out of molehills are mountains made

8/8/2019 out of molehills are mountains made

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out of molehills

are mountains made

by

Anne Honeymouse


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Year 23

Augustan Era


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Province of Galilee

Country of Palestine

Empire of Rome


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About the ides of November

It was three hours past midnight. The land thereaboutswas sparsely populated. A good time and place for asecret meeting. At the edge of the desert, the land wasmainly flat. Well lit by a full moon. Almost impossible for anenemy to attack from ambush.The caravan from Parthia had more guards than usual

and their lord had provided the best of his men. Heconsidered the errand important and the chances of failurehad been eliminated as much as possible.

They had taken the wrong route on purpose. Deliberatelymissing the last oasis by many miles. They were short onwater, what better reason to be travelling by night. Moreimportantly, they were able to approach the village fromthe north.The leading guards had stopped on the crest of a gentle

rise, waiting for the master merchant. In the distance acluster of buildings lay at the foot of a small hill. Only from

this direction could he see the signal fire, lit deep inside acave on this shadowed side of the hill. From where hewatched it looked like a new star hanging above thevillage. The merchant waved the caravan on No Romansin the area.As they got nearer, Jewish rebels, dressed as

shepherds, abandoned their sleeping flocks and keptpace, guiding them to the inns stable. The rebel leader

Seth waited inside with his commanders. Whilst the rest ofhis men replenished their dry waterskins, the merchantand his bodyguards entered leading an ass that bore twoclay pots.He patted the load. The gold is hidden inside the jars

filled with incense. Our great kings contribution to thestruggle to free your country from the Romans. It amuseshim that their own coins will pay for the uprising. Palestine


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Year 15

Tiberian Era


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Province of Galilee


Empire of Rome


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About the ides of January

Onus was slowly wandering the streets of Nazareth. Thesun was past midday. His father was expecting him tohelp with the carpentry. He was already late.Passing through the Square of Wells he heard running

footsteps behind him. On turning, a young woman rushedinto him and fell to the ground. He gazed upon her slimbody lustily. Her face was pretty, but her eyes crossed.Perhaps she had seen two of him and dodged the falseone.A mob ran from an alley beyond her, then slowed their

approach. A voice called out Stand aside. Onus lookedup. The men were clutching stones.What is her crime? he asked.The same voice answered She is a prostitute.Onus looked the crowd over, recognising most faces. He

called to the eldest Joshua, even married I have seen youin the brothels. Then the youngest. And Samuel, surelyyour balls have dropped and cock risen many times by

now. Whose faces turned red. The group eyed each othernervously, wondering who would next be taunted.Onus saw they were faltering. Let he who is virgin cast

the first stone, he offered. Grumbling amongstthemselves, they each and every turned away. Onusagain looked at the woman. Her eyes were wide, adoring.How easily are all fools swayed, he thought.The woman spoke for the first time. Master, how can I

thank you?Ive nothing planned for the afternoon, and no money,

but you do owe me one, he suggested.Come, she said, rising and taking his arm. I have a

room in the Persian quarter. On Mazda Lane.* *

Onus arrived home after suppertime. The table wasempty. His mother hadnt prepared a meal for him. His

father was in a foul temper. If you dont work, you dont


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eat, he shouted. Onus stood there sullenly. He acceptedthe scolding. They were happening more frequently thosedays.Seth stared at his son without seeing him. His wifes son

really. He was certain he himself was not the father. Eversince he was born he had been a disappointment in somany ways. Grabbing a blanket, Seth headed for the door.Im going in the wilderness to pray, he told his wife.Onus watched his father leave. Every month or so he

said he was spending the night under the stars. Notalways after they had rowed. Onus knew his father waskeeping a secret. In the mornings, on his fathers return,

Onus could smell stale perfume on his clothes. He wasseeing another woman. Angry now, he decided to followhis father and confront him wherever he met his mistress.He left the house at a run, before his father was lost tosight.

