2
You lead your men in a two-rank wall, six ahead, six behind. After a few minutes' brisk march through stone and shrubbery you sight your quarry. A small group-you count only four. The one familiar face belongs to an older man, bearing dignity and wisdom, but he can hardly be the vicious mob boss you came to capture. No, you decide it must be the wiry youngster with a sword through his belt. He carries himself with the pride of a leader. You give the signal for the men to prepare for battle. Suddenly the Shrew is no longer by your side. He has rushed toward the rebels. Suddenly you wonder whom he will betray. Is this a trap? Go to 3 Or is it safe to strike? Go to 7

3
You cannot risk life or squadron. Brusquely you turn away, but one of the Sanhedrin hisses into your ear "Don't trust that man. Trust our money, and wait for the kiss."
Go to 7

4
Your mission completed, you are free to march away. One of the priests tosses a handful of denarii toward you, but you ignore them. This should have been a simple mission, but you stand bewildered. Seeking answers you follow Jesus down his Death Road, through the courts of Ciaphas, Herod and the Governor Pilate. You watch helpless as Marcus nails the teacher to a cross, watch him suffer and die. You feel the power in his voice even as he cries out, "It is finished." You know that this man was not merely a prophet. He was the Son of God! He could have changed the world.

5
You shake the madness from your hazy head. Suddenly you see the proud renegade lunging toward the priest. You seize him before he can do more than mar the ear of a slave. Then Jesus actually heals the ear: heals the ear of a slave of his enemy! You are surer than ever that this man is a prophet. You march ahead of your group down the Hill.
Go to 4

6
Your mission, a simple in/out job, is to lead an arrest party. The target is a small band of renegades, disloyal to both the Jews and the mighty Senatus Populusque Romanus you represent. He only has a small band of followers, but has the cheek to call himself King even over Caesar. You pick out twelve of your trustiest troops, readying them for combat. Just a precaution, but it always pays to be prepared. You march behind the priestly entourage, who have picked up their guide. He is a shifty-eyed shrew of a man whom you detest with all your military honour. Yet you follow him eastward toward the mountains.
Go to 2

7
The Shrew slips up to the elder, takes his head in those twitchy little fingers of his, and kisses him on the forehead. You surge forward, swords glinting in the darting light of the torches. Your band breaks to the left and right, hemming all pathways into the forest. You stand sturdy beside the priest who slowly approaches the victim. At that moment you realize where you have seen this man before. He is Jesus, the wandering preacher, Rabbi, wonder worker, and all-accepting friend. Surely he cannot do anything wrong! He is a good man! Will you turn from your people for this one wanderer? Go to 8 Or stand loyal to Rome? Go to 5

8
You lunge sideways, trying to disembowel the leading priest before he can commit this heinous deed. Suddenly an Angelic guard appears in front of you, wielding swords that make yours look like a twig. One grabs you, whispering in your ear to let God work it out. You obviously miss some action. The next thing you know Jesus is healing the bloodied ear of a slave of his enemy. You are surer than ever that this man is a prophet. Dimly you follow your band down the mountain.
Go to 4

9
Ignoring the glares of the silver-bearded fools, you march briskly out of the hall with the dignity of a Roman centurion. Centurion Marcus takes your place, and you turn your attention to a rebellion in the North. Until you die for the Empire, you never stop wondering what that Job was all about. There had been such an imperative in that Jew's eye…

PREVIOUS ENTRY | NEXT ENTRY
SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY FOR THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE