Nepos: Judean Adventure

Chapter 1

W hat? You want me to take a fifteen year old boy with me on a military trip to Judea? Tarquitius asked Curtius in a loud and boisterous voice.

Flaccus Tarquitius, the old general, was over the Eastern Empire of Rome. His gray hair and the battle scar on his weather beaten face were now showing his fifty one years of service in the Roman Army. He was dressed in his military uniform except for the breastplate.

Philo Curtius, the founder of the Roman newsletter, was Tarquitius’s long time friend. He had written many articles about his military conquests. It was his writings that brought Tarquitius, to Caesar’s attention above all other generals. They were the same age and had studied together in school. Curtius had chosen Tarquitius as the leader to follow when they were young.

He was a well dressed, distinguished man dressed in a long black coat. His hair was the color of the silver trim on his coat. His posture was very straight for a man of his age. He was clean shaven with no visible facial hair except for eyebrows.

Curtius dropped his head and said, I just said that Nepos wanted to go to Judea.

The other guests that Tarquitius had invited to the dinner had left only minutes before this conversation started.

Tarquitius turned and Curtius followed as they returned to their seats at the long, edge carved wooden table with twenty chairs. The table was in the center of a large room that had white walls with purple curtains. Tarquitius sat down at the head of the table and Curtius in the chair to his right.

Curtius looked up and said, You can tell me no. Nepos will understand.

Tarquitius’ voice, still boisterous but not as loud, said, Curtius, I will be very busy with meetings on this voyage.

Curtius, with his calm demeanor, said, He loves to write as I do. You can use him as a scribe on the trip if you wish.

I don’t want anyone on this trip who can’t take orders. Tarquitius was now calming down but his voice was very stern.

He will take orders without question. You will not have any problems with him. He is adventurous and brave for his age.

Tarquitius said in a softer tone, I will take him but I will not have time to teach him. Tarquitius thought ‘What am I going to do with a fifteen year old boy?’

Curtius, surprised, said, Did you say you would take him?

Tarquitius said in a normal tone, Yes, if this is what you want and you promise me that he will be no trouble. If he is, I will send him home with the first courier that I send back to Rome.

If you do send him home, I will be surprised. If he is trouble, then send him home.

Tarquitius was thinking and talking out loud, Take a fifteen year old boy on a trip? What will his parents think?

Both of his parents are dead and I love him very much. Curtius pauses then continues, His reports that are sent back to me, I will report in the newsletter. He loves to travel, learn about different cultures and he has a self discipline that amazes me.

Tarquitius thought for a few seconds, and then he said, I have a very intelligent leader that I am grooming to take my role when I retire. He leads one of my groups of soldiers now and somehow always has time to train them. He rules with a strict and just hand. His troops love him and would die for him as he would for me. You know him and have reported on him. His name is Saul. I can put Nepos with him. I will personally review all of his reports before my courier brings them to you.

Understanding Tarquitius’s reason for putting Nepos with someone else Curtius stated, That will be great. I know Saul and he is a great choice. He then asked, How many languages does he know?

I don’t know but he seems to understand any that we encounter in just a few months, declares Tarquitius. He really studies hard to understand the people and cultures that we encounter. I am sure that your grandson will learn a lot from Saul if he applies himself.

Curtius responded, Nepos is not one that is lazy, he is eager to learn and he is a lot like Saul. This is something that he would enjoy.

There was a pause then Tarquitius stood up and said, We are leaving in two weeks. If he wants to go let me know by this Friday and I will make the arrangements.

As Curtius stood up, acknowledging that the conversation was over and it was time for him to leave, he said, I know he will want this. It will be exciting for my young grandson. Thank you again for the dinner.

As they walked toward the door that led outside to the inner garden Tarquitius stated, It was my pleasure. Thank you for coming. I always enjoy talking with you over dinner. After a short pause Tarquitius said as he reached to open the door, Have a good night and again thank you for coming.

Curtius passed through the door and outside into the garden that led to the outer gate. At the outer gate the guard looked at him without saying anything as he passed by.

Curtius’s chariot and driver were waiting on him outside the gate. Without speaking to him, Curtius stepped into the chariot for the ride home. The driver could see that he was in deep concentration so he said nothing on the way home.

When they reached the gate to Curtius’ house, the gate was opened by a guard as they approached.

When the chariot stopped at the front door of the house, the chariot driver said, Have a good night sir.

Curtius said, To you also.

As he entered through the large front door, his grandson Nepos waited for him there.

