The Eagle And The Lamb (Truly Yours Digital Editions)

by Darlene Mindrup

  Sara was becoming suspicious. “And did she take the sleeping draught again?”

  Antonius glanced at her impatiently. “Only when she couldn’t sleep. What are you trying to say?”

  “I’m not trying to say anything. I was just wondering.”

  “Well, you can ask questions of the physician when he comes tomorrow,” Antonius told her. “He comes once a week to care for her.”

  Sara decided to try again. “And how is she after the physician leaves?”

  He took a moment to think about it. “Quiet, I suppose you could say. Very lethargic. But she sleeps better.”

  “She is sleeping well now,” Sara reasoned, and he looked at her in wonder.

  “That’s true, but then she sleeps a lot anyway.”

  “Then why should she need a sleeping draught?” she demanded softly.

  Antonius jumped to his feet. “Look, Sara, I don’t have all the answers. I just have to trust the physicians to do the best for her. Let’s not speak of this anymore tonight.” He lifted Sara to her feet. “Let’s go and check on Diana, and then you can have something to eat. You must be starved.”

  Again Sara marveled that he would care so much for a mere slave. She walked up the concrete stairs with him to the balcony that surrounded the peristyle. He went to Diana’s door and knocked softly. When there was no answer, he quietly pushed open the door and peeked inside. Sara followed him into the room and had to smile at Diana’s figure curled up asleep. Antonius laid a hand against her cheek and sighed with relief.

  “There’s no fever. Sometimes she has bouts with fever and nausea. But not tonight.”

  Antonius picked up the tray of food beside the bed that was for the most part untouched. Sara wrinkled her nose at the disgusting blend of greasy foods.

  “Tribune, is that the kind of food she always eats?”

  Frowning, Antonius studied the tray. “Is there something wrong with the food, too?” he asked sarcastically. “Tell me, are you a Jewish healer, as well as the old man?”

  Sara shook her head. “Ahaz has taught our people much about different healing balms and herbs, but he is the master. It doesn’t take a healer to realize that greasy food might be indigestible to a sick stomach.”

  Antonius seemed to ponder what she said. Shrugging his shoulders, he told her in exasperation, “The physicians said she needed the fat.”

  “I see.”

  Two little words with a wealth of condemnation. Antonius whirled on his feet and left the room. When he reached the balcony, he told Sara, “Go and get something to eat, and then return to Diana. Sometimes she wakes during the night and is frightened.”

  Gritting her teeth at his arrogant tone, she followed him down the stairs. “The kitchen is through there,” he told her coldly, and Sara wondered what had made him so angry. There was no way she could know that her questions had made him feel remiss in his duty to his sister. He decided that tomorrow he would ask more questions of the physicians.

  Sara ate a solitary meal of dates and oranges. She had very little appetite, and the emotional turmoil of the day was beginning to catch up with her. When she returned to Diana’s room, she found that Decimus had placed a sleeping couch in the room for her. Sara smiled slightly at his thoughtfulness. He couldn’t know that all of her life she had slept on a mat on the floor.

  She went to the water urn in the corner and freshened herself before going to the couch and throwing herself on her knees. She leaned against the bed, her heart nearly breaking with her grief. Prayers went swiftly up on behalf of her parents and Dathan, and she asked God to take care of them. She prayed for Diana, that God would heal her body and her soul. She prayed that Antonius would be a kind master. Lastly she prayed for herself. Peace settled down around her, soothing, and she knew that God was with her. That was how Decimus found her the next morning, still on her knees.

  ❧

  Sara could hear voices coming from the peristyle, so she hastily turned her steps away and headed instead for the kitchen. She had made friends with Bacchus, the kitchen cook. He was kind but could become very angry if someone so much as hinted that there was something wrong with his food.

  “Bacchus, what kind of food would you fix for someone who was very ill if you had the choice?” Sara asked him.

  “Humph. No one has asked me, but if they did, I would tell them that soups and broths and fresh fruit would be the best thing.”

