The Making of the Lamb Read online

  He turned to Belenus. “Keep an eye on the business the visitors conduct in the village. As long as there is no impiety in what they propose, leave it to the chieftain or the king to negotiate with them. Although these visitors do not believe in our gods, it is not impious to extend hospitality to strangers or to trade with them. Keep me informed.”

  Elsigar and the councilors solemnly left the clearing in single file.

  Daniel

  With no objection from the druids, it did not take long for Papa and Kendrick to conclude their negotiations with Bannoch. He was more than happy to take a modest share of Papa’s trade goods in exchange for providing the needs of Pirro and the boys, as well as their protection. Fedwig was delighted that Jesus had returned so soon, and Tilda welcomed Jesus and Daniel into the family home to stay.

  Daniel was still having a difficult time understanding and making himself understood, but the language he had picked up among the Cantiaci on the previous visit was coming back to him, and the dialect of the Dumnonii was starting to feel more natural. The way Golia kept laughing when he spoke made it clear that his tongue still marked him as an outlander.

  Daniel glanced over his shoulder to make sure his father was still outside with the other men. He turned back to Golia. “I am sorry we’re such trouble.” She had seemed a little put out that she had to give up some of her space in the family hut.

  “Oh, well it’s…I didn’t mean…”

  He took a step closer, bowing his head close to hers. The top of her head didn’t even reach his chin. “Are you sure? Perhaps I should sleep in the woods.”

  She giggled and nudged his shoulder. “Don’t be silly.” She bundled up the rest of the things from her pallet. “It’s no trouble—”

  “Golia!” Tilda called. “Come help with the dinner.”

  “Yes, Mama.” She dropped her little bundle on a smaller pallet squeezed against the wall, and ran out before Daniel could say another word.

  Papa left most of his trade goods in the village before sailing with Kendrick on the next tide, taking with him enough to conduct some trade in Ictus. He left instructions for Pirro, Jesus, and Daniel to meet him at Ictus two days after the next Sabbath.

  They took over an abandoned hut at Carn Roz as their base camp. Daniel worked with Jesus and Pirro to fix the roof and to construct a smelting furnace. The blacksmith fashioned a smelting pot from iron and offered instruction about the construction of the furnace. Fedwig and the other boys helped them gather clay for the ceramic furnaces, and Tilda arranged for the tanner to make the bellows from animal skins.

  With the smith’s guidance, Daniel and Jesus constructed a low cylindrical hazel-wood frame. They mixed clay with ground rock to make cement and covered the framework thickly. Holes in the bottom allowed for refueling and for inserting the bellows. The work was most intense for the first two days, but then they had an easy day, waiting as the smith helped Pirro to fire the ceramic structure of the furnace. The boys lounged on a hillside nearby. Daniel wondered where Golia was.

  Fedwig was the first to get bored with watching. He ran off, returning with his sword. Not a sharpened sword, but more than a plaything. Cast of iron, it was weighty enough to teach the boy the proper handling of a weapon. Daniel watched with Jesus as the boy turned and whirled, thrusting his instrument at imaginary foes.

  “Is there another sword for me?” Jesus called out.

  Fedwig grinned. “Sure!” He ran off again.

  Daniel looked at his cousin in shock. “What do you mean, Jesus? We are traders. We come in peace. Ours is not the place of war.”

  “Maybe not,” Jesus replied, “but war is an art I must learn if I am to lead the Jewish nation to freedom someday. Besides, we are making our home here. If we look to Bannoch’s people for protection, should we not be prepared to help as well?”

  Daniel’s heart pounded. He remembered his father’s words about the prophecy of death that lay ahead for Jesus. “Papa will not approve.”

  “He is not here, and he need not know.”

  Daniel frowned and sat up straight. “You do not have to take up arms to free our people. Jesus, do not follow this path. It is the way of death. It cannot be your destiny.”

  Jesus looked sternly at Daniel. “You forget yourself, cousin.” His voice dropped. “More than that, you forget who I am. Do I have to remind you how you got down on your knees at my feet because you saw the divine within me? Everyone thought you were crazy, but you were right. I am not only the Son of God; I am eternally one with him. God the Father has told me that, and he also told me I should trust my feelings. My feelings tell me that I must prepare for the day I lead our people from bondage, as their Messiah.” Jesus paused, scowling. “I don’t need your father to tell me my destiny, and I certainly don’t need you for that.”

