Free Wrath of Rome (Book Two of the Dominium Dei Trilogy) by Thomas Greanias Page A

conversation, Polycarp shrugged. “I’m not an expert, really. It’s not the wine we serve for communion, but it’s from the same vineyard. There’s nothing special about it, really. I mean, of course it is special, as a symbol of our Lord’s blood spilled for the remission of our sins. But in itself I’m afraid it’s quite common.”
    “There’s nothing common about this,” Athanasius said, putting down his cup. “I’ve tasted it before. In the Palace of the Flavians. This is Caesar Domitian’s favorite brand. Where did you get it?”
    “Caesar’s wine!” Polycarp exclaimed. “I don’t believe it. The blood of Christ and the wine of Caesar are the same? This is a cruel thought even in jest, Athanasius.”
    “I’m not jesting. Where does this wine come from? Somewhere in Cappadocia, yes?”
    Athanasius saw Polycarp and Virtus stare at each other.
    “Yes,” Polycarp said quietly. “From the Lord’s Vineyard.”
    “The Lord’s Vineyard?”
    “I mean the Dovilin Vineyards,” Polycarp said. “They sponsor a ministry they call the Lord’s Vineyard. It’s an organization of Christians who trade with each other, apart from the prying eyes of the empire.”
    “And what does it take to join the Lord’s Vineyard?” Athanasius pressed.
    “You must be invited into the fellowship by a member. Man to man. They keep no lists or membership rolls. It’s all very loose and not very sinister, if that is what you’re getting at.”
    “Then why are you reluctant to talk about it?”
    “I’m simply honoring the group’s request that members not speak about it or its activities.”
    “So you are a member?”
    “No, but some of my church members are,” Polycarp said, getting testy. “The Lord’s Vineyard operates under many guises in the empire. These groups are intended to draw attention away from the main organization, precisely because it has become a target of misunderstanding, even among Christians.”
    “I understand perfectly, Polycarp. The Lord’s Vineyard is the primary front for the Dei within the churches in Asia Minor.”
    “Preposterous!” Polycarp cried out, as if personally offended.
    “How does your church get this wine, Polycarp?”
    He paused. “The man who gave us this house is the distributor for Dovlin wines here in Ephesus. He is a pillar in the church.”
    “Tell me about this pillar.”
    “His family used to make idols in Sardis, but when they became Christians they gave up their trade and suffered much hardship. The Lord blessed them with new business here in Ephesus and a fleet of ships. They trade foodstuffs and wine with Rome and have bountifully blessed the church. We have all thanked God for the Croesus family.”
    Athanasius dropped the cup and stood upright as three armed legionnaires burst into the room, followed by an older man in a fine toga with golden trim in the pattern of the Greek key.
    “Well, Athanasius,” said Croesus. “My cousin the senator always believed Greeks should stick together, don’t you?”

IX
    C roesus looked older than Athanasius had imagined, and more frail-looking. Hardly the swarthy pirate he had expected, and for a moment, just a moment, he thought he had made a mistake. The three legionnaires more than made up for it, however. One had his javelin to Virtus, another his sword to Athanasius’s back, and a third was relieving a stunned Polycarp of John’s letter.
    “This is a private meeting,” Polycarp objected in a manner that in any other circumstance Athanasius would have found laughable.
    “Nothing of yours is private, Bishop,” Croesus quipped. “Including your precious church.”
    “Surely what this man has told me isn’t true, Croesus?” Polycarp pleaded. “The Lord’s Vineyard is not in league with the Dei. It grows grapes.”
    “It grows assassins, you holy fool.” Croesus turned to Athanasius. “And you’ve become quite the new recruit from what I hear. Senator Maximus. Commander Barbatio on Patmos. You