  Sara nodded. “I knew you were a wise man.”

  Bacchus puffed up at the praise. This little Jewish slave was intelligent for a woman. Already in the week she had been here, she had made some subtle changes. Changes he heartily approved of.

  Decimus entered the kitchen. “Sara, the master wishes your presence in the peristyle.”

  Heart thumping fearfully, Sara went quickly, only to find Antonius with another man. She hesitated in the doorway, but Antonius motioned her to come in.

  “Sara, you probably don’t remember my friend Flavius, but he was with me the day I shot you with the arrow.”

  Flavius stared at the girl curiously. She looked nothing like the little girl they had found on the hillside. He couldn’t know that Antonius had ordered her to wear more colorful clothes, refusing to let her wear the brown she favored that made her look so colorless. Indeed, Flavius found her rather attractive, in a strange sort of way.

  “I have told Flavius about the change you have wrought in Diana, and he thought maybe Diana might be inclined to see him,” Antonius told her. “Go and find out if Diana will have a visitor.”

  “In her bedchamber?” Sara blurted. Color flamed into her face when Antonius smiled mockingly and Flavius burst out laughing. Turning, she fled up the stairs and entered Diana’s room, slamming the door behind her. These Romans had no shame whatsoever. Was nothing sacred to them?

  Diana was sitting up in bed, her hair curled becomingly around her slender shoulders. Although Sara had managed to make some change in her appearance, Diana was still lethargic and had very little energy to do much of anything. Sara was beginning to form some opinions of her own, having watched proceedings for the last week.

  She still shivered when she thought of the day the physician had come. He had given Decimus the sleeping powders that Diana used almost every night. Sara was horrified when he pulled a container from his bag and took out little insects. Making an incision on Diana’s arm with a small knife, he placed the insects on the cut where they greedily fed off Diana’s blood. As each insect became gorged, he removed it and put another in its place. Covering her mouth, Sara ran from the room.

  When she returned, Diana lay pale and listless against the covers. Going to her side, Sara took Diana’s hand in her own, gently stroking her palm and wrist. Diana smiled slightly.

  “Not used to a little blood, Sara? Don’t worry, you soon will be.”

  Sara refrained from comment. There was no way she could ever become used to such a gruesome sight. And if there was any way possible, she intended to prevent it from happening again.

  That had been almost a week ago, and Diana seemed better today. But the physician would come again tomorrow, and then it would start all over again.

  “My lady, there is someone here who would like to see you.”

  Diana’s face registered her surprise. “Who would want to see me?” she asked sarcastically. “No one has cared enough before.”

  “Perhaps they would have if they thought you wanted it,” Sara answered.

  “I don’t wish to see anyone. Except Antonius.” Sara turned to leave the room so she could deliver the message, but before she reached the door, Diana stopped her.

  “Wait! Who is it?”

  “His name is Tribune Flavius, my lady,” Sara told her and watched her eyes spark with interest.

  “Flavius? Here?” Her face took on a faraway expression, and she smiled slightly. She quirked an eyebrow at Sara. “He was in love with me at one time, you know. Before. . .”

  Watching the frown forming on her fa
ce, Sara hurried to turn her thoughts. “So, do you wish to see him?” Diana hesitated so long Sara decided she must not have heard. About to repeat the question, Diana suddenly turned wistful eyes to her.

  “I would like to change first.” Sara smiled with pleasure and hurried to the chest that held Diana’s colorful array of tunics.

  “Let me have the royal blue tunic and the soft blue palla,” Diana suggested. “At least they will not make me look so ill.”

  Sara helped her replace her tunic and then wrapped the palla around Diana’s shoulders and waist.

  “Would you like me to braid your hair?” Sara asked her.

  Excitement began to sparkle in Diana’s eyes. Sara rarely saw that look. Only when Antonius came to visit.

  “Yes, braid my hair. There are some pearls on my dressing table that you can use, also.”

  When Sara returned to the garden, she found Flavius waiting expectantly.

  “She will see you now, Tribune.”

