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It was no secret that her beloved master was aging, though he was just a spry as any man his junior. He’d come to visit friends in Taengea (she had come to learn he had friends everywhere) and decided that a visit to the beach was in order. Ariah accompanied her master as was expected of her.
Rarely, did her master go anywhere without her, for hse would protest the idea of not being allowed to remain by his side, for fear his eye would be caught elsewhere. The Isle of Serenn was beautiful and it’s beach were lovely. She had been to many places, but none quite compared to Taengea.
She’d asked and received permission to wander the seemingly infinite sands of Serenn’s beach. Barefoot, Ariah strolled down the beach and enjoyed the warmth radiating from the ground into her feet. She might have skipped if she did not believe that she would look silly. She was a woman, after all, not a little girl.
It was a wonderful, truly wonderful to feel the sun on her skin and the breeze flowing through her dark hair. She let her toes touch the cool water and couldn’t help the giggle that escaped it. It was cold, but it was marvelous.
Lifting her face to the sun, Ariah closed her eyes and didn’t notice the man approaching her.
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It was no secret that her beloved master was aging, though he was just a spry as any man his junior. He’d come to visit friends in Taengea (she had come to learn he had friends everywhere) and decided that a visit to the beach was in order. Ariah accompanied her master as was expected of her.
Rarely, did her master go anywhere without her, for hse would protest the idea of not being allowed to remain by his side, for fear his eye would be caught elsewhere. The Isle of Serenn was beautiful and it’s beach were lovely. She had been to many places, but none quite compared to Taengea.
She’d asked and received permission to wander the seemingly infinite sands of Serenn’s beach. Barefoot, Ariah strolled down the beach and enjoyed the warmth radiating from the ground into her feet. She might have skipped if she did not believe that she would look silly. She was a woman, after all, not a little girl.
It was a wonderful, truly wonderful to feel the sun on her skin and the breeze flowing through her dark hair. She let her toes touch the cool water and couldn’t help the giggle that escaped it. It was cold, but it was marvelous.
Lifting her face to the sun, Ariah closed her eyes and didn’t notice the man approaching her.
It was no secret that her beloved master was aging, though he was just a spry as any man his junior. He’d come to visit friends in Taengea (she had come to learn he had friends everywhere) and decided that a visit to the beach was in order. Ariah accompanied her master as was expected of her.
Rarely, did her master go anywhere without her, for hse would protest the idea of not being allowed to remain by his side, for fear his eye would be caught elsewhere. The Isle of Serenn was beautiful and it’s beach were lovely. She had been to many places, but none quite compared to Taengea.
She’d asked and received permission to wander the seemingly infinite sands of Serenn’s beach. Barefoot, Ariah strolled down the beach and enjoyed the warmth radiating from the ground into her feet. She might have skipped if she did not believe that she would look silly. She was a woman, after all, not a little girl.
It was a wonderful, truly wonderful to feel the sun on her skin and the breeze flowing through her dark hair. She let her toes touch the cool water and couldn’t help the giggle that escaped it. It was cold, but it was marvelous.
Lifting her face to the sun, Ariah closed her eyes and didn’t notice the man approaching her.
The homesickness weighed on him more heavily today than it had in a long time. He finally felt awake and alert enough to feel it keenly; the ache between his ribs where his heart beat in a slow, steady rhythm. The sun on the white sand of the beach reminded him so strongly of home that he felt the back of his throat burn. He swallowed several times to clear away the feeling and blinked rapidly until his vision cleared. Still a little slow, but gaining strength, he had taken to walking along the sand every day. It was part of his regime to gain back stamina. Rowing on the galley had stolen quite a bit of his body’s ability to do anything but move back and forth, back and forth.
Isaiah looked up along the coast, thinking himself alone, when he stopped dead at the sight of Ariah. She was completely unknown to him, and yet, she was the most familiar thing he’d seen in Greece thus far. Her skin, her hair, her features - all of them bespoke her heritage - his heritage, and his steps quickened as he trudged over the sand. His dark hair had been cut short like the Greeks did here, but he’d kept his short beard and would no doubt look a little strange. A mixture of the two cultures.
“Good day?” he tested in Hebrew. If she only spoke Greek, he didn’t trust himself not to just turn around in defeat. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be odd, but have you come from Judea?”
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The homesickness weighed on him more heavily today than it had in a long time. He finally felt awake and alert enough to feel it keenly; the ache between his ribs where his heart beat in a slow, steady rhythm. The sun on the white sand of the beach reminded him so strongly of home that he felt the back of his throat burn. He swallowed several times to clear away the feeling and blinked rapidly until his vision cleared. Still a little slow, but gaining strength, he had taken to walking along the sand every day. It was part of his regime to gain back stamina. Rowing on the galley had stolen quite a bit of his body’s ability to do anything but move back and forth, back and forth.
Isaiah looked up along the coast, thinking himself alone, when he stopped dead at the sight of Ariah. She was completely unknown to him, and yet, she was the most familiar thing he’d seen in Greece thus far. Her skin, her hair, her features - all of them bespoke her heritage - his heritage, and his steps quickened as he trudged over the sand. His dark hair had been cut short like the Greeks did here, but he’d kept his short beard and would no doubt look a little strange. A mixture of the two cultures.
“Good day?” he tested in Hebrew. If she only spoke Greek, he didn’t trust himself not to just turn around in defeat. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be odd, but have you come from Judea?”
The homesickness weighed on him more heavily today than it had in a long time. He finally felt awake and alert enough to feel it keenly; the ache between his ribs where his heart beat in a slow, steady rhythm. The sun on the white sand of the beach reminded him so strongly of home that he felt the back of his throat burn. He swallowed several times to clear away the feeling and blinked rapidly until his vision cleared. Still a little slow, but gaining strength, he had taken to walking along the sand every day. It was part of his regime to gain back stamina. Rowing on the galley had stolen quite a bit of his body’s ability to do anything but move back and forth, back and forth.
Isaiah looked up along the coast, thinking himself alone, when he stopped dead at the sight of Ariah. She was completely unknown to him, and yet, she was the most familiar thing he’d seen in Greece thus far. Her skin, her hair, her features - all of them bespoke her heritage - his heritage, and his steps quickened as he trudged over the sand. His dark hair had been cut short like the Greeks did here, but he’d kept his short beard and would no doubt look a little strange. A mixture of the two cultures.
“Good day?” he tested in Hebrew. If she only spoke Greek, he didn’t trust himself not to just turn around in defeat. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be odd, but have you come from Judea?”
She heard the sand shifting but didn't open her eyes until she heard the most lovely sound. Hebrew. Ariah jumped back in surprise, but quickly calmed. He spoke her tongue, her true tongue, what damage could he do? Ariah offered him a calm smile, hiding her true giddiness as she had been taught. It was childlike to jump up and down or try to hug him out of sheer joy.
"You speak Hebrew?" she inquired, before laughing, "of course you do." She ran a hand through her hair gently.
"I was born in Damascus, yes, and I must tell you what a joy it is to hear my own tongue again." And it was. She felt like she was high in the sky. Aeton had forbidden her from speaking the language of 'lessers', though she always practiced in secret. The one time she truly did disobey.
"I am Ariah, who are you?" she titled her head slightly to the side. He was certainly a handsome man, but then again, so were most men she came across. Was it truly his face that attracted her or the fact that he spoke Hebrew? She didn't know, but she didn't care either. It was just a pleasure to finally be able to speak her mother tongue that she didn't care about the details.
She'd do anything to have him stay.
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She heard the sand shifting but didn't open her eyes until she heard the most lovely sound. Hebrew. Ariah jumped back in surprise, but quickly calmed. He spoke her tongue, her true tongue, what damage could he do? Ariah offered him a calm smile, hiding her true giddiness as she had been taught. It was childlike to jump up and down or try to hug him out of sheer joy.
"You speak Hebrew?" she inquired, before laughing, "of course you do." She ran a hand through her hair gently.
"I was born in Damascus, yes, and I must tell you what a joy it is to hear my own tongue again." And it was. She felt like she was high in the sky. Aeton had forbidden her from speaking the language of 'lessers', though she always practiced in secret. The one time she truly did disobey.
"I am Ariah, who are you?" she titled her head slightly to the side. He was certainly a handsome man, but then again, so were most men she came across. Was it truly his face that attracted her or the fact that he spoke Hebrew? She didn't know, but she didn't care either. It was just a pleasure to finally be able to speak her mother tongue that she didn't care about the details.
