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“Wait.”
    Cyrus tensed and turned back. “Yes, brother?”
    The blond man’s eyes narrowed. He said, “Are you Jairus Claudius Atinius?”
    Zarathan saw the muscles in Cyrus’ shoulders begin to bulge through his white robe. In a firm voice, he answered, “No, brother, I am not.”
    Tendons stood out on the backs of Cyrus’ clenched hands, and Zarathan instantly suspected Cyrus had committed yet another sin he would have to confess.
    The black-robed man stared hard at Cyrus’ face. Romans shaved their faces and kept their hair cut short. Was the black-robed priest trying to see through Cyrus’ thick beard and curly shoulder-length hair?
    The Roman grunted, said, “Do you know where he is? I heard he was here, though I did not believe it.”
    Cyrus answered, “We are given new names when we come to our Lord. I do not know the name of the man you are seeking.”
    â€œNo, of course not,” the Roman replied skeptically. For three or four heartbeats, he hesitated, then he stepped into the library, leaving the heavy door ajar.
    Zarathan whispered, “Do you know that man?”
    â€œNo.” Cyrus shook his head. “But he’s a messenger from Rome. You wanted to know about the synod’s conclusions in Nicea? I think you are about to have your answers. We had better—”
    Voices rose from the library.
    Brother Barnabas cried in shock, “It cannot be true. They wouldn’t order us to consign them to the fire! They are the words of our Lord.” 15
    In a strident voice, the Roman said, “The bishops have ordained twenty-seven books as the New Testament. Another fifty-two books have been declared heretical, a hotbed of manifold perversity. The Council of Nicea orders that they are not only to be forbidden, but entirely destroyed. Anyone found reading or copying these books is to be declared a Christian heretic and executed.”
    Steps moved across the floor, pounding out authority. “Also, I am to inform you that the doctrine of the resurrection has been ordained. It was a fleshly resurrection. Our Lord rose in the body. Is that clear?” After a moment, the blond continued: “In addition, the Council has established that
Miriam was a virgin. They are even considering ordaining that she was a perpetual virgin, that she was a virgin when she gave birth to our Lord, and she remained a virgin for the rest of her life.”
    â€œBut … ,” Barnabas said in disbelief. “Our Lord had four brothers: Iakobos, Ioses, Iuda, and Simon. And he had two sisters, Mariam and Salome. What about them?” 16
    â€œThe Council has declared that they were not true brothers and sisters. They were stepbrothers and sisters, perhaps even cousins, but not real brothers or sisters.”
    There was a short pause, and Zarathan heard the Roman ask, “What’s that you’re reading?”
    In a soft, fearful voice, Brother Barnabas said, “I’m not certain, yet. I believe it is a book written by the brother, uh, cousin, of our Lord: Iakobos. It is in Hebrew, so naturally, it’s called the Secret Book of Yakob. I’ve only just begun to translate—”
    The Roman ordered, “Burn it! Burn every book in this room that has been judged heretical. I’ll provide you with a list, and I want you to give me a list of the monks who have read these books.”
    â€œBut,” Abba Pachomius objected, “the entire monastery has read at least parts of these books.”
    â€œThen bring every man before me, tonight at supper. That’s two hours away, isn’t it? I must make certain the monks understand the Council’s declarations.”
    The Roman stalked from the library with a pale and devastated Abba Pachomius trailing a few steps behind. “Pappas Meridias, please wait.”
    â€œYou have another monastery just upriver, Abba. When I have finished here, I’ll meet you there.