The Silver Chalice Page #6

-If you are afraid of him, let me tell-

-Afraid, no, not afraid.

Cautious.

He's as gentle as a lamb

when he is lamblike.

So I keep him that way.

Be comforted, my Basil...

...for I tell you, Simon thinks Less

and Less of me as a woman...

...and more and more as a magdalen

to serve him.

See the new savior.

Send your able-bodied sons to me

to serve the secret cause I bless.

Do this...

...believe in me...

...and I will end your wretchedness.

Go ye now and keep my faith.

I have no interest in Simon.

But you should, my sweet...

...because it is through him

that I may be able to join you in Rome.

There's only one way.

Tell me you will come with me.

He is a better way.

Perhaps I can persuade him to appear

on a grander stage than these dirty roads.

And for a Nobler audience

than the ragged mobs at his heals.

Rome, the center of the world.

And Nero, the ruler of the world.

If you Love me,

why must you stay with Simon?

Oh, because he might Well

become the favorite of Nero.

And that means great wealth

for him and me.

And you.

Oh, you're a gifted artist, Basil,

but there's no harm in being a rich one.

I don't want Simon's money.

Now you talk Like a man...

...and I wouldn't have you otherwise.

Don't go when you're angry.

Only when you come to me with Love...

...and Leave me with your kisses

stinging on my mouth do I find Life sweet.

We shall meet in Rome, I promise you.

Do you know a certain rich man

called Joseph of Arimathea?

I've heard the name.

How Long do people think

they can keep secrets from me?

Who would dare try?

But, Simon, what could there possibly be

in the house of Joseph that concerns us?

The cup of Jesus.

Joseph has it.

I shall order Mijamin to search

every corner of the house until it is found.

It would be a good trophy to show

to those who still waver.

When they see me crush it

before their eyes.

Why waste such a trophy on a multitude

of sun-baked barbarians in Jerusalem?

Have you so soon forgotten

your desire for revenge on Peter?

You must take it to Rome.

What could stab him

to the heart more cruelly...

...than to see the cup in your hands?

You are right.

Peter must see the cup.

It will be worth going to Rome

just to Let him see it for the Last time.

When I close my fingers over it and bend it,

twist it beyond recognition.

I cannot believe I'm home again.

When you awakened me this morning

in Miriam's cottage...

...I thought it was a dream.

You were very sleepy

and just a Little cross.

That was because you did interrupt

a beautiful dream.

I've just spoken

with Grandfather and Luke.

They told me

about the things you said to them.

About your not wanting to go to Rome.

That Jerusalem held

a greater attraction for you.

Did you mean that, Basil?

Yes, I meant it, Deborra.

Then I can tell you my problem.

You see, Grandfather has deposited

a Large sum of gold at Antioch...

...which I'm to use for the benefit

of the great evangelist of Christianity.

And there's none

who could do it better than you.

Well, it's not so simple.

According to the Law, until I'm married,

my father is my guardian...

...and the money would be placed

in his keeping.

The Law is clear.

In matters of property,

a woman must have a guardian.

A father or a husband.

Oh, Basil, how am I to say it?

I can't find the words.

Please, say them for me.

But, surely, this is no surprise to you.

Did Grandfather and Luke

misread your thoughts?

O merciful God.

I shall die of shame.

Oh, Deborra.

You know how much I Love you.

And Joseph and Luke.

Is it the beautiful Lady?

I'm so glad for your sake...

...you have found someone

you can say those words to.

I wish you a perfect marriage.

Deborra?

There is no question

of marriage with her.

Do you Love her?

Do you?

Yes. I will not deceive you about that...

...but I will Help you.

Do anything I can.

Anything.

Even marry me?

On my way to Rome, we can appear

in Antioch as husband and wife.

Then you will have the gold

for your church.

Oh, Basil.

The Lord bless thee and keep thee.

The Lord make his face to shine upon thee

and be gracious unto thee.

The Lord Lift up

his countenance upon thee...

...and give thee peace.

Amen.

Please, be qulet.

My master Joseph Lies ill.

We have business with your master,

sick or Well, and are not to be put off.

Aaron Ben Joseph,

we seek the cup of Jesus.

We know it's in this house.

Where is it?

We intend to find it.

If youll not tell us,

well find it in our own way.

I know nothing of this cup of Jesus.

I know nothing of anything

that belongs to Jesus.

Where is your master's treasure room?

The treasure room.

Where is the silver cup?

There is no silver cup in here.

There is only gold.

Make sure he's telling the truth.

No, you may not enter.

My father Lies near death. Be merciful.

No, I beg of you. Take anything,

but Leave my father in peace.

Awaken, Joseph.

Give us the cup of Jesus,

and we will not disturb you.

He is dead!

This marriage canopy.

There was to be a wedding?

There has been one.

My Lady Deborra

and the artist who's called Basil.

Joseph would not part

with the cup even in death. Search.

Here.

This should have been

a night of celebration, not defeat.

He comes to me empty-handed.

The cup which he should have brought me

is being taken to Antioch.

How do you know?

Because in searching the house,

Mijamin found this document...

...in which Joseph states

he has ordered his banker there...

...to deliver gold to his granddaughter,

Deborra, upon her marriage.

She was married tonight

and is now on her way to Antioch.

Married to whom?

-A Greek called Basil.

-But what does it matter?

Follow them...

...and bring the cup to me in Rome.

Rome? You have not yet

completed your work here.

I have already won you

many brave and strong recruits.

And when the Christians hear that their

precious symbol has been destroyed...

...in the presence of Peter himself,

they will not long cling to their faith.

Their young men

will gladly join your forces.

Soon you will be master of Jerusalem.

The cup will be yours, I take my oath.

-Peace be with you.

-And unto you, peace.

This is my Lady Deborra...

...granddaughter to the merchant Joseph

of Arimathea, and her husband.

If it please my Lord.

-Are you certain this is the woman?

-Yes.

Where, then, is her husband?

We search before he returns.

Your wife be as barren

as a withered fig tree!

The cup has been stolen.

I recognized the men.

They're of the brotherhood of the Sicarii.

Why didn't you cry out for Help

if your husband was unable to protect you?

We were both sleeping.

They overpowered Basil...

...as he lay by my side.

They have a Long ride back to Jerusalem.

There will be no trouble overtaking them.

They are not going to Jerusalem.

They went north, toward Antioch.

You and Luke

must remain with Adam until I return.

But you don't know the desert.

You would be Lost, you will die.

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