Read Online The Last Temple by Sigmund Brouwer, Hank Hanegraaff - Free Book Online

to Rome through him. The Herodians have become experts at it over the generations. It’s how we keep our power. But it’s become more than that. At least to me. And I want to believe it’s the same for him. He sent me ahead from Alexandria by ship. As you might know, he was in Alexandria with the Fifteenth Legion and has begun to march to Judea to meet Vespasian at Ptolemais. But I doubt that is news to you.”
    “I’ve been here for months, posing as a slave on behalf of my brother, Damian. I’ve heard all the rumors.”
    “Did you intend to meet him as he passed by this city with his legion?”
    “No. It would have put him in danger from Nero. If Titus knew I was alive, he would have been obligated to report it to Nero.”
    “He wouldn’t tell Nero.”
    “I know,” Vitas said. “So by visiting him, I would have made him guilty of treason to the emperor. I would not do that to him. He is too much of a friend. Now, I’m surprised to learn he is aware I did not die in the arena.”
    She arched an eyebrow.
    Vitas obliged with an explanation. “Titus would not have insulted my final moments in the arena if he believed I had been slain.”
    “Yes,” Bernice said, “Titus knows you are alive. It was no accident that I found you on the cross. Titus told me to look for you and your brother. When I arrived, I asked for Damian, only to discover he had sold his slaves to Helva and gone to Jerusalem.”
    “How did Titus know I was alive?”
    If Titus had not learned about Vitas from Damian, and if Titus had sent Bernice to Caesarea to look for Vitas, then Titus had long ago known of the letter that had sent Vitas to Caesarea.
    “Tell me first, why were you among Helva’s slaves?” she countered.
    “You know Damian is a slave hunter. He was hired by Helva, who wanted to find out which slave in the household was betraying him. Damian thought if I joined those slaves, I might find information of use to Helva.”
    “No information will be of any use to him now,” she said. “And it nearly killed you. Naturally, when I asked of Helva, I heard of his assassination. That led me to the prison to look for his slaves, and from there to the crosses. If I had found you even an hour later, I believe it would have been too late.”
    “I’d rather know how Titus learned I was alive. From Damian?”
    “You will need to ask Titus yourself. He is barely a day’s march from here.”
    Vitas could be certain, then, of one thing. By sending Bernice to look for him, Titus had given her information that could result in the execution of both Titus and Vitas.
    Vitas spoke his conclusion to her. “Titus must trust you a great deal. One word to Nero from you, and he and I are both dead, and you will have gained great favor with the emperor.”
    “Perhaps,” she said. “But Titus knows how badly I want to protect my people. I will serve Titus, not only because of love, but because he is a general and the son of a general, the men who control the legions in Judea. I will do everything I can to influence what he does and how he treats my people.”
    “He has no choice but to fight this war,” Vitas said.
    “Don’t treat me like a fool,” she answered. “Of course he will fight ruthlessly to end the revolt. But some generals kill the women and children and the innocents. Others will stay the sword if possible. I want to ensure he stays the sword. He knows that’s one of the reasons I am close to him.”
    Before his marriage to Sophia, Vitas promised her that he would use his influence with Nero to protect the Jews if possible. Neither of them could have guessed, however, how badly it would end.
    “It’s strange, in a way,” Bernice went on, “with all that is happening around us, how tightly interwoven are the individuals who make the choices that affect how the revolt will go. And I am in the middle. Titus representing Rome on one side, and Joseph Ben-Matthias representing Jerusalem on the other.”
    “Joseph,” Vitas