A broad shaft of sunlight fanned out through the bedroom window. A gentle breeze moved the shutters backwards and forwards in a gentle rhythmic motion. For the first time in a long time, Patricius felt safe. Life with Fastidius and his family of brothers and sisters in Christ was good. The wounds on his body had healed, thanks to Alba, and all the talking with Fastidius had begun to make him feel whole again.

There were still clouds on the boy’s horizon. Vindex and Palladius had not gone away for good; quite the opposite, for not only had they remained in Verulamium, but also, periodically, they visited the church, determined to find their erstwhile captive. They were thwarted on every occasion, thanks to the myriad secret passageways and hideaways behind the towering statue to the martyr.

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