  His brown eyes ignited with joy in response, and Sara thought that he was a most handsome man. She smiled softly at him and then turned her eyes to Antonius. He was thunderstruck. Sara had to stifle a grin.

  Antonius turned to Sara, his mouth open in surprise. “What magic did you use to accomplish this?”

  Sara frowned at him. “Not magic,” she stressed, “just love and encouragement.”

  Both Flavius and Antonius regarded her somberly. Antonius knew that what she said was true, for he had noticed a bond forming between his sister and Sara. It was hard to imagine, but they truly seemed to love each other. Like sisters. Sara could get Diana to do things that even Antonius couldn’t manage. Antonius felt a twinge of jealousy.

  “I’ll come with you, Flavius,” he told the young man.

  Sara followed both men up the stairs. They paused outside Diana’s chamber, but Sara motioned them inside. The drapes were opened wide to receive the full morning sun, which gave a glow to Diana’s blond hair. Although it was still thin from her illness, it glowed with the care Sara had been giving it.

  Diana looked pale but beautiful. Flavius couldn’t take his eyes from her, and Antonius stared with awe at the transformation. He glanced at Sara, who was staring with pride at Diana.

  Flavius went forward, taking Diana’s hand in his and raising it to his lips. “You look truly beautiful. Worthy of Aphrodite herself,” he told her softly.

  Diana blushed at the compliment, and the color made her look healthier, adding a touch of innocent beauty to her face. “Flavius,” she murmured, “I have missed you.”

  Sara could see him swallow hard, his eyes roving restlessly over Diana’s face. “If that is so, lovely one, but say the word and I will be by your side every day.”

  Diana gave a trill of laughter. “And what would Caesar have to say about that? Far be it from me to cause one of his most loyal officers to desert.”

  Antonius stepped forward. “Diana, it is good to see you looking so well.” He could see the dark circles under her eyes, the translucency of her skin, but there was life in her eyes. He began to have hope. How much of this was due to Sara who tended her constantly?

  “If you don’t mind, I have some things I need to discuss with Sara,” Antonius informed them. Placing a hand on Flavius’s shoulder, he gave it a squeeze. “I will see you later.”

  Flavius barely noticed their departure, and Antonius grinned at Sara. She preceded him out the door but left it open behind her. Antonius’s mouth quirked and he shook his head slightly. The girl was a definite innocent.

  Sara followed Antonius through the atrium, her eyes averted from the wall hangings she so despised. He took her through to the triclinium, an adjoining room that was sometimes used when they entertained guests for a meal. It had been a long time since this room had been occupied, but Antonius knew it would be less offensive to Sara’s decided ideas of purity. He motioned her to be seated on a small chaise, and he sat down next to her.

  “Sara, I don’t know how you have managed to wrought such a transformation in my sister in such a short time, but I want you to know that I am truly thankful.” He hesitated, his eyes searching hers. Sara waited patiently for him to continue. Something was bothering him, and eventually he would tell her what it was. She began to feel a little apprehensive, but he finally continued. “I want to repay you in some way.”

  That she was amazed was an understatement. She searched his face for some clue to where this conversation was leading but could find none.

  “I am a slave, Tribune. I expect no payment,” she told him softly.

  He waved his hand in dismissal of her statement, frowning in annoyance. “Neither Diana nor I see you as such.”

  Sara was confused, cocking her head slightly. “Then how do you see me, sir?”

  He watched her so long that Sara thought he wasn’t going to answer. “I didn’t bring you here to discuss how I see you. I brought you here to tell you that tomorrow I will take you home to visit your parents.”

  Sara’s face filled with delight, and forgetting herself, she threw herself into Antonius’s arms, hugging him joyously. When she would have pulled away, Antonius held her more firmly. He grinned at her as her face suffused with color.

  “Perhaps I should take you to see your parents more often,” he teased.

  “Please, Tribune,” she begged, struggling for release. Antonius bent and kissed her nose before quickly releasing her. In an instant, his demeanor changed from playful to serious.

