Watch Your Back

by William V Weeks

Several wagons and a few chariots filled the courtyard when Tallis arrived to begin his first day of work. Kadir greeted his new officer as he entered the fortress. “Kadir, what in the world is going on here? Is this a parade or a trial?”

  “Herod decided to make a few changes this morning. So we had to adjust to meet his demands.”

  “Why would the Tetrarch change his mind?”

  “I don’t question the decisions Antipas makes, Tallis, and you need to remember, don’t speak without permission and don’t question anything. Come with me. The first trial is ready to begin.”

  The two officers crossed the courtyard and entered the building along the western wall. Yesterday’s banquet hall had transformed into a courtroom overnight. A large straight-backed chair sat on a raised platform, replacing the head table from yesterday’s celebration.

  “Where do we sit, Kadir?”

  “You and I will sit to the left of the Judgment Seat.”

  “Yesterday, you mentioned I may need to testify.”

  “I delivered your report to Herod after you brought Zamir and the deserters to the fortress. Antipas didn’t share his plans for today’s cases with me, but I doubt you need to testify. Remember to stand when the Tetrarch enters the room. Quiet now, I can hear them coming.”

  A door on the far side of the room opened. Kadir and Tallis jumped to their feet as Herod, and two of his personal confidants entered.

  “Bring the prisoners in,” one of the advisors said.

  Kadir motioned for Tallis to sit when the door reopened. Four soldiers marched into the courtroom leading the thirty-four men who surrendered in Hammath. Deron and Label followed their friends as the chains on the prisoner’s ankles clanked on the marble floors. The group lined up facing the Judgment Seat. Most of those on trial stood with their heads bowed, a few looked around the room. Each prisoner had bruises on their arms and face. It didn’t look like confinement was conducive to their everyday lifestyle.

  Herod waved his hand and stood, and the room fell silent. “Do you understand why you are here this morning?”

  A few captives mumbled something sounding like “yes,” but Tallis didn’t think it mattered how anyone replied.

  “The charges against you include the destruction of property in Hammath’s marketplace, assaulting my troops with the intent to kill, and attempting to liberate prisoners under the care of my soldiers. Additional charges against you include trying to overthrow my government as appointed by Caesar.” Herod scowled at the young men standing before him, pacing back and forth with his hands behind his back. “This morning I questioned several witnesses regarding your crimes before you entered this courtroom. Based on what I learned, you are all guilty as charged. I will not tolerate behavior of this sort in Galilee. I hereby sentence each of you to death.” Gasps and a few screams filled the room. “Silence.” Herod glared at the condemned. “My soldiers will escort you to the courtyard now. Then we will bring out your leaders who my troops captured after your attack on Hammath. Together everyone will travel to Mount Arbel. Once we arrive, I will allow each of the condemned to jump from the summit to the valley below while your leaders watch. This will serve as a warning to anyone entertaining ideas similar to yours. Guards, take them away.” Herod turned and left the room with his advisors walking behind the man.

  Tallis sat, stunned by the sentence. “How can Herod do this, Kadir? They didn’t receive a fair trial. Who were these witnesses? He didn’t speak with me. This isn’t justice.”

  “We don’t question the Tetrarch, Tallis, and keep your opinions to yourself. In Galilee, Herod is god. The man can do whatever he pleases. Let’s go. I need to supervise the loading of the prisoners.”

  Some of the convicted collapsed upon hearing their fate, so the guards dragged them to the wagons. A few continued to scream or sob as they shuffled out the door. Once Herod’s soldiers had loaded the condemned, Kadir ordered a few more troops to escort Zamir, Mered, and Acaph to the courtyard. Tallis had never seen such a spectacle in his life. Today, the new Centurion felt embarrassed to serve the Tetrarch.

  Zamir, Acaph, and Mered rode in the lead wagon along with Ranan and Ian. Herod’s chariot led the procession followed by Kadir’s. Tallis joined his Superior for the trip. “This isn’t the most comfortable way to travel, sir. The road doesn’t feel as bumpy when walking as it does riding in a chariot.” As they bounced along, Tallis prayed for the souls of the idealistic and foolish young men who would soon meet their maker. Why did these fellows decide to support Zamir and his ideas? Did they charge into Hammath for the thrill of adventure rather than focusing on removing Herod from power? Tallis decided the moment carried the fools away.

  Two hours later, the procession arrived at the summit on the north side of the Mount. Kadir ordered those in the lead wagon to exit with the help from their guards so they could witness the administration of justice. Once in position, two guards grabbed the first of the condemned and had the man state his name so everyone present could hear, before flinging the lad plummeting toward the valley floor. You could hear each scream as the dying spiraled to their demise on the rocks fifteen hundred feet below. Tallis began to wonder what he was getting himself into working so close to the Tetrarch.

