The Centurion by John Stewart

Author:John Stewart
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Arcturus Digital Limited

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

CAPERNAUM

Spurred by the trouble anticipated in Jerusalem, the Tribune travelled south, to arrive at Capernaum in the latter part of March. He was strained and tired, and behind the first pleasantries of the Centurion’s greeting he was sharply aware of the question he would have to ask. Were there any letters from Capri or Rome? He hesitated before bursting through his fearfulness.

“Any rolls delivered for me, Marcus?”

“There’s one from Rome,” Tullus answered, leading the way into his office.

Once the despatch was in his hands, the Tribune unrolled it with studied slowness, his fingers awkward with tension. The content could mean joy or misery. He began to read.

“It’s from Father. He’s coming to Antioch,” he said aloud, “and hopes to be here within three months. My younger sister Junia will be with him – says he needs to calm the new madness in his children.” The Tribune looked up at Tullus and forced a smile. “Don’t worry, Marcus, he’s quite complimentary.”

As he continued to read, his brow furrowed and lines of strain deepened on his face.

“It’s Cornelia,” he said quietly.

The Centurion nodded, but said nothing.

“Father has been to the Villa Jovis, where he asked the Emperor for special dispensation.”

Tullus moved his head discreetly.

“Tiberius was not unfriendly, but as usual would not commit himself – probably thinks the infatuation will pass. Father has done all he can, and all we can do is wait. This endless waiting is maddening!”

Valerius began to pace the small room, his frustrations raging.

“Just think, one petty blemish on my record could destroy all hope!”

The Centurion remained silent. Valerius was not one to appreciate a baseless reassurance.

The Tribune sighed, his tiredness again apparent.

“Well, Marcus – the Rabbi – your words I read at Antioch worried me. Tell me more about it.”

For some time Tullus elaborated on the various passions the Rabbi’s presence in Jerusalem would inflame.

“The Master will speak the truth on all occasions, not a popular practice,” he said knowingly, “and predictably some of the Sadducees and Pharisees, the forceful ones, being jealous of their power and privilege, will be out to stop him. They’ll listen to his every word, not to hear the truth, but to snare him with the law. He’ll be accused of blasphemy – even a Roman can prophesy that! There are good men amongst the Jewish leadership, but as usual they are few, and there are the moderates, doubtful allies, I fear. There are some, the Zealots, for instance, who would welcome the Rabbi, though for the wrong reasons, violent reasons.”

“What about Herod Antipas?” Valerius interjected.

“He’ll be there all right, but the Fox is out for himself, and there’s us, of course, the Roman presence. All we want is a quiet life and our taxes,” Tullus added with a note of cynicism. “What does one obscure Jewish preacher mean to us? An easy sacrifice if it keeps the peace; though I must say Pilate does respect the law.”

“And I thought Roman politics were a maze of knives!” Valerius reacted.

“Yes, it’s complicated.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.