The Wooden Sword by Edward Easton

Author:Edward Easton [Easton, Edward]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781520629025
Published: 2015-07-11T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter XXIV...

More than a few of the dinner guests were visibly relieved at Jonas's affirmation that he would fight on the morrow; many had heavy wagers on the outcome and did not wish to lose by default. Jonas was becoming lightheaded from the quantities of wine he had so far consumed, and as soon as he had made his boast and offered to bet, he proposed a toast.

"May Mars fight at my side and guide my sword for the glory of my Emperor!"

Simon sat down, but only for a moment. He stood suddenly and struck his son hard, knocking him down on his couch. A shocked hush fell over the guests. They watched the mighty Cerberus pick himself up from the remains of his dining couch and raised his hand to strike the old man, who was now so livid with rage he could barely speak. Cerberus seem to catch himself in midair, ashamed suddenly of what he had been about to do. The old man was much larger, but all in attendance had seen Cerberus floor many an opponent larger than himself. After a moment of embarrassed silence, Cerberus started to say something in a churlish manner.

"Be silent!" The old man thundered. "I have heard enough! I have listened to you all evening boasting of your prowess in killing your fellow man! But I will not hear one of mine, be he my son or my servant, proclaim and invoke false gods! You are a descendent of Abraham, and we worship only he who is God!"

Jonas was only momentarily ashamed. As he sought an answer he glanced briefly around the table at the affronted faces of the guests, embarrassed as he stammered of the past relationship with Myrmex, a believer of sorts in false gods.

"Myrmex is a Roman and must be forgiven his ignorance." Simon retorted.

An angry murmuring started among the dinner guests who looked to the Emperor, trying to fathom his reaction to this blatant insult to Rome.

"Yesss! Ignorance!!" Simon screamed at the guests, beside himself with rage. "You have turned my son into a beast! I do not know him anymore."

Caiaphas found himself wishing he had not aided in bringing the old man back to the God of his fathers as he heard the Praetorian guard clacking down the corridors to arrest them. In the weeks at sea, Simon had had time to reflect on his misfortunes, and Caiaphas had instilled the thought that they might be God's wrathful vengeance for Simon's past sins. These sermons were now bearing their fruit.

Three burly guards managed to remove Simon from the Emperor's presence. He was still cursing.

Jonas's face was very red as he stuttered an apology to the Emperor. Caiaphas saw his discomfiture and after considerable hesitation relieved Jonas of the task.

In courtly Latin he apologized for the outburst of an aggrieved father who had suffered much injustice, and for these merchants representing the grand Sanhedrin who sat here in terror because of their ignorance of the mercy and love of justice of the Imperator of Rome.

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