Temple Boys by Jamie Buxton Page A

thousand candle flames fluttered like a thousand butterflies. The heat was intense, like a blanket that smothered and prickled.
    The Temple Boys found themselves in a huge room, on a raised platform set with couches where Yesh and his followers were relaxing. Below, on the floor of the great hall, more guests on more couches were staring up open-mouthed. Flea looked for Jude, who met his eye and gestured for him to wait. The rest of the gang stood stock-still, eyes wide.
    Yusuf the Merchant noticed them, nodded to Mat, and then stood to address the crowd.
    â€œMy friends, I know all of you are curious to meet my nephew and I know many of you would rather I disowned him than welcome him into my house.” He raised a hand to quell a murmur of disagreement. “And I have to admit it was a bit of a shock when he sent young Yohan to me this morning to ask if I could set a few more places at this meal.
    â€œâ€˜Who’s coming?’ I asked. ‘The high priest and the treasurers?’ Yohan shook his head. ‘The governor and his retinue?’ Yohan shook his head. ‘Surely not the Emperor himself?’ And this time Yohan answered, ‘The poorest, most miserable, most wretched children in the city.’ And here they are—street kids from the foulest gutter. The lowest of the low. The dirtiest of the dirty before they scrubbed up, and definitely the hungriest of the hungry.
    â€œNow, I don’t know about magic, although I’ve seen Yeshua do things that you wouldn’t credit, but I will say this: whether or not you believe that a cripple who’s been given the strength to walk again should be allowed into the Temple, whether or not you believe my nephew can make people perfect, whether or not you think he’s the Chosen One, bringing a gang of beggar boys to dinner in my palace is real magic. A proper miracle!”
    Laughter echoed around the hall. Yusuf waited for it to die down and then held up a hand. “This wouldn’t be the first time I’ve done something on gut instinct. I can afford this wonderful house because I’ve followed my instincts. I made it in this great city in spite of being a poor northern boy, and I’d like to think my extraordinary nephew can do the same—with a bit of help from his old uncle, of course. He’s been called a trickster, a conjuror, a magician, a healer, and a lot more besides. But, for the record, he was the cleverest boy I ever saw, and he’s by far the cleverest man.
    â€œI wanted him to join my business, but his mother wanted him to become a preacher, and even though things haven’t quite worked out the way she imagined, he is, quite simply, the best person I have ever met. He doesn’t just teach, he lives what he teaches.” Yusuf dropped his voice. “But, friends, there is a message here for us all to think about. When Yesh talks about changing things, he means it, and this is your chance to be involved. Beggars sitting with the great and the good. That’s change. I’m sure you can all think of some other changes you’d like to see.”
    He paused and looked around the room, then spoke again in a brighter voice. “Now, I’m told these good lads go by the name of the Temple Boys, so before I sit down, I would ask you to raise your cups and bid them welcome. Gentlemen, the Temple Boys.”
    And with that, all the men lying on couches got to their feet. Flea felt hands on his shoulders and allowed himself to be pushed forward. He looked left and right and saw the others do the same, saw the happiness shine through all the doubt and confusion, saw Clump lift his hands above his head, and he realized that this should be the high point of his life: the day he was plucked off the street and given supper in the house of the richest merchant in the city.
    â€œThe Temple Boys! The first shall be last and the last shall be first!” Yusuf called.
    â€œThe first shall be