The chamberlain fixed his stare on Cato. ‘Is it true? Does Rome intend to annex our kingdom?’

Cato felt his heart beating wildly inside his chest. For a moment he was too terrified to respond. How could he? He was a junior officer, albeit one with a mission assigned to him by the Emperor’s chief of staff, Narcissus. But he could not deny Bannus’ accusation, because he simply did not know the extent of imperial policy.

‘Sir,’ he began hesistantly,’I am a soldier. I have no idea what my masters in Rome intend for this region. All that I do know is that Judaea is a Roman province, under the rule of Roman law, and that this man, Bannus, is a brigand and an outlaw who tried to provoke a rebellion against us. Therefore he is a common criminal, and all that my prefect and I seek is the chance to bring him to justice.’

‘Justice!’ Bannus laughed bitterly. ‘What justice will I receive at the hands of Rome? You’ll nail me up on a cross at the first opportunity, just as you did to Jehoshua, and all the others who led the resistance against Rome.’

Cato did not reply to this charge, since it was true. Instead he tried a different tack. ‘As I said, I have no knowledge of the Emperor’s plans for his empire, but this I do know. If a kingdom offers shelter or any other form of succour to an enemy of Rome, such as Bannus, then I am certain that the Emperor would not be well disposed towards that kingdom. Particularly since someone like Bannus would pose an ongoing threat to the stability of the Roman province of Judaea, as long as he is permitted to live . . . on the very border of the province.’

The chamberlain understood the thrust of Cato’s last words and nodded, folding his hands together as he contemplated the situation. Bannus looked to him, trying hard to conceal his desperation.

‘Before you decide to hand me over to these Roman scum, I have to tell you that I am no simple brigand. No outlaw. I made a treaty with Parthia. That is why their prince is serving under my command.’

‘Bollocks!’ Macro snapped, the word echoing round the hall. Cato winced as his friend jabbed his finger out towards Bannus and continued angrily, ‘How can you make a treaty with Parthia? You’re nothing but a criminal.’

‘I am no criminal,’ Bannus replied, his voice suddenly dropping into a more calm, almost serene, tone. ‘I am the rightfully anointed king of my people. I am the mashiah.’

‘Blasphemer!’ Symeon spat. ‘How dare you?’