  Kadir’s chariot fell in line behind Herod’s. Tallis didn’t look forward to tomorrow, and he wondered what Antipas had in store for the men charged with committing more serious crimes. Would Abigail ask how his day went? Of course, but she didn’t need to know everything going on in Galilee. Kadir and Tallis returned to the fortress in silence.

  The next morning, an empty courtyard greeted Tallis. His heart still felt heavy, and he hadn’t slept well last night. Abigail asked what seemed to be troubling her husband, but Tallis couldn’t bring himself to tell her what he’d witnessed. Nothing can be as gruesome as what happened yesterday. Some of the young men who died weren’t guilty of anything more than being gullible and having their heads filled with Zamir’s wishful dreams. Tallis wasn’t sure he could stand by in silence while Herod ran roughshod over the people he governed. The Centurion wanted to run, but where would he and Abigail go?”

  “Good morning, Tallis. How did you sleep last night?”

  “I didn’t, Kadir. Yesterday’s events kept me awake. I don’t understand Herod’s justification for killing those young men. Many were so immature. Others found themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

  “If used right, severe punishment can serve as a stern warning to those who want to disrupt people’s lives or destroy property, but remember what I said to you yesterday. Don’t question Herod, and keep in mind these fortress walls hear everything we say. So watch yourself. Everything you say and do can come around again and get you in trouble.”

  Tallis didn’t agree with Kadir’s logic, but kept his thoughts to himself, deciding he needed to live with Herod or take his family and flee. “I realize you don’t dare cross the Tetrarch, Kadir, but how did Nikolaos manage to survive so many years without getting caught?”

  “I don’t believe any of us realized we needed to keep watch on Nikolaos. He’d served Herod for years and did his job well. No one suspected he would lead a rebellion against the Tetrarch. He fooled me. Somebody’s going to pay for this. I hope Herod doesn’t decide I’m the lucky one.”

  “Do you think anyone will ever track Nikolaos down? Where would he hide?”

  “I’m afraid we haven’t seen the last of our former Commander, Tallis. He’s an intelligent man who will develop new friendships while continuing his efforts to force the Tetrarch from power. Mark my words.”

  “May I ask if you’re a God fearing man?”

  Kadir whispered. “I am, but don’t discuss God in the Tetrarch’s presence. Herod’s scared to death since the man they call the Baptizer announced the Kingdom of God is near. He’s calling people to repent, and the thought of a coming Messiah terrorizes him.”

  “After yesterday, it should frighten him.”

  “Hold your tongue, Tallis
.”

  Everyone stood when Herod and his officials entered the courtroom. Today another of Antipas’s confidants announced the trial for Ranan and Ian for the murders of Masa and Kush before directing the guards to bring in the defendants. Four soldiers dragged the pair before the Tetrarch as they struggled to free themselves from their captor’s clutches. From the look on Herod’s face, he didn’t appear pleased with their resistance.

  A second official read the charges before asking the question. “How do you plead?”

  Ranan spit at the Tetrarch while Ian continued to tussle with the guards. Tallis couldn’t figure out what Ian would gain if he managed to free himself. His chains prevented any hope of escape, and Herod didn’t need another reason to execute him.

  Antipas stood. “Since you refuse to answer, I assume you both plead guilty to murdering two of my soldiers. Would either of you care to entertain me with an explanation regarding your actions?” Herod began to pace in front of the two, hands grasped behind his back, glaring down at the defendants.

  Tallis couldn’t figure out why Herod didn’t sentence both of them right then. Ian stopped resisting and glared at his judge and jury. “May the vultures eat the flesh from your bones you dog.” The guard on his left drove his elbow into Ian’s jaw, and he dropped to the floor. Ranan glanced down at his friend and remained silent.

  “How dare you insult me, I am the Tetrarch of Galilee and Perea, and I demand your respect, but since you demonstrated no remorse for your actions, I sentence both of you to death by the sword. Guards. Return the pair to their cell and teach them some respect.”

  Two soldiers jerked Ian to his feet and dragged him across the floor and out the door. Ranan appeared to accept his fate and shuffled along behind his colleague who continued shouting obscenities as he left the courtroom. The sounds of their chains clanking echoed as they continued down the hallway, leading to the stairs, and the dungeon.

  “When do we get a break, Kadir? It’s tiring sitting.”

  “Breaks aren’t up to me, Tallis.”

  Another official entered the room once Ian and Ranan were no longer present, and announced the trial of Zamir, Mered, and Acaph.

  “You can’t do this to me,” Zamir said at the top of his lungs, as the guards ushered him into our presence. “I’m a citizen of Rome and Palestine. Who gave you authority over me?”

