"I will say it is good to leave the city for awhile," Fabian said as the party rode toward the Circus of Nero. "I miss the countryside."

"Interesting," Decius replied. "For all that it has brought me little but trouble, I miss city life. The country always seems so… quiet." Fabian laughed.

"And the city is constantly noisy! I am a country boy at heart, you know."

"Really? I admit I don't know much about you. I suppose Maria knows more."

"I was a farmer. My farm wasn't far from here, actually. I came into the city with a few friends for the acclamation of the new bishop. And much to my surprise found myself in the job!" Decius blinked in surprise.

"Is that possible? Isn't there some sort of cursus honorum?"

"Well, one should be a priest, first. And I was made one the day before I was made bishop. But it's scarcely the normal pattern. I will tell you the whole story at some later time, just not right now. Still, the Church can be flexible, when necessary. And it is, sadly, necessary when you are under persecution. Nonetheless, our faith continues." They were interrupted by an outburst from Lucius, who had been in close conversation with another member of the party.

"Wait. You eat your God?" He was quickly hushed, and Decius was sorely curious over what he'd missed.

"May I assume from your general demeanor that you were successful in rescuing Maria?" Fabianus asked. "We did not precisely have time to discuss this, earlier."

"Yes, I did get her out of Thrax' camp, although now I need to deal with her husband, whom we thought was dead. He said he'll divorce her if I give him his money."

"As a general matter we do not believe in divorce. But civil marriage is different, enough so that I will grant a dispensation if needed."

"Maria has been very ambivalent about Christianity, although she said before I left that she will convert. I had rather hoped you could baptize her and perform the wedding. And perhaps baptize the children we seem to have acquired. A little girl orphaned during the mutiny in Thrax' camp, and Maria's son."

"Well, if you both wish it, I should be happy to marry you. Baptism is, perhaps, less crucial, at least initially. I can talk to Maria, and see if she wishes to be baptized; if not, I am sure there will be time."

"I do not understand," Decius said.

"Usually it is the wife who converts her husband. In this case it will be the husband, you, who will be guiding his wife, Maria. I'm sure God will smile on you. The act of baptism itself is important as the final sign of joining our faith, but there is no need to force Maria or hurry her decision. Many who consider themselves Christians delay baptism until they are near death, so as to wipe away their many sins. I do not particularly approve of that, but it is common enough. Perhaps it is even preferable to the baptism of children. I can see you are confused. This is not unexpected. It is a doctrinal issue. Do we baptize children as soon as possible after birth, so that should they die young, as, sadly, many do, they will be called to God? Or do we wait until they can make the decision to join us from their own faith and of their own will?"

"This is all well over my head," Decius admitted. "It sounds more like Greek philosophy than Roman law."

"Well, yes. I freely admit such issues do tend to be debated more among our brethren to the east. It is not, as I said, something you need to concern yourself with."

"That is just as well. I am not a complicated man."

"Somehow I doubt that."

"Well, I can be scheming and full of plots, as with any good Roman. Theoretical concepts are something I've always found hard to grasp, however. So I am pleased I need not deal with this one." They rode in silence for a few minutes before Decius spoke again. "Your opinion is, then, that I should not worry about baptizing Maria? Nor the children?"

"I will speak with her, and see what develops. You may leave this matter in my hands for now. The children, I feel, should not be baptized until they are of an age to decide for themselves. Unless they are particularly ill, and death is believed imminent. But that should be a remote scenario if these children are several years old – I am sorry, I have been assuming this was the case."

"You are correct, they are several years old. I am not sure of their exact ages, however."

Fabianus raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. Instead he changed the subject.

"Where do you plan to take your new family?" he asked. "Back to Rome? Will you stay in Ravenna?"

"Hardly." Decius snorted. "Our plan was to go to Massilia. At least, that was the plan when we thought Catulus was dead. Perhaps we would be better off if we kept going."

"I don't think you'd like the weather on Hadrian's Wall much. Massilia seems a fine place."

"You've not been there, I take it. It's a port town. Not particularly wholesome. But I grew up there. Even now I'd know the back alleys blindfolded."

"I take it you feel safe in Massilia. If I am right, then you should go there. It is always best to be in a place you feel safe."

"Safe. It is a long road to safe. I do not even know if Catulus will keep his bargain. Let alone know what he might be doing to Maria now," Decius fretted.

"Calm yourself. Everything will turn out as it should," Fabianus soothed. "Besides," he added. "You're a scheming Roman. Surely, my son, you have a… contingency plan?"

Laughing at Decius' expression, Fabianus spurred his horse onward.