A New Beginning Page 3

CHAPTER 2

  In his short life, Tavi had never known such fear. He now sat, by himself, in the very corner of the prison tent into which he’d been thrown. His fear was such that he’d curled himself up into a fetal position hugging his knees and staring at the ground. Gone was the bravado, the aggression, and the belief in his immortality. It was replaced by an awful fear that he was going to die.

  What an idiot. He had stormed into the village square, spoiling for a fight. And that’s exactly what he got. Of course, he wasn’t to know that a troop of Roman centurions was scouring the village looking for members of the Zealot 11 sect. Such was his anger that when challenged by a centurion he simply drew his bow in defense.

  This was enough to mark him as a Zealot and the Roman troop, with drawn gladii 12 quickly surrounded Tavi and took him captive. Before he realized what was happening he was thrown into a cage on a cart and brought to the Roman encampment.

  Now, with the sun setting and heralding the start of a new Sabbath, Tavi cautiously surveyed his surroundings. He was held captive somewhere in the Roman encampment. It was obvious that the camp was temporary for no defensive walls had been erected. But his guards appeared to be hardened legionaries.

  There were others in the Carcer 13 with him. They were older men in their twenties who were obviously fighters and bore the scars of conflict. But he kept to himself as if solitude would deliver him from peril. He was on the verge of tears.

  Surely, my Abba will not leave me to die. Surely, I haven’t been that bad that he’ll leave me to my fate without even pleading for my release. I feel so alone now. I would give anything, and pay any price to see my family again. Yes, even my brother Adlai. What an idiot I’ve been.

  Out of the corner of his eye, he could see someone approaching. No, no, no. I don’t want company. If I’m going to bawl my eyes out, I want to do it alone so no one can see my disgrace.

  “May I join you? Or do you want to be miserable by yourself?”

  Tavi looked up and saw an older man, perhaps in his late forties, tall and broad shouldered. A fierce beard surrounded a surprisingly kind face. Wearing only a short tunic, Tavi could see the scars of battle on his arms and shoulders.

  When Tavi didn’t respond, the man continued,

  “Well, I’m going to sit myself down because I don’t like seeing a young lad so miserable. So – like it or not you’ve got company. And if you won’t talk, I’ll talk.”

  Still getting no response from Tavi, he continued, “My name . . .”

  “Don’t talk to me!” Tavi almost shouted. “If they see you with me, the Romans will think that I’m one of you, that I’m a rebel. And I’m not! I’m not! Go away!”

  “Calm down. You’re just a boy. Let me guess –sixteen summers?” Reluctantly Tavi nodded . . .

  “. . . and right now you’re just wishing all this will go away. That your Emma will come to fetch you as she always has in the past. Am I right?”

  Tavi just nodded,

  “Well . . . How shall I call you? What’s your name lad?” Reluctantly, “Tavi . . .”

  “Ok Tavi, Tavi who?”

  “Tavi ben Yusuf . . . of Nazareth”

  “Ahh, Tavi ben Yusuf; the carpenter’s son. Your father is well known to us. He’s held in high regard by the people of Nazareth. A good man – I’m told.”

  “Who are you?”Tavi challenged, hoping he sounded more confident than he felt. “You haven’t told me your name. Who are you?”

  “Judah. Or as I’m better known, Judah the Galilean. And I’m very pleased to meet you Tavi ben Yusuf of Nazareth.” Judah extended his forearm that Tavi clasped to acknowledge the greeting.

  Judah regarded Tavi closely. He saw a stocky, bearded young man, with a determined aggressive countenance. Although presently deflated, he sensed a warrior in the making. Yes, Tavi was a fighter.

  Aha, I recall how I felt at Tavi’s age. Immortal. Indestructible. Arrogant and Fearless. How much have I changed over the last 10 years? Life is a pitiless teacher. But Tavi is only a lad so I’d better be gentle with the boy.

  “Tell me lad, how did you come to be in this mess? What were you doing to infuriate the Romans and cause them to arrest you?”

  Slowly Tavi began to warm to Judah. He had a certain aurora about him that encouraged intimacy. And with the sun setting, any hope that his father would come and release him was gone. He needed this man – this Judah of Galilee. So he outlined all the events that took place prior to him being arrested. He was glad of the dark so he could hide his embarrassment.

