The Awakener

Chapter Thirteen

Micah knew Trent was worried so he took a break from his research. After all, it was Friday night, Trent reminded him. It'd been a week since the woman in red had relayed her message. Micah wished she'd return; he never thought he'd miss her so much.

They were meandering through the salas of the Museo Pio-Clementino, just one of the many museums within the Vatican. Trent had been anxious to see the Sistine Chapel, the most famous gallery of the museum. The tour group they joined had stopped at a single statue; the tour guide was rattling off an explanation in Italian. Micah glanced at Trent.

He whispered, "She's telling how the sculpture of Laocoon was the first purchase they made five-hundred years ago-it was the start of the museum. Pope Julius II had Michelangelo and Guiliano da Sangallo go and buy it in the vineyard of," he paused, "do you want to know all the details?"

Micah shook his head no. He had enough names, dates, and facts running through his head with reading the Book of Enoch. Trent shrugged and began listening to the tour guide again. Micah knew his cousin secretly loved the history lesson that came with each tour. He happily followed the group as they moved on.

"We're in the gallery of statues now," Trent informed him, as they entered a tunnel-like hall with statues lining both sides of the walls. There were frescos painted on the walls, mosaic tiles patterning the floors, and several marble figures filling the hall. The guide was pointing to a marble bust of a man, probably giving the story behind it. When she moved on, her short heels clicking on the tiles, Micah stepped closer to admire the sculpture. He was drawn to the man's face, the long, straight nose, semi-parted lips, wavy hair, and unseeing eyes all carved out of marble.

"The guide said he was a Greek Dramatist born in 342 BC. He wrote hundreds of comedies. She said they used to think this was Marius, but now they think it's really Menander. Poor Marius got the shaft," Trent said, startling Micah. He had walked up behind him.

Something was so familiar about this moment... the sensation of déjà vu prickled the hairs on Micah's arms. This is my vision!This was what I'd been staring at when Trent walked up.So, now what?

"Who was Marius?" he asked, hoping to glean the reason behind seeing this.

Trent stared at him. "You've never heard of Marius? You need to get out more, or at least listen in World History class more. Marius was a stallion! He completely reformed the Roman military. He went about everything on his own terms, didn't care for all the bureaucratic crap. Before he came along, you had to own land to be in the army. Marius formed his own army with anyone who wanted a job, a paycheck, and the promise of land once their service was over. And he was unbeatable. Those that didn't like him tried to replace him, but when the Barbarians took over northern Rome, they called him back. And he saved Rome, again. His army was loyal to him. He was the beginning of 'He who controls the army controls Rome'. He is legendary to Romans."

"I'm impressed. I had no idea you were so into this stuff."

Trent shrugged. "I don't know why, but I love Italy. I've been studying the culture, language, and history for a while. So I guess," Trent said slowly, "I can understand your obsession with the City of Enoch, in a way."