Insurrection: A Last Roman Novella (The Last Roman) by Greenwood B.K

Author:Greenwood, B.K.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bat City Press
Published: 2023-03-19T00:00:00+00:00

Marcus slowly pushed open the door, hoping not to wake any of the inhabitants. He cringed as the hinge creaked, but soon realized it was irrelevant. Thomas, Rebecca, and Isabella were sitting at the small table. They all watched the Roman stumble into the room.

“Are you drunk?” Isabella asked.

“Not for much longer.” Marcus grinned and pulled out the fourth chair. He sat down and looked around the table. “Why are you all still awake?”

“Because the sun will be up in less than an hour,” Thomas said. “We have already been asleep.”

Marcus frowned. “Ah, that makes sense.” He looked from Isabella to Rebecca. “But why are you up so early?”

The latter grinned at Marcus, but it was Isabella who replied, “It’s our week to take care of the animals. And to make breakfast for the group.”

“Oh, breakfast sounds wonderful.” Marcus’s face lit up.

“Good, you can make it while we tend to the goats,” Isabella grinned.

Marcus grimaced, but it was Thomas who replied, “Where have you been?”

“I had dinner with a Rabbi.”

“A Rabbi?” Thomas leaned forward. “What Rabbi?”

“Rabbi Yosha?” Marcus pursed his lips. “Or Yehoa?”

“Do you mean Rabbi Yehoshua?” Thomas raised one eyebrow. “He is a disciple of Rabbi Yohanan ben Zakkai.”

“Yes, that is the one.”

“Why did you have dinner with him?”

“Because he asked me to.”

“I mean, why would he ask you to dinner?”

“Because that man knows nothing about defending a city.”

“And why would he need to know that?”

“They put him in charge of the outer wall.” Marcus scratched his head and yawned. “And that’s a terrible job because the outer wall is weak. It’s going to fall… soon.”

“Makes sense,” Thomas replied. “The other leaders hate Zakkai.”

“Why?” Rebecca asked. “I met him once; he is a very sweet man.”

“And that’s why they hate him.” Thomas looked from Rebecca to Marcus. “I heard he left the city.”

“He did, but his followers stayed behind. They are hoping Zakkai can arrange a truce.”

“The others don’t want peace,” Isabella added. “Did you know they burned the food stocks?”

“Who?” Marcus asked.

“One of the factions. They blame each other, but it doesn’t matter,” Isabella said.

“Why would they do that?” Rebecca asked.

It was Marcus who replied, “To force everyone to fight. It was stupid, but they’re zealots. They’re not the most logical thinkers.”

“They want war.” Isabella shook her head. “According to them, God is on their side and will smite the enemy from heaven.”

“And what do we think?” Marcus asked, scanning the table.

There was a long pause before Thomas replied, “We think it’s time to move people out of the city.”

“Good, that’s what I was waiting to hear.” The smile slipped from his face. “Once the Romans finish their outer walls, it will be very difficult to leave. And God forbid you are caught.”

“Why?” Rebecca asked.

“Romans tend to make examples of people they catch.”

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