She'd do anything to have him stay.
She heard the sand shifting but didn't open her eyes until she heard the most lovely sound. Hebrew. Ariah jumped back in surprise, but quickly calmed. He spoke her tongue, her true tongue, what damage could he do? Ariah offered him a calm smile, hiding her true giddiness as she had been taught. It was childlike to jump up and down or try to hug him out of sheer joy.
"You speak Hebrew?" she inquired, before laughing, "of course you do." She ran a hand through her hair gently.
"I was born in Damascus, yes, and I must tell you what a joy it is to hear my own tongue again." And it was. She felt like she was high in the sky. Aeton had forbidden her from speaking the language of 'lessers', though she always practiced in secret. The one time she truly did disobey.
"I am Ariah, who are you?" she titled her head slightly to the side. He was certainly a handsome man, but then again, so were most men she came across. Was it truly his face that attracted her or the fact that he spoke Hebrew? She didn't know, but she didn't care either. It was just a pleasure to finally be able to speak her mother tongue that she didn't care about the details.
She'd do anything to have him stay.
"You speak Hebrew?" he hadn’t expected her elation and he didn’t bother to hide his. His smile was as wide as his face permitted and he nodded.
“Yes.” If he’d been at home, meeting some random girl on the beach would have been the last thing that would have made his face hurt from smiling. But here, where just her voice alone made his heart squeeze a bit, she could have said anything in their mother tongue and he would have grinned like an idiot.
“Damascus?” he sighed, loving the reminder of the city he’d never cared much about before. It was far away, with walls that overlooked a desert. There wasn’t much in it, beyond a university, that could compare with where he had been born and raised. Placing a hand on his chest, he said, responding to her question of his name. “I am Isaiah of Matthias. I um...it’s so good to speak Hebrew-” he interrupted his own thought as he stepped towards her, leaning down to look at her better. He was a tall man and she was a bit on the short side. “I come from-”
All at once, he remembered why he wasn’t at home this very instant. And he’d given her his name! Though, he hoped that she didn’t know much. “From Israel,” he finished, a little less enthusiastically than when they started this conversation. He bit his lower lip, narrowing his eyes a bit, trying to see what she thought of him. If she thought anything of him at all. His hope was that his name meant nothing at all to her. That he was a perfect stranger.
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"You speak Hebrew?" he hadn’t expected her elation and he didn’t bother to hide his. His smile was as wide as his face permitted and he nodded.
“Yes.” If he’d been at home, meeting some random girl on the beach would have been the last thing that would have made his face hurt from smiling. But here, where just her voice alone made his heart squeeze a bit, she could have said anything in their mother tongue and he would have grinned like an idiot.
“Damascus?” he sighed, loving the reminder of the city he’d never cared much about before. It was far away, with walls that overlooked a desert. There wasn’t much in it, beyond a university, that could compare with where he had been born and raised. Placing a hand on his chest, he said, responding to her question of his name. “I am Isaiah of Matthias. I um...it’s so good to speak Hebrew-” he interrupted his own thought as he stepped towards her, leaning down to look at her better. He was a tall man and she was a bit on the short side. “I come from-”
All at once, he remembered why he wasn’t at home this very instant. And he’d given her his name! Though, he hoped that she didn’t know much. “From Israel,” he finished, a little less enthusiastically than when they started this conversation. He bit his lower lip, narrowing his eyes a bit, trying to see what she thought of him. If she thought anything of him at all. His hope was that his name meant nothing at all to her. That he was a perfect stranger.
"You speak Hebrew?" he hadn’t expected her elation and he didn’t bother to hide his. His smile was as wide as his face permitted and he nodded.
“Yes.” If he’d been at home, meeting some random girl on the beach would have been the last thing that would have made his face hurt from smiling. But here, where just her voice alone made his heart squeeze a bit, she could have said anything in their mother tongue and he would have grinned like an idiot.
