Free Jesus Triumphant (Chronicles of the Nephilim Book 8) by Brian Godawa Page B

help. But I also know that Gestas was important to the secrecy of your plans and protection.”
    “True enough,” said Barabbas. “But where else will you go? Who else will not give you up? You are both too famous to hide in cities.”
    Demas cursed himself for the truth of Barabbas’ point. The brothers were both considered insurrectionists regardless of the facts, and they were both under the death sentence of sedition. They would never be able to return to their home. They could never have their lives back. If they tried to hide out in another city, it would only be a matter of time before they were recognized and captured.
    They had no choice. They had to join Barabbas.
    Demas protested, “We will carry our weight, but we will not kill innocents and we will not rob the rich.”
    “I like a man of principle,” said Barabbas. “But I do believe your brother can speak for himself.”
    Barabbas looked to Gestas, whose eyes darted back and forth between his brother and this powerful leader.
    “I am truly grateful for your rescue of me,” said Gestas. “I owe you my life and allegiance. But I also stand by my brother.”
    Barabbas said to them both, “I respect your steadfastness of mind, and I trust you.” He thought for a second, then concluded, “I trust you such, that I will ask you to go on a mission for me. Not as warriors, but as spies.”
    The brothers glanced at one another, wondering what they were getting into.
    “Some time ago, I sent my closest ally, a man named Simon ben Josiah, to investigate stirrings around upper Galilee. There is an itinerant rabbi they call the Nazarene, who has gained a following. The rumors are that he speaks of a messianic kingdom and the visitation of Yahweh in judgment. I sent Simon to find out if the rumors were true and if this—rabbi—is with us or against us. I never heard from Simon again. It has been months.”
    “How do you know something is wrong?” asked Gestas.
    “Simon was like a brother to me at Qumran. We left the Community together with one purpose. I owe him my life. And he owes me his.”
    Demas looked to Gestas again for agreement. They could communicate without words. “Where did you last hear of him?”
    “Capernaum. It’s where the Nazarene had lived for a time.”
    “We will find Simon for you,” said Demas. “But first, we need to bathe. We stink like excrement.” The men around laughed.
    “Indeed we do,” said Barabbas. “And if the Nazarene is for revolution, perhaps you might persuade him with your happy disposition to join our stinking party.”
    The men chuckled again and broke up to care for the camp and take their posts of watch. Gestas took some wine from a fellow bandit to quench his thirst before washing.
    Barabbas pulled Demas aside.
    “The rumor is this Nazarene shares my name, Jesus.”
    Demas nodded.
    Barabbas added, “If he is against us and Simon has changed his allegiance, I want you to kill them both.”
    Demas looked reluctantly at his new leader.
    “I am sure you can understand how serious it would be if your own brother betrayed you.”
    Demas would not answer him. What would it take to kill his own brother? What would he do if the only person he had left in all the world turned against him?
    “Do not worry, Demas, this rabbi and his followers are not rich—or innocent.”

Chapter 6
    Simon ben Josiah could not believe what he had just seen. He had been staying at Simon Peter’s home with Rabbi Jesus and his other disciples, and the Rabbi had just healed Peter’s mother of a fever, when a Roman lord arrived to thank him for healing his servant of paralysis.
    It was not the healings that he was astounded by. That was almost a daily occurrence with the Rabbi. Simon had seen epileptics calmed, fevers cooled, and even yesterday, a leper instantly cleansed. It seemed that every time they entered a new town, the Rabbi would cast out a dozen demons riled up by his presence, in addition to the dozens he would heal of