Nasir sympathized with this man. He bore a Roman name but so had Nasir once. He could not know Maximus's scars. He had no child. He could not recall his parents. But he heard how Maximus's voice nearly broken. And one thing he could remember.

Though Nasir's own lover was alive there had been a time when he believed otherwise. He would not easily forget that hurt.

"There is no wound more painful than to lose those who hold your heart yet we live. We live and we honor them."