The Galilean Secret: A Novel (22 page)

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

THE FIRE SUDDENLY FELT SO HOT THAT DISMAS FEARED GETTING BURNED. He stood and moved away, allowing the other Zealots to fill their bowls, his stomach unsettled by the thought of food. Judith’s questions about Gabriel were haunting him, as was the conversation he had overheard in Nicodemus ben Gorion’s home. Dismas watched Judith fill her bowl and realized she had come at a price. He felt sympathy for Gabriel and guilt for having stolen her. Only as he studied Judith’s finely molded profile and the lines of character in her face was the guilt replaced by pride. Attaining such a lovely and spirited wife was worth any sacrifice.

Dismas only wished that there were peace. He dreamed of building a home in the country with her and the strong sons—and perhaps a daughter or two—whom she would give him. His family would prosper as he expanded his stonecutting business and passed the trade on to his sons. As Barabbas rose to speak, Dismas wondered if the dream would ever come true.

A large-chested man with legs as sturdy as pillars, Barabbas stood near the fire. Its flames silhouetted his powerful frame against the gnarled stone of the cave. His deep voice echoed off the walls: “The time of our victory is nearly at hand. Next week thousands of Jewish patriots will gather in Jerusalem. On Passover we’ll rally our people and assault the Roman army at the Antonia Fortress. Our numbers will overwhelm Pilate’s soldiers, and we’ll drive them from our city!”

At first Barabbas’ proclamation was greeted with silence. The men stared nervously at one another, knowing that their leader was asking for loyalty unto death. Finally Gestas raised a fist and shouted, “Victory to the God of Israel!” As if given the cue they needed, the rest of the Zealots let out a cry in unison, “Victory to our God!”

Although Dismas joined the shout, he had reservations about Barabbas’ plan. The Antonia Fortress stood next to the Temple and overlooked it. Pilate’s army had horses, armor and the finest swords; the Zealots’ horses were few, their swords crudely made. Their clubs and daggers would not fare well in open warfare. He worried that the Zealots would act rashly and get slaughtered. Their founder, Judas the Galilean, had met that fate nearly three decades earlier, when the Romans crushed him and his band of rebels at the time of the census.

Dismas steeled his will, stood up and cleared his throat. “Your plan is too risky, Barabbas. We should purify the Temple first. Our priority should be to assassinate Caiaphas and his corrupt Sadducee supporters. The cleansing of the Temple will inspire our people. We can’t attack the Romans until we’re sure the masses are with us.”

“And how can we carry out the cleansing?” Barabbas asked.

Every eye was focused on Dismas. “I suggest that we enter the Temple courts with our daggers hidden beneath our cloaks, so we can take our enemies by surprise.”

Gestas pointed an accusing finger at him. “I say we stick with Barabbas’ plan. A surprise attack on the Antonia is our best chance for victory.”

Another cry went up from the men. Dismas wasn’t sure if they believed in Barabbas’ plan or just wanted to support their leader. They continued to murmur among themselves: Dismas overheard several denouncing the plan. He hoped they would be brave enough to stand with him against a flawed strategy. He had to bring Barabbas to his senses before the flaw proved fatal for all of them.

J
udas Iscariot felt his stomach tighten as he rejoined the Zealots in Zedekiah’s Cave. From the rear of the group, he could observe Barabbas, Dismas and Judith, but was hidden from their view. He swallowed hard and listened to the discussion swirling around him. After two days of hiding, he knew it was time to speak but hesitated. He had only one chance to set his trap for Jesus of Nazareth—a trap that could also get him the revenge on Barabbas and Dismas that he’d longed for since the day he kissed Judith.

Judas gnawed his lip and rehearsed his speech, admiring Judith from twenty feet away. She looked older than he remembered, the brightness gone from her eyes. Her shoulder-length chestnut hair, once thick and lustrous, was tangled and dull. Anxiety clouded her pleasant features, and her complexion appeared sallow, as if she were recovering from an illness.

Yet he still found Judith attractive, her breasts full, her waist trim, her profile lovely. He admired her finely tapered fingers—the fingers that had once so skillfully changed his bandages. He had yearned for those fingers to caress the sensitive parts of his body as many women had, for her arms to receive him, and her lips to return his kisses.