“Damascus?” he sighed, loving the reminder of the city he’d never cared much about before. It was far away, with walls that overlooked a desert. There wasn’t much in it, beyond a university, that could compare with where he had been born and raised. Placing a hand on his chest, he said, responding to her question of his name. “I am Isaiah of Matthias. I um...it’s so good to speak Hebrew-” he interrupted his own thought as he stepped towards her, leaning down to look at her better. He was a tall man and she was a bit on the short side. “I come from-”
All at once, he remembered why he wasn’t at home this very instant. And he’d given her his name! Though, he hoped that she didn’t know much. “From Israel,” he finished, a little less enthusiastically than when they started this conversation. He bit his lower lip, narrowing his eyes a bit, trying to see what she thought of him. If she thought anything of him at all. His hope was that his name meant nothing at all to her. That he was a perfect stranger.
Truthfully, Ariah knew nothing about Damascus. She had been born there and that was all. She'd grown up no where near the city, but he'd seemed so happy to hear of it that she dare not disappoint him with the news.
She highly doubted he would have spoken to her if he knew her true status -- many in the city were like that. But then, perhaps he did not care? Ariah was not sure but she certainly wasn't going to tell him unless he asked.
"It is a pleasure to meet you Isaiah of Matthias." she greeted him with a smile as wide as her own. "I have not spoken this tongue to anyone else for years. It's so thrilling to be able to do so once again.
She did not understand his change in expression or tone. Was something the matter? "Is something wrong Isaiah?" she asked cautiously, almost afraid to hear the answer. Had she done something to offend him? Ariah's brows furrowed as she frowned slightly.
"Was it something I said?" Had it been? Or had it been something else? She wasn't entirely sure whether she truly wanted the answer to that question, but it had already been asked.
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Truthfully, Ariah knew nothing about Damascus. She had been born there and that was all. She'd grown up no where near the city, but he'd seemed so happy to hear of it that she dare not disappoint him with the news.
She highly doubted he would have spoken to her if he knew her true status -- many in the city were like that. But then, perhaps he did not care? Ariah was not sure but she certainly wasn't going to tell him unless he asked.
"It is a pleasure to meet you Isaiah of Matthias." she greeted him with a smile as wide as her own. "I have not spoken this tongue to anyone else for years. It's so thrilling to be able to do so once again.
She did not understand his change in expression or tone. Was something the matter? "Is something wrong Isaiah?" she asked cautiously, almost afraid to hear the answer. Had she done something to offend him? Ariah's brows furrowed as she frowned slightly.
"Was it something I said?" Had it been? Or had it been something else? She wasn't entirely sure whether she truly wanted the answer to that question, but it had already been asked.
Truthfully, Ariah knew nothing about Damascus. She had been born there and that was all. She'd grown up no where near the city, but he'd seemed so happy to hear of it that she dare not disappoint him with the news.
She highly doubted he would have spoken to her if he knew her true status -- many in the city were like that. But then, perhaps he did not care? Ariah was not sure but she certainly wasn't going to tell him unless he asked.
"It is a pleasure to meet you Isaiah of Matthias." she greeted him with a smile as wide as her own. "I have not spoken this tongue to anyone else for years. It's so thrilling to be able to do so once again.
She did not understand his change in expression or tone. Was something the matter? "Is something wrong Isaiah?" she asked cautiously, almost afraid to hear the answer. Had she done something to offend him? Ariah's brows furrowed as she frowned slightly.
"Was it something I said?" Had it been? Or had it been something else? She wasn't entirely sure whether she truly wanted the answer to that question, but it had already been asked.
It was a pleasure to meet him? And she still had her smile? He sighed in relief. Her next question of if he was alright, made him shake his head. Lying was not something he liked to do if he could possibly help it. How could he get out of it with this girl? Though, thankfully, she was speaking so fast that she wasn’t truly giving him time to answer her questions and, in order to seem polite, he straightened back up and clasped one hand behind his back. She didn’t know his secret. That made him exhale a sigh of relief. If she hadn’t spoken Hebrew in years, then there was no way for her to know.
“No, it’s nothing. Sorry, I remembered my wife just then,” he said. It wasn’t a lie so much as a half truth. He hadn’t been thinking of Hannah specifically, but the events surrounding her. “It’s nothing,” he repeated, waving a hand and indicating that they should walk together, though he turned to go back the way he’d been coming. That would give her the destination she’d been after. “How is it you’ve come to Taengea?” he kept his hands clasped behind his back as they walked and he directed his eyes down to the sand they were now treading.
