Aries Fire by Elaine Edelson Page A

Isaac?”
    “Yes, long ago,” he nodded.  “I hear it’s an exquisite place.  Although I’ve not seen it, I’ll venture to say that you’ll not see it either.” 
    “Why not?” she asked.
    “Well, Seira, in Alexandria the women can own property without the consent of a man and can divorce and retain their possessions without shame.  Overall, Egyptian women have more freedom.  Truth?” 
    “Oh, yes, of course.  Oh, but not so in Jerusalem?”
    “No.  Not in Jerusalem.  Not in much of the world.  In the eyes a Jewish man, you’re not only a pagan, but a female as well. They wouldn’t let you set foot inside one of these temples, to be sure.”
    While he spoke, she looked at the color of his eyes, without effort she had a very clear image of this forbidden, temple doorway.
    “Aren’t golden eagles a bit ornate for Jewish architecture?” she asked bluntly.
    “I, ah, am uncertain,” he said, then added, “I thought you’ve not yet been past the great Lighthouse of Alexandria?”
    “What?  Oh,” she stopped, focusing on his face again.  “Is there an eagle at the temple?” she asked.
    “Not at that temple,” he said. “But there is one in Constantinople, at the Imperial Palace.” He looked at her curiously.
    She instantly realized that the image she had seen was a vision. It was the clearest one yet and the first one to be confirmed. She’s had so many before; but they had been blurred and jumbled images.  Her visions were usually preceded by headaches. This one came without warning.  Seeing it caused her to speak without forethought. Even though the event was minor and harmless, she had no control over it, her thoughts, or her words. Seira trembled slightly and felt a bit apprehensive. Should she explain her gift of sight? She was untrained, not ready.  Alexander looked at her intently.
    “I haven’t actually seen, but… I’ve heard, that is, about that one, from my mother.  Isn’t it famous?” She fumbled with her words.
    The image of the eagle lingered in her mind. She was struck by the clarity of the vision. It wasn’t just seeing it as if it were real; it was that she knew she’d actually seen it that really frightened her. To add to it all, she shuddered even more having used her mother’s memory in a lie.
    “You’re shivering.  Perhaps it’s sun fever,” he said.
    He took her by the arm and escorted her into the shade of the sail.  She was thankful that he left the matter of the eagle alone.
    As they walked, Alexander kept casual watch on his men who went about their duties. It gave Seira time to regain her sense of calm.
    “You know, I don’t see any harm…” he said.
    “What?” she asked quickly, sensing the direction of his thoughts.
    “No. No. The idea of it is too dangerous,” he decided.
    Aries fire! Seira thought as her mind turned toward escape.  She would have to get ashore and bide her time in a marketplace, and then she’d be able to lose herself in the crowd without his help.
     Alexander suddenly called to his first mate. “Ho there, Mahmoud!  Excuse me, please,” he said, and was off giving orders.
    Alexander’s muscular, bronze legs appeared solid and brawny, yet he darted between ropes, oil filled amphoras, and crates as a gazelle might.
     Seira glanced over at Lem.  He caught her eye and held up a purse, looking very proud of himself.
    “Oh, Jupiter be praised,” she laughed loudly. Then in a mumble as she waved at him, “You gamble while I formulate my escape plan.”
    Her impatience returned. How would she get to Jerusalem? 
    A camel of course.  Anyone would know that.
    She looked at the water to calm her nerves and let them drift away with the tide. Her mother taught her to focus on passing clouds to gain mental composure. Water would work just as well. 
    A vivid picture of the golden eagle appeared like an apparition in the water. The sun glinted off of the ocean and caused the eagle to sparkle. Images fused together with