Blasphemy

Zebulun and Quinn went to the town of Gad. Zebulun healed the sick and injured, then told the people of the Law of Ur. The townspeople questioned him, as they had in every place.

Quinn stood off to the side of the crowd, entertaining the children with juggling. Something caught his eye — a man in the back of the crowd scowled at every answer Zebulun gave to a question. He seemed to get angrier as the evening grew longer.

Without warning, he cried out, "Blasphemy!"

The crowd went silent and turned towards him. They parted as he strolled forward towards Zebulun. He smoldered with quiet wrath. Quinn now saw that he wore the garb of a priest.

"You say this god of yours — Ur — is the creator of the world. The scriptures clearly say that Ram and Luva created the world with their union. Do you deny the scriptures?"

"I have no quarrel with Ram and Luva," said Zebulun. "They are fine gods. They’re just not the one I serve."

"But you claim Ur created all this?"

"He did."

"Then you commit blasphemy against our religion. You must answer for this."

The priest turned to another man. "You’re the judge," he said. "Arrest him! He openly admits to blasphemy — and all his talk of the coming Kingdom of Ur? He’s likely guilty of treason as well."

"I’ve betrayed no one," said Zebulun.

"Liar!" said the priest.

The judge sighed. He turned to Zebulun. "Will you come quietly?"

"Of course," said Zebulun. "I want no trouble."

"Good."

"Get his little buddy, too," said the priest.

"Hey!" said Quinn. "I didn’t say nothing about Ur, or who created the universe."

"You’re his confederate," said the priest. "You may try to free him."

"Of course I would!" said Quinn. "He’s my friend."

The townspeople laughed.

Zebulun turned to a man whose daughter he had healed of a limp. "Will you tend to our animals and possessions?"

"Sure thing," said the man. He led Othniel, Samson, and Friendship away.

The town folk grumbled and booed when the judge took Zebulun and Quinn. He locked them in a small cell; the town was just big enough to have one.

"Well, this is great," said Quinn. "How are you supposed to heal people and start a new kingdom from jail?"

"We’ll be fine," said Zebulun.

"Yeah," said Quinn, "I know. I’m just annoyed. I don’t like being confined."

"Few do."

"So how are we gonna get outta here?"

"Just wait," said Zebulun. "Be patient."

Quinn grinned. "That’s never been my paramount virtue."

Hours passed. The sun went down. The moon came up.

It was near midnight when the small star appeared in their cell. It expanded to a sphere containing a naked woman with blue skin and butterfly wings.

"Bluebonnet!" said Quinn. "So happy to see you! What are you doing here?"

Bluebonnet smiled her squinty smile and said, "Sarah asked me to watch out for you."

"Have you been following us the whole time?" asked Quinn.

Bluebonnet nodded, still smiling.

Quinn looked at Zebulun and asked, "Did you know she was following us?"

"I knew someone was watching us," said Zebulun. "Since I never saw anyone, I figured it must be one of the angels."

"Wow," said Quinn. "This sixth sense of yours: does that come from being a prophet?"

Zebulun shook his head. "From being a soldier."

"Oh, right," said Quinn. "You mentioned that." He turned to Bluebonnet. "Can you get us out of here?"

She nodded again. She turned to Zebulun and said, "I need your blessing."

Zebulun held his palm up to Bluebonnet and let the spiritual power flow. Bluebonnet got brighter and brighter. Looking at her became painful.

She turned to the lock and waved her hand. The tumblers fell into place. The door opened.

"Thank you, Bluebonnet," said Zebulun. She just smiled.

Zebulun stood and looked at Quinn. "Let’s go."