[Prologue] Chapter 1: The Mosaic

General Farrokhan is the most dangerous man in Persia. A Sassanid commander of the seventh century, he is famous for relentless conquest and the destruction of cities and churches across the eastern Byzantine empire. But before he can burn a particular church to the ground, he becomes entranced by the story told in one of its mosaics, about a seven hundred year-old trio of Magi whose descendants are feared and revered by his people.

Instead of destroying the church as planned, he protects it while the rector recounts the ancient tale of a man from Judah named Melchior, who escapes a life he hates to marry the one he loves. Over the course of many events, both victorious and tragic, the Judean finds himself in Persia, under the tutelage and care of a wise Zoroastrian Magus. Decades later, as the leader of the community, he begrudgingly embarks on a journey with two of his fellow Magi to follow a vague prophecy and a mysterious star.

As Farrokhan connects with the story, his life takes a bizarre turn for the worse. One by one the events in his life begin to mirror those of Melchior’s life so many centuries ago, until the commander concludes that he has fallen victim to a curse. But when he returns to the mosaic that began it all he finds the source, not of a curse, but of a grander purpose he is destined to fulfill.