“Why is it you haven’t spoken Hebrew in so long? Are you stranded, too?” He didn’t imagine that her journey here was anything like his, but perhaps it was closer than he’d assumed. She was a pretty girl, he thought, but he had begun comparing her to Hannah and he pushed those thoughts away. They were painful. Turning his attention back to Ariah as he spoke, he nodded along at the appropriate intervals, occasionally adding a “hmm” or an “Ah” to indicate he was listening. The sound of her speaking Hebrew was unexpectedly soothing. Just when he’d most needed it and he brought his eyes skyward, silently thanking Yahweh for this gift in the form of Ariah. A little nod to his longing for home.
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It was a pleasure to meet him? And she still had her smile? He sighed in relief. Her next question of if he was alright, made him shake his head. Lying was not something he liked to do if he could possibly help it. How could he get out of it with this girl? Though, thankfully, she was speaking so fast that she wasn’t truly giving him time to answer her questions and, in order to seem polite, he straightened back up and clasped one hand behind his back. She didn’t know his secret. That made him exhale a sigh of relief. If she hadn’t spoken Hebrew in years, then there was no way for her to know.
“No, it’s nothing. Sorry, I remembered my wife just then,” he said. It wasn’t a lie so much as a half truth. He hadn’t been thinking of Hannah specifically, but the events surrounding her. “It’s nothing,” he repeated, waving a hand and indicating that they should walk together, though he turned to go back the way he’d been coming. That would give her the destination she’d been after. “How is it you’ve come to Taengea?” he kept his hands clasped behind his back as they walked and he directed his eyes down to the sand they were now treading.
“Why is it you haven’t spoken Hebrew in so long? Are you stranded, too?” He didn’t imagine that her journey here was anything like his, but perhaps it was closer than he’d assumed. She was a pretty girl, he thought, but he had begun comparing her to Hannah and he pushed those thoughts away. They were painful. Turning his attention back to Ariah as he spoke, he nodded along at the appropriate intervals, occasionally adding a “hmm” or an “Ah” to indicate he was listening. The sound of her speaking Hebrew was unexpectedly soothing. Just when he’d most needed it and he brought his eyes skyward, silently thanking Yahweh for this gift in the form of Ariah. A little nod to his longing for home.
It was a pleasure to meet him? And she still had her smile? He sighed in relief. Her next question of if he was alright, made him shake his head. Lying was not something he liked to do if he could possibly help it. How could he get out of it with this girl? Though, thankfully, she was speaking so fast that she wasn’t truly giving him time to answer her questions and, in order to seem polite, he straightened back up and clasped one hand behind his back. She didn’t know his secret. That made him exhale a sigh of relief. If she hadn’t spoken Hebrew in years, then there was no way for her to know.
“No, it’s nothing. Sorry, I remembered my wife just then,” he said. It wasn’t a lie so much as a half truth. He hadn’t been thinking of Hannah specifically, but the events surrounding her. “It’s nothing,” he repeated, waving a hand and indicating that they should walk together, though he turned to go back the way he’d been coming. That would give her the destination she’d been after. “How is it you’ve come to Taengea?” he kept his hands clasped behind his back as they walked and he directed his eyes down to the sand they were now treading.
“Why is it you haven’t spoken Hebrew in so long? Are you stranded, too?” He didn’t imagine that her journey here was anything like his, but perhaps it was closer than he’d assumed. She was a pretty girl, he thought, but he had begun comparing her to Hannah and he pushed those thoughts away. They were painful. Turning his attention back to Ariah as he spoke, he nodded along at the appropriate intervals, occasionally adding a “hmm” or an “Ah” to indicate he was listening. The sound of her speaking Hebrew was unexpectedly soothing. Just when he’d most needed it and he brought his eyes skyward, silently thanking Yahweh for this gift in the form of Ariah. A little nod to his longing for home.
A wife. Aeton had a wife who passed giving birth to his youngest son long before Ariah arrived in his home. It must have been nice to have a companion in that way, someone to live out the rest of your days with. But she already had that in Aeton and while he would never marry her, she did not expect him to.
He was a wealthy merchant with two strong and healthy sons, for what reason would he need a wife? Certainly he would not seek it out in a 'lesser' like her, no matter how he praised her.
"I come to Taengea with my master. He is a merchant. He came to visit friends." She asnwered honestly. There was no point in lying to make herself seem as something she was not. After all, were Aeton to call her or they cross paths again, he would know the truth.
