Lucius’s Lies

Beth and Patrick stood in front of a pile of stones. The entrance to the cave was gone.

Beth watched as Sabra and Hazi embraced their father. Sabra lightly touched his blackened clothes and wept.

Tarek hugged his daughter. Then he said, “Hopefully that will be the last of the dragon.”

Beth wondered if the cave really did have a way for the dragons to escape. There was the pool of water. Could the dragons swim out to sea? She had thought she saw moonlight in the back of the cave. She hoped there was really another opening.

Georgius sheathed his sword. Then he stepped up to the children. “Tell me about the great cat,” he said.

Sabra and Beth took turns explaining about the saber-toothed cat. Beth finished by saying, “The dragon came out and fought off the cat. The dragon saved our lives.”

“Where is this great cat now?” Tarek asked. He seemed nervous as he looked around.

The girls looked at each other. “We don’t know,” Sabra said. “But its prints are here.”

The five of them kept watch for the great cat. They dusted themselves off and checked for wounds.

“I thought for sure you’d been eaten,” Patrick whispered to Beth. He pulled a leaf out of her hair. “I’m glad you’re okay.”

Beth smiled. “It was scary,” she said. “But I really don’t think the dragon would have done us any harm.”

Georgius held up his shield. It was scorched and bent. “I may have this mounted on a wall. To remember what happened here and give God the glory.”

Somewhere in the darkness, they heard a noise. It sounded like hooves thudding in the dirt. A moment later, two horses wandered into view.

“Cowards!” Tarek said to the horses.

Georgius’s gray horse wandered over to the soldier. It nudged Georgius with its nose as if to apologize. Georgius patted its head. “I forgive you.”

“We should return quickly to Silene,” Tarek said. “For safety. And to rejoice over our victory.”

Georgius helped Beth and Patrick up onto one horse. Tarek helped his children onto the other. The two men took the reins and walked in front of the animals. They moved away from the cave and the post. Everyone was glad to leave the scene of the terrible battle.

“There’s the traitor!” a voice suddenly cried out. It came from the crest of a hill.

“Oh no!” Patrick cried.

“What’s going on?” Beth asked.

“It’s Lucius,” Patrick said. “He’s here to kill Georgius.”

Soldiers on horseback thundered toward them. A few held flaming torches. They circled the weary group.

“Stop where you are!” Lucius commanded. He steered his horse toward Georgius.

“What is the meaning of this?” Tarek asked.

“Georgius, you are under arrest for treason!” Lucius said. He stayed on his horse and faced Georgius.

“Treason?” Georgius asked calmly. “On what grounds?”

“You left your post,” Lucius said. “You probably came to plan more smuggling with the merchant.”

“You know why I came here,” Georgius said. “You gave me permission to leave.”

“Lies!” Lucius snapped. “I forbade you to go. Emil and Cato will agree with me.”

Two soldiers rode forward.

One said, “Georgius turned his back on Rome and left the army.”

“Just so,” the other said. “Georgius is a traitor.”

“That’s not true!” Patrick called out.

Everyone turned toward Patrick.

“I overheard the prefect’s plan to get rid of Georgius!” Patrick said and pointed at Lucius.

“Mind your place, boy!” Lucius said. “I can still put you in the stocks.”

“I heard it too!” Hazi said. “I was there. I saw Prefect Lucius . . . and those other two.” He pointed to Cato and Emil.

Patrick said, “Lucius said he hoped the dragon would kill Georgius. And if it didn’t, he would have Georgius killed for treason.”

“More lies!” Lucius cried out.

“Patrick speaks the truth,” Hazi said. “We were behind the barrels. We heard these three men make their plans.”

A low wave of whispers and muttering went through the soldiers.

“It’s Roman law for Georgius to be given a trial,” Tarek said. “We will testify on his behalf. He’s a noble and honorable man. We’ll speak the truth on his behalf.”

“Silence!” Lucius shouted. “I am prefect! I command you to arrest Georgius!”

No one moved. The soldiers hesitated and looked at one another.

“Emil! Cato! Arrest him!” Lucius said.

Emil and Cato nudged their horses forward. They looked unsure.

“If there is a trial,” one said, “we would also have to testify.”

“There are harsh penalties for giving a false witness,” the other said.

The two soldiers looked at Lucius.

Even in the torchlight, Beth could see Lucius’s face turn bright red. “There will be no trial if he’s dead!” he shouted. He raised his sword, spurred his horse, and charged at Georgius.

Beth watched helplessly. Georgius didn’t have time to pull his sword from its sheath.