Twice Loved at Armageddon

Twice Loved at Armageddon, Part VIII

Scott and Farah visit the governor of Palestine.  They learn that Jesus had purged the temple of vendors getting rich on religion.  Scott cannot deal with seeing Jesus even at a distance.

Chapter Seventeen

   The caravan got an early start the next morning as it followed the steep road from the Jordan River, which is below sea level, up to Jerusalem.  The draft animals were strong enough for the task.  The farther they traveled, the more they were joined by people on the road.

   Farah saw a small inn on the way. "It's a good thing we brought tents and didn't stop there yesterday, for the inn could never hold us all."  She noticed a man leaving there with his donkey. "He appears Jewish but wears strange clothes."

   Scott said to Farah, "He is one of a separatist sect, outcasts among the Jews, known as Samaritans.  They worship on Mount Gerizim some miles from here and claim to be the true keepers of the religion of Moses as it was before the Jews were exiled in Babylon over five hundred years ago."  The man had just given some coins to the inn keeper.  Scott said nothing but suspected he was helping some unfortunate man whom he found on the road to Jericho.

   It took almost all day for the party to ascend the Mount of Olives overlooking Jerusalem.  Mount Scopus stood just to the north of them on their right.

   Scott pointed to the small village there and said to Farah, "In the twenty-first century you will work for the university that will be built there, although your workplace will be in the city.  In place of that modest village will be a great center of academic learning.  You'll be as important in my time as men are now.  We may meet important women during our travels, but they're exceptions nowadays."

   Flavius rode over to Scott.  He halted his horse and leaned over to speak.  He said, "I am arranging for you to stay for these next few days at an inn in Jerusalem.  The governor of Judea at Fortress Antonia will allow you to visit there under my escort.  Since you are not yet a citizen, he has not invited you to share quarters there.

   Scott said, "We'll be fine wherever you send us.  May I keep a couple of guards there with us?"

   He replied, "Take ten if you need them.  In the morning I will send for you to join me when I meet with the Governor of Judea."  He then rode back to the head of the column.

   By the time they reached their inn in the lower part of the city, once known as the Fortress of Zion or the City of David, it was late.  The inn keeper helped Scott and the soldiers unload their bags. Scott looked out into the street and could see the Pool of Siloam not far away, where women were filling water jars. 

   He said to Farah, "That has been ancient Jerusalem's best source of water for the last seven hundred years.  During King Hezekiah's rule, the Assyrians came to besiege the city.  Hezekiah decided their enemies didn't need so much water.  They dug a tunnel under the city so that water would flow from the brook Kidron into the pool you see before you.  Since then and for centuries to come, people have always had water when armies surrounded Jerusalem."

   That evening their inn keeper provided wine, cheese, and bread for their meal.  He then showed Scott and Farah into a small room.  Soldiers shared a small room in another part of the inn.

   After the inn keeper left them for the night, Scott said, "Small room, small bed, isn't it?"

   Farah placed her finger to his lips and her other hand on his cheek. With a lustful smile, she said, "My husband, it is more than enough for two lovers' desire tonight."  She kissed him with uncommon passion as he took her into his arms.

   The next morning the inn keeper provided the usual meal of cheese, bread, and wine but added fresh fruit.  Farah commented on the food to Scott as it was served.  "This is more than people usually get every day.  My mother and I mostly ate bread, other grains, and some vegetables until you found me."