  “We have to assure Diana that we won’t be gone long. I don’t want everything undone that has already been accomplished. If this can’t be done, then we cannot go.”

  Sara’s heart sank. Although Diana seemed slightly better, she still had bouts of depression and would burst into tears at the least little provocation. Sara was afraid to even ask. Fortunately the way was made clear when she and Antonius returned to Diana’s room and found Flavius on the verge of departure.

  “She’s very tired,” he told Antonius. “She needs to rest now.”

  Antonius could see Diana’s eyes starting to glaze with fatigue, but still she tried to maintain a facade.

  “Don’t forget, Flavius,” she told him in a coquettish voice. “You promised to spend time with me tomorrow.”

  Flavius smiled, taking her hand to his lips again. “I will be here even if I have to take on Caesar himself,” he told her teasingly.

  After the two men left, Diana quickly began to droop. Sara rushed to her and helped her ready herself for sleep. Sara would wait until later to discuss Antonius and her trip to see her parents. She begged God to let nothing happen to hinder them. The only problem she was having was the thought of being alone with Antonius again. Remembering the feel of his arms around her, she buried her face in her hands. “Please, God,” she begged, “don’t let this happen to me.”

  Chapter 6

  Sara felt the exhilaration of riding in a chariot for the first time. Antonius had chosen this means of transportation because Sara didn’t know how to ride a horse. And although it may have given him some pleasure to have her in his arms again, he didn’t think it would be pleasurable for Sara.

  It had been easier than either Sara or Antonius had believed to leave the villa, partly, they were certain, because of Flavius. Diana had been more animated than Antonius had seen her in a long time. Perhaps Sara was right and Diana was beginning to heal, if not physically, then at least mentally. Antonius had assured her that they would return before the physician’s visit that afternoon.

  Sara pressed herself closer to the front of the chariot, trying to ease herself away from Antonius’s form. He smiled slightly, recognizing the maneuver. His pride was somewhat affected since he had never had a woman turn away from him before. He decided to tease her a little. Using a flock of cranes as an excuse, he leaned forward and pointed them out to Sara. He felt her body stiffen as his chest pressed against her back. Antonius grinned. She had nowhere else to go.

  “Tell me, Sara,” he whispere
d in her ear. “Did you leave someone behind when I took you away?”

  Choosing to misunderstand him, she snapped in irritation, “Of course I did. Isn’t that who we’re going to see?”

  He ignored her displeasure. “I mean, a man. Did you not have someone you were attached to?” he asked her softly, his breath brushing against her ear. He felt her shiver and grinned again.

  “I had no one,” she told him stonily.

  Antonius decided to relieve her of her misery and pulled back, adjusting the reins in his hands. The beauty of the day filled him with vitality, and taking a deep breath, he lifted his eyes heavenward, giving thanks to the gods. As though she could read his thoughts, Sara spoke with the same exhilaration.

  “God has truly smiled upon the earth today.”

  “Your God?”

  Sara pressed her lips together. “I have told you. There is only one God.”

  “That is your belief. We Romans believe a person should be allowed to choose whichever god they desire.”

  “How kind,” Sara told him, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

  Antonius frowned. Although he had meant what he told Sara about not seeing her as a slave, he still felt aggravated by her lack of respect.

  “Why should anyone believe in your God over the others?” he asked her.

  “Tell me, Tribune. How do you picture a god? Is he not all-powerful?” she queried.

  “Of course.”

  “How is it then that your Roman gods can be destroyed by one another? Punished by one another for their misdeeds?”

  Antonius chose to answer her question with one of his own. “And your God cannot be destroyed?”

  “No,” she told him seriously. “He has been since before time and will continue after time ceases to be.”

  He tried to puzzle out what she was saying. “And you believe only one God could create the whole earth? And everything in it?”

  “One time,” she told him, “I went to a wedding banquet. Several of the women—aunts, sisters, cousins, mothers—were trying to prepare the feast. Each had their own idea of how it should be done. It was total chaos.”