  Herod ignored the question as Acaph and Mered shuffled their way into position. Tallis supposed the two knew the penalty for desertion and treason, so they didn’t bother to upset the Tetrarch any further. You can only kill a man once so why fight fate?

  “What do you want to discuss first with this court, young man? You claim to be a Roman citizen? So am I. What do I care? You didn’t commit a crime against Rome, Zamir. Your crimes are against me and the provinces I govern with Rome’s blessing, and this is why you are present in my courtroom this morning. But, let me ask, I’m curious, how did you obtain your Roman citizenship? Your father wasn’t Roman, but we were friends. If he were still alive, he’d be very disappointed in his son.”

  Zamir hung his head before looking up at his late father’s friend. “I earned my citizenship from my mother’s side, sir. I don’t know how she obtained hers. It’s possible she received it like you did. She came from a wealthy family also. You don’t scare me, Herod. I appeal to Rome for justice.”

  “Don’t be afraid, Zamir. I don’t plan to kill you, but I am interested to hear what Mered and Acaph have to say regarding their desertions and working for the traitor, Nikolaos?”

  Acaph and Mered perked up when they heard their names mentioned.

  “Acaph, explain your behavior to me.”

  “What do you want to know, sir?” Mered said.

  “I didn’t ask you. You’ll get to share your story soon. Acaph, answer the question.”

  “Nikolaos assigned me to the Conturbenium led by Tallis when I completed my training, sir.”

  “How did this assignment relate to you deserting your post?”

  Acaph glanced at the floor and shuffled his feet. “It didn’t sir. Nikolaos asked Mered and me to spy on Tallis and report anything helpful to discredit our Decanus the next time we came to the fortress for training. He also wanted information on the patrolling practices in Hammath, sir.”

  “Why was Nikolaos upset with me? What did I do to get on his bad side?” Herod sat down and rubbed his beard. “Did you learn anything you could share with Nikolaos, Acaph?”

  “We didn’t, sir. It was my understanding Zamir’s friends would visit Hammath sometime during the night, spying I suppose, for possible targets to attack.”

  “You say Nikolaos ordered you and Mered to spy on your fellow soldiers?”

  “Yes. After we left our post and reported back to the Commander, he ordered us to work as the go-between him and Zamir. We helped him plan the attack on the marketplace in Hammath and with logistics to free Deron and Label.”

  “Are you telling me, Nikolaos presented the idea to you to sabotage my government?”

  “My orders came from the Commander, sir. I don’t know why he wanted to undermine your government.”

  Tallis gripped the arms of the chair. He wanted to leap forward and tear Acaph limb from limb.”

  Kadir placed his hand on the arm of Tallis, hoping to calm the new Centurion down, while Herod continued to ask questions. “Did you and Mered provide weapons purchased from my army to Zamir?”

  “We followed the orders given to us by Nikolaos.”

  “How many deliveries did you make to Zamir?”

  “We made two successful deliveries. We were on our way to make the third delivery, but Tallis and his men captured us.” Acaph shook his head and looked at his feet.

  Herod turned and looked at Mered. “Is what Acaph told me the truth?”

  Mered avoided making eye contact. “Yes, sir.”

  Tallis wondered how these two could be so stupid. Will they do anything somebody tells them to do? They didn’t follow my orders.

  “How did Nikolaos recruit the two of you, Mered?”

  “The Commander gave us instructions after he assigned us to Tallis’s Conturbenium, but before we met our Decanus.”

  Herod and Mered continued to discuss the events of the past few weeks. No, Nikolaos didn’t advise them to desert their post. They panicked when they saw their friends running toward the north gate, and feared Tallis would figure out they knew the men who murdered Masa and Kush. Nikolaos threatened to arrest them if they didn’t continue to help him.

  The Tetrarch turned and smiled as he directed his attention on Zamir. “Please tell me how you met, Nikolaos. I know I didn’t introduce you to my former Commander.”

  “My father introduced me to the man right after I became a man, sir.”

  “A man, you say? When did you decide to plot against me, Zamir?”

  Zamir smiled. “Nikolaos contacted me after my father passed away. He told me how he felt you didn’t respect him as a man and a soldier, and how you placed an undue burden on the people you govern, with excess taxes, and using Temple funds for personal building projects.”

  “And you believed him and in his ideas, didn’t you Zamir?”

  “Nikolaos asked me to support his cause with money and by recruiting my friends to help him in what he called his “noble” cause.”

  The longer the discussion continued between the Tetrarch and Zamir, the more animated Antipas became. His face turned red and sweat formed on his forehead, though he managed to control his temper and maintain a calm voice. After more than an hour, Herod announced, “I’ve heard enough. Guards, return them to their cells. I’ll deal with these three tomorrow.”

  Chapter 31