I drew closer, noting that the Son of God was pale and that sweat and salt marked his brow. This man was not of unusual height or physical attractiveness. He was strong, with calloused fingers, as if he were a laborer of some kind. His clothing--well, it was practically rags.

This was one of the most powerful beings in the universe?

And he was praying--or at least that was what he appeared to be doing. He was on his knees, hands folded, as if he were a man and not the Word and Wisdom of all creation.

But he was a man. What was I seeing here, exactly? What purpose was there to this game?

So enthralled was I with the oddity of this spectacle, that I drew closer than I intended. He looked up and saw me. For a moment, I panicked. All I could do was look back into those eyes.

If there was any doubt about who he was on account of his unremarkable physical body, those eyes erased them. They were pale brown, haunting as the tombs by the sea where I'd left my legion and piercing as a centurion's lance. When he saw me, I knew, knew in the core of my being that all my preparations had been for nought. Everything I'd sought to hide was illumined by lightning.

"May God's blessing be upon you," he said. Then he closed his eyes and went back to his praying.

I stood there, shaken, not sure what had just happened to me. I inspected my hands, reassuring myself that I had not been destroyed by his terrible power. All he'd done is utter a simple blessing, as if I we were both two ordinary people who chanced to meet out in the desert. Should I play along.

"You look hungry."

He nodded. "The Lord has asked me to fast for forty days for the sake of Israel."

I blinked. No mortal body could last that long without food. "Surely, your fast is not absolute. You'll die out here if you don't eat for that long."

"As the Lord provided for his children when they wandered in the desert, so he will provide for me."

I glanced around. Would mana appear as it had long ago? Would angels arrive to give him sustenance as they had for Elijah? Somehow, that seemed out of character for what was going on here.

"I know you are a Roman, but if the Lord has put it on your heart to come to me, perhaps you have bread to offer me," the Son of God said.

For a few seconds, all I could do was stare into those mysterious eyes. How was it that he didn't know who I was or why I was sent here?

"Sir," I replied. "You are the Son of God. If you but command it, these stones will become bread for you."

At this his countenance darkened and I took a step back, bracing myself for fire or for the earth to open beneath me. Instead, he said, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone.' I will accept only what providence provides."

Again I looked around. The desert was quiet. Everything was peaceful. With a shaking hand, I wiped my brow.

What was I doing here?

"Why do you fear me?" he asked.

"Why do I fear--Can you not see me for what I am? Please, stop toying with me. Destroy me if you must, but end this terrible game."

Those eyes looked deeper into me.

"Ah. You are the one sent to tempt me." He nodded. "Do not fear to do the task appointed to you, sir demon. It is my Father that has ordained this must happen. None will harm you for what you are about to do."

Though my mind suspected a trap, at a deeper level I found that I had no choice but to believe him. There was Truth in what he said, as if it were a self-evident thing like one and two being three.

"Very well." I looked around. What would I do? What sort of temptation would I offer?

I snapped my fingers and we were on the highest point of the temple in Jerusalem. From here we could see the vast panorama of the land he had been praying for. I was surprised that my magic had worked, but that seemed to be the nature of the strange game he was playing.

"Look," I said. "Look at all the lands. I will give you all authority, wealth, and splendor. It has been given to me, and I can give it to you. All you need do is worship me."

He gave me a sidelong glance. "The scripture says, 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'" He paused, then added. "You're not trying very hard are you?"

In truth, I wasn't. I had no idea what I was doing.

I had to think. What would a serious temptation look like for this person who was more than a person? Perhaps this humble man could be lured by glory? It all seemed so absurd, but my job had to be done.

"Throw yourself down from here," I said. "For God's angels will guard you and you will not allow your foot to strike against a stone. When the people in the courtyard below see this, they will know you as their king from heaven and will worship you as the Divine Being you are."

He glanced down. "It is written, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"

Again, I wiped my brow. My nerves were shot. "Look, is this enough? Can I go now?"

He smiled. "Be at peace."

I snapped my fingers and we were back in the desert. At once, he went back to praying.

For a few seconds more I stared at him, then I fumbled at my belt and withdrew the small loaf of bread I carried. I set it on the ground next to him.

"Thank you for not destroying me," I said. Then I turned to go.

"May God's blessing be upon you," he said.

This time, though, I felt the power wash over me and strengthen me, even soothing the place in my soul where I mourned for the loss of Mikal. At the same time, though, the whole encounter frightened me. I hurried from the desert with all of my newfound strength.