Of Such Is The Kingdom, A Novel of Biblical Times in 3 parts

The strange looking black and white chariot stopped once more outside the palace and the strange looking driver strode once more inside, and up the swirling staircase and straight to the door with the mixed symbols on it. Meanwhile, Herod was coming in through the back way, coming back from another rendezvous with Herodius, Philip’s wife. Manaheem tried the door and found it locked, so he knocked. It happened that Herod was just coming through the rear entrance. When he heard the knock, he walked quickly to open the door, forgetting to close the rear door behind him.

“Oh, it’s you.”

“Just getting back from somewhere?” asked Manaheem, seeing the back door open. “Perhaps another visit to the beautiful and charming Herodius?”

Herod was taken aback. “What are you talking about? I was just out for a little ride.”

“But not by yourself, I’ll wager. Come on, don’t try to deny it. I know you’ve been up to a little hanky-panky.”

“But how could you know?”

“I saw you two leave the party together the other week. Then there were those other times I’ve come here and you haven’t been here. It didn’t take long to put two and two together. Remember, I warned you that night they dropped in before your visit to Pilate?”

“Oh, alright then, it’s true,” whispered Herod, walking over and closing the back door. “But please, dear brother, not a word of this to anyone, I beg you.”

“Well dear brother, that will depend upon the amount by which you are going to raise my salary.”

“You rascal! I thought you weren’t that interested in material things.”

“That was before Claressa came back into my life. Now I realize that I must have more for both of us to survive and be happy.”

“Alright, then.” Herod started to quiver. “How much do you want?”

“Let’s say ten thousand.”

“Are you mad? Don’t answer that.”

“Well, if you like your money more than your reputation, dear brother, that’s fine. I shall start spreading the news tomorrow.”

“No! Wait! I’m sure I can come up with the money.”

“That’s more like it.”

“I’ll have to visit the royal treasury. Come back tomorrow.”

“Fine.”

But, as Manaheem was leaving, Herod began to think. The expression on his face turned from one of frustration to one of anger. As Manaheem’s hand grasped the doorknob, Herod started to yell, “No! Am I crazy?! I’ll be damned if I’m going to sell my soul to you. You want ten thousand now. Next week, or next month, or whenever, you’ll come back and demand more. No! Go ahead and tell.” Then his voice became quieter, almost to a whisper. “I’ll marry that wench, that’s what I’ll do. I love her, so I’ll marry her and have it out in the open. Th’ heck with Samantha!”

“But, you can’t do that. She’s already married, and so are you. Nobody likes a bigamist. If you marry her you will have made two bigamists! How do you think people will feel about that?”

Herod shrugged. “You’re a fine one to be talking to me about what people think – you the great non-conformist! You know, some of what you’ve been saying along that line is starting to make sense. So, I guess it’s my turn to try non-conformity, at least in this area. At any rate, rather a bigamist than a pauper! Rather a bigamist than an adulterer, even. Yes, I’ll marry her and have the whole thing out in the open, whether anyone likes it or not, and be done with the likes of you!”