They skirted the Praetorium, where Cleopas had served as prefect for two years now. Even before the promotion, he had been a soldier of import. Hence why his home abutted the compound. As they walked, citizens of Jerusalem moved to the other side of the street to avoid him, all Hebrew gazes flicked away.
He cast a glance over his shoulder. The girl still stared at the ground as she kept pace, but she surely knew that the moment she entered his house, her culture would by necessity change. Not as drastically as she may think in this moment, but no one would ever look at her the same, if they looked at her at all.
Simon opened the door for him as they neared, and Cleopas greeted the loyal servant with a nod. “Ester is in her chamber?”
“Yes, Lord, as is your son.”
He nodded again and motioned the girl to follow him. Angry voices sounded as they neared the bed chamber’s door. His wife’s first. “You will not speak that way, Jason. He will be back in a matter of minutes–”
“He should not have left today in the first place. Buying a slave on the day his only son leaves? It is Simon’s duty.”
“I asked him–”
Cleopas halted the argument with a cleared throat. Ester sat with a brush in hand, eyes glistening with unshed tears, and looked to him with hope. Jason let out a growl and charged past him in the doorway, nearly knocking the girl from her feet.
He would deal with his son in a moment. For now, he ushered the girl forward with a hand on her shoulder. “Beloved, this is Abigail.”
His wife’s eyes lit, and she held out her hands. Though she looked awe-struck and terrified, the mite stepped forward. Ester smiled. “Abigail. A fine, strong name. First the wife of Nabal, but too wise for such a wicked man. After his death, she married David. It is good to meet you, Abigail. I am Ester.”
Abigail dipped her chin, but her spine straightened. “An excellent namesake as well, Mistress. A wiser, better queen has never been recorded in all the history of our people.”
His wife laughed and tapped a finger to the little one’s nose. “You know your history. Excellent. I shall teach you more, and we shall discover much together. You will be well taken care of, Abigail.”
The girl nodded, but a tremble moved through her lips. Ester leaned forward and cupped her face with what looked to be the gentlest of touches. “I am sorry you are no longer free, that you have lost your parents. But I am glad you are here.” She looked intently into Abigail’s face, undoubtedly seeing into the depths of her pain. She gathered her close in the next moment. “My sweet child.”
The slight shoulders shook, and sobs tore from her throat. He caught Ester’s gaze, gave her a tender smile, and motioned to the door. She had the girl well in hand. It was time to try to do the same with his son.
He found him in his chamber, looking out the window at the busy street. Cleopas paused in the doorway without making himself known. His boy had grown up, stood at a man’s height, had a man’s strength. But the wisdom had yet to come.
“I am sorry I was not back sooner, Jason.”
Jason spun around, a wry smile on his lips. “I should not have grown angry. It is but the first hour. Did I upset Mother?”
“If so, she is soothing her wounds by lavishing adoration on our new little handmaiden.” He sighed and joined his son at the window. A few soldiers hurried by, as well they should be. They were late for the morning drills. “I train soldiers every day, Jason. I could have trained you here.”
His son shook his head. “We agreed that Rome would be a better option, Father. I can attend the academies there, check on our family’s property. Learn of our culture and escape this oppressive Judaism while learning to be a soldier.”
“Please do not speak ill of your mother’s faith. You are part Hebrew, and you will do well to remember it.”
“I have been submersed in it all my life.” Jason waved a hand, as if to dismiss it all. “The Jews will never accept me because of my Roman blood. Perhaps the Romans will overlook the Hebrew part and I will finally find a place for myself.”
“In Rome?”
“I could regain the status of your grandfather. Our reputation. Expand our estates.”
The very thought wearied him. “I would that you just safely return to your mother’s arms.”
Jason’s lips twitched up. “Rest assured I will see you both again, Father. Perhaps someday I will even serve with you.”
He would do all he could to make sure of it.
*
Abigail found that Simon was surprisingly friendly; then again, he had no reason to feel threatened by an eight-year-old girl whose main purpose in the house was to be Mistress’s entertainment. So it made sense that he welcomed her into the kitchen with warmth.
“You, of course, will have little need to know the particular goings-on in here,” he said with a smile. “At least for a while.”