Nepos, said Curtius, Were you waiting on me?

Yes grandfather. How was your dinner with Tarquitius?

Curtius replied, It was great. We had quail from France. Remember, we had that when we were in Paris.

Yes, I remember. I was young but I still remember that trip, Nepos said, recalling his trip from seven years ago.

Curtius smiled and said, I bet you do, that was one of the first reports that you wrote on your own.

Did you ask him? questioned Nepos.

Yes I did, answered Curtius, knowing what he was asking about.

What did he say? What did he say? asked Nepos, not being able to contain his enthusiasm.

He said you could go, but… , Curtius paused.

Nepos felt excited but also let down when he heard the word but.

Curtius continued, You will have to be under the watch of Saul.

Nepos could hardly contain what was going on in his heart because Saul was a man that he admired. Saul would come by to visit Curtius and he would talk to Nepos like he was a grown man and not the child that he was. He was the one that told him about the adventure to the Land of Judea and got him wanting to go. Saul and his soldiers were charged to guard the caravan on its travel.

Can I go, please? asked Nepos of his grandfather.

Son, you know that I will hate to see you go, but I know that you have your heart set on it. You have always traveled with me and you have always been very good and respectful. I expect the same from you when you are not with me. I know you will not disappoint me, Curtius said holding back the emotions that were building inside of him.

Nepos knew that it was hard for his grandfather to let him go. He was so excited about going that he could hardly contain himself. He knew that he must maintain control of his emotions to show his grandfather that he was now a grown man and that a journalist could not get emotional about the stories. This was going to be his big chance to prove to everyone that he was ready to become a man and reporter.

Looking at his grandfather he said, It will be hard for me also. I have always traveled with you and I will miss being with you. Now I can show you what a great teacher and influence you have been on my life. I will NOT disappoint you. Nepos paused as he saw the tears begin to swell up in Curtius’ eyes, he then continued, I will take care not to get into any trouble. Smiling he said, You know that reporters sometimes stick their noses where they do not belong.

Curtius replied, That is what worries me but I know that you understand how far to go with any story and when to stop. That is the reason I can now let you go. Remember; don’t get trapped between sides on a story.

Curtius firmly stated, Follow the one that can best save you and preserve your life.

I know that Saul will always protect me, Nepos said trying to reassure Curtius.

Be loyal to the Kingdom that you serve. He was giving Nepos something to remember.

I understand, replied Nepos. Rome and Caesar will always be first and the side that I will choose first.

Curtius replied, Rome is the Great Empire now but it may not always be your best choice.

Nepos acknowledged, The country could fall to a greater nation but as for now, none is as great as the Roman Empire.

Nepos looked at his grandfather courier and said, Thank you, grandfather.

Curtius did not know if he was thanking him for the permission to go on the trip or the tidbits of wisdom that he had given him. You are welcome. I have an early interview in the morning. Do you want to go?

No sir, I think I will start preparing for my trip, if you don’t mind.

That is fine, I am going to retire. You try to get some sleep tonight, Curtius said as he turned to walk toward his bedroom.

Good night to you, grandfather, Nepos said as he turned to his room.

Saul, your presence has been requested of Tarquitius, the relayed to Saul.

Saul sitting at his desk looked up at the courier. He had his complete uniform on except for his helmet that would have covered his short brown hair. He was in his mid twenties very young for a man with that position. Saul asked, At what time?

Anytime before noon, Tarquitius has a meeting this afternoon, answered the courier.

Thank you, Saul said with a nod of his head to acknowledge the release of the conversation.

You are welcome sir. The courier then turned to walk away.

Saul got up from his desk and walked out of his small office. Standing in the hallway was Sardus, the camel trainer. He was a tall, slender built man with sandy hair. He was wearing a camel skin breastplate over his red tunic and his sandals were the same as the soldiers wore.

Sardus, do you have everything ordered that you will need for you and your camels?

Sardus looked at Saul and said, Sir, if you could, I would like to have a large box of dates for my camels’ treats.

Dates, as a treat for your camels? questioned Saul.

Yes sir. Festus, my lead camel, loves them and I reward him with dates. He will do anything for dates. Sardus paused then continued, You know that dates are in short supply now because of the freeze we had. The supply officer said I could not have any.

Saul replied, Anything else you need?

No sir, I have all the other supplies ordered I need for the trip, answered Sardus.

Saul smiled and said, I will see what I can do for you and your camels.

