“You get used to it in time. Actually Galerius was right burning is a far more merciful form of execution than, say, crucifixion. With the flames, suffocation comes early, especially if they are well kindled as they were today, so the victim experiences little agony. Beheading is merciful too, if expertly done. But if the executioner is not skilled, or if he enjoys watching the victim suffer, he may take two strokes when one would do. Believe me, I’ve seen them all and crucifixion is the worst. Those poor devils sometimes hang for days before death comes.”
“The son of the god this fellow Amianus died for was crucified,” Constantine said.
“I know, but he was lucky. A bornan soldier gave him a merciful thrust in the side with a spear, so his agony was short.” Seeing Constantine’s look of surprise, he explained: “I once read through the Christian Scriptures to see whether there was anything in then faith for me. The scene is described there.”
“And was there anything in them for you, I mean?”
“Nothing to get yourself burned at the stake for, or beheaded.”
“But they promise immortality.”
Christian and Constantius
“So does Mithras, and you don’t have to torture yourself to achieve it.” The old soldier’s voice was suddenly sober. “I know you’re pulled many ways, boy, especially with your mother almost a Christian and Constantius perhaps having gone equally far. It’s no secret that he hasn’t been carrying out the persecutions in Gaul and Britain as avidly as Galerius has in the East. But take my advice and stay away from the Christians and their beliefs.”
“Is there likely to be any of them left, after the decrees are carried out?”
“History shows that the Nazarene faith comes from the fire like metal in the tempering, harder and sharper than before. My guess is that the same thing will happen again and it will emerge stronger than ever.”
Constantine did not speak for a long moment and, when he did, his words were thoughtful: “If that is true, then a man like me’ with little chance of realizing his chief ambition otherwise, might profit from the support of the Christians and their god.”
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