The memories of her slapping his cheek and of Dismas attacking him sent the heat in his cheeks sizzling into his neck and chest. The time for revenge had come. Dismas’ proposal that the Zealots cleanse the Temple before attacking the Antonia was playing right into Judas’ hands. He grinned at his good fortune. If all went as planned, Dismas and Barabbas, not to mention Jesus of Nazareth, would be killed by the Romans.

A wave of sadness washed over Judas as he remembered the children coming to Jesus along the Sea of Galilee. The disciples had been annoyed and wanted to send them away, but Jesus hugged the little ones and said that they reminded him of the kingdom of heaven. Judas had never known a kinder man.

This man had accepted him as a disciple. This man had spent time trying to help him understand the true meaning of freedom, and had once listened late into the night as Judas told him of his boyhood in Kerioth. Yet none of that mattered now—not with the love of Mary Magdalene at stake. Judas craved her as a drowning man craves air. The mere thought of her sent him into a crazed panic, his blood hot, his tongue too dry to speak. Only if he won her love would he ever truly be free.

He drew a breath and rehearsed his speech one more time. Those who argued that attempting to cleanse the Temple was dangerous were right. He would exploit the danger for all it was worth. To do so he needed to convince the Zealots that their chances of success were greater if they coordinated their efforts with those of Jesus of Nazareth.

He had to make sure that Jesus, Dismas and Barabbas were at the Temple at the same time. And that the Roman soldiers were waiting to arrest or kill them. Judas smiled as he pictured himself stepping in and using his leadership abilities. He would become a hero to the masses. He would win concessions from Pilate, depose Herod and force Caiaphas to do his bidding. The people would herald him as Messiah. They would crown him king! He was ready to speak.

D
ismas stared into the thick darkness of Zedekiah’s Cave. The debate over his proposal was spiraling out of control, with factions forming. The tall, robust Elisha ben Jonas stood over him, glaring down. “Who are you to challenge Barabbas? He has organized the revolt and risked everything for its success. If you think you have better ideas, keep them to yourself.”

When the Zealots cheered, Dismas was sure that the majority were against him. Many of them were proclaiming that they would support Barabbas to the death. But in the midst of the clamor, a handsome, dark-haired man in back stood and asked for calm.

Dismas recognized him immediately—Judas Iscariot.

What could he possibly have to say?
The last time he saw Judas, they had fought. Dismas tightened his hands into fists as he remembered the anguish that Judas had caused him with Judith. He was ready to shout that no one should listen to Judas, but Barabbas interrupted. “Seize that man. He’s not supposed to be here.”

Judas bounded away from the group and into the large open area next to it. But Simeon of Bethany and Mattathias ben Gaddi caught him and held him by the arms. They restrained him as Barabbas approached. Dismas moved close, eager to see Judas punished.

“You’re supposed to be at Mount Arbel making weapons,” Barabbas said. “Who gave you permission to come to Jerusalem?”

Judas struggled to break free. “I don’t need permission to work for the success of the revolt, and my work has paid off. If these men will let me go, I’ll tell you how.”

Dismas stepped closer to the two men standing nose to nose.

“Why should I not order them to throw you into the hands of the Romans?” Barabbas grabbed the front of Judas’ neck. “They’ll let you go if you promise not to run. If you break the promise, the punishment will be severe.”

Judas squirmed and grimaced, but Dismas felt no sympathy for him.

“I have . . . no reason . . . to run,” Judas said, choking. “I came here . . . to do business.”

Barabbas let him go and nodded at Simeon and Mattathias. They released him.

Judas reached inside his tunic and withdrew a leather moneybag. He held it up and said, “I’ve been making weapons, but I’ve also been making money for our cause.” He loosened the drawstring of the bag, withdrew a handful of coins and gave them to Barabbas. “Now do you believe that I’m sincere and can be trusted?”

The question echoed off the walls of the cave and rang in Dismas’ ears. When the Zealots saw the money, they surrounded Judas.

