The Wolf and the Lamb Read Free Page A

and judging by his dress, not a Hebrew household. The shabbiness of the boy’s cloak could also mean not a wealthy one or it could mean the person requiring the meeting wished not to draw attention to his messenger, and by indirection, to himself.
    “He does. And who, may I ask, is this master of yours?”
    The young man, boy glanced furtively over his shoulder, leaned in toward Gamaliel, and cocked his head to one side. In a voice the Rabban could barely hear he said, “The Prefect, sir.”
    “What? Are you saying Pontius Pilate wishes to see me?”
    “Shhhh. Yes, sir, he does, now.”
    “I am confused. In the past, when the mighty Pilate required my presence, he did not send me an invitation in the person of a boy in a disreputable cloak. He commanded my presence and would send a contingent of his smartest legionnaires to escort me in the unlikely event I refused the invitation. My journey to the Fortress flanked by the best the local contingent of the army had to offer would always be both impressive and humiliating—impressive for the Prefect, humiliating for me. So, where are his soldiers? What has happened to the noble Roman that I no longer rate this treatment? Is he ill? I know a very fine Physician, if that is the case.”
    “They are not available.”
    “Who are not available? Pilate has arrived in the city with a full complement of soldiers and you tell me none of them are available to march me across the city to the Antonia Fortress like a felon? Truly welcome news, but I find it hard to believe.”
    “But it is so, Excellency.”
    “You are not listening. I am not your…Oh, never mind. Let me see if I have this right. Pilate sent you here, apparently in the worst clothes you could find, to summon me to his Eminence. Yet, with all his power and position, he cannot send his soldiers for some reason and so he sends me a boy. Am I to understand, that the reason for the latter is the explanation for the former?”
    “Sir?”
    “And the summons to meet with him has to do with both of the above.”
    “I don’t understand.”
    “I ask…No, of course you don’t. I am not sure I do either. Very well, let me go into my dwelling and freshen up. I need to tell my servant where I am going. Caution requires that one do so before entering the presence of the Prefect on the oft chance one never returns. Then at least your family and friends can guess what has happened to you. I see that you are confused, I know. People who deal with me often are. So, don’t try to understand, my son. Wait here for a moment. I will return shortly.”
    “But he said to bring you straightaway. We must go, your Excellency.”
    “For the last time, I am not ‘your Excellency’ and also, I am saying to you that whether the great Pontius Pilate wishes it or not, I am not prepared to attend him just now. If the Prefect’s need of me is both genuine and urgent, I would be standing in his august presence at this very moment. I would have been escorted to him by the legionnaires I just mentioned. Since he has not sent them, I must assume there is no such urgency. Wait here.”
    The messenger started to argue, then realized the futility of doing so. He sighed and leaned against the stone portico and contemplated the beating he would probably receive for not having produced the Rabban in quick time, as he’d been ordered.

Chapter IV
     
    During the Hebrews’ High Holy days, the number of Roman troops billeted in Jerusalem increased to a full cohort and a half, with the arrival of the Prefect of the Palestine, Pontius Pilate, and his household. Pilate and his entourage would make the trip southward along the coast of the Middle Sea from Caesarea Maritima to Joppa, and then climb the hills to Jerusalem. There, they would be joined by the resident legionnaires and staff assigned to the Antonia Fortress.
    Passover especially attracted faithful Jews. Pilgrims were known to travel from places as far away as Hispania or Britannia, eager to