Sneak Preview – Georgios : Hidden Heritage

The real cover for Georgios is still in design, but here is a glimpse of an idea we are working with. And here is a sneak preview of the first chapter.  More next week.  Enjoy!

 Georgios

Chapter One

The Island of Patmos

Circa Anno Domini 100

Chosen Exile

His father called him Georgios, but his grandparents just called him Georgi.  He wasn’t sure he liked either name, but he did know that one drew him home like a bee to honey while the other sent shivers down his spine.  His home was a great stone house surrounded by a white stone wall with green moss growing in thick tufts. It was perched on top of a mighty cliff on the island of Patmos in the middle of the Aegean Sea.  His grandfather, Myron, had inherited the land from his father, and they ruled over their large portion with autocratic supremacy, even though for many the island was a land of exile, far from the glory of the Roman Empire.  Georgios could remember no other home, and his mother’s parents, Myron and Roxanna, treasured him beyond words. His life was both comfortable and pleasing, except for those times when his father, Alexios, returned from his long months of travel as a legionnaire for the Roman army. Then old yearnings haunted the boy’s days and filled his dreams.

“Georgios!  Come here, son!”

Georgios trotted up to his father and dutifully knelt on the sunbaked earth and bowed his head.  He did not speak first; he knew that was not an option.

Alexios controlled the smile which would have liked to play on his lips.  As a member of the Roman Army he was trained to control his emotions, yet his heart smiled at the sight of his only son.  The youth would be thirteen soon, and this would be his year of testing.  Alexios sighed, for though he wanted his son to know discipline and strength, he knew all too well the price a boy had to pay to become a man.  In a generation of men, only a few would be called great; only the truly great were worthy of notice.

“Rise and come walk with me a while, Georgios.  I have something to tell you and I would speak of it now before it is too late.” Alexios stood waiting, the sun beating mercilessly down on his short black hair.

Georgios’ heart leapt to his throat, for though he was intimidated by his father, he also felt much safer when his father was home. He knew his world was changing rapidly and things were happening all over the countryside, in the towns and across the empire, which caused many men to rise and pace the floors during black, sleepless nights.  He took a large step to fall into alignment with his father, trying to keep up without appearing to work at it.  Still he did not speak.  Alexios looked out of the corner of his eye at his son.  How small the boy was!  He was so thin and awkward.  How would he fare during the coming years?  The only thing they had in common was their thick, wavy hair.  Was I ever this frail? Alexios wondered anxiously. Taking another deep breath, Alexios walked forward trying not to take too large a step at each pace.

“Son, I am being called away, far from here, and it is my duty to respond quickly and obediently.”  He stopped and put his large hand on his son’s head.  “As I hope you would do in my situation.”

Georgios didn’t look up, for now he realized his father was going to leave him behind again.  A deep depression began to settle over him.  He felt his father’s hand move from his head to his shoulder and squeeze, asking for reassurance that his confidence was not in vain.  Georgios nodded, fearing that if he spoke now his voice might betray his desolation, but this was not enough for the staunch Roman.

“Georgios, I know this is hard for you.  Your mother has been gone for over a year now, but you must overcome any fear that you are being tested beyond your endurance.  You are from strong stock, made for greatness,” Alexios looked up into the bright blue sky, a faraway expression crossing his features. Then, looking down, he patted his son’s shoulder again. “Besides, you are almost a man now.”  He shook Georgios’ shoulder playfully. “And, you have your grandmother and grandfather and all your various relations and friends.  You are hardly alone in this world.”

The boy nodded again.  He knew what his father was saying was true, but he also felt abandoned.  He never felt comfortable with boys his own age, and girls were absolutely impossible to deal with.  His grandparents were gentle and kind, but they could hardly help him find his strength.  All they ever did was pamper him, and he most certainly did not want to be pampered.  He had endured it for almost thirteen years now, and he had hoped that his father would allow him to train for some important post or, at very least, allow him to travel with him.  Georgios clenched his fists in frustration and disappointment, but he dared not show any further displeasure than this.  But it was enough.  Alexios knelt down on the hard path and pulled his son to himself.  There was unusual emotion straining his voice when he spoke.  His words were as gentle as a man bred to be a warrior could possibly make them.

“I wish I did not have to leave, or that I could take you with me, but I am not a free man.  I belong to the empire, and there are many demands upon me that I must account for.  I cannot risk your suffering some tragic fate because of my weakness.  The safest place for you is here, under the protection of those who are most desirous of watching over you.”  Alexios pushed his son a distance from him and, tilting his face up into the light, he looked Georgios in the eyes.  “You do understand, don’t you?”

Georgios swallowed hard and nodded his head slowly. His dark brown eyes squinted in the harsh light. His father stood up, an impatient frown crowding out the look of compassion he had worn just a few moments before.

“That is not good enough, Georgios.  I want you to speak to me.  Do not just nod your head like a dumb animal.  Speak!  Say what you think.  I can accept discord as long as it is explained and defended.  I cannot accept limp acquiescence.”

Georgios took a deep breath and in a swift motion flung himself against his father, hugging him around the waist.  It was an impulsive, rash move and he did not know what madness made him act like this, but for some reason he believed that he would never see his father again, and he wanted so much to save him from some unnamed terror.  He was afraid to look up and see his father’s disappointed, reproachful expression, but instead he felt the gentle caress of his father’s firm hand as it smoothed his linen tunic down his back.  Finally, Georgios lifted his head and looked up at his father, who was blinking rapidly with no attempt at speech.

“I will miss you, Father.”

Alexios nodded gravely.  His dark, penetrating eyes were thoughtful, even sorrowful.  “I am grateful for that.”  He shrugged and seemed about to say something, but then he stopped himself.  He put his hand on his son’s head again and spoke with forced cheerfulness.  “I am glad someone will miss me.  Since your mother died I have not been a favorite son.”

Georgios rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand.  His brows knit together in a semblance of a frown.  “What do you mean?  Surely everyone reveres you?”

Alexios laughed mirthlessly and began to turn back towards the boy’s home again.  “Yes, I suppose that is true.  But you will learn, Georgios, that reverence is not the same as love.  In fact, I would say that few really revere me but most fear me, or rather they fear what they imagine about me.”

Georgios felt his spirits climb.  It was not often that his father spoke so honestly to him, and he felt the trust and intimacy that this conversation was engendering.  “I do not understand.  You are a great man, everyone thinks—”