The Fifth Mountain Page 0,27

semicircle around the chairs. This was the council of elders; in bygone times, their opinions were respected and obeyed. Today, however, the role of the group was merely ceremonial; they were present to accept whatever the ruler decided.

After a few formalities such as a prayer to the gods of the Fifth Mountain and the declaiming of the names of several ancient heroes, the governor addressed the prisoner.

"What is it you want?" he asked.

The man did not reply. He stared at him in a strange way, as if he were an equal.

"What is it you want?" the governor repeated.

The high priest touched his arm.

"We need an interpreter. He does not speak our language."

The order was given, and one of the guards left in search of a merchant who could serve as interpreter. Tradesmen never came to the sessions that Elijah held; they were constantly occupied with conducting their business and counting their profits.

While they waited, the high priest whispered, "They beat the prisoner because they are frightened. Allow me to carry out this judgment, and say nothing: panic makes everyone aggressive, and we must show authority, lest we lose control of the situation."

The governor did not answer. He too was frightened. He sought out Elijah with his eyes, but from where he sat could not see him.

A merchant arrived, forcibly brought by the guard. He complained that the tribunal was wasting his time and that he had many matters to resolve. But the high priest, looking sternly at him, bade him to be silent and to interpret the conversation.

"What do you want here?" the governor asked.

"I am no spy," the man replied. "I am a general of the army. I have come to speak with you."

The audience, completely silent till then, began to scream as soon as these words were translated. They called it a lie and demanded the immediate punishment of death.

The high priest asked for silence, then turned to the prisoner.

"About what do you wish to speak?"

"The governor has the reputation of being a wise man," said the Assyrian. "We have no desire to destroy this city: what interests us is Sidon and Tyre. But Akbar lies athwart the route, controlling this valley; if we are forced to fight, we shall lose time and men. I come to propose a treaty."

"The man speaks the truth," thought Elijah. He had noticed that he was surrounded by a group of soldiers who hid from view the spot where the governor was sitting. "He thinks as we do. The Lord has performed a miracle and will bring an end to this dangerous situation."

The high priest rose and shouted to the people, "Do you see? They want to destroy us without combat!"

"Go on," the governor told the prisoner.

The high priest, however, again intervened.

"Our governor is a good man who does not wish to shed a man's blood. But we are in a situation of war, and the prisoner before us is an enemy!"

"He's right!" shouted someone from the crowd.

Elijah realized his mistake. The high priest was playing on the crowd while the governor was merely trying to be just. He attempted to move closer, but he was shoved back. One of the soldiers held him by the arm.

"Stay here. After all, this was your idea."

He looked behind: it was the commander, and he was smiling.

"We must not listen to any proposal," the high priest continued, his passion flowing in his words and gestures. "If we show we are willing to negotiate, we shall also be showing that we are fearful. And the people of Akbar are courageous; they have the means to resist any invasion."

"This prisoner is a man seeking peace," said the governor, addressing the crowd.

Someone said, "Merchants seek peace. Priests desire peace. Governors administer peace. But an army wants only one thing: war!"

"Can't you see that we were able to face the religious threat from Israel without war?" bellowed the governor. "We sent neither armies nor navies, but Jezebel. Now they worship Baal, without our having to sacrifice even one man on the battlefield."

"They didn't send a beautiful woman, they sent their warriors!" shouted the high priest even more loudly.

The people were demanding the Assyrian's death. The governor took the high priest by the arm.

"Sit down," he said. "You go too far."

"The idea of public judgment was yours. Or rather it was the Israelite traitor's, who seems to command the acts of the ruler of Akbar."

"I shall settle accounts with him later. Now, we must discover what the Assyrian wants. For