Free The Brotherhood Of The Holy Shroud by Julia Navarro Page B

was learning to be a scribe. Josar was teaching him, and so they spent much time together. The boy was also taking lessons from the philosopher Marcius, from whom he was learning Greek, Latin, mathematics, rhetoric, and philosophy.
    'A caravan is arriving, and a merchant has sent a message to the palace asking for you. He says that among the travelers is a man called Thaddeus, a friend of Jesus, and he is bringing you news of Thomas."
    Josar smiled with happiness as he rose from the bed, and he questioned Izaz as he hurried to make his ablutions.
    'Are you certain that Thaddeus has arrived in Edessa? You have not confused the message?"
    "The queen has sent me to find you; it was she who told me what to say to you."
    "Oh, Izaz! I cannot believe that such happiness is possible. Thaddeus was one of the followers of Jesus. And Thomas… Thomas was one of those the Savior trusted most, one of the closest disciples of the twelve. Thaddeus will bring news of Jerusalem, of Peter, of John…"
    Josar dressed himself quickly, so that he might come soon to the place where the caravans rested after their long journeys. He would take Izaz with him so that his young nephew might meet the disciple.
    They rushed out of the modest house in which Josar lived. Since his return from Jerusalem, Josar had sold his belongings, his comfortable house and all its furnishings, and given the money to the poor of the city. He had found shelter in this small and humble dwelling, which contained all that he owned and needed: a bed, a table, stools, and parchments-dozens of rolls of parchment that he was reading and others that he used for his own writings.
    Josar and Izaz hurried through the streets of Edessa until they came to the outskirts of the city, where they found the place of the caravans. At that early hour of the morning, merchants were preparing their goods for their entry into the city, while a swarm of slaves rushed about, feeding and watering the animals, tightening the ropes on bales of merchandise, blowing on the cooking fires.
    "Josar!"
    The deep voice of the leader of the king's guard stopped Josar in his tracks. He turned to find Marvuz with a group of soldiers.
    "The king has sent me to escort you to the palace with this Thaddeus who has come from Jerusalem."
    "Thank you, Marvuz. Wait here while I find him, and we will go with you to the palace."
    "I have asked, and the tent belonging to the merchant he accompanies is that large one there, the one as gray as a storm. I was on my way to it."
    "Wait, Marvuz, wait, let me greet my friend alone."
    The guard gestured to his men, and they stood back while Josar made his way to the merchant's tent. Izaz followed two steps behind him, knowing the emotion his uncle felt at once more meeting this disciple of the Savior. Josar had spoken to him of these men many times-John, the master's favorite; Peter, whom Jesus trusted though he had been denied by him; Mark and Luke; Matthew and Thomas; and so many others, whose names Izaz hardly remembered.
    Josar was trembling as he approached the entrance of the tent, from which at that moment emerged a tall man with open, amiable features, dressed as the rich merchants of Jerusalem were wont to dress.
    "You are Josar?"
    "I am."
    "Enter. Thaddeus is awaiting you."
    Josar entered the tent and there, sitting on a cushion on the ground, was Thaddeus, writing on a parchment.
    The eyes of the two men met and both smiled broadly, happy to find each other again. Thaddeus stood up and embraced Josar.
    "My friend, I am glad to see you," he said.
    "I never imagined that I would see you again. I am filled with joy-how often I remember you all! Thinking of you makes me feel close to the master."
    "He loved you, Josar, and trusted in you. He knew that your heart was filled with goodness and that you would spread his word wheresoever you might go, wheresoever you might be."
    "And so I have, Thaddeus, so I have, though always fearing that I am not able to speak as I should