"My master had forbade me from speaking, reading, or writing in Hebrew. He believed it to be the tongue of a lesser people, but he does not understand." she said softly, "do not tell him I have said that, for he would surely be angry with me. For I have done all of those things in secret, so that I would not lose my connection to Judea."
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A wife. Aeton had a wife who passed giving birth to his youngest son long before Ariah arrived in his home. It must have been nice to have a companion in that way, someone to live out the rest of your days with. But she already had that in Aeton and while he would never marry her, she did not expect him to.
He was a wealthy merchant with two strong and healthy sons, for what reason would he need a wife? Certainly he would not seek it out in a 'lesser' like her, no matter how he praised her.
"I come to Taengea with my master. He is a merchant. He came to visit friends." She asnwered honestly. There was no point in lying to make herself seem as something she was not. After all, were Aeton to call her or they cross paths again, he would know the truth.
"My master had forbade me from speaking, reading, or writing in Hebrew. He believed it to be the tongue of a lesser people, but he does not understand." she said softly, "do not tell him I have said that, for he would surely be angry with me. For I have done all of those things in secret, so that I would not lose my connection to Judea."
A wife. Aeton had a wife who passed giving birth to his youngest son long before Ariah arrived in his home. It must have been nice to have a companion in that way, someone to live out the rest of your days with. But she already had that in Aeton and while he would never marry her, she did not expect him to.
He was a wealthy merchant with two strong and healthy sons, for what reason would he need a wife? Certainly he would not seek it out in a 'lesser' like her, no matter how he praised her.
"I come to Taengea with my master. He is a merchant. He came to visit friends." She asnwered honestly. There was no point in lying to make herself seem as something she was not. After all, were Aeton to call her or they cross paths again, he would know the truth.
"My master had forbade me from speaking, reading, or writing in Hebrew. He believed it to be the tongue of a lesser people, but he does not understand." she said softly, "do not tell him I have said that, for he would surely be angry with me. For I have done all of those things in secret, so that I would not lose my connection to Judea."
Isaiah frowned, though it was sympathetic, rather than harsh. Forbidden to speak her own language? Lessers? He had little enough pride on his own but as a human being, he still bristled at the term ‘lessers’. Many people felt that way about Judeans. A people who’d had military might in the past, they certainly didn’t now and it chafed a little bit. Especially in a city like Vasiliadon where the military were very present in the form of the guards that patrolled the city streets in a way he’d never seen before.
“That’s terrible,” he said once she’d finished but he turned to face her and held out his arms. “Look,” Isaiah looked one way up the beach and then the other. “Your master is not here for me to tell. Do not fear. It is not a sin for you to disobey him in this way.” Smiling at her, he lowered his voice. “But I won’t tell him even if I could. This is our secret. I was homesick, just now, and on the precipice of praying for some sort of miracle. Yahweh has provided. Here you are, Miracle Girl.”
He continued walking, then, and clasped his hands behind his back once again. “I have not spoken Hebrew in quite a long time for the simple lack of having no one to understand me if I did. Or, if anyone does speak it in this city, I have not discovered them, yet. I share your frustration, Ariah. We are the ones expected to bend. Not them.” He had been born a commoner, but not a servant. Now look at him. He’d definitely sunk far lower than he’d ever imagined a person could.
The sea washed in and out in slow, breathing like a huge, blue gray monster. Isaiah looked out, wishing not for the first time to be able to walk on water. He'd pack up his bags and head home on his own two feet if he'd had that ability.
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Isaiah frowned, though it was sympathetic, rather than harsh. Forbidden to speak her own language? Lessers? He had little enough pride on his own but as a human being, he still bristled at the term ‘lessers’. Many people felt that way about Judeans. A people who’d had military might in the past, they certainly didn’t now and it chafed a little bit. Especially in a city like Vasiliadon where the military were very present in the form of the guards that patrolled the city streets in a way he’d never seen before.
“That’s terrible,” he said once she’d finished but he turned to face her and held out his arms. “Look,” Isaiah looked one way up the beach and then the other. “Your master is not here for me to tell. Do not fear. It is not a sin for you to disobey him in this way.” Smiling at her, he lowered his voice. “But I won’t tell him even if I could. This is our secret. I was homesick, just now, and on the precipice of praying for some sort of miracle. Yahweh has provided. Here you are, Miracle Girl.”
