In a grave, on the edge of a Roman battlefield, an
ancient sword has been discovered. Legend claims it belonged to King David of
Israel and carries a curse—those who wield it will tragically die—but not the
chosen.
AD 455. Arria Felix and her husband, Garic the
Frank, have safely delivered a sacred relic to Emperor Marcian in
Constantinople. But now, Arria and Garic will accept a new mission. The emperor
has asked them to carry the sword of King David of Israel to the Church of the
Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem where Arria will dedicate it in her murdered
father’s memory.
As Arria and Garic travel into the heart of the Holy
Land, they face many challenges and dangers. Their young daughter is missing
then found in the company of a strange and suspicious old monk. A brutal killer
stalks their path. And a band of cold-blooded thieves is determined to steal
the sword for their own gains. But when Arria confronts the question of where
the sword should truly rest—old friendships, loyalties, and her duty are put to
the test like never before. At every turn, Arria and Garic find themselves
caught in a treacherous mission wrapped in mystery, murder, and A Sword
Among Ravens.
EXCERPT
EASTERN ROMAN EMPIRE: Constantinople—AD 455
The Imperial Palace, The 25th day of Aprilis
Emperor Marcian sighed but continued, his face grim. “It may
sound incredulous, but the sword belonged to King David of Israel. My most
educated priests and Jewish leaders in Constantinople have validated the
weapon’s period, and lineage by its style and the language engraved on its
blade. The inscription reads, A curse on the one who wields David’s
Sword and not be chosen.”
Marcian stopped and glanced away. His face fought for
composure, but after a moment, he returned
his attention to them. “These holy men claim the legend behind this ancient
weapon is based on an act of betrayal and hypocrisy.” The emperor reached for
his goblet and drank the wine down. A servant promptly refilled his cup and
came to them. Arria waved him away, but Garic raised his goblet, drank, and in
unison, the men rested their cups on the table.
“Are you
familiar with the story of David and Bathsheba?” Emperor Marcian asked, placing
his hands on his knees.
Arria
replied, “I am. King David lusted over the married woman Bathsheba, and he
caused her husband’s death. As you know, Garic is a new Christian and
unfamiliar with the stories from the bible.”
The emperor’s eyebrow raised. “Ah, yes. A pagan convert.
Then your husband may find this story most interesting.” With a pensive tone,
he began, “One day, David saw a beautiful woman named Bathsheba bathing, and he
was filled with desire for her. But she had a husband, Uriah, a soldier who was
away fighting. David summoned Bathsheba to him and seduced her, and she became
pregnant. David despaired. To save her from death for adultery, he decided to
bring Uriah home to lie with his wife.”
The emperor reached for his cup and drank. Handing it to his
servant, he raised a palm but pointed to them. They both shook their heads. As
the young man backed away, he continued, “Uriah being a loyal soldier, and true
to the code of warriors still fighting, refused to return to the comfort of his
wife and stayed with the palace soldiers. This was when David plotted to make
Bathsheba a widow. He ordered his general to place Uriah in the front of his
army and sent him to battle where he died. Later, David married Uriah’s widow,
but Israel’s prophet, Nathan, came and reprimanded him for his deception and
murder. Out of guilt for his sin and loss of honor, it’s thought that David had
his favorite sword inscribed with this warning and buried, along with Uriah’s
body, in a land where it might never be found.” The emperor became quiet.
“Those who know the legend of the sword believe this inscription foretells
that, if discovered, the sword will choose a mighty and righteous owner. One
who is strong and virtuous of heart. Only he can wield it in combat and not be
cursed. Anyone else must suffer a tragic or untimely death.”
Emperor Marcian bowed his head and gripped his chair’s
gilded armrests. He looked up. His eyes brimmed with conviction, and his voice
grew solemn, “I do not know why, but I believe that Lucius fell victim to this
curse. Right now, very few know of the sword’s existence, but in time, more
men—some who are mercenary—may become aware.”
The emperor raised his hand and commanded all but one slave,
a slight man with thin grey hair and round eyes, to leave the room. Then, he
ordered the servant, “Erasmus, bring me the artifact.
Erasmus shuffled over to a large wooden trunk set in an
alcove, undid the lock, and pulled out a metal box about three feet in length
and six inches high. He brought it to the emperor. Emperor Marcian rose from
his chair and placed it on a nearby table. Arria and Garic followed and stood
over it.
“When Severus brought me the sword, it was in the bronze
sheath Lucius had made for it, but my son told me that he found it encased in a
silver box, which I think he might have left at your villa in Tuscia.”
Arria frowned. “I have never seen this box,” she replied
grimly. Why had Lucius chosen to be secretive? Had he felt he was protecting
her? These questions filled and confused her.
The emperor unhooked the latch and lifted the lid. Arria looked inside. She was struck by an odd
luminescence that emanated from the weapon, even in the sunlit room. She
glanced at Garic, who appeared transfixed. Arria reached out and touched the
smooth, cold metal. “How strangely beautiful. The stones in the pommel still
shine a brilliant red.”
“Ja.” Garic
agreed. He looked at the emperor. “May I hold it?”
Emperor Marcian nodded his consent.
Garic lifted it from the blue linen folds lining the box,
drew it from its sheath, and held it vertically tip to the ceiling. Admiration
filled his eyes.
“The weapon is priceless,” the emperor said. “King David
lived more than a thousand years ago, and from him, Christus was descended. The
artistry, silver, and rubies also add to its value.” The emperor shook his head
and continued, “I could try and protect it here in Constantinople, but when I
look at it, I feel only a bitter hatred. Besides, my holy men believe that if
the sword carries a curse, it must be
returned to its source and home, to break the spell.”
Garic slipped the sword into its sheath and placed it in the
box. He wrapped his arm around Arria’s shoulder. She knew Garic understood the
emperor was about to reveal the destination of this mission.
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Cynthia Ripley Miller
Cynthia Ripley Miller is a first generation
Italian-American writer with a love for history, languages, and books. She has
lived in Europe and traveled world-wide, holds two degrees, and taught history
and English. Her short fiction has appeared in the anthology Summer Tapestry, at Orchard Press
Mysteries.com, and The
Scriptor. She is a Chanticleer International Chatelaine Award finalist with
awards from Circle of Books-Rings of Honor and The Coffee Pot Book Club. She
has reviewed for UNRV Roman History,
and blogs at Historical Happenings and
Oddities: A Distant Focus and on her website, www.cynthiaripleymiller.com
Cynthia is the author of On the Edge of Sunrise, The
Quest for the Crown of Thorns, and A Sword Among Ravens, books 1-3
in her Long-Hair Saga series set in Late Ancient Rome, France, and Jerusalem.
Cynthia lives outside of Chicago with her family, along with a cute but bossy
cat.
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