The next few days were as hectic and exciting as any days Jesus could remember. The never-ending stream of people who wanted to meet him actually increased each day. Taliesin and others spread word of the most interesting young man who already knew so much, but was there to learn from their own great teachers and adepts. People felt a presence when they were in his company.

Sometimes he would say little and listen but ask the most insightful questions and occasionally they would hear a sentence or two when he was challenged by someone elses questions that shone an entirely different light. His passion was immediately felt when his eyes lit up and few who spent much time around him as he traveled with Mary and her father were ever left with any feeling that the legends growing around him were anything less than true. But he hungered to spend serious time in the schooling of Ogham (1) and the healing arts of the Beth-Luis-Nion from Diancecht.

I just wanted you to get a feel for the enormity of my enterprises and the trade that supports it from mining and other assets we have throughout the whole wide world. I suppose you have picked up a few clues when you see non-indigenous precious stones like jade and the plethora of furs unlike any others you have known. Joseph remarked as they traveled in a carriage towards a town called Penwith where they were to talk to the miners of the Ding Dong Mine.

But there is no great motivation for me in money, Joseph. I seek for knowledge and the Isle of Avalon has the people like Diancecht and Taliesin that will serve Mary and me some truly delectable delights. I look forward to contributing to and reading the Coelbren (Kolbrin).

It is important to know the forces you are up against is it not? Joseph smiled.

Yes, you are right about that. Jesus replied. And I will address this to the miners as I did long ago at the Temple with the money-changers.

Is that OK with you Father? Mary worriedly asked.

I will never stand in the way of our young lord.

Like most mines it was a veritable hell-hole and dangerous place even though the living quarters were better than most and there were no slaves. It was one of those places that many who had been slaves, who were from Africa and all manner of places, were working; and Jesus was appalled after a brief tour. Joseph introduced Jesus to the crowd of mostly miners who stood sullenly in the amphitheatre.

I join in your pain brothers. I feel it. I worry about all the ways that people make money on the backs of other life. I know many of you are in a far better place here than you once were forced to experience but it does not change the abject horror I feel and the reason I will now be driven to always fight against the forces of power and greed. You and I may not see the world change in our lifetime but I will give my life in the cause of Brotherhood and egalitarian or free-thinking opportunities for all life on earth. Verily I say unto thee he that suffers the least little hurt in this world is diminished but I and all others are just as diminished. In fact those who diminish others are even more to suffer the karmic outcome of the acts done in their name.

Sure you say this, but we see who you sleep with. Shouted a burly misanthrope near the front of the crowd.

Mary is my touchstone and she is the daughter of your master. He is a fine man but he cannot change the world by himself. I see you are brave and I will be assured by Joseph that you will not only not be punished but you should be rewarded. Thank you. Jesus walked off the raised platform and went to get the man. He brought him to Joseph and he asked Joseph.

Do you have a place for this man that he deserves due to his long and hard life that you and others have brought upon him?

He will be made a forest warden and live in a cottage not far from here. I know that all of you deserve more but I am beholden to forces beyond my control. I did not have to bring our young Lord here to speak with you and I do not have to do all the things I do which make your lives far better than other miners. I do these things as best I can and I hope that during my long absences that any transgressions that have occurred outside the way I have instructed things be handled, will be brought to my attention.

It was a long night that saw most of the managers sent packing or offered a job as a deep miner. Many of the miners were asked who they thought would be the best replacements for the managers. The atmosphere of hope that prevailed was most satisfying to Jesus, Mary and Joseph. They spent the night around a bonfire and entertained their brothers who became more open and willing to entertain them as the night wore on. As they left the next day to head back to the Isle of Avalon near Glastonbury they were met by the non-working shifts who had gathered along the roadside to pay their respects. The man who was to become warden stepped into the path of the horses and would not move. He waited for Jesus or Joseph to come out of the carriage and walk up to him. Jesus and Joseph both came towards him and Jesus opened his arms. The man came crying into his arms and he said.

I have a son who works in another mine which is run by someone from another Phoenician enterprise. I want him to have this wardens job.

It will be done. Joseph spoke and the crowd began to cheer. Again Jesus was touched by or shook hands with many of the miners before he returned to the carriage.