He continued walking, then, and clasped his hands behind his back once again. “I have not spoken Hebrew in quite a long time for the simple lack of having no one to understand me if I did. Or, if anyone does speak it in this city, I have not discovered them, yet. I share your frustration, Ariah. We are the ones expected to bend. Not them.” He had been born a commoner, but not a servant. Now look at him. He’d definitely sunk far lower than he’d ever imagined a person could.
The sea washed in and out in slow, breathing like a huge, blue gray monster. Isaiah looked out, wishing not for the first time to be able to walk on water. He'd pack up his bags and head home on his own two feet if he'd had that ability.
Isaiah frowned, though it was sympathetic, rather than harsh. Forbidden to speak her own language? Lessers? He had little enough pride on his own but as a human being, he still bristled at the term ‘lessers’. Many people felt that way about Judeans. A people who’d had military might in the past, they certainly didn’t now and it chafed a little bit. Especially in a city like Vasiliadon where the military were very present in the form of the guards that patrolled the city streets in a way he’d never seen before.
“That’s terrible,” he said once she’d finished but he turned to face her and held out his arms. “Look,” Isaiah looked one way up the beach and then the other. “Your master is not here for me to tell. Do not fear. It is not a sin for you to disobey him in this way.” Smiling at her, he lowered his voice. “But I won’t tell him even if I could. This is our secret. I was homesick, just now, and on the precipice of praying for some sort of miracle. Yahweh has provided. Here you are, Miracle Girl.”
He continued walking, then, and clasped his hands behind his back once again. “I have not spoken Hebrew in quite a long time for the simple lack of having no one to understand me if I did. Or, if anyone does speak it in this city, I have not discovered them, yet. I share your frustration, Ariah. We are the ones expected to bend. Not them.” He had been born a commoner, but not a servant. Now look at him. He’d definitely sunk far lower than he’d ever imagined a person could.
The sea washed in and out in slow, breathing like a huge, blue gray monster. Isaiah looked out, wishing not for the first time to be able to walk on water. He'd pack up his bags and head home on his own two feet if he'd had that ability.
He would not tell her master? How joyous that was to hear. Aeton was rarely angry with her, though she was certain him gaining knowledge of her disobedience who cause him to strike her -- something he never did.
She was relieved in a way to know that this Isaiah did not look down on her because of her status as some Greeks she encountered had. She knew her place, of course, but being reminded of it constantly was not an pleasant experience. She smiled at him, walking by his side as he expressed his distaste, which was, thankfully, not directed at her.
His speak of Yahweh did not stir anything within her. He must have believed she knew of his god. Well, she certainly was not going to tell him she thought otherwise, for it might spoil their interaction. It had been years since she heard the beauty of her mother tongue and she did not intend to lose this rare interaction.
"It isn't?" she asked, "I always feared doing so would displease Yahweh." She did not, of course, but he did not need to know that.
"Miracle Girl? Yahweh guides all things according to His will. It is not mistake that you met me." She was merely parroting what had heard, but it sounded convincing enough to her ears.
She nodded her head. "The Greeks are a prideful people. They believe themselves so superior to others that anything non-Greek is inherently inferior. It is we who are incorrect, not the other way around." she sighed. "My master purchased me when I was no more than five. He spoke enough Hebrew to explain my status, but he soon grew impatient. I was not permitted to eat unless I could ask in Greek-" She breathed audible through her nose -- a sigh of sorts, "I learned quickly after that, you see."
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He would not tell her master? How joyous that was to hear. Aeton was rarely angry with her, though she was certain him gaining knowledge of her disobedience who cause him to strike her -- something he never did.
She was relieved in a way to know that this Isaiah did not look down on her because of her status as some Greeks she encountered had. She knew her place, of course, but being reminded of it constantly was not an pleasant experience. She smiled at him, walking by his side as he expressed his distaste, which was, thankfully, not directed at her.
His speak of Yahweh did not stir anything within her. He must have believed she knew of his god. Well, she certainly was not going to tell him she thought otherwise, for it might spoil their interaction. It had been years since she heard the beauty of her mother tongue and she did not intend to lose this rare interaction.
"It isn't?" she asked, "I always feared doing so would displease Yahweh." She did not, of course, but he did not need to know that.
