Book of John (Jesus Christ Zombie Killer 1) by Camille Picott

Author:Camille Picott [Picott, Camille]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Published: 2021-08-07T16:00:00+00:00

36

Scapegoat

The arena was on the far side of the city, next to the Sea of Galilee. It took John and Jesus nearly an hour to walk there.

Gossip sped through the city on agile feet.The story changed every fifty paces. By the time they exited the market and started down the wide boulevard that led to the arena, General Valerius and no less than a dozen other soldiers had been brought back to life through necromancy. They terrorized the pleasure quarter all night and murdered whores and the soldiers taking pleasure with them.

Phae’s name was on the tip of nearly every gossiper’s tongue. Her role in last night’s nightmare grew with every step he took. Everything from her being a necromancer in service to Morta to her seeking revenge against Herod for falling in love with Herodias.

“The people need a new ruler,” John muttered after having passed yet another gossiper who claimed Phae was a necromancer.

“She’ll be okay,” Jesus said.

I’ll make sure of it, John thought.

Throngs of people made their way toward the arena.

The boulevard was crammed with food carts and other vendors selling trinkets, everything from ribbons to hats to jewelry.

The arena rose up before them. It was a wide, oblong structure that had been built for horse races. It’s position next to the Sea of Galilee kept a fresh breeze flowing over the nobility that gathered to watch events. The royal standards hung from poles. Embroidered in dark green against a cream background was Herod’s date and palm fronds.

Normally, citizens had to pay to enter the arena. Not so today. The gates had been flung wide open. People roiled inside, pushing and shoving for seats.

The free entrance didn’t sit well with John. That meant whatever happened here today, Herod planned to make a full spectacle. It was the only reason for him to allow so many peasants in.

“They’re letting people into the arena,” Jesus said.

“I know,” John replied. “That’s why we’re here.”

“No, I mean in the arena.” Jesus pointed toward the race track in the enter.

He was right. A fat line of people snaked through the racing area. It moved past a giant wooden pyre that sat in the center of the track. On it was the body of General Valerius.

Herod was letting people see the body up close. Why would he do that?

And it wasn’t just the body of General Valerius. All the bodies from the tavern slaughter had been brought here. They were arranged in a long line beside General Valerius. Smaller pyres had been built for them. The tetrarch planned to make quite a show of burning the bodies.

In wordless agreement, John and Jesus joined the back of the line.

Beside the line of bodies stood a herald in an olive green tunic. He stood above the crowd on a wooden platform, speaking to the crowd. As the line crawled forward, his words reached John’s ears.

“Behold the treachery of Lady Phasaelis,” called the herald. “Her dark necromancy resurrected the honored General Valerius and turned him into a creature most foul, a creature known as a zombie who feeds on the flesh of humans.

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