  “Was it not the hand of God, rather than the sword, that parted the sea for Moses?”

  “The Romans might not let our people go, the way Pharaoh started to. You forget how Joshua, David, the Maccabees, and so many other heroes of our people fought to drive the heathen from the Promised Land.”

  Tears blurred Daniel’s vision. He could practically see his young cousin suffering in crucifixion already. If Jesus were to lead an armed rebellion against Rome, then surely Rome would hang him on a cross. Jesus had to know that. But he expected God to save him. He did not expect to be forsaken there. “There is more that even you do not know, Jesus.”

  “Really? What?” asked Jesus, growing impatient.

  Daniel shook his head. “I cannot tell you. Papa wanted it left between God and you. I promised not to say anything.”

  “Then don’t! Keep your father’s confidence, Daniel. At least he puts his trust in God. I won’t ask you to choose between obeying Joseph’s commands or mine.” Jesus cocked his head while continuing to stare down his older cousin. “At least I won’t quite yet. Just don’t tell him what I’m practicing.”

  Fedwig returned with another sword. Jesus took it and imitated the moves he had seen the boy perform. Fedwig held up his own sword, and the two boys thrust and parried. Jesus managed to dodge a few of Fedwig’s slashes, but then the tip of Fedwig’s sword caught a corner of Jesus’s toga and rent a gash, exposing his midsection. With another quick move, Fedwig placed the point of his sword against Jesus’s throat. He smiled triumphantly.

  As the two held that position for a moment, Daniel stood. “Perhaps it is better not to be a swordsman at all, rather than be a mediocre one. It would seem much safer that way.”

  “Oh, I give up.” Jesus cast down his sword. “Confound this stupid toga. If we are to live with the natives we might as well dress like them. Let’s go and see Tilda about proper British tunics.” He turned to Fedwig. “Don’t worry. I’m just getting started. You will show me later what you know of the sword and battle axe, won’t you?”

  “Of course!” Fedwig beamed, obviously flattered beyond measure to have Jesus ask for his instruction.

  With a sigh, Daniel followed Jesus in search of Tilda. Maybe they would find Golia as well.

  Jesus

  When the day appointed to meet Joseph at Ictus arrived, the smelting furnace was ready. Bannoch had sent word to neighboring villages that fine wine and spices could be had in exchange for cartloads of charcoal and limestone, and there was a good supply of those essential materials. All they needed was the ore.

  Bannoch furnished a guide and a curragh, a narrow watercraft made of hides stretched over a woven framework, to take them to the headwaters of the Helford River. From there the guide pointed them in the direction of Ictus. It was a ten-mile trek across open fields. They joked of how they looked like proper British natives now, and whether Joseph would recognize them. Tilda had made up a full outfit with tunic and leggings for Daniel. Pirro declined her offer, refusing to abandon his toga.

  Tilda held that Jesus was too short for leggings; it did not make sense to cut cloth for something he would soon outgrow. So she fitted him out like Fedwig with a
belted tunic and laced stockings that left his knees exposed. Jesus did not mind; it gave him more freedom of movement.

  They set out before dawn, and it was early afternoon before Ictus came into view. Looking across the water, they saw Kendrick’s ship approaching from the distance. Waiting on the island for them were two ore-filled carts.

  Pirro waded into the channel.

  “Shouldn’t we wait for the tide to go out?” asked Daniel.

  “It’s shallow enough. From the top of the hill, I could see the bottom almost all the way across,” Pirro replied.

  Behind them, the guide was shouting, but he was still out of earshot. “I think the guide may be warning of some danger,” said Jesus.

  “The tide is just as likely to be coming in. Joseph left me in charge, so I say we go for it.”

  Reluctantly, Jesus followed Pirro. Soon seawater swirled around his waist. His feet slipped from under him. “Daniel!” A wave broke over his head, filling his mouth and nose with brine. The current grabbed him and dragged him further from shore.

  Pirro flailed and bellowed for help as well.