As Saul started walking away another person approached that he knew. It was Arvina the chief cook.

He was dressed in a white uniform with a short, white hat on his head.

Saul sir, I have a request, stated Arvina.

What is it? asked Saul.

May I have Denter as the second cook leader on this trip? asked Arvina.

Why don’t you ask Caecus if he would like to spend the next two weeks here at Rome and help complete the training of Denter? Saul knew that Caecus only had four weeks before he would retire.

I was hoping that you were going to ask me to do that because Caecus asked if you would be angry with him if he did not go with you on this trip, commented Arvina.

If I was that close to retirement I would like to take it easy my last few weeks, stated Saul. Make it happen. Denter is in charge of the second cook detail.

Saul nodded then started to walk away when Arvina said, Thank you, sir.

You are welcome, Saul said as he walked out the door and to the street.

A centurion guard that was at the bottom of the steps began to walk with Saul without talking.

Saul arrived at Tarquitius’s house within the hour. The gate guard said, Good morning, sir. The general is in the garden waiting on you.

Thank you, was Saul’s response as he passed through the gate and into the inner garden.

The centurion waited at the gate beside the gate guard.

The garden was cooled by the shade of the house. The smell of the flowers that grew along the wall had a sweet fragrance. The smell got Saul’s attention as he walked by.

Saul saw Tarquitius sitting on the bench at the end of the brick walkway. He walked toward Tarquitius and noticed that he had a smile on his face.

Saul said, Good morning, sir.

Good morning, Saul. How are the plans going for the trip?

Great, sir, answered Saul. The troops are ready and the provisions have been planned for the whole trip.

Did you get the provisions for Pontius Pilate and I for the trip? asked Tarquitius

Yes sir, and I have just received word that The ‘Palace of Thymes’ has been refurbished and is now ready. You will be proud of that accomplishment. My reports are that it is more beautiful than the library here in Rome. It is awaiting the new furniture that we are bringing from Rome.

Tarquitius said, That must be something to see. I am sure that Pilate is ready to move back into it.

Saul confessed, Sir, your favorite cook Caecus will not be going on the trip.

Is something wrong with him?

No, no sir. He is retiring in four weeks.

Who will be taking his place? Tarquitius questioned.

Denter.

This will be the chance that he has always wanted. Now he can prove himself.

Saul then states, Everything else is going as planned, sir.

I am sure that you have everything in place for the trip as you have before. Tarquitius paused then said, I have an added task for you this trip, but this is your choice, tell me if me if you are up to this challenge.

Saul’s mind began to race. ‘What else could he ask me to do this trip?’ Saul knew he was not to question the general because he would not put more on him than he thought he can handle. What is it, sir?

You know Curtius’s grandson Nepos. Curtius has asked if he could be your scribe for this trip.

Sir, I do know this young man and have spent time with him before. He is a great reporter and has a great way of expressing things. I have never had a problem with him. This, sir, is not a challenge, but it would be a pleasure to have him with me.

You seem to have a lot of confidence in someone so young.

I will send you all the reports that he sends back to his grandfather. Sir, you will soon see his writing talent, Saul said with great confidence.

If he begins to be a problem…

Before he could finish the sentence Saul said, I will send him back with the first courier to Rome.

Tarquitius wondered how he knew what to say. Had he talked to Curtius or had he trained Saul to think like himself?

Saul, have you talked to Curtius today?

No sir!

Then I would suggest that you talk to him and give him your answer.

Yes sir!

If there is anything that I can help you with please let me know.

Thank you, sir.

Tarquitius nodded to let Saul know that he was dismissed.

Saul turned to leave and thought to himself, ‘How did Nepos accomplish this? How did he talk Curtius into letting him go?’

As Saul walked through the door and walked to the outside gate he saw the same courier that he had seen earlier that day.

As he got closer, the courier turned to walk beside Saul. Sir, he began to speak, You have been requested to attend the ‘Shipping Travel Schedule Meeting’ at the Pantheon at 1:00 today.

Thank you, sir, Saul responded as he walked through the gate and turned right toward the house of Curtius.

The guard that had accompanied Saul to Tarquitius’s house stepped beside Saul without saying a word. As they walked down the street Saul asked him, Do you have children?

Yes sir. I have two boys.

How old are they?

They are seven and three, sir, he responded.

Saul did not respond to his answer. He looked down while they were walking through the dusty street.

