Chapter 24

Simon felt now that he was expected to acknowledge the presence of his incredible guest.

‘That’s quite a turn-out you have there, my son,’ he found himself saying.

‘It befits my errand,’ said the courier. ‘I come on business for my King.’

‘Say on, then, friend,’ said Simon, ‘if this business concerns me.’

‘I bear a summons to you, Simon. Early in the morning you will send your caravan home. You are not going home. You are required to be in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost.’

Simon was instantly stirred to anger.

‘I’ll not go!’ he growled. ‘I’ve seen quite enough of Jerusalem! I do not know by what authority you command me, but I tell you I shall not go! Not even if the Emperor summoned me!’

The courier smiled and shrugged indifferently.

‘You’re not being summoned by a mere Emperor, Simon. You might defy Caesar: you might hide from him. But you will obey my Master. He wants you in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost—and you will be there!’

‘And who is your Master?’ demanded Simon.

‘You know him,’ said the youth. ‘You carried his cross.’

‘But he is dead! I saw him die!’

‘True; he was dead. But he came alive again!’

‘Nonsense! This is only a dream!’

‘It is not a dream, Simon.’

‘Give me a token, then—some sign that shall remain when I awake.’

The young courier obligingly thrust his hand into his tunic and brought forth a long, rough, blood-rusted nail and laid it into Simon’s open hand.