  Daniel reached a secure footing and threw a line to Jesus, drawing him back just as the rising water was dragging him out to sea. Together they helped Pirro ashore. Laughing at the outlanders’ antics, the Britons enjoyed the spectacle.

  “The next time he says ‘let’s take a chance on the tide,’ remind me to stay on shore,” said Jesus to Daniel, laughing as the sun began to dry his clothes.

  Kendrick brought up his ship. Pirro and the boys were delighted when they saw what he had lashed down to the deck: a sailing craft big enough to carry a few passengers and cartloads of ore.

  Kendrick showed them how to work the mast and the sail. With the fore-and-aft lateen sail and larboards, the boat could sail much closer to the wind than Kendrick’s ship. They could even bring the bow through the wind from one tack to the other rather than gybing it all around.

  “Stay close to shore and keep an eye on the sky,” Kendrick warned them. “If the boat goes over with a load of ore, it will sink. Make for land whenever the weather threatens, and reef the sail when you are caught in a storm.”

  Joseph had brought more wine and goods from Armorica to trade with the natives. “We’re off,” he said, as soon as Kendrick’s ship was reloaded with staples bartered from the merchants. Turning to Jesus, he whispered, “I saw the rainbow just now!”

  “Aren’t you coming to Carn Roz?” asked Jesus.

  “Time is money for Kendrick, his crew, and his ship,” said Joseph. “This was supposed to be a few days from Gaul, remember?” Then looking to Pirro and Daniel, he continued, “Back in Gaul, the River Liger will soon dry up for the hot months of summer, but we will bring the best wine, spices, and anything else to be had anywhere in Gaul worth trading before winter sets in. Until then, use what you have to trade for the ore and make as much tin as you can. My fortune is now in your hands.”

  Kendrick’s ship set sail for Armorica with Joseph. Jesus, Daniel, and Pirro set to work. They soon had the small sailing craft loaded with tin ore, but with daylight starting to fade, they decided to stay on in Ictus until morning. After watching the sails of Kendrick’s ship disappear into the approaching dusk, Jesus took a good look at his companions. Pirro’s lack of good sense almost got us drowned, and Daniel is only two years older than I am. Without the counsel of Joseph or my parents, I am really on my own now. Jesus prayed silently, and then felt better knowing that the Father would be with him.

  At first light, the three set sail for Carn Roz. Arriving at midday, they unloaded the ore and with the village smithy’s guidance, set about to prepare the first charge for the furnace. First, they crushed some ore into fine pieces. Then they washed it through several pans of water, allowing the heavier pure ore to sink to the bottom while pieces of lighter, impure rock settled on top. They also crushed some of the limestone and charcoal. By then dusk was upon them.

  The next morning, the smith helped them determine the right proportion of ore, charcoal and limestone for the smelting pot. They lit more charcoal in the pit of the furnace.

  “Heat it slowly,” the smith advised.

  The three took turns with the bellows. A few hours into the afternoon, the ore began to melt.

  The smith peered in. “This is the critical stage. Skim off the slag. See it forming on top of the molten metal?”

  After several hours the slag stopped forming, and they used a hoist to lift the smelting pot out of the furnace and over to a vat of water. Many villagers gathered around, watching. Jesus had the honor of tipping the pot to pour the molten metal into the water. With a loud hiss, the slow stream of metal solidified and cracked into knuckle-sized pieces.

  As soon as it seemed safe, Pirro reached into the water and pulled out a piece. He tossed it to Jesus amidst cheers. Jesus let it drop to the ground, and everyone laughed. Finally satisfied that the piece was sufficiently cool, he picked it up. It was silvery white with a blue tinge and seemed quite soft for a metal. This was what they had come so far to obtain.

  Gradually, Jesus and Daniel built up their store of tin. Every week or so they melted down the accumulated pieces and cast a solid ingot.

  From sun-up until the day’s casting was complete, Jesus was an earnest craftsman, tending the fire with care and working the ore pot. Once the last of the ore was poured off, however, Fedwig was sure to be near with the training swords. Fedwig used his sword in the Celtic style, swinging in broad heroic strokes as if to single-handedly take on an attacking band of foes. Jesus tried to copy the style, but always met with disaster. This was not how the Romans practiced their swordsmanship.

