Chapter 6

(NOTE: This chapter contains no sex, it exists as a memorial)

"Your orders are to go with this man. He will take you outside the city walls. He will direct you to a certain man. You are to arrest that man and bring him back here for questioning. Are your orders understood?" General Antonius asked.

"Yes, they are," we replied.

We exited, along with the Jew, and collected the other eight men. They were well-seasoned fighting men, and I felt I could entrust my life with them.

I seemed to be fitting in, and my injury was almost completely healed, now. We passed through the gate to the city, and moved smartly up the hillside. We came to a convenient place on the trail where the path widened a bit. There was an outcropping of rock, there, where we could wait.

At the appointed time, the man led us to a garden spot where there were several men. I knew who the man was. I knew who the other men were, and I knew what was going to happen. I knew, because I had been taught to read. I had read the New Testament from the parchments in Father Rupert's rectory. I had copied those pages to practice my own writing skills.

We arrested the man. There was a brief struggle and one of the men was wounded. The man we arrested healed our soldier, and came along quietly. We returned to our headquarters, and turned the prisoner over to our superiors. Then we went to our quarters.

Claudius, there is trouble coming soon for all of us. Be prepared for strange happenings," I advised my friend. "We will be safe, but there are events that have been entered into that cannot be stopped, and are greater that you or I."

With that warning, we separated and went to our beds. I was troubled by the events of today, and so I had trouble going to sleep. I slept a troubled sleep, tossing and turning.

It was difficult to get up the next morning. I was exhausted. I complained that my head was hurting again, even though that was a lie. I stayed in my bed that day, only getting up to relieve myself, and to eat the food that was brought to me. Unfortunately, the slaves that brought my food today were male. I had secretly wished that Nashua had gotten the assignment. I slept fitfully that night, again, but did get more sleep.

Today our guard assignment was near the offices where the governor held court. Pilate was in disfavor with Rome, and so he had been posted here in Judea.

I would be glad when our rotation was over. I wanted to see Rome in its glory. We had visited Rome before going to Jerusalem during the crusade with Richard, but to actually be in Rome when the Senate was in operation would be an experience. Our duty shift began after the noon meal.

"Pilate is going to bribe the people with the promise of releasing one prisoner in commemoration of that Jewish holiday today" Claudius informed me. "It is a good idea. Too many unhappy Jews in one place could be a problem"

I knew today Barabbas would be released and Jesus would be scourged. Later today, he would be taken to Golgotha and crucified. I realized now that my squad would be on that duty. I would be there when Christ breathed his last. My heart and mind was filled with despair. I would be there and see firsthand the evil that was done. Father Rupert had told me, on many occasions, the details. Now I would witness it for myself...

It was done. I found I was crying, but a storm had come up, so no one noticed.

The skies darkened further, the rain fell. The thunder roared and the lightning flashed. The air got thick and stuffy. I was having trouble breathing. The ground shook! Trees fell! Horses and the other animals fled. It was then that I realized that the air was heavy, like the time on the battlefield and like when I was riding Buttercup.

More flashes came, and more thunder rolled. The wind was whipping the rain. It came pelting upon us mercilessly. Moving was nearly impossible. I looked around and could not see Claudius or the others. I stood alone on the mount. I looked over to the crosses. The three were outlined in the lightning.

I started to run away from the scene. I ran as fast as I could, trying to escape. I had figured out that it was probably in vain. Soon I would be transported to another place and time. The conditions were right. I had become resigned to my fate.

And then my fate jumped up to greet me!

The lightning strike had been quick. I had dropped immediately. Everything was dark, dank, cold and blank. I lived, but that was about all. For a season I was lost to the world.

I awoke in a meadow of flowers. The sun was shining, the birds singing. I looked around and saw a horse standing hobbled off to the north of where I was. It was in the trees, minding its own business eating the grass there. It was saddled, but no bridle was visible.

My body was on fire! Pain was everywhere. I looked down and saw no flames, but nevertheless, my pain was real. The clothing I wore this day was stranger than any other I had seen thus far. I wore a coat and trousers. They felt like coarse wool. They were dyed dark blue and were adorned with golden braids, buttons and stripes. I wore a sword at my side.

Now, while this was a weapon that was truly well known to me, this sword's shape was unfamiliar to me. I withdrew the weapon and held it out. The weight was very good, as was the balance. Still, the style was unusual to me. I pulled it from the sheath. It slid smoothly and silently. I tested the blade. It was sharp and pure. Taking a fighting stance, I began my warm up exercise. Pain coursed through my arm as I swung the sword. I guess my body was not quite healed from the lightning strike. Who am I to complain, I should be dead!

Looking around, all I saw was the green, fragrant hilltop. I made my way to the top of the hill. It was the high point of the locale. I had a three hundred sixty degree panoramic view of my surroundings. I noted with interest that to the west was a large encampment of men. To the north was another. All of them were in some sort of uniform. Those to the north were dressed similarly to me. So I started walking towards them.

I walked down the north side of the hill. There was a small wood about five hundred yards in front of me. I found a worn track leading to it. I followed the track and as I closed in, there suddenly appeared a man, dressed in similar garb. He had no gold decoration on his coat, and his hat was more of a cap. He did not have a sword, but held a curious thing. It was made of wood and metal, the metal part being a long cylindrical affair. I wondered about it as I approached.

"Halt, who goes there," the man shouted. "Friend or foe?"

"Friend" I answered, hoping this would be enough to satisfy the man.

"Come forward and be recognized" he retorted, "But keep your hands where I can see them. It's not full daylight and I don't want no surprises."

I proceeded down the hill the remaining fifty yards and stopped. The man stepped forward, looks at me and immediately changed his attitude. He drew himself up straight, placing the thing in his hands by his side and raised is right hand to his forehead in some sort of salute.

"Sir!" he said. "I didn't recognize you in this light." He stood there rigid as a board, waiting.

"That's all right, my man. You may relax. I was walking on that hill there, when I was struck down. I just now was able to make my way here. What has happened and where in God's name are we. I do not remember anything," I lied.

Of course I remembered all that had happened to me in the weeks since that first incident. I just knew I should not mention it to others.

The man let out a series of long and short whistles, and then said, "Sir, I have called for assistance. Someone will be here shortly, to take you back to the General's tent. You just came down from Little Round Top, Sir.

"Today is July 3, 1863, and we are moving over to that ridge where Pickett's men are encamped. We've had snipers shooting at the Reb camp most of the night from across the field. Every once n'a while they hits one of 'em!" the man said with a big grin on his face.

Just then, seven men burst through the woods. One man, leading the rest, was dressed similar to me. His sword was drawn. The six who followed had uniforms like the one I was talking to. When they saw us, they stopped their run, and the leader walked up to us.

"Colonel Gunderson, it's so good that you've been found. We were certain you'd been killed by Hood's men. That'd be bad, seeing you and Hood were classmates at the Point. Class of '53 wasn't it?" the officer asked.

"I don't remember," I told him. "Something happened during the night or before. I woke up in the early light on the top of that hill back there. There was a horse, but he ran off. I noted my dress and from the top of the hill I could see this group dressed like me so I walked this way. There was a large group of men to the east dressed in gray uniforms, but I decided against going there."