PANTERA - Sara Reinke

SARA REINKEthe city, journeymen to a local contractor named Yoseph fromNazareth. That’s who reported them missing, and who Senecahas sent us to summon.”“Lamech and Heth,” Abdes said. “I know thosenames, sir. I heard the man outside speak of them.”We want justice for my brothers! What of Lamech and Heth?Mallus nodded. “That was Judas ben Hezekiah,” hesaid. “Their eldest brother. He’s a scribe for the Sanhedrin. Heis fond to preach against Herodian and Roman policy andauthority as loudly and vehemently as he can at anyopportunity. You might understand, then, why we would askLamech and Heth’s employer to identify some personal effects,confirm the identities, rather than Judas.”“He thinks Pantera killed his brothers,” Abdes said.“That is why they were here. That crowd thinks that Panteramurdered those men.”Mallus stopped and turned to him. He reached out,clapping his hand against Abdes’ shoulder. “Pantera hasbecome synonymous with Herod to them―and with Rome,”he said. “They are powerless to rail against us. They may notlike us, but they are frightened of us still the same, and theywill not cross us. But now they have a name—they have a manto blame, to direct their hatred and rage against. They havebeen waiting for this—for just such a chance.”They walked again, falling side by side and in step,following a steeply sloping street toward the lower city district.“There is no shame in being unsettled by them, lad,” Mallussaid. “That was their intention. Seneca was earnest in his offerto remove you from morning duty.”“I don’t want that, sir,” Abdes said—a complete andunadulterated lie. The prospect of standing his ground in theface of another such gathering left him ashen.Mallus nodded. “Still,” he said. “You should considerthe offer standing, if they come back again, and you changeyour mind.”34