. Directions on how to reach his villa. [...]

Stauria wished she were a sparrow, flitting from room to room, doing her chores with the ease and grace of a creature with wings. She remembered herself as a sparrow once, long ago, in the house of her father. There had even been strength for a song then, a happy chirping to pass the time. [...]

He bears his years well, Paul thought as he followed Crispus into a plant-filled atrium. Water burbled in a central fountain, filling the space with a calming murmur. Crispus turned and beckoned to a stone bench. The two men sat and studied each other in the flickering light of the torches set at intervals around [...]