“What do you want from us?” Dismas asked, expecting Judas to denounce his suggestion that they cleanse the Temple before attacking the Antonia.

Instead Judas threw out his chest and said, “I have heard both plans, and I agree with Dismas. The Romans have superiority over us. If we’re going to win, we must have God on our side. The only way to ensure God’s blessing is to restore the purity of the Temple.”

Dismas drew back in surprise. Judas Iscariot was the last man he expected to support him. Dismas wiped sweat from his forehead, suspicious of Judas’ motives, and pondered how to respond. He would rather that Barabbas had beaten Judas for leaving Mount Arbel. But Dismas needed all the support he could get. Unless the Temple was cleansed before the uprising began, they could all die. “Let’s hear Judas out,” he said.

Judith grabbed Dismas’ arm and pulled him back. “No! This man cannot be trusted.”

Barabbas held up a hand and pressed a finger to his lips. “You’re not in charge here. I am. And I give Judas permission to speak.”

Dismas held Judith as Judas put the moneybag inside his tunic. Then Judas said, “I’ve met the rabbi called Jesus of Nazareth. Large crowds flock to hear him, and I know he too plans to cleanse the Temple. I propose that we use him and his popularity to our advantage. If we strike the Temple when he does, he’ll look like a Zealot. The crowds that revere him will help with the cleansing and then join our revolt. We need the support of Jesus and his followers in order for the revolt to succeed.” Judas surveyed the assembly with a determined stare. “The Nazarene is now on his way to the city. He plans to arrive on the Sunday before Passover. As soon as I learn when he will cleanse the Temple, I’ll get word to you and you can join him.”

Dismas noticed the lanky, fiery-eyed Mattathias ben Gaddi whispering to Simeon of Bethany and Mishael the Just, both oversized men respected as fighters. Mattathias stepped forward to speak. “We think Dismas and Judas are right. Purifying the Temple must be our priority. Unless we rid the holy site of pagan influence, how can we expect God to give us victory over the Romans? Why not use this Jesus of Nazareth to our advantage? We share a common goal and his followers will swell our ranks. If this plan will ever work, it has to be at Passover. We will fight for our God and he will protect us in battle.”

Dismas was thankful to hear this support, but he was aghast when Judith broke free and said, “I beg you all to listen to me. Judas Iscariot is a liar and a fraud. Cleanse the Temple if you must, but don’t make any deals with this treacherous man.”

Dismas shot Judith a disapproving glance, but she looked away as Barabbas waved a dismissive hand, returned to the fire and sat down. He motioned for the others to join him. “Let me consider Judas’ proposal.” Barabbas crossed his arms on his chest. An eerie quiet settled over the cave; Dismas heard only the faint gurgling of an underground spring in the distance. He squeezed Judith’s hand, but she pulled away and tucked the jewelry box under her arm as if protecting it with her life. Struck by how lovely she appeared against the backdrop of the severe rock formations, Dismas feared he was losing her. He needed to make the cleansing of the Temple succeed. If she saw him as strong and successful, she would realize how much she needed him.

Finally Barabbas rose and spoke thoughtfully. “I have decided with Dismas and Judas and Mattathias: We do need God’s blessing to defeat the Romans. We will coordinate our efforts with those of Jesus of Nazareth. Judas can inform us when Jesus will be at the Temple; then we’ll join the Nazarene in driving out the moneychangers. We will also kill Caiaphas and his supporters before we rally the people and attack the Antonia Fortress.”

The group listened in reverent silence as Barabbas’ fervor built. “For his corruption Caiaphas must die, and Pilate must suffer for bringing idolatrous shields into our city. He will never again steal money from the Temple to build his aqueducts. Never again will we pay Roman taxes or tolerate Roman meddling in our religion. By the blood of Judas the Galilean, we will not fail. May God’s vengeance flow through us to defeat our enemies!”

As Barabbas spoke, the Zealots roared their approval. They chanted Barabbas’ name and hugged one another jubilantly, raising their swords and daggers and cursing Caiaphas and the Roman blasphemers. Dismas joined in, his heart racing excitedly, his voice strained from shouting. But when he turned toward Judith, he saw only disgust on her face.