Saul was thinking, ‘His children are not as old as Nepos. They will probably never see the things that Nepos has seen. He doesn’t make a lot of money as a soldier. They are probably more like I was growing up; I hardly ever got out of Rome until I became a Roman Solider.’

Saul then asked, Do you ever get out of the city with your family?

Yes sir, very often.

Where do you go? questioned Saul.

We have some land outside the city.

Did your family have a lot of money?

No sir, my wife and I were from very poor families, the solider said as he turned to look at Saul who had just looked up from the ground at him. My wife is a very smart and industrious woman. Last fall she saw a wheat field that was white for harvest and the owner could not hire anyone to harvest it. He sold the field to my wife for the cost of the wheat in the field. She then got some of her friends to help harvest it. We now own a field outside the city. She is a virtuous woman and the boys call her blessed. I am a very lucky man.

You are a smart man to have made such a good choice in a woman, replied Saul.

Thank you, sir.

Saul and the guard arrived at the gate at Curtius’s house. The gate guard said as he pointed at Saul, I know you. You are Saul. Sir, I am sorry but Curtius is not here.

Saul said, Sir, I am here to see the young man of the house. Nepos.

Yes sir. Right this way, sir, said the guard.

The guard who was with Saul stepped inside the gate and stopped to wait for his return.

The gate guard led Saul to the house and up the steps to the bedroom of Nepos. He knocked on the door.

Come in, came a voice that showed no concern about who may be behind the door.

The guard motioned for Saul to open the door and enter with a wave of his hand.

As Saul entered into the room Nepos looked up from his desk that faced the door and saw him.

He was dressed in a brown tunic with a leather belt and leather sandals.

Saul, he said with excitement in his voice but trying to look like calm, What brings you here to see me?

Saul smiled and knew what Nepos was doing. He was trying to act like he was more grown up than his age. Saul, with respect for his wishes, went along with him. Sir, I have come to inform you that your request for a trip to Judea has been granted by my superiors. You are requested to be at the assembly point at the ‘Dock of Tarquitius’ on the morning of April 15 at 7:00. Do you have any questions?

Nepos jumped up from his seat and ran to Saul with open arms hugging him, Thank you so much Saul.

Saul, hugging him back, replied, Nepos, I don’t know how you did this, but you did. You are now under my command.

Nepos released his grasp of Saul, stepped back one step and said, Yes sir.

Saul said, I have a list of things that all soldiers need to have for the trip. You may ignore the armor, sword and helmet. The other things on the list you need to have. Make sure you have them. If you do not have them then they will be supplied to you.

Nepos now was so excited he could hardly contain his emotions, Thank you sir.

Nepos, I will inform you now. You must ask permission for all things that you do, either from me or the guard that I assign to you. Do you understand?

Saul, will I always have a guard or you with me?

Nepos, I have come to love you very much. I don’t want anything to happen to you. Yes, you will always have someone with you. We will protect you as we do Tarquitius and Pontius Pilate on this trip, Saul said getting on a personal level with Nepos.

I understand that is your responsibility and I respect your wishes but… ,

No buts, commanded Saul, I know that your reporting will be limited and I have responsibility to review any and all correspondence that you have with Rome. Your reports will also be read by Tarquitius before they are sent.

I don’t think that is right but I do respect your wishes.

This is not my wishes but my commandment from Tarquitius, stated Saul.

Nepos nodded respectfully.

Saul said, Now that the official announcements have been made, have you any good news?

I do know that it has been stated several times by Tarquitius that he has all confidence in you and your plans and leadership of this upcoming trip. Why he added me to your burdens I do not understand.

Saul tried to answer his question in a way that was not military, I guess he wants me to see what it is like to have a child on a trip as your grandfather has done for years. This will help me to respect the great man your grandfather really is and to see how much the written word really affects people.

Nepos smiled and said, Tarquitius may be trying you as gold is tried to see if you are a pure Roman soldier.

That may be true.

I know that you can handle any situation that can arise. You are already the Roman soldier that he is training you to be, Nepos said letting Saul know that he was his hero.

I hope that you will always have the confidence in me that you have now, he was hoping he would never let him down. Saul continued, The trip to Judea will mostly be by ship and we will be visiting cities close to the sea. Syracuse in Sicilia, Corinth and Athens in Achaia, Thessalonica in Macedonia, Philippi in Thrace, Ephesus in Asia Minor, Myra in Lycia, Tarsus in Cilicia, Antioch in Syria, then Jerusalem in Judea.

That will be a great trip for me. I have never been to a lot of those places. I know I will learn a lot on this trip.

