PANTERA - Sara Reinke

SARA REINKEShe blinked at him again, and then lowered her gaze,color blooming in her cheeks as she smiled. “I am alright,” shesaid. “I’m uncomfortable that’s all. I thought sitting mighthelp.”She glanced up again, looking at him so intently thathe felt somewhat flustered by her attention. “Yoseph is here,”he said. “On the citadel grounds. I could send for him, or Icould bring you to him…?”said.Maryam shook her head. “No, thank you, sir,” sheAgain, she looked at him with a sort of inquisitivewonder. He realized it was not just a curious interest shedemonstrated; it was as if she recognized him fromsomewhere. He canted his head slightly, raising his brow,smiling at her in puzzlement. “Begging your pardon, goodwoman, but have we met before?”Maryam lowered her eyes to her belly, that shy colorstoking in her cheeks again. “I don’t think so,” she said. “Idon’t come to Sepphoris very often. And I don’t know anysoldiers.”He felt like an idiot. Of course she was staring at him.This was probably the closest she had ever been to a Romansoldier in uniform before―and rather than fascinate her, hisproximity likely disconcerted her. Obviously, she was in nocondition to rise to her feet and remove herself from hiscompany without seeming rude or brusque. She wanted him toleave; he had simply afforded her no avenue of courteousescape.“I am sorry,” he said, rising to his feet. “I beg yourpardon for troubling you. I offer my condolences, goodwoman, on the loss of your friends.”“I didn’t know them,” Maryam said. He looked at her,curious, raising his brow. “Lamech and Heth ben Hezekiah.These others knew them fondly and well, but I’ve never evenseen their faces.”asked.“I thought they worked for your husband?” Abdes48