Gestas

Gestas is a minor antagonist in Chris Heimerdinger's 2005 novel ''Kingdoms and Conquerors. ''He is a skilled Zealot archer who works for Bar Abba.

History
After Bar Abba hears of the supposed miracle performed by Jim Hawkins, he decides to take him to Jerusalem to help cement the Jews and Zealots' beliefs that Bar Abba is their Messiah. On the way, he assigns Gestas as Jim's security escort. Gestas is ordered to kill Jim if he is to step out of line.

In Jerusalem, Bar Abba attempts to convince the people that he is the Messiah, which Jim speaks up and contradicts. This sends the crowd into a riot of fury. Seeing this, the city's Roman soldiers come onto the scene and attempt to sort the situation out. In the commotion, Jim reunites with his sister Jenny, who has escaped Heli's guard. Gestas and Bar Abba intercept them as they try to escpae via the rooftops. However, Jim wins the fight with Bar Abba, and Gestas and Bar Abba are arrested by the Romans.