"I curse these people and Caesar," Pilate said.
"You can say whatever you about these blasted people," Julian said. "But, remember Caesar has friends with in your company."
"Julian don't threaten me," Pilate shot back. He could have continued with we all know that he is your uncle, but he kept his mouth shut beside tonight presented other problems. The Jews wanted him dispose of one of their problems, someone name Jesus of Nazareth.
Pilate wiped the sweat from his face with his robe, as he walked over to the table. He lifted up a bronze pitcher and poured its ruby red contents into a gold cup. He lifted it and poured the contents into his mouth. After doing so, he filled the cup again, and continues in a somber mood. "You don't have to remind that you are Cesar's nephew." He paused and continued, "I was their when he made you my aid, and your aid has been most valuable.
Julian bowed, and let the issue go because he still knew whatever Pilate says he could use against him at his own choosing. His Uncle Caesar and himself despised Pilate. Caesar had sent him not to aid Pilate, but destroy him. Caesar sent Pilate and himself to this wretched place and people in hope to goad Pilate into scorning him, so that he had enough just cause to finally do away with Pilate.
Julian walked over to the table and poured himself a cup of wine. "I also want to curse these people because the have been nothing trouble since we arrive." As Julian spoke, Pilate gazed at him for a moment and estimated his age to about, twenty-five. "Remember when we almost had an insurrection when we put Caesar's mantle in their temple." He paused to let Pilate ponder his words then continued, "But, under duress Rome relented and removed the mantel from the temple."
Just as Pilate rose to respond the doors flew open and a Centurion Officer named, Octavius stood in the doorway and raise his hand and brought it hard to his chest as he looked toward Pilate. "Governor, I just got word from Herod's palace," the officer said."Herod is sending Jesus back to you. He says only you have the authority to kill Jesus not him. Herod wants know why you sent this Jesus to him?'"
Pilate just slumped back into the chair in looked at the floor. The Gods have sealed his fate.
While back at Herod's place, words of anger echoed off the walls. The Head Priest Caiaphas stood glaring at Herod. You had to wonder if his white beard made his face that bright red, or his bright red face made his beard a bright white. His body shook with rage as he open his mouth to speak.
"Herod you are no better than your father," Caiaphas measure his words. "You are no better than your spineless father. It took one seductive dance for him to finally to kill that nuisance, John." Herod's father did not kill John until his wife's Herodias' daughter performed a seductive dance for him. Being please with the dance, he granted her request. Listening to her mother, she asked for the head of John on a platter.
Herod open his mouth to respond and Caiaphas continued his tirade. There would be no stopping the years of anger toward Herod from being release.
"You are no Jewish King," he said. "You have nothing do with your with your Jewish people or Priests, but your Hellenist companions who feed you their Hellenist ways. They have told you this garbage to lead you away from your own Jewish roots. You know Herod that there. His anger subsided.
Herod stood up and responded. "Caiaphas, your foolish choice of words could make me order your death." To which he replied, " But you won't because only Pilate has that authority." After that Caiaphas turned and walked out of the room while Herod shouted curses at him.
Just as the guards led Jesus out of the room to be scourge according to Pilate's orders, Julian and Octavius enter. Julian stirs at Jesus, and shakes his head.
Once Jesus has been removed. Pilate begins to speak. "I have had men plead for my mercy as the guards had to drag them from presence. Many of these men were the so called Zealots that while they were free, boldly claimed that they would make me die slowly." Pilate turned to look at window at the city. "They said those very word outside on that street below." He turned toward back to the two men with his right stretched back towards the window.
He looked this Julian and Octavius with a solemn face and spoke with measured words. "This man Jesus, just looks me with dark eyes and says very few words. It is almost as He has accepted death.
"Piate, what, this ha man unnerved because he does not plead for your mercy?" Octavius question.
"Perhaps our dear Governor has grown soft in his old age." Julian responded, mockingly.
"No dear Julian have not grown soft." He said glaring back toward Julian. "To tell you the the truth I would like crucify Caiaphus and his Priests along with Jesus. They have caused me nothing trouble since I came. You have figured that since they have one God their Religion would be..."
"We are not here to hear about how much trouble Caiaphas and Jews cause you," Octavius cut Pilate off. "As you have said Caiaphas will be dealt with it later. We have a this present matter about Jesus. I don't care how He how looks at you. He is a threat to Rome's interest. Has more followers than John. He also talks about some kingdom that we can't see."
"He also said that He is the Son of God," Julian added. "This makes Him into a God-man, and only Cesar can be a God-man. He is not equal to Cesar from the stories that I have heard that His father was a pour carpenter. He can not make any claim to royalty because He has no Royal blood."
"My man have reported that He has raised a man from the dead." Octavius said. "Do you think that He is some kind of God? Is that what frightens you? We Romans seen all kinds of so called Religious trickery from Brittany to here. I for myself do not believe in such nonsense."
"The guards have brought back a very bloody Jesus for sentencing who sits with a table with a basin next to him. "Jesus the King of the Jews will be Crucified as your Priest wish. The crowd's cheered and jeered, as Pilate walked behind the table. His lifted his hands to silence the crowds, and lowered them into the basin. "I wash my hands of this man's blood."
Julian and Octavius both looked each other. Julian whispered in Octavius hear, "Did you he see. He just sentence a man to death while not taking responsibility for it."
Pilot walked up to Octavius. "You will lead the Crucifixion Detail." He turned toward Julian. "Make sure that your uncle knows that I have defended his honor."
He then looked at the both of them. "I just thought the man was insane. I have had those appear before me with the same delusions of grandeur, and I dealt with them by scourging and being sent to the salt mines to disappear. So if it had been my way Jesus would have just disappear. That is how you deal with problems. You just make them disappear without a mess."
"Why not just kill them?" Julian asked.
"Because they just don't die, they live in the minds of their followers." Pilate responded.
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