I am sure you will. Do you have any questions of me before I check the shipments?

Nepos, shaking his head, said, Not now but if I do I will send my courier to you.

That will be all right. I have to go, but I will see you Sunday. I have a meeting here with Curtius.

Nepos nodded as if to indicate that he had given him permission to leave.

Saul turned to go out the door.

Nepos said, Thanks again, Saul.

You are very welcome, Saul answered as he passed through the door.

Chapter 2

Nepos was up looking out the window as the morning light was just beginning to brighten the sky. ‘This is the morning that I begin my journey to Judea,’ Nepos was thinking as a sound came from his door behind him. Nepos turned to see Curtius standing in his open door.

Nepos, are you ready to leave me here by myself? Curtius was smiling trying not to show Nepos that he was already missing him.

Grandfather, I am torn between wanting to go to Judea and wanting to stay with you here in Rome. I have never been to a different country without being with you.

Curtius smiled and said, I know, but you know what to do and how to conduct yourself. I am so proud of you for taking this project on by yourself.

Yes, you have taught me what to do and I could be afraid, but I know Saul is with me. Nepos was confident of his training and Saul’s protection.

Be respectful of everyone you meet and they will respect you. If you do this, then you will honor the training your parents gave you before they passed away. Sometimes you will find that this is hard to do being a reporter but, if you do this, then you will live a lot longer.

Grandfather, thank you again for letting me go alone on this trip. The confidence that you have in me shows me that you now see me as a young man and not a child. This helps me with my self esteem. Nepos was trying to help his grandfather when he saw his eyes swelling up with tears.

At that time there was a knock at the door. It was the chariot driver standing in the open door. He was wearing a black uniform and a silver helmet. Sir, it is time for us to go.

Nepos gave his grandfather a hug and a kiss on the right cheek. Until I see you again, he said.

I love you. Take care.

Nepos then walked around his grandfather to the driver who was waiting on him. I am ready sir.

The driver turned to walk with Nepos to the chariot. Your things are in the chariot sir.

As they walked to the chariot Nepos said, I am going to miss you and everyone.

The driver just nodded.

Nepos now smiled and with confidence said, I am going to Judea.

Yes, I know. I was there when I was a soldier.

Did you like it there?

Those people believe that there is only one God.

I have heard that, said Nepos.

They don’t know that there are many gods. One God can’t take care of everything.

They just don’t understand do they?

There are a lot of different things that you will learn about those people, weird people.

Nepos could understand with just a few words from this driver that he only saw the negative things when he was there. Maybe it was because of the military environment he was in at the time.

Nepos and the driver stepped onto the chariot and headed to the dock where the ship awaited.

The chariot driver went straight to the ‘Dock of Tarquitius’ when they arrived at the docks.

A guard was at the boarding gate. You must be the young reporter, Nepos that I have been hearing about. Right this way sir.

Nepos reached down into the chariot to pick up his things. The driver said, Allow me sir.

Thank you.

They passed up the brass and wooden gangway to the deck. They turned right and walked a few steps to a door on the left. This, sir, will be your quarters. He opened the door and held it open for Nepos and the driver.

Nepos stepped through the door to see Saul standing beside a bed and facing him. Sir, your bed is there. Saul was trying to show those in his presence that this young man deserved their respect.

The small room had a table with a lamp on it and beds on either side of it. The small round window was translucent from the salt and dirt that had weathered it over the years.

Thank you, sir. Nepos was showing the same respect.

I will be sharing quarters with you if you do not mind, sir. This ship only has limited space for beds.

As the driver began to put Nepos’ things beside his bed, Nepos moved closer to Saul and said, Yes, that is fine with me. I will enjoy your company on this trip, sir.

Nepos looked at Saul’s bed and bags which were all in order and neat.

I have to go now to check on the arrival of Tarquitius and Pilate, Saul said as he dismissed himself.

The driver walked to the door. The guard said, Will there be anything else, sir?

No sir.

If you need anything let me know, the guard said as he closed the door.

Nepos was beginning to organize his things when he heard the sailors on the deck quickly moving to order. He went to investigate what was happening. He walked outside the door to see the arrival of Tarquitius’s black carriage with gold plated wheels. Everyone on the dock moved to make a path for his carriage. Sailors and soldiers were assembling on the deck in rows. Tarquitius stepped out of his carriage dressed in his full dress uniform. He then walked toward the boarding gate where the guard was standing. Someone on deck said, Attention.