The Gift

48 BCE: While Rome's cruel cohorts set the torch to Alexandria's quays and trading vessels, a thoroughly unexpected group of conspirators; a wizened astronomer, a young librarian, a sand-blown camel driver and a scribe, creep out of the city with a priceless hoard of ancient knowledge. They believe their mission is to save the secrets hidden within for the future and mankind's ultimate salvation. But what do they actually know of the objects in their care? What neither of the younger conspirators knows yet, is that they are part of a plan already in motion involving deceit, sleight of hand and distraction. They are serving unknown masters and the star-gazer leading them onward has little light to shed on the coming voyage across the sea or their ultimate destination. Gifts lie waiting aboard their first galley bound North, that will change them forever. Whether the truth of their conspiracy will be revealed, remains to be seen.