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Chapter 2

Camaraderie On The Sea

Jason and his friends were all pleased that both weather and wind were with the large craft as it made the journey across the Mediterranean, the breeze strong and steady, filling the sails and promising a prompt, safe arrival. There were a total of fifty soldiers on their way to assignments, replacing other men that had died or been called home to Rome. All were to become members of the Tenth Legion, although their tasks within that great force would certainly be as varied as the men themselves were. Jason would be a centurion serving directly under his own father, who was the prefect, Menelaus had been assigned to the governor Pilate's palace. Titus, like Jason, would take control in the Tenth Legion as one of the centurions, while Lentulus and Apidius would serve as optios.

He lounged with his four friends on the upper deck, soaking up the warm sun for what they knew to be one of a very few days of rest. They were among the youngest of the passengers, having achieved the positions of centurions because of connections rather than years in the field, and it showed in their talk and camaraderie. Conversation had reached a lull as the sun achieved its zenith, giving Jason's thoughts leave to wander to home. Home that seemed so far away and yet so close.

His smile must have betrayed his musings because in a second or two, Lentulus remarked. "Look at his smirk," He motioned to others, only one eye partially opened in the bright light. "He is probably thinking of how he can use the advantage of his familiarity with the land to best us."

Jason was unable to hold in a laughter. "Lentulus, my friend, you reflect your own ignoble goals upon us all. Why would I wish to humiliate you?"

The soldier shrugged. "So you can keep all the women to yourself." Which was not so far-fetched either. Jason always used his confidence and charming disposition to attract alluring females. He had always been natural at it. A true fact that seemed irksome to both Lentulus and Menelaus. Perhaps, to Titus as well, even though he would never bring himself to admit it.

Jason laughed yet again. "I need not cast you down to do that; my natural charm should do the job." He grinned boyishly, as though reading his friends' thoughts out loud.

It was Apidius who rolled his eyes. "I expect that if Menelaus has anything to say, he too will have his share of company."

"By Zeus, truer words were never uttered." Menelaus grinned, winking at him wickedly. "You know me so well. While you, my good friend, continue pining over the love you left behind."

Apidius coloured at the mention of his sweetheart, Drusilla. "Am I the only one pining? What of you, Titus? Surely you will miss your woman?" His eyes travelled towards the solemn man.

Titus lifted an eyebrow. "And who would you be speaking of, my friend?"

Ah, classic Titus! Always attempting to remain emotionless and stoic. His friends rolled their eyes, almost letting out a groan of frustration. "You know the one I refer to." Apidius wiggled his brows. "That beauty that we saw so briefly at your father's house."

Titus gave a breath of a laugh. "Women are to be enjoyed while you are with them. But she is only a woman. And even less: a slave. That is nothing to pine over."

"Our friend Titus, places very little value in the opposite sex, particularly if they happen to be below his station." Explained Jason, as he eyed the cold Roman before him. He was like a statue of marble. Strong, unshakable, unaffected by anything. "What was it that you said before we boarded this ship?" Jason scratched his head and paused, until his expression turned mischievous. "Ah yes. 'My Argento would fetch a much bigger prize than any fair-faced maiden.'" He mimicked Titus' gruff voice.

"Ah, so you are pining!" Apidius announced victoriously to which Menelaus added with a mocking chortle. "Yes, over a horse!"

"How romantic." Laughed Lentulus.

Titus shrugged. "I have nothing to pine over. Argento is traveling right behind us in the supply vessel. I shan't be deprived of his company in Jason's pestilent city." He finished smugly.

"You've enjoyed so many women that they seem to bore you now." Lentulus commented, his tone cautious as he did not want to accidentally get on Titus' wrong side. The man could be extremely frightening when in a rage. It was lucky that they were friends. Most of the soldiers on the ship were quite frankly, afraid of the young Asinius.

"I simply choose to put my trust in far more loyal creatures, that's all." Titus smirked back and Jason almost agreed.

"Is there a woman waiting for you in Jerusalem, Jason?" Lentulus directed his attention on his other friend.

"Only my mother." He stretched, grinning. "But then, I imagine she waits with more faithfulness than any other would have." To this Titus murmured his agreement and nodded in approval.

The grunts of agreement settled again into silence. Jason closed his eyes just as the others were doing, but his mind did not fall into sleep. The closer he got to the land of his birth, the more vivid were his memories. At first, the clearest remembrance was of his intense desire to leave, to be free of the oppression of the Law that pervaded the land so thoroughly. But as his mind traveled further back, he also began to remember the more appealing things of home. Like the sweet taste of Dinah's – their cook's – unsurpassed honey cakes, the wafting scent of burnt incense and offerings outside the temple, the sun glistening off the alabaster stone and fair sands of the city. And while it was difficult to separate reality from his own images in his memory, he had grown enough over the past years to know that life in his parents' house with his mother's faith had not been as bad as he had supposed. But then, his stay in Rome had affected him in many ways, and he knew too that he was now a Roman and would never be accepted by or even want to be a Hebrew. In childhood he had been seen as the son of a dissenter. Now they would view him as the enemy itself.

He opened his eyes wide enough to glance at his friends. For a moment, he studied them quietly. The riotous Menelaus, the logical Lentulus, the idealistic Apidius and the stoic Titus. They expected their positions to win them respect, fear, awe. Jason knew, though, much better than they, that more oft than otherwise it gained them only the loathing of those people they would not hesitate to crush them if the opportunity arose. He would have to watch out for them. Make sure these four ruffians he called friends, found their footing in Israel. They were all so different and even though often teased and poked one another, they all cherished and respected their friendship. Jason would make sure that they remained together throughout their military service. It was not going to be easy. Israel, as Titus had noted earlier, was indeed a pestilent country, full of strong-willed rebels, who did not want to bend to Rome's conquering power.

He could not stop the sigh that escaped his lips. This homecoming would be a mix of a blessing and a curse, he knew. But there was nothing to be done about it.

In the next chapters we will get to know the Five Comrades more individually and the adventures in Jerusalem will begin. Jason, as the heart of the group, got more attention and we learned about the rest through his eyes but I will try to write things from the others' perspective as well.

Do you have a favourite character among the five yet? Share your thoughts!