* *Onus had been on the trail nearly two hours. His father

really had gone into the wilderness. Onus wondered why

he was travelling so far. No one lived out there. The sunhad set and the last light was fading. Soon it would bedark as pitch. He could trip and break a leg. He shivered.The wind was getting up and it was the coldest time of theyear. He was hopelessly lost, but would not call to hisfather for help. As he walked into a shallow dip, hedecided to sleep there. The wind passed over him whenhe lay down. Cursing his father to hell, he drew his robes

tight and closed his eyes.* *

Onus blinked. The sun had risen above the edge of thedip and shone in his eyes. He stood and looked around.No one else in sight. His father would have risen with thedawn and be home by now. As he emptied his bladder,watched a vulture fly overhead and land on a on a pile ofboulders. Their shape seemed familiar. Memory stirred.


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He had been here once before, as a small child. He hadplayed as his father dug a hole.His curiosity was aroused. He walked towards the rocks,

searching the ground. He was looking for a large flatstone, surrounded by damp earth. He remembered thatday long ago, copying his father, pissing on ground wherehe didnt want plants to grow.Within minutes he had found it. The sun not yet strong

enough to dry the soil. On the surface much likethousands of other slabs. No reason why anyone wouldattempt to move if they didnt know something lay below.He raised it a handspan then slid it over. Uncovered was a

wood lined hole. It contained a polished cedarwood box.Onus recognised his fathers hand.He kneeled and hefted the box. It was heavy and he

heard the clink of metal on metal, moving inside it.Opening the box, he was assailed by a strong waft ofincense, just like the smell on his fathers clothes. As heblinked away tears, the sun was reflected back at him.The box held gold. Over three hundred coins stamped

with the head of a roman emperor.He filled his purse, and then re-buried the hoard. He

carried it over a mile from its previous resting place. Hedidnt want his father finding it. He was feeling thirsty,hungry and overwhelmed. He set off sunwards, knowingthat if he kept moving east he would reach water. Now hecould also buy food. And he needed time to think.

* *

Onus was sitting by the River Jordan, slaking his thirst.Further along, on the opposite bank, was an inn. In front ofit, a man was belly deep in calm water, having a rant. Ahundred paces more and white water was breaking noisilyover rocks as the river sought lower ground.Behind the inn, a man and his guards had ridden up. As

his men tended the horses he walked round the building tothe rivers edge. You are the Baptist, he stated rather

than asked and waded out to join him.


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The Baptist had not seen or heard the guards andassumed the man to be on his own. After exchanging afew words he pushed the mans head under water. Drew aknife strapped to his leg. Stabbed the man through theheart and cut his purse strings. Well practised moves. Hepushed the corpse into the current to be borne away overthe rapids. How many times do I have to tell you people?he roared. Take a breath beforeyou go under.He started towards dry land, to check in private, his

gains. The guards had rounded the inn. Their captainsent a man to the floating body. Who signalled a fingeracross his throat. Take him, said the captain, pointing at

the Baptist. Let him explain the death to Herod.Onus had been engrossed. Unaware that someone had

joined him. He was startled by a voice close by. This landis full of thieves, it said with a heavy accent. A man ofmeans should keep only bronze in his coin pouch andhide his real wealth elsewhere about his body.Onus turned and saw an oldish man with torn robes

patting at a swollen eye with a wet rag. I myself learned

that lesson the hard way this last night, he continued.Still, the robbers left me a few items I can trade and Ihave friends in Jerusalem.Looking at Onuss threadbare clothing and knife at his

waist, he realised he may still be in danger. Forgive me,the bang on my head has made me forget my manners. Iam insulting you and your countrymen. He apologised. Iam Matthaeus of Greece.

I am Onus of Galilee was the reply. How do you cometo be so far from your own country?My old bones dont like the cold and your country is mild

in the winter, replied the Greek. Far to the north itbecomes so cold that a river like this will freeze so thick itwill bear a mans weight and he can cross from bank tobank.Walking on water, considered Onus. It sounds

wondrous.


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About the kalends of March

Standing on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, Onus waswaiting for the fishing boats to return with the afternooncatch. He was stroking the fine wool of his new robe. Hehad spent almost six weeks with Matthaeus. The Greekhad continued south, on to Jerusalem. Onus had turnednorth. He needed to keep his fortune safe and he hadheard of a bull of a man who could break stone with hisbare hands. Who was at that moment afloat.Onus was recalling a lesson he had from Matthaeus. His

sponsorship of the traveller had borne much knowledge.

