The Silver Chalice Page #8

and I've seen them all.

I could be very happy here,

but with this proof, I must go home.

Yes, to Antioch.

Well, a man can do very Well

for himself in Antioch too.

I remember a time once there was a...

But no, another time.

Come, shall we dine?

A juicy capon, stuffed with lotus seeds

and the tongues of hummingbirds.

A dish that Nero himself might envy.

If it's that Lovely young Lady

you're Looking for, she just Left.

Your Little honey sweet?

I see you haven't been spending

all your time waiting for me to return.

Rise up and walk.

Rise up and walk.

Peter?

You know me, then, my son.

Was it what you saw just now?

I suspected from the first who you were.

You see?

I modeled your head at night...

...While I waited for you

to make yourself known to me.

ALL the dear faces I knew so Well.

Andrew.

James.

Matthew.

John.

But where is the face of our Lord?

Believe me, Peter,

I have tried to see the face of Jesus.

I've tried desperately.

Let me Help you.

It would be useless.

I've done all I can with it.

Where is the Landlord?

In the name of Caesar, where

is the Landlord, the porter or someone?

I suppose they've come for me.

I've been expecting it.

My prayer is for you

that you may one day see the face of Jesus.

Where is the Landlord?

Are you deaf, or does the name

of Caesar mean nothing to you?

How can I serve you?

Where is Basil the Greek?

What do you want of me?

You are summoned to the emperor,

and without delay.

Caesar does not invite. He commands.

Courage, my son.

I will Look after your room

and your possessions until you return.

Do not be so generous.

He might not be returning to that room

for a Long time.

-Hall, master of court ceremonies.

-Hall, guard.

Hall, artist.

Why have I been arrested

and then dressed Like this?

You are to sit within close range

of Caesar's blinding magnificence...

...and make a model

of his divine head and shoulders.

Follow me.

Fortune has smiled upon you, Basil.

If what you do pleases Caesar,

you will be summoned...

...into his august presence.

And if it is not to his Liking?

Then Caesar will punish it as a deadly

insult to his godly perfection.

But that will not happen,

because you are a gifted artist.

And if I succeed in pleasing Caesar...

...then I suppose I will be free

to return to my home.

To Antioch? Oh, no.

Delight Caesar,

and your future's assured permanently.

You will be kept in the palace

as court sculptor.

Who is the influential patron I must thank

for this opportunity to win undying fame...

...or die in failure? Or is it a patroness?

Your witchcraft alone

might have been enough...

...to keep me in Rome.

But now...

Simon.

Tell me, Simon.

What of this contest with the Christians?

O Caesar, I am ready...

...but your guards

have been unable to find Peter.

But with Caesar's gracious permission,

I will perform a miracle...

...such as their own Jesus could not do.

What is it you propose?

I will fly.

Fool.

But no man has ever flown, even gods.

Even I might find it difficult.

O Caesar, it is only by the inspiration

of your divine presence...

...and by the power of your will

that I can do this miracle.

Well, in that case,

I promise to smile upon your effort.

Then Let me build a tower, O Caesar.

Higher than any building in Rome.

And Let me build it with Christians

who infest the capital...

...of the ruler of the world.

When they see me fly high over Rome

with no wings to support me...

...they will turn away from Peter

as a false Leader...

...and from Jesus as a false god.

Build your tower, Simon.

And build it here

in the gardens of my palace.

And do it quickly. Work day and night.

Spare no slaves and no Christians

until it is ready.

Caesar be praised.

-Hall Caesar.

-Hall Caesar.

Hell fly. By what magic, I don't know.

And many good Christians will suffer.

Be neither slave nor Christian,

but an artist and my Lover.

And from the ground to the top,

it will be a full 200 cubits.

From there, I shall soar higher from earth

than any man has ever been.

To my eyes, it does not appear safe.

Illusions of magic

are not meant to appear safe.

And this is what the roof of the tower

will Look Like.

And here is the wheel which you, Idbash,

will turn from underneath.

I shall fasten myself to this rod,

which is bronze.

Drawn so thin that it cannot be seen

from the ground...

...yet strong enough

to hold the heaviest body.

And this is Simon.

Under that cloak

which I shall wear are these hooks...

...which fasten to the end of the rod.

As I fly wide

beyond the edge of the tower...

...the rod will extend outward,

farther and farther.

Simon, you are the greatest

of all magicians.

You will transport the wheel and the rod

to the tower...

...the night before I fly,

and set it on the roof.

Yes, master.

Can you carry it alone?

Once you are in the tower,

permit no one else to enter.

He would bar even Nero himself

if I asked him to do so.

It fits me Well.

Pick up those tools and go to work.

Caesar will endure no delay.

The master of the imperial kitchens

honors me.

Why?

Work or crucifixion.

If you Love the cross so much,

you shall have a taste of it yourselves.

What do they gain

by sacrificing their Lives?

If the tower is not built by Christians,

it will be completed by slaves.

I always thought that Christians

were meek and humble.

Instead, I find them stubborn and proud.

They're stubborn in their faith...

...and proud to die for it.

I, too, am a Christian, Basil.

I know I can trust you. Peter told me so.

He sent me to you.

Your wife is with Peter.

-Deborra's here?

-Her ship arrived yesterday.

-I must go to her.

-No, wait.

You dare not.

If they permit you to Leave the palace,

you'd be followed.

You'd only Lead them

to Peter and Deborra.

Tomorrow is Simon's great day.

The grounds will be filled with people.

I can mingle with the crowds

and no one will see me go.

But be very cautious.

Nero would willingly send you

and Peter and Deborra to the cross...

...Like those dear brothers out there.

Up.

Jesus, guide my hand.

I've never seen our Lord...

...but it is truly his face...

...as only one who Loves him

is given to see it.

Jesus, master, you have given your servant

this great privilege.

I have Looked into your eyes.

I've seen you.

Now is the time for you to Leave, Basil.

I'll see that it's placed

in Peter's hands.

Hail Simon. Hail Simon. Hail Simon.

Hail Simon. Hail Simon.

Hail Simon. Hail Simon.

Hail Simon. Hail Simon.

Hail Simon. Hail Simon.

Hail Simon. Hail Simon.

Hail Simon. Hail Simon.

Hail Simon.

Has everything been set up properly?

Yes, precious Lady.

Did you hear the crowd when I came in?

''Hall Simon,'' they shouted.

They sense the moment of my greatness.

They're ready to accept me.

Share your greatness with Caesar

and give him the Lions share.

I need no wires, no buckles.

I need no wheel to be turned.

I shall fly by the power of my own will...

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