Chapter Three
Their group walked across the parking lot, headed for a wooded area. The parking lot area right before a mulched trail leading down to the woods was dressed up. Red banners with gold eagles on them hung on both sides of the lot. A tent stood to the side of the lot next to a campfire, a spit stationed over it with a pig stuck on it.
"Dude, check that thing out," Dean said as he pointed out the pig. "I bet that could fill the fridge for a month."
Roman soldiers walked among the parking lot in front of the tent, watching the group approach. One of the soldiers was one horseback.
"I guess we know where that Roman soldier came from," said Sam.
"Jew!" one of the soldiers yelled, disgusted, as the group approached them. He pulled Hananiah out of the line as the group came to a stop. The other soldiers surrounded the group. "It is very late to be out. With a group this size you must be planning a disturbance. What is your reason for gathering?"
"We are the family of Hananiah," he told him. "We are traveling to Bethlehem to be inscribed in the census by decree of your Caesar."
"There are so many of you Jews—we must have a Census in order to keep track of you," said a soldier to their left.
A soldier to their right laughed. "Yes, and the better to gather more taxes from you."
The other soldiers laughed.
"We do not need any more trouble from you Jews," said the soldier on their left. "We demand peace on our roads. Keep your family together as you travel."
"Show your papers for traveling," said the soldier next to Hananiah. "Guards, check their papers. Hold your papers up for us to check."
The soldiers moved along the group as everyone held up the small papers. Dean pulled his out so the soldier would leave him alone. The guard stopped in front of Sam.
"Do you not have your papers, Jew?" asked the guard. "We will keep you as our slave!"
Dean smiled at Sam's predicament as his brother stared in confusion at the soldier. Hananiah walked over to Sam, placing an arm around Sam's shoulders.
"Oh, this is my brother," said Hananiah. "I have paid his taxes. He is traveling with me."
"Well, then he may go," said the soldier, moving on with Hananiah.
Sam turned away from the soldier as he left, his face red. Dean laughed at Sam, who shoved him.
The soldier pushed Hananiah to the front of the line. "Move your family along."
"Go now with your family or we will keep you as slaves," said the soldier on their right. The soldiers all laughed.
"You can have him!" Dean called, pushing Sam forward a little.
Sam turned and glared at Dean as the group started moving. Dean laughed as they followed the group towards the trail.
Maybe this won't be so bad after all, Dean thought.