  The next time they sparred, Jesus joined Fedwig in a head-on clash of wildly swinging blades. He fell back a few steps. Sensing weakness, Fedwig rushed forward with a triumphant shout. Jesus watched for his opportunity.

  Fedwig raised his sword high to deliver a mighty blow.

  Jesus found his opening and made a quick thrust to bring his own sword up against Fedwig’s throat.

  Fedwig growled at losing to a novice.

  Jesus clapped his shoulder. “You must be very good at your craft to teach it so well.”

  Fedwig laughed, and they went to join the others for supper.

  Arriving at the dining hall, Jesus found the men of the village leaving. Bannoch pointed across the bay, and Jesus saw smoke signals. “Does that mean danger?” Jesus asked.

  “The smoke would not be black if there was danger.” Bannoch replied. “This gathering might be called at the behest of the druids, or perchance we are favored with a visit from a bard. I hope it is a bard; druids can be so tiresome. Come to think of it, it has been some time since the king has heard from a bard. Do you still have your Roman toga?”

  “Yes, but won’t that make me stand out?”

  “It is better to stand out as a foreigner than to come dressed as a boy. The Dumnonii welcome strangers, but they do not welcome boys at gatherings of men. Dressed as you are, you would have to stay behind.”

  Pirro always wore his Roman toga. Daniel could have remained in his British garb, but decided to wear his toga, too. Jesus and Daniel changed quickly and reached the tidal pool just as the men of the village prepared to leave. Pirro brought a few amphorae of the best wine.

  As their curragh pulled out into the bay, they spotted several craft coming from the entrances of the various creeks and rivers that lined the harbor. All the boats were heading to the hillfort on the other side. As they got nearer, men from the various villages began exchanging greetings and boasts across the water. Once they landed on the headland, they made their way to the top, where they found a whirlwind of activities, even as more men continued to arrive by foot across the isthmus and by boat from the harbor. Some were wrestling and sword fighting, as others watched. Mead flowed freely, but Pirro soon found plenty of takers when he began to offer the wine. Bannoch spoke to some men and announced that the cause of the gathering was indeed the arrival o
f a bard.

  The hillfort king turned out to be an old man with a sparkle in his eye. Resplendent on his chair, he greeted the village chieftains and the principal retainers of his realm. Bannoch introduced the distant travelers. The gift of wine from Pirro was well received, and the king insisted that Jesus, Daniel, and Pirro take some of the best seats in the hall.

  The meal began as the summer sun set. Venison was the main course. Jesus and Daniel were glad to partake, knowing they were not doing any great violence to the dietary laws. They had seen how the Celts slaughtered the animals and drained the blood. With mead flowing, the bard recited verses of praise for the heroics of the king. It didn’t matter that these must have been tales from the king’s distant past. Waves of hurrahs filled the hall as the bard continued, each verse furnishing a convenient excuse for the men to cheer their king and drink more mead.

  The hall quieted as the men focused their attention on the bard. This was the serious business of the gathering; to hear the news. The bard sang of distant marriages, wars, and alliances. Although most of the focus was on the Dumnonii, there was also news from lands far and wide. The bard even had word from Rome; he praised Augustus’s favorite great-nephew, the heroic Germanicus, and condemned the scheming Tiberius.

  The men sat up straighter and listened most intently when the bard sang of raids against the other kingdoms of the Dumnonii. The high king of the warlike Durotriges tribe was ratcheting up his raids on the eastern Dumnonii along the southern shore. And from the north came word of a new menace: the Scotti from Eire were now plundering the northern shore of the Belerium Peninsula. Coming by sea, they could strike anywhere from the mouth of the River Sabrina to the western tip the Dumnonii homeland. True, the raiders had been beaten back for the time being, but not without a cost in lives. Many women and children had been taken away, to be sold to the Romans into slavery.

  The bard finished his tales, and then came his chance to listen and gather the news from the mouth of the River Fal. Bannoch recounted the tale of how Jesus led the escape from the pirates of Vectis, and once again Jesus found himself singing the imaginary woeful song of the pirates, much to the delight and cheers of the company. The bard promised to spread word among the Dumnonii that the travelers staying at Carn Roz were ready to exchange wine, spices, and other trade goods for ore as well as for fine cloth and pottery, which Pirro planned to sell in Gaul.