Religion is the greatest power in the world. Greater thanmoney, faith can make men overcome fear of death. Tobe a priest is to hold power, over even kings. There aremany tales in my own country of how the gods wouldseduce women and have children by them. Such asHeracles who became a great hero loved by all. So toanswer your original question of who would men mostfollow? The human offspring of that which is divine.

The Romans had named Onuss mother Mare becausethey all rode her. But mare was also their word for sea.He sat, lost in thought. Gazing at the horizon where theheavens caressed the waves. Contemplating howcoincidence and deceit may combine to create abelievable untruth.

* *As the sun was setting flocks of gulls in the distance

came nearer. Beneath them specks grew into boats andbeached. Catches were unloaded by firelight and Onusapproached.I seek The Rock he called.Why, stranger? came a hoarse voice.Im making a journey to Jerusalem. I have need of

bodyguards.A few lifted their heads with interest as a huge shape

appeared from the lee of a boat nearby and came close.


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Onus was well pleased. The giant would terrify mostpeople.What is your true name?It depends on who is looking for me, but I was born

Peter.Onus considered this. He would need to come up with a

more worthy name for himself. Matthaeus had explainedthe meaning his father had endowed him at birth.Well need a dozen men. Rouse me at the inn at

daybreak.


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Province of Judaea


Empire of Rome


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About the nones of April

It took five weeks to come within sight of Jerusalem. Atfirst, Onus using every opportunity to practice his streetmagic and offer his opinions to any, often slow-witted, whowould attend. He seemed to crave acceptance from all butwas generally ignored by the prosperous and the learned,who gave him little credence. Peter became his closecompanion, often confiding in him his thoughts and usinghim in demonstrations.Somewhere along that road, teaching begat preaching.

Onus had found that no one listened better than those

with empty bellies and purses. Or those mangled andmaimed by illness and injury. Simple promises of fulltables and whole bodies in the afterlife left them rapt withhope in his wake. At least for a couple of days, until thepressure of their dismal lives returned their attention tomisery.Approaching Jerusalem, he decided to announce his

coming by being free with the vast majority of the people.

The poor and starving. Even in Rome, the centre ofcivilisation, the mob of hungry citizens was held in checkby the handing out of grain.He turned to Peter. Let it be told. There is free food this

afternoon on the slopes of the Mount of Olives. Send themen out with a cart. To buy five loads of bread and two offish.Before doling out the food he would let them know who

was their benefactor. A small seed of goodwill he hopedwould bear fruit in later days.

* *Hours later a crowd of thousands had gathered. Onus

gazed down upon the throng. Behold Peter, he shouted.A shy man, pious and devout. Who stepped forward.A small tree trunk had been placed across two bouldersbefore him. He drew his gladius, a sword favoured by the


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Roman army. With half a dozen powerful strokes hecleaved the wood in pieces.When he is filled with the power granted by heaven, the

weapons of our enemies cannot harm him. Peter held thehandle and tip and slowly bent them round until they met.The crowd cheered and Peter threw the now uselesssword at the feet of the nearest onlookers to test andvouch the strength of the metal.Now we shall pray, continued Onus. Then we shall eat.

The multitude roared even louder.* *

That evening, passing into Jerusalem Onus added up his

costs. He was running short of funds. He rented rooms forhimself and his men at the first inn that could take themall.

* *The next morning Onus was in the temple precinct. Peter

was waiting at the entrance. Onus sat at the table of amoneylender. The man was about to make an offer, ornot. He held a coin Onus had produced up to the light,

weighed it on a scale. His greedy eyes shining withavarice, he reluctantly returned it.The gold aureus of Augustus. A very worthy coin. And

you say you have many more in your distant fastness.The good points concluded the lender listed the negatives.But you have no property or assets in Jerusalem. Areunknown to the noble houses and merchants and have noletters of introduction.

This was the third time Onus had heard all this. Hisanger rising, he made ready to leave.The moneylender had not yet finished his observations.

Word from the road is that you are generous, an almsgiver. Also a cheap trickster. Perhaps you would make mymoney disappear, with no intention of repayment?Parasite. Raged Onus tipping over the table and

scattering the apparatus. He ran out kicking at the other

two he had visited.