  When he finished, Judah sat and thought about all that Tavi had revealed.

  This is not good. The boy doesn’t seem to understand that drawing a weapon against Rome, for whatever reason, was an offense punishable by death. There is nobody to affirm his innocence. His future is uncertain. Dire even. But he needs help now – I can only begin to imagine the lad’s terror. I must try and help him overcome his fear. “Tavi . . . Look at me lad. Raise your head and look at me. C’mon Tavi, I’m here to help.”

  Slowly Tavi raised his head and looked at Judah, who was studying him with concern. For some reason, Tavi did not feel utterly alone any more. This man cared and for this, he was utterly grateful.

  “Tavi, keep looking at me. I want you to focus your thoughts on something nice. At your age, perhaps a pair of young girls breasts with firmly protruding nipples. With flashing dark eyes. And gently rounded buttocks. Focus on her dancing for you and then standing naked before you. Do this now Tavi.”

  To Tavi the female of the species was a complete mystery. Growing up, he had exalted in male activities and loved the easy familiarity of male companionship. But lately he’d been having disturbing thoughts about several young girls in the village. And one girl in particular. Her name was Sarah and she made it quite clear that she was interested in him.

  And his loins seemed to have a mind of their own. Whenever he looked at Sarah, he became aroused. Embarrassingly so. Frequently so.

  But he abandoned any control and did what Judah asked. The image of Sarah, totally naked and with an inviting smile caused immediate response in his loins. So much so, that he tried to hide his shameful erection.

  Witnessing Tavi’s discomfort, Judah tried not to laugh. The boy’s fear of the Romans was replaced by the normal urges of a young man. That was good.

  “My young friend you have just learned an important lesson in growing up. In manhood, you can diminish fear by replacing it with other more positive thoughts. Let your mind take control of your body’s responses. Do you feel better?”

  “I will be when my embarrassment subsides.” This brought a laugh from Judah with Tavi joining to laugh at his discomfort.

  This is a good man, this Judah of Galilee. Can a person have two fathers? I feel Judah will teach me more about life than I could learn at home. In a subtle way, I feel changed. If he wants, I’ll follow him and submit to his guidance. But who is he? I don’t know anything about him, or the reason he’s here in this stockade. Judging by their actions, the others over there are with Judah and act as if he’s their leader. If I’m to follow, I must find out who or what I’m following. For all I know, they could all be murderers.

  “Who are you? And why have you and your men been captured by the Romans?”

  “We’re Zealots. We were ambushed just outside Nazareth on the way to Sepphoris 14 the Romans were waiting for us. It was a trap . . .” Judah paused because Tavi was looking at him with a blank face. “Ah, I see you don’t know who we are. Your Abba has not talked to you of political matters?”

  “No, my Abba is not political. We don’t discuss politics at home. But I’m avid to learn. Please excuse my ignorance. Continue . . .”

  “We don’t recognize the authority of Rome or the Sanhedrin. God is our master. We bear allegiance only to god – and no one else. We’re Gods warriors. We seek to re- establish a kingdom of the Jews for the Jewish people. Our aim is to place a king like the Maccabees 15 on the vacant throne of the Jew
ish people.”

  To Tavi, this was beyond his understanding. The only history of his people he knew was in the religious observances practiced at home. He was mystified.

  “But look,” continued Judah. “Enough of this. You’ll have time to learn the recent history of our people, all in good time. Come with me and I’ll introduce you to the other members of our band. C’mon lad, we also sleep together to ward off the nights chill.”

  Tavi was in a dilemma.

  If I take up Judah’s offer and join his band, the Romans will think I‘m a Zealot. A rebel. One of them. On the other hand, if I stay by myself, I’ll be completely alone. No, I don’t want to be alone. I just cannot refuse this man’s offer. I sense he’s a good man, a kind man. I’ve really got nothing to lose by joining his gang. Maybe, some good will come of it.

  And so he stood up and followed Judah over to his group. Judah introduced him with,

  “Comrades, this is Tavi ben Yusuf of Nazareth. He’s a young lad wrongly apprehended and bids you welcome.”

  From the group there came just murmurings of welcome. The situation did not warrant any emotion. Although he was still reticent, Tavi began to feel a little better amongst the company of these hardened warriors. His dread of the coming day began to lessen.