"Miracle Girl? Yahweh guides all things according to His will. It is not mistake that you met me." She was merely parroting what had heard, but it sounded convincing enough to her ears.
She nodded her head. "The Greeks are a prideful people. They believe themselves so superior to others that anything non-Greek is inherently inferior. It is we who are incorrect, not the other way around." she sighed. "My master purchased me when I was no more than five. He spoke enough Hebrew to explain my status, but he soon grew impatient. I was not permitted to eat unless I could ask in Greek-" She breathed audible through her nose -- a sigh of sorts, "I learned quickly after that, you see."
He would not tell her master? How joyous that was to hear. Aeton was rarely angry with her, though she was certain him gaining knowledge of her disobedience who cause him to strike her -- something he never did.
She was relieved in a way to know that this Isaiah did not look down on her because of her status as some Greeks she encountered had. She knew her place, of course, but being reminded of it constantly was not an pleasant experience. She smiled at him, walking by his side as he expressed his distaste, which was, thankfully, not directed at her.
His speak of Yahweh did not stir anything within her. He must have believed she knew of his god. Well, she certainly was not going to tell him she thought otherwise, for it might spoil their interaction. It had been years since she heard the beauty of her mother tongue and she did not intend to lose this rare interaction.
"It isn't?" she asked, "I always feared doing so would displease Yahweh." She did not, of course, but he did not need to know that.
"Miracle Girl? Yahweh guides all things according to His will. It is not mistake that you met me." She was merely parroting what had heard, but it sounded convincing enough to her ears.
She nodded her head. "The Greeks are a prideful people. They believe themselves so superior to others that anything non-Greek is inherently inferior. It is we who are incorrect, not the other way around." she sighed. "My master purchased me when I was no more than five. He spoke enough Hebrew to explain my status, but he soon grew impatient. I was not permitted to eat unless I could ask in Greek-" She breathed audible through her nose -- a sigh of sorts, "I learned quickly after that, you see."
Because of his upbringing in the Judean religion, it never entered his head that someone might lie about belief in Yahweh or in connection to Him. She was Hebrew. She believed in Yahweh. That was about all that Isaiah knew for certain. And he was certain. He’d never met anyone, Greek or otherwise who didn’t believe in a god, and couldn’t fathom being Judean and not believing in the one true God. It was...ludicrous. He didn’t even think to question her.
He listened to her story about being purchased at so young an age and couldn’t imagine anything nice had happened to her. Life was hard for a servant. Always at the beck and call of someone else, you were expected to know your tasks and perform them to perfection. Your sole reason for existing was to do the bidding of someone else, as though you weren’t a person with a mind of your own, dreams and ambitions of your own. Isaiah said as much to her, sighing through his nose at the end of his little speech and glanced out towards the water.
“I came over on a ship,” he said, intentionally not going into too many details. “As a slave, but now I find my position elevated just the littlest bit. Now I am a servant and I suppose I could leave whenever I want to, but I have no money. So I am just as trapped now as I was before.” He shrugged. “Interesting how even while free, I am not.” Shrugging, he looked over at her.
“We have so few liberties, Ariah. Whisper in Hebrew whenever you like. If that frightens you, sing it in your mind. Your master cannot hear your thoughts.” Isaiah tapped his head. “They cannot take by force what they do not know is there.”
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Jan 13, 2020 23:46:21 GMT
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Because of his upbringing in the Judean religion, it never entered his head that someone might lie about belief in Yahweh or in connection to Him. She was Hebrew. She believed in Yahweh. That was about all that Isaiah knew for certain. And he was certain. He’d never met anyone, Greek or otherwise who didn’t believe in a god, and couldn’t fathom being Judean and not believing in the one true God. It was...ludicrous. He didn’t even think to question her.
He listened to her story about being purchased at so young an age and couldn’t imagine anything nice had happened to her. Life was hard for a servant. Always at the beck and call of someone else, you were expected to know your tasks and perform them to perfection. Your sole reason for existing was to do the bidding of someone else, as though you weren’t a person with a mind of your own, dreams and ambitions of your own. Isaiah said as much to her, sighing through his nose at the end of his little speech and glanced out towards the water.
“I came over on a ship,” he said, intentionally not going into too many details. “As a slave, but now I