A God for the Killing by Kain Massin

Author:Kain Massin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: ABC Books
Published: 2008-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

Herod preceded them into the hall he used as his throne room whenever he was displaced by the governor. It was not as grand as his regular hall, but it was certainly lavishly appointed, even boasting a small fountain, Persian rugs and many hangings of Egyptian silk on the walls. The king strutted around the hall, greeting the guests lounging on cushions and beds. Judith followed him in, looking disdainfully around. She ushered Mary to one side, but made sure to stand close to Herod.

‘Look who I found,’ Herod announced, indicating Joshua. ‘The King of the Jews!’

Loud laughter greeted this announcement. Joshua stood still, his face emotionless, his eyes fixed on some object not within anyone’s sight.

‘It is worse than that,’ Caiaphas continued, his voice rumbling around the hall. ‘His followers now proclaim him … the Son of God.’ The last words were spoken in a voice choking with fury.

The calls and laughs became derisive, and Judith turned her head rather than see the triumph on Herod’s face. Mary was distraught, but Joshua remained impassive.

‘The Son of God!’ Herod echoed. He made an exaggerated, mocking bow. ‘I congratulate your elevation to the godhead, oh Holy One.’ He circled around Joshua. ‘Surely your exalted position will let me keep my small kingdom?’

‘It is a wise king who acknowledges he rules only through the grace of God.’ Joshua spoke slowly, still facing away from Herod.

Herod’s guests murmured angrily, but the king laughed and bowed low. ‘And I do thank you for the privilege to rule, most Holy One.’

More scoffs greeted this exchange, but Caiaphas stepped forward, his face dark with anger. ‘Your Majesty,’ he said, his tone barely civil as he nearly spat the words at Herod, ‘what this man says verges on the most disgusting blasphemy.’

Herod’s expression was of exaggerated sincerity. ‘Yes, yes. But he does entertain us so.’ Turning from the high priest, he confronted Joshua. ‘That old man can’t see your holiness, oh Godly One. Perhaps — perhaps you need to dress more like a god.’ He turned to his guests. ‘Does anyone have something godly we can put on him? Would you care to wear my robe?’

Joshua ignored him.

‘No, of course not.’ Herod addressed his audience. ‘It has been sullied by my body. Something pristine? Ah!’ He hurried to a wall and tore one of the purple hangings from its hook. A cloud of dust followed it. Herod fanned the air. ‘Well, at least it was only worn by a wall. And what is a little dust to a god?’

Herod draped the cloth over Joshua’s shoulders, relishing the crowd’s support. A flash of irritation creased his face at Joshua’s impassivity, but he quickly replaced it with a giggle as a new idea struck him. He beckoned to one of his guests to creep up behind Joshua. When the man was in place, Herod said to Joshua, ‘They say, oh Mighty God, that you can perform feats that astound the senses. Is that so?’ He waited, eyebrows raised. ‘Too humble to boast? A sign of the truly superior.

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