Aries Fire by Elaine Edelson Page B

Isidorus’ face and Alexander’s words of a moment ago—not only a pagan but a female as well.
    Of course, Seira thought. I shall seek out this Rabbi Isaac, a respected holy man in the temple of Jerusalem. That temple is recognized as having the most revered astrological mosaic in all of Palestine. His sympathies must lie with me, as I, too, am studied in the ways of the stars. Well, somewhat. The only obstruction is getting off this accursed ship!
     

Chapter Three
     
Karmic lesson number one; get out of your own way
Or, Neptune transit the 11th
     
    A T LAST, A coastal port in view and her freedom on its shores. A surge of nervousness swirled through her stomach and settled in her groin.  It was the same feeling that led her through daydreams of Alexander.  What was the source of this desire?  How did it rest in one place and become so excited by different experiences?
    Seira stuffed her shoulder sack and readied herself. She put the jeweled shoes on her feet. They reminded her of her room and her possessions and she felt safer with something familiar.
    She decided she would create a commotion by throwing amphoras over the side.  When no one’s attention was on her, she would make way down the plank and run into the crowd.  It was a feeble plan, but the best she could do with so little time.
    “Seira.”
     “AH!”
    The voice made her jump and she flung her sack into Lem’s face.  He caught the sack with a quick reflex and held it out to her. His unwanted intrusion into her cabin caused her mood to explode into silent anger.  She clamped her teeth together, inhaled slowly, and gripped the edge of her cot. She had to appear at ease.  She didn’t want him to suspect her intentions.
    “Yes,” she said and sat on the cot. “What is it?” 
    He walked past the door and looked about. Lem smiled at her. He put the sack on the table.
    “I thought you might want to see the port of Ashkelon,” he said. 
    He stopped abruptly at seeing her fixed in position, with both of her knees tilted to one side. She was trying to look casual.
    “Have I interrupted?  The door was opened and…” 
    Lem turned his face away.  He lowered his eyes in an expression of unexpected embarrassment and his cheeks flushed, turning a bright red color.
    He suspects nothing! 
    It was her suspicion that acted with guilt.
    “How thoughtful of you, Lem.  Yes, I would like to see as much as I can,” she said feigning innocence.
    Seira stepped past Lem and moved into the hallway. It was narrow and blocked by crates. A vile stink permeated her nose.
    “What is that stench?  Move now.  I can’t breathe.” 
    She pushed her way toward the sky and air.  Behind her, Lem had been pulled aside to assist the cargo bearers. His face protested, but he said nothing. Seira shrugged at him and left him behind.
    Jupiter be praised, she thought.  She would wait until he was distracted and go back for her things.
    “Fish,” a voice said in her ear.
    She was aware of Alexander’s breath on her neck as he spoke.  His warmth calmed her. She turned toward him with a curious look on her face, as if he were the only one on Earth who could stop her thoughts.
    “You asked what that stench was,” he said.
    “What fish smells of waste?”
    “All fish that’s been left to rot in a barrel,” he laughed.
    All things appeared to stand still when he was near. She suddenly wanted to talk to him, to know him. 
    Alexander held a log of inventory and marked it scrupulously as he spoke to her. A crewman called out to him and his attention turned away for a moment. In a blinding flash, an invisible fist struck her head. It was the type of pounding that usually preceded one of her visions.  Seira tried to catch her breath. Alexander finally turned to address her.  Her head throbbed and drowned out his voice.
    What she heard instead were a wealth of sounds, so familiar and yet so completely foreign.  Instruments played all around her.  Stringed