The Holy Conspiracy by Kristi Saare Duarte

Author:Kristi Saare Duarte [Duarte, Kristi Saare]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-9971807-5-6
Publisher: Conspicuum Press

25

And there they were: Saul, Barnabas, and Kephas entered the gate of the compound, as if no time had passed. Kephas’s wife rushed to greet her husband, shrieking with delight as she knelt by his feet and brought his hands to her lips. The other disciples approached the travelers with caution, but when they noticed Kephas, they rushed to kiss his cheeks and pat him on the back. In their eyes, Kephas was still one of them.

“Welcome back to our humble compound,” Yakov said and spread his arms wide. “May your stay here be long and restful.”

Moments later, as they settled down to share a meal after their long journey, Mariamne casually peeked at Saul over her shoulder. Despite his short stature, he always appeared taller than other men. And more handsome, with his bright brown eyes, white teeth, and perfectly trimmed beard. She had to look, if just once, to ingest his noble face, delicate hands, and immaculately clean feet. And then, she promised herself, she would never view him as a man again. She even smiled a little, with mixed feelings, when she saw he was limping. Rumors had it that the citizens of Iconium had chased Barnabas out of town with stones raining over them.

“Vicious little things, those Pisidians,” Saul said, and he took his seat closest to the meal platter, as if he didn’t remember how he had fled from the compound with his tail between his legs only two years earlier.

“It’s been difficult, then, your work?” Yakov asked, gesturing to Saul to help himself to the grilled lamb that the disciples had bought and prepared especially for him, as a token of peace.

“Not at all. Success paved our path, you’d be glad to know. The good Barnabas and I traveled along the coast of the Great Sea and informed the locals about your brother Yeshua. We have assisted oh so many in turning from their sinful idols and accepting Yahweh in their hearts.”

“Is that so? And you haven’t suffered under the Romans during your travels?”

“No, no.” Barnabas said. “No problem with Romans.”

“Aha?” Yakov scratched his beard. “Because we’ve received tidings that Emperor Claudius expelled all Jews from Rome.”

“Have you, now?” Saul said. “I had not heard. And we certainly have not been affected.”

“In that case, we are most pleased for you,”

Saul leaned forward nonchalantly and scooped up roasted barley with his right hand. With the other, he picked up a large cut of lamb. The smell of meat made Mariamne gag, but she pulled her headscarf over her face and pinched her nose closed. She had to stay silent. Any outburst from her could make Saul defensive and jeopardize their quest for an agreement.

“After Iconium we passed through Lystra, where I healed a lame man with mere faith.” Saul nodded at Yakov with a boisterous twist to his mouth. “I did not even touch the man. I merely asked him to accept Yeshua Christos into his heart and believe. Before I could act further, the man jumped up from his mat and danced around like a lusty child.

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