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Updated: June 26, 2025
Lycias, the regent of the western provinces, by the command of Antiochus had gathered around him a very large army, a force yet more formidable than that which had been led by Nicanor, and Syria was again collecting her hordes to crush by overwhelming numbers Judas and his patriot band. And how had the last half-year sped with Zarah?
Therefore, taking Lycias and the horsemen, he rode forward at speed to give aid; and then suddenly they were aware of the soldiers' shout, the word that rang through the lines "The sea! the sea!"
Lycias, brave and strong man, grew sick at the dreadful suffering of delicate women, frail young girls accustomed to luxury, who were so suddenly thrown into surroundings and as they had never dreamed of. All because of their faith? Lycias began to wonder what the power was which enabled these feeble creatures to face death with calmness and courage.
At the entrance of the famous gladiator, a shout arose from the men seated at the small tables. "Hail, Lycias! Hail, Lycias!" came from every side. The tall man bowed to one friend and then another, smiled and walked through the room, seeking a place to sit. With a smile, he declined proffered seats with groups of men, and finally took a place near Alyrus, the Moor.
Dazed, scarcely knowing where they were or what they were doing, the women, clinging to the men; walked along the narrow way. In the circus, there were more shouts and cries. Hermione trembled in the strong arms of Lycias. He soothed her gently. "Pray to your God," he said, "that He may bring us safely through." "Who are you?"
"I am Lycias, a friend of Christians, and I, too would learn of the faith." One great danger lay before them. It was the guard at the outer doorway, which opened on the street. He opposed their exit. "No one passes here," he said. "No one except me and my friends," responded the gladiator, boldly. "Dare you say to Lycias that he may not pass?"
I understand that you are first on the program." "Yes. I had thought of asking such a privilege as a visit to these prisoners. By the way, where is the daughter of Aurelius?" Alyrus shot a keen glance at him, but the face of Lycias was guileless as that of a child. "She is well guarded.
It was known that Octavia, and her children were also condemned. Lycias, the gladiator, would try to save them. Perhaps he could succeed; there was a little hope. In any case, he would try. Aurelius and Claudia, with herself, would go to a quiet place near the marble quarry, and wait for them. If they did not come, all was lost, and there remained nothing but to return to this house.
Alyrus, met again by Lycias, took him to the marble quarry by the Tiber, where, on the slowly flowing river, were moored great ships. There was a veritable forest of masts, cut from the strong cedars of Lebanon, and the groves of Mt. Hermon. "That is my ship, yonder," he said. As they emerged from the wharf, Alyrus was suddenly jostled by a rough-looking shepherd.
"Await my instructions, then," and they parted. The next afternoon, Alyrus let Lycias through the dark prisons in which the Christians were herded like beasts. The guards opened every door at the sight of the symbol of priestly authority, the bronze lizard.
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