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* *Onus brooded for the rest of the day. At the evening

meal he spoke to his men. This is the last supper we willshare in Jerusalem. In the morning we will start back forGalilee.Most were already into the wine, uncaring. They just did

whatever Peter ordered, day to day.One of their number was more alert. He would drink little

that night, he had an early errand. He felt little loyalty tothe group, always having been regarded as an outsider,though he had been with them from the beginning. Born inJerusalem, his family had moved north when he was still

suckling. His parents had been killed before he knew hisname. As he came from Judaea, the Galileeans simplycalled him Jud. Lucky to survive, he grew up in no waygrateful to his adopted countrymen.Onus was drinking heavily, cursing his stupidity in not

transporting his full wealth. He would return and sethimself up in this city. There were many poor folk here.Easy converts to his thinking. He had learned enough of

how they responded to his coaxing. His teachings wouldsweep like a fire through the populace. He just needed theinitial authority riches brought.

* *An hour before dawn, whilst the others were asleep, Jud

slipped from the inn.* *

Mid morning. The men were sat at tables outside the inn,

waiting to leave. Peter went back inside. He opened thedoor to a room and found Onus stuffing the last of his goldup his arse to keep it safe.Outside, four armed soldiers, accompanied by priests

and led by Jud approached the inn. With no one to instructthem, and their strongest fighter absent, the men fled.Jud spoke to the chief priest, He was not among them.

He must still be inside, with his bodyguard.


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Just then, Onus and Peter stepped out of the inn. Arresthim, commanded the priest. He passed a heavy purse toJud. Who moved on.Onus stood rooted to the spot in shock. Peter, used to

combat, immediately drew his sword and circled thesoldiers to split their forces. Two went and grabbed Onus,the others crossed swords with Peter. Who raised hisweapon for a mighty overhead blow at the nearest foe. Itwas blocked by the iron rim of his shield. But Peters bladebroke off and hit the legionary on the head, cutting his ear.Constant bending had weakened the metal.With a scream he dropped the handle. Turning he picked

up a table and threw it knocking aside the two soldiers.Freedom beckoned and he ran to it.Leave him, ordered the priest, nodding in the direction

of Peters flight. We have the one we want.Onus was taken to the prison next to the magistrates

offices. With little resources to waste on criminals, it wasmerely a high walled yard. Whilst guards stood in theshade, Onus and others sat in the full glare of the sun. He

crawled over to a thorny bush. He tore off a few branchesand wove them in his hair in a vain attempt to block theheat and bright light.

* *Peter had caught up with Jud. Backed him beneath a

tree down a dead end alley.Why did you betray our master? asked Peter, his hand

twisting Juds scarf so he could not cry out.

The dice have not been kind to me and I am indebted,he gasped. Look, they gave me reward.Peter opened the purse. It is but silver.30 pieces. I will share, offered Jud.Fool, Peters breath was sour in Juds face. We were

nigh on returning to the seat of his wealth. The simpletontrusted me like no other. Once he revealed his gold, Iwould have robbed him of it.


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Was their religion so weak that they feared the rantings ofone who had seen a mirage in a desert? His was thepower of Rome but the priests held the populace in a tightgrip. He had to give care to their gripes. They could makelife difficult for the occupying forces in a dozen ways.He made his decision. This was a wildman from the north.The example he would make of him would appease thepriesthood but have little other consequence.He addressed the expectant faces. At his arrest, alegionary was injured. The law is clear. Ignoring thepriests complaints. Harming a Roman citizen or soldier ofthe emperor is punishable by death. I judge him guilty.

Take him to the place of execution, that all may view hisperfidy and see that, be they beggar or king, the justice ofCaesar upholds and enfolds all.In the crowd, Matthaeus turned to a companion. I fear

my student has taken my lessons far too seriously. Seewhat little amends you can make.As the magistrate was readying to leave, his work for the

day completed, a man approached and bowed.

Greetings. I am Seth of Aram. Although unknown to me, Ihear by his speech that the condemned is a native of myown region. I would request the body for customary burial.He held out a bag of coins.Granted. Said the magistrate, passing the bribe to his

secretary.* *

Early morning on the Sabbath. A thin mist was hanging

over the stream. There was a faint blur of brightness inwhat Peter assumed was the east. True dawn was lessthan an hour away. Few would be out at that time on thatday.He had spent two days in hiding, cutting his hair and

beard although his sheer size made disguise difficult. Theprevious night he had discovered where the body of Onushad been laid. He was headed there now. Clinging to a


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log, floating down a stream. He was searching for an areaof bank where the reeds had been cut away.Spotting his destination, he kicked and steered towards

the gap. He landed the log and stood from the water.Peter shivered, a slight breeze was blowing and his tunicwas cold against his skin. The mist would soon be goneso he moved quickly through the garden.He found the sepulchre, closed off by a huge stone. The

massive door would defy three men, but so would he,thought Peter grimly. Straining his mighty muscles, hefinally rolled the stone back into its original grooves.He dragged the body out of the building, ripping the

shroud away from the head. It was his former master. Hethrew the corpse over his shoulder. He would take it to thestream. He now only had a filleting knife and did not wantto risk being caught in a room with only one way out,almost weaponless.A few strides from the bank he stepped on something

hard. Whoever cut the reeds had left a sickle blade. Muchbetter for butchery. He dropped the body and hacked at

the flesh at the back. The blade hit on metal and Peterdug his fingers in the bowels. He cleaned the coins on hisclothes and dropped them in his pouch.He pushed the body down under thick mud where the

soil had been churned collecting water. He then cut somereeds to lay over the blood and guts on the ground. A manwith a violent past, Peter was well versed in the ways ofconcealing the demise of his victims.

As he was on his knees spreading the reeds about, avoice came from behind him. You there.Looking back, Peter saw a legionary, sword drawn, a

veteran taking no chances. What are you doing?Peter slowly got to his feet. The sickle was out of reach.

Just gardening, sir.The soldier moved a step closer, taking more interest.

Are you not a companion of the false messiah lately

crucified?


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No sir, I have no time for such things. I have to get thereeds to the basket makers.The soldiers eyes travelled over Peter. Whose hands

were soiled. The forearms bore scars but more likely fromropes or nets, not blades. Curse these bearded Jews, hethought, they all looked the same. The mans tunic wascovered in blood and shit stains, probably from birthing alamb. Maybe even sired it, he thought with a grin.Then the breeze blew from the stream and the mans

stench hit him. He could think of no reason why arenegade would be here, doing this. Then be about yourbusiness. The soldier managed and rushed away,

seeking fresh air.Peter waited until the footsteps had died away. He

waded into the stream, finding the log and letting thecurrent take him.As its leading edge cut the horizon, a cock crowed

greeting to the resurrected sun.


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City of Athens

Country of Greece

Empire of Rome


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About the kalends of August

Matthaeus sat back with a satisfied burp. He had justfinished a meal in his favourite inn. He was glad to beback, feeling secure at last, in his home city.Those last wanderings abroad had been the most

dangerous he had known. He had three great loves, wine,stories and journeying, but he knew the time had come. Infuture winters he would don an extra robe and exchangethe pack for the pen.A well dressed young man who had been watching him

eat picked up a jug and two cups and approached.

Greetings, I am Marcus Lucretius, scholar and scribe ofRome. I am seeking amusing tales of the East to entertainthe patrician families. The innkeeper informs me you arelately returned from Syria?Greetings, I am Mattaeus, scholar and scribe of Athens.

Sit and let us share the flask, came the reply. You can bethe first westerner to hear the true story of the lunatic fromthe frontier provinces who became a god for a day.

* *Later, in his room, Lucretius decided to make notes of

the more hilarious parts of the saga before the wine hadits way with his memory.Whilst he himself was grateful for the Greeks mainly

factual telling, the Romans were a more demandingaudience, appreciative of wild exaggeration and doublemeanings. A warrior race, they hated a sad fate, even for

their enemies. The ending would have to be something farmore glorious.He opened his satchel, took out a wax tablet and stylus

and started The mad messiah of Judaea.But no. Whilst the unravelling of the comedy would be

unsubtle, paradoxically the title should give no clue to theplot. He smoothed the writing surface with his fingers, theweather was hot and the wax pliable.


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He thought a moment, decided on simplicity and headedthis work The Jew Zeus of Nazareth.


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Principal Characters

Onus - the Jew Zeus

his mother - the Mare

his mothers husband - the Jew Seth

his lover - the Mare of Mazda Lane

his bodyguard - Peter, the Rock

his betrayer - Jud

his biographers - Matthaeus, Marcus Lucretius


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out of molehills are mountains made

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