Except for Grace and Mercy

Chapter 1

Jerusalem 71 AD-The Antonia Fortress

The mighty one and exalted commander of the magnificent roman army is relaxing in his bath pool by himself against the wishes of his chief servant -Marcus Anticilles; a middle-aged man whom he rescued at a tender age from Rome. He had been a slave in the house of commander Lucas Lepidus who along with his wife and servants, were killed on the orders of emperor Nero for being secret christians and converting their household. Marcus had been lucky to have gone on an errand when tragedy struck and a kind neighbour had hidden him while on a tour of the streets, I found him disheveled... He had no trouble with the christians as far as they respected their lane and they gave their taxes. Sinking further into the pool, he sighs contently and is quickly alerted to the coughing sign from Marcus; another servant -Ceres has his head bowed low: he is dressed in a typical servant short linen gown just above the knee with a belt tied around his waist. "Forgive me most excellent Vespasian, some of the members of the Sanhedrin are here to seek your counsel"
"Hmmm, indeed, are they now?"
Marcus gives a nod of his head and claps his hands signaling for the other male servants to come in. One brings the emperor's robe: another holds a cup of salted water which he goggles and pours out into a bowl placed by the wall. He is led to his inner chamber facing the second temple but which still provides a sanctuary for the Jews to worship. They are preparing for the Sabbath sundown worship but he is baffled by thoughts on how corrupt their religious leaders are and how they do not work for the interest of the people. The Sanhedrin leadership often bored him; he wonders why they never seem to learn from the catastrophic death of Caiaphas. Some of the news going round is that his strange death was the punishment for killing the Messiah who had truly come and accepting bribes to hush the truth. The christians were said to have opined the story, not that he cares; with a successful military campaign and a devout worshipper of the Roman gods, he really has no interest in the Jews especially the resistance forces. He prides himself as liberal. Adjusting his toga under his robe, he wears his leather sandals as his servants complete his dressing. Marcus goes ahead to announce his presence to the two Sanhedrin priests.
"Most excellent, most valourous emperor Vespasian!" They both exclaim bowing their heads
He takes his place by the throne, his servants all around him except his recorder who is seated by his far right, taking down their conversations in detail.
"Why have you come high priests Zadok and Abiathar?"
High priest Zadok seems very uncomfortable despite it being the spring season when temperatures are on the low.
"Most excellent Vespasian; you are aware that one of Israel's most important feast is here and many Jews will come from far and near to celebrate".
"How can I forget the feast of the Passover? Last year it was rife with crisis from your resistance fighters"
"Very well, most powerful Vespasian. For truly there are traitors in our midst" says high priest Abiathar.
"If I recall correctly, you Abiathar petitioned me to send a garrison of my soldiers to guard the temple. Is that why you are here?" He says this inching closer with his body carrying a smirk on his face and a grin ready to use the resistance forces to their advantage. He knew them too well.
High priest Zadok answers calmly: "most worthy Vespasian, you have well identified the cause of Israel's unrest; these are men bent on frustrating your monumental gains and the peace of the land..."
"And I believe, are frustrating your monetary gains from the people. Have they been informed about our mutual agreements?"
Drawing their turbans over their grey hairs, and working their lips nervously, emperor Vespasian answers again. "Go attend your Sabbath preparations, send in the payments, I shall indeed heed your pleas and send in tribune Opimius from the Aelia Capitolina; the tenth legion is under his command. Be prepared to receive him in two days ".
Both priests bow down in gratitude as they go out of the fortress.
Emperor Vespasian has just been served wine in his goblet and instructs his recorder to immediately send the script to Aelia Capitolina. Another servant announces the entrance of empress Flavia Domitilla by hitting a gong hanging on the wall three times; she is followed by six of her maids and takes her place by emperor Vespasian's throne.
"What brings you out my love?"
"Darling husband, would you steer me away from politics? I heard your soul is troubled so I come to bid it calm"
Sneering childishly, emperor Vespasian turns to his left side to face his wife -"my love, nothing in all Rome can deter me from keeping you away, not even Thor himself". He takes her right hand and brushes kisses on her knuckles. Smiling coyly, she replies -"then what is this I hear about another rebellion?"
Cursing silently into his wine goblet, he answers: "darling, do not tend to rumours that bitter the soul from it's true yearnings. Trust in your husband's military prowess".
"But I hear the resistance forces are more determined to expel us Romans from Jerusalem. You rely on tribune Opimius what of our son Primus Pilus Titus? Didn't you both achieve success in the Jewish war campaigns?"
"Dear Flavia, Primus Titus is well needed by the troops in our war to conquer the south west of Britannica. Opimius is a great soldier from a noble family of warriors and a descendant of emperor Caligula and senator Lucius Aemilius Juncus who is his uncle. We have nothing to worry about. Try Opimius and see..." They laugh giggling even as they arise to go into their inner chamber.

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Men are scurrying about and hiding under the cover of darkness in a cave on top of a steep hill surrounded by cisterns and the remains of what used to be their old citadel for the resistance fighters against the Romans, has been demolished by emperor Vespasian four years ago; now their former leader is in prison and many of his followers dead. Their would be new leader, has vowed to implement better strategies than flavius Josephus and ensure that no Roman, remained to enjoy peace especially in this Holy land.
Lighting their wooden tourches and masking their faces beneath the brown coloured animal skin garments and leather sandals, the over hundred men renew their vows. The craftsmen bring in new branded swords and small knives like the daggers for any eventuality of a hand to hand combat.
"Fellow Jews, brothers. The time has come for us to reclaim our land and be prepared to die for Yahweh and our children. Josephus has played his part, now it's ours to progress it. Here in the valley of Jotapata, I promise you that none of you will lose your lives in vain. Yah, bless and keep you strong. We march in two days time"
"Yeshua! Yeshua!!" They all respond in unison.