The Roman Emperor

"Father forgive me for I have sinned. It has been... two months since my last confession."

Father Menez mumbled many things, then breached protocol. "How is your Father?"

Anthony Okuta was taken aback. "W...w..what did you say?" he peered through the perforated cardboard shrouded with diaphanous veil that had, till then, provided
separation between church and state.

In years to come, Vatican theologists would suggest that Destiny is fulfilled by the servants of God willing to break with tradition. But what Vatican secrets were told to Anthony Okuta by Father Menes, administrating Vatican official of Irawo-Oyo, Our Lady's Seat of Wisdom, in this relatively insignificant minor power on African soil is the eternal story of the Roman Empire--of reluctant Emperors, few only of whom became Caesar at the moment of their power.