Lucius looked up while continuing his tool work. His face displayed curiosity, not concern. Elias did not wait for Lucius to speak again, having seen in his eyes enough reassurance that he could proceed with his questioning.
"I spoke with Jacob this morning, just after Sister Melissa had left the village. Following this latest departure, it seems as if Jacob has developed a certain coldness, as if he has no concern for those he determines as being weak in faith. I feel, however, that we should do more for those who have lost their faith. Our hearts must stay warm for each other, not just for God."
Lucius finally ceased his activity with the trowel and, raising his upper body to rest his large weathered hands on his legs, he spoke. This hadn’t escaped the watchful eye of Jacob, while Elias patiently waited for an answer, one that he hoped would signal the degree of Lucius’ allegiance to a leader Elias had already declared unfit.
"I can see your point Brother Elias but I can also see Jacob’s side in all of this. I believe that Brother Jacob truly is a man who is concerned for us all and our well-being. Having seen more than half the village disappear, I feel that he now believes a stronger mind is perhaps needed, one stemming from love, and one that causes Jacob to focus more on those who still remain, not on those who have chosen to leave. Perhaps this has made you feel a degree of coldness in Brother Jacob."
This was not the answer that Elias had wanted to hear. Elias would have to probe deeper.
"Granted Lucius, but I fear that Jacob has forgotten that this was a village built on democracy, not the rule of one. Have you not at least questioned Jacob’s motives for leading us? I personally believe that he leads for his own glory, not for the Lord’s."
Lucius seemed intrigued by the conversation, implied by the non-committal strokes he made at the earth with his trowel, as if to signal that the communal gardening activity was suddenly of limited interest. But Elias nonetheless felt that Lucius was one who would rather acquiesce than fight.
"To address your concerns Elias, I’m afraid I can be of no help. If you are asking for a mutiny, you will find no support from the rest of us. If you are seeking to displace Jacob as our spiritual leader, that is between the two of you alone. If, however, you want to know how we feel about Brother Jacob, then we have already had that discussion."
Elias’ face registered a look of hurt that Lucius chose to disregard.