A Stray Drop of Blood (9 page)

She folded her hands before her. “You are lucky you focus better on the training field, or you may have been killed by now.”

He laughed. “We each have our virtues. Mine, apparently, do not incline toward the Latin tongue. I have been studying for years now, and still I can claim little knowledge of it.”

“
I suspect you know more than you employ.”

“
Let us hope so; otherwise, it could be said that you are a horrible teacher, and I could not bear to hear such a disparagement.”

That, at last, drew a smile from Abigail. “I daresay all would know to blame the pupil.”

Simon entered at that moment. “Mistress’s wishes for her son’s room have been carried out, Abigail. Tomorrow will be the day to clean it.”

Abigail nodded. “Have we heard any news of his arrival?”

Simon shook his head. “It depends largely on what weather his ship encounters. But to be safe, I will go with you to the market this week to see to the necessary provisions. They will be too much for you alone.”

She nodded, then smiled. “Is our lady pacing yet?”

Simon laughed. “The master has convinced her to sit down for the time being.”

Dinah entered then from the store room. “Oh, Simon, I was just coming for you. I have reviewed our supplies. Are you ready to take down my list?”

Her husband nodded and smiled, then picked up the utensils and followed her back into the closet.

Andrew saw the contemplation on Abigail’s face, and when they were alone again, he asked, “What has you worried?”

She did not hesitate to meet his gaze. “Do you realize that Dinah is the only one of us that cannot read and write?” He was obviously aware, so simply waited for her to go on. “It is unusual. Most masters do not educate their slaves.”

“
We have been blessed,” Andrew agreed, still waiting for her point.

“
Their son has been in Rome these six years, Andrew. What if he does not approve?”

“
He is not the master. Why would it matter?”

She shrugged, bit back a smile. “Perhaps I am afraid of change. Perhaps I fear the influence he may exercise.”

Andrew smiled outright and put an encouraging hand on hers. “Perhaps you should not borrow anxieties that are not ours.”

Abigail nodded, smiled in return. “Sometimes it is difficult in this house to remember that I am a slave. Although at other times it is difficult to remember I was once something else.”

“
But in your heart, Abigail, you are not.”

Her eyes searched his as if for the truth. “How can you be so certain of that, Andrew?”

“
Because.” He winked and leaned back in his chair. “I am an excellent judge of character.”

She rolled her warm brown eyes. “Your insight, as always, astounds me.”

Seriousness crept into Andrew, urging him upright again. “When I look into your eyes, little one, I do not see an Israelite bonded in Egypt. I see a woman fit to be the wife of a king.”

She laughed. “You are a true and flattering friend, Andrew. Of course, Israel has no true king.”

“
That is your one fault, my friend, you always get caught by such minor problems.”

They both stood, habit telling them it was time to go assist their masters in the day’s final preparations. Abigail gathered all of her supplies together. “Sometimes,” she said, “I think you are unable to differ between reality and your own imaginings.”

It was a common statement, and he responded in the usual way; he tugged her long braid and said, “Someday I will convince you that my view is best.”

“
You have not thus far.”

“
Give me time.”

“
You have had six years.”

“
Perhaps it will take seven.”

“
And when it had been seven, you will say eight, then nine, then ten.”

“
But always will I maintain hope.”

They had been walking throughout this familiar discourse and were now at their destination, the closets. They exchanged a smile before slipping silently in to attend to their duties, without disturbing the couple in the adjoining room.

Chapter Six

The entourage was making good time; nothing record-breaking like the time Caesar marched the same Tenth Legion two hundred miles in one day, but a steady pace nonetheless. They would reach Jerusalem by late afternoon, and Jason would sup with his parents this eve. The thought brought a smile to his lips, grateful the runner would arrive hours ahead so that Dinah would have enough notice to make the appropriate dinner. He hoped she still remembered what his favorites were. And, for that matter, that he still liked his old favorites.

“
What are you grinning about?” Menelaus took a sip of his ration of water.

“
The idea of eating this eve at my parents’ table while you lucky boys are tasting of daily fare. Sleeping in a real bed, taking a real bath.”

Menelaus gave him an unthreatening glare. “It is absolutely unfair that you get to live in your father’s house.”

“
And you in the governor’s palace. Life is full of little cruelties.” Titus sat down beside them, Lentulus and Apidius close behind him.

“
Do you suppose we will be given the eve off after we report?” Lentulus asked.

“
I should think so.” Menelaus took another lazy sip. “It is not as though they need us to relieve them in a crisis.”

“
Good. I am anxious to see the city. What do you recommend, Jason?”

He took a bite of bread and breathed in the once-familiar scent of Israel. “You will find some interesting wares in the marketplace close to the compound. Or if you are looking for entertainment, there is a street directly across from the east gate that can provide.” He grinned. “Not that I know anything about that, as I was scarcely more than a boy when I left.”

They all laughed with him, content to eat their food and plan an evening of restrained carousing. Titus arched a brow Jason’s way. “Are you certain you would not rather join us?”

It was his turn to laugh. “And face the wrath of my mother so soon? No. Thank you.”

“
Your loss.”

“
We will see about that. The quiet may be a welcome change.”

“
He will grow tired of that soon enough.” Menelaus knew him too well. “We will not miss his company often, I am sure.”

Jason grinned. That was why he had stipulated the “so soon” onto the comment of his mother’s anger. He, too, knew it would happen soon enough.

~*~

“
Five.”

“
Seven.”

Abigail arched a brow at the merchant, careful to hide the expression from Simon. He had come with her to the markets because they needed too much for her to manage alone, and he was in high spirits. The man enjoyed haggling . . . but was unfortunately not very good at it. If left to his own devices, they would pay a premium for everything.

The merchants, however, knew better than to try it when she was there. This one cleared his throat and scratched his head when he saw her glare. “I mean, five. Of course, five.”

Simon let out a victorious snort and handed over the money. Abigail could have gotten the myrtle for less but saw no reason to ruin everyone’s satisfaction. “Thank you, Joshua.”

“
Have a good day, Abigail. Simon.”

“
Well, that is that.” Simon tucked the dye into his basket and flashed a grin at Abigail. “We had better get home. There is nothing like a morning in the markets, is there?”

Abigail chuckled. “Nothing in the world.”

It took only a few minutes to near the house again. When Abigail heard her name being called, she turned to see Andrew approaching from the direction of the Praetorium. He jogged over to them, took the heavier basket from Abigail’s arm.

Simon opened the door. “Did the master forget something, Andrew?”

“
No. The runner just arrived–Master Jason will be here before nightfall.”

Abigail drew in a sharp breath and thrust the smaller basket at her friend too. “I must go inform the mistress.”

She rushed to the courtyard, trusting the men to handle the food. Ester was not there, so she climbed up the ladder to the roof and found her at the loom, purple wool at her side. “Mistress. We just got the word–your son will be home this eve.”

Ester’s hands stilled for a moment, light flashed in her eyes. “Dinah will need you in the kitchen.”

Kneeling at her mistress’s side, Abigail put a hand on Ester’s arm. “Are you certain? I could read to you, or sing.” Anything to help the woman keep her nerves in check.

“
No, dear one. You must help make everything perfect for my son’s homecoming. When there is a lull in the kitchen, then help me ready myself, but otherwise assist Dinah. And could you send a note to Julia, postponing our plans for this afternoon? She will understand.”

“
Of course, Mistress. Please let me know if you need anything else.”

Ester smiled and went back to her weaving. “I will be fine, Abigail. I will be at the loom a while longer, and then I shall rest. You have nothing to worry about.”

Abigail stood, even though she knew that rest was well beyond her mistress.

~*~

The bread was in the oven, the cakes cooling. Dinah had the rest under control, and Abigail took the opportunity to slip away to help Ester. She found her mistress as she had expected to, pacing the courtyard impatiently.

“
Come, Mistress.” Abigail stayed inside and bade Ester join her. “Let us get you ready.”

Ester came in and sat in her normal place for her hair to be brushed, although she fidgeted every which direction.

Abigail laughed softly and put calming hands on her mistress’s shoulders. “If you do not calm down, your hair will be a wadded mess. Is that the impression you wish to make on your son?”

Ester tried to scowl into the metal mirror but gave up and laughed instead. “I cannot help it, Abigail, you know that.” Then her brows drew together. “His correspondences have been so vague. A soldier’s life can be a treacherous one. I see many men scarred in many ways during their service. They often become so cold, even cruel.”

“
But then, look at your husband.” Abigail gathered her mistress’s long locks, smoothed them with her hands. “There is none whose heart could rival his.”

Ester sighed. “That, precisely, is my fear.”

Abigail met her mistress’s eye. “What of Vetimus, then? The general? Alexander? Marcus?”

Ester finally smiled. “All right, I admit it, there are many soldiers that are of noble spirit, men of honor. But you must also admit that for every one of those, there are a hundred that are not.”

Abigail smiled. “I would not know. My only acquaintances among them are the ones I just mentioned.” Satisfied with the level of stillness Ester had managed, she picked up the brush and began her methodic and soothing work. “Will you wear the new stola your husband gave you, with the gold collar?”

“
Would that be too much?”

“
Is anything too much for your son’s return?”

Ester smiled. “Nothing. And you wear your new white tunic. I have finished a multi-colored belt for you.”

“
Certainly, although I will have to wait until the last minute to change; I do not want to stain the linen with kitchen work.”

“
You can change right before we dine, then. I will just give you the belt, in case I am busy by the time you are finished with Dinah.”

“
That is fine. There, your hair is shining as the sun. How would you like it dressed?”

“
Just bind it in the Hebrew fashion, it is simpler.”

Abigail selected a length of cloth that would complement the stola and wrapped it around her hair. She then fetched the clothing.

As the folds settled across her curves, Ester smiled. “Jason will be impressed with his mother’s youthful beauty, will he not?” she asked, winking.

Abigail laughed. “He will be sure to tell all his friends so as to drive them to jealousy over his fine family. A queen of a mother, and a father that they must all obey.”

Ester, too, breathed a laugh. “You have made me feel much better, Abigail. But now I fear you must return to Dinah. The hour grows late, and there is still much to be done, I am sure.”

“
Are you certain you are all right?”

“
Go. Let me fret in peace if I will.”

With a last smile, Abigail left her mistress’s chamber and made her way back to the kitchen, where the pace had picked up again.

~*~

“
Jason Visibullis, centurion, reporting as ordered from Rome, Lord.”

Cleopas looked up from the sword he had been sharpening, a smile ready. Even through six years of change, he recognized that voice. “Jason!” Putting formality aside, he embraced his son with a hearty, happy laugh. “My son! It is good to see you again.”

Jason grinned. “You look well, Father.”

“
As do you.” He took a step back to study the younger man. “It is so good to have you back.” Cleopas clasped his son’s shoulder with a strong hand. “Shall I show you around the Praetorium, or does your memory recall the layout?”