breast-plate was mounted on that which underlined his muscular torso. Two belts adorned him, a mighty sword was attached to a metal strap on his right hand side. Sturdy sandals allowed for the typical quick pace of these Romans. Nails lined the bottom of the sandals, likely to lend them greater longevity. The man gave the other eight soldiers an order, upon which they gave up their strict formation and each walked about on his own.
“Here it is.” Joshua went across the courtyard and called his father, who appeared momentarily.
“Father, this man wishes to speak with you.”
“What is the matter, Centurion?”
“Today we heard from the merchants that there is a child among you that is supposed to be a king. Supposedly it is a child that came here from Egypt some time ago. Is that correct?”
“Oh no, Centurion. You know how quickly rumors get started and then disappear again. A family did indeed move here from Egypt some time ago, and they do have a son. Perhaps his father also called him a king once. But is not my son also a king in my eyes?” Samuel paused for a moment while he pointed at Joshua and smiled at him. “Centurion, you can be at ease, if there were an earthly king living here, I, the rabbi of the village would know about it. After all Nazareth is not large and also is not exactly an appropriate dwelling place for a king. Don’t you agree, Centurion?”
“Wise words. You are right and your words convince me. However we will come by in this area and take a look at your village more often in the future. Also because of the zealots.”
“Centurion, perhaps some people here are in your eyes lacking in education, however there are no zealots here.”
Afterwards the two men spoke of this and that. Many boys had followed Joshua and the soldiers, among them Simeon and his friends, who crowded the courtyard during his talk with the rabbi. This was a major event for the children since soldiers rarely stopped by in Nazareth. Usually they had only quickly marched through the alleys.
Joshua observed the boys, who at first merely eyed the soldiers with curiosity, then gradually became bolder. The boys from the village gazed at the uniforms and admired the weapons. They had become so brash that the soldiers could no longer stave them off and had to show them their swords, daggers and javelins so that they would be left in peace. The soldiers did not let go of any of the weapons, however some of the soldiers who liked being admired and who were not older than the brothers of Jesus demonstrated how sharp and pointy the weapons were. One of them cut a piece of cloth easily, another thrust his spear into a little tree that stood in the court of the rabbi.
“I repeat again, Centurion. There are no zealots here. Those you will find in Sepphoris.”
“Maybe so, rabbi, however we will check on this ourselves. We will have a watchful eye on Nazareth, Nairn and Canaan. Thank you, rabbi.”
The Centurion turned around, waited until his soldiers were back in formation and then the troop headed back toward Sepphoris.
After the Romans had left the village life in the alleyways calmed down again. The girls were the first who began to sing and dance. Simeon also gathered his friends about him. And Joshua sat down underneath the mulberry tree again. He enjoyed the calm, even when it got louder in the alleys again. But he was a little scared by the group of roman soldiers. After all he had heard that they had been looking for Jesus.
What if they returned and took him away with them? That would be awful and scared Joshua even more. It became noticeably darker around him. Joshua became downcast. Fear spread out in him. He gazed toward the singing and laughing girls. Suddenly he saw Jesus, who went toward the girls, sat down and watched them from nearby, clapping his hands. After a while the girls stopped and formed a circle around Jesus. Joshua saw Rachel sit down right next to Jesus. They talked and laughed a lot. Joshua could not hear anything, but he saw how Rachel leaned up against Jesus and beamed at him.
Joshua could no longer control the dark thoughts. He felt hurt. He had always considered himself to be the best friend of Rachel. But now? Rachel had never leaned up against him the way she did with Jesus just now. And Jesus had always stayed away from her before. In this moment, watching the happy and frolicsome circle of girls around Jesus, Joshua felt left out. Suddenly he saw dark creatures that raced toward him on the path and danced about him. A fog enveloped him. His spirit became confused, he felt dizzy. He covered his eyes with his hands. In the end he had to lie down seeking shelter from this tempest of demons. Then he fainted.
Thus Joshua was not aware of how Jesus, who had also seen the creatures, left the circle of girls, came and bent over him, praying for him tearfully.
∞
This was the second time that his son was sick in bed. Samuel sat in front of Joshua’s bedchamber. What had that Jesus done to him? When Ismael had come running earlier and had called on him he had hurried to Joshua quickly. There he saw many children crowding about his son, who was lying on the ground with Jesus next to him on his knees praying with closed eyes. Was he praying to demons? After all one often saw Jesus wandering alone through the hills around Nazareth, and some times he even passed by the cemetery in front of the town, which always made Samuel feel queasy. What was he doing there? And why did that blue-eyed boy always play such dreamy melodies on his damned flute? But right now none of that mattered.
Meanwhile Joshua had already received a bowl of goat milk, and he had a cold cloth on his forehead. He still looked weak and drained, but one was able to speak with him again and he could even smile a little
“Father, what happened?”
“You fainted, my son. Can’t you remember anything?”
“I only know that it got darker and darker. Then everything started spinning, I saw demons and after a while it got lighter about me. Eventually I awoke, here.”
“Joshua“, Samuel was very strict, “I want you to stay away from Jesus. He is not good for you. Have you understood?”
Only a whispering croak came from Joshua.
“I will assume that was your agreement. Furthermore I want you to do your writing exercises at home.”
“Father, is that really necessary?”
“Yes, that is really necessary.” Samuel’s voice became louder. He did not tolerate any objections. “I know that you are talented, and the ability to write will aid you in the future. I only want the best for you. You will also pray to our Lord more often. You will put on your prayer straps regularly in the morning just as I do. I know that you have been neglecting that. And I mean both, for the arm and for the brow. Did you hear me?”
Joshua nodded.
“Excuse me, I did not hear a reply.”
“Yes.”
“Aside from that, I will read to you from the torah every evening from now on. You will concentrate more on your torah studies.”
“But why, father?” , Samuel noticed that Joshua no longer sounded stubborn but rather desperate. But that did not matter now.
“Joshua, you are talented. Even the children two, three or four years older at school do not know as much as you, and hardly any know Hebrew. And only two or three can write. Yet therein lies the future my son.”
“But...”
“Shut up!”, Samuel yelled. Maybe he should add some pressure so that Joshua would understand his words better? “If you do not do that, Joshua, then you can find another place to call home. “
“But father…“ Joshua’s eyes were wide open. He seemed to have gotten the message.
“If you heed my words, then you can take two more days. But after the Sabbath you will have to return to the synagogue.”
Samuel left Joshua by himself for now. He truly was a good tactician. The way he had managed that with his son again! Samuel had to smile. A nice walk would be good for him now. He still had to sort out some thoughts. And he was best able to concentrate