God's Gone AWOL

[Bonus Features] Acts 12:1 to 11

Note from the Jester: The following is a deleted scene from a previous draft. We cut it because it didn't quite fit the flow of the story, but wanted it as a canonical event in the fictional universe. Thus, you get it as a slightly modified and deleted scene.

Jerusalem. 44 AD (Probably).

King Herod Agrippa ran a bejeweled hand across the the smooth surface of the stone window, gazing out at the loud and chaotic streets of Jerusalem. His deep-set eyes hovered over the dusty landscape, a complex expression worn on his strong features. The gold fabric of his extravagant robes reflected the afternoon sunshine with elitist splendor.

There was much on Herod's mind at that moment, but he dared not think about it too much. From the political chaos within the Roman Empire, to the endless acts of religious defiance that had plagued his rule for the past decade or so. The weight of a crown was a heavy one to bear, but the sheer feeling of power that it provided was addicting and irresistible.

"Your Majesty!" a voice called from somewhere behind him.

Herod pulled his eyes away from the city —his city. Then he turned around. A young servant stood, head bowed, beside one of the sand-coloured pillars of the palace. Herod looked at him expressionlessly.

"What news?" he asked.

"Your Majesty," the servant said again, "James, brother of John, has been put to death by sword as was your command,"

Hearing this, Herod nodded his head a couple of times. But before he made any verbal comment on the subject, he paused for a moment of thought.

"What say the people?"

"They are happy with the decision, of course," the servant answered without missing a beat.

"Good, good." Herod nodded again. "And of the one named Petros?"

"He has not been detained yet. We are awaiting your orders in that matter,"

Again, King Herod Agrippa paused. Being a king required a lot of careful thought. The sort that commoners and mere servants were incapable of. There was much that needed to be taken into account, therefore he pondered while the servant watched for some time.

"Tell the proper authorities to arrest him, then," Herod said finally, "We can hold a public trial for him after Passover ends. In light of the recent execution, I think it would be wise. The people will be happy,"

"Right away, your majesty." the servant bowed again.

Herod nodded, "Off you go,"

Taking his leave, the servant bowed for a final time, then scurried back down the stone hallway. As he went, he unknowingly passed two humanoid figures standing off to the side. They were both invisible to the human eye, watching the scene play out before them with keen interest. And when the servants echoing footsteps had finally followed him off into the distance, one of the figures turned to the other.

It was a good thing that the pair were invisible. If they revealed themselves at that moment, even to King Herod Agrippa, the sheer splendour of their appearance might just blind him completely. Both were dressed in white robes, and appearing impossibly clean against the sand-coloured walls behind them. The one on the left stood poised and proper, his long black hair adorned with gold like a true deity. But the one on the right was more casual, leaning against the pillar and playing with the flowers woven through her braid.

"What on earth are they doing?" Ruth asked, "Do they really think execution is what God wants?"

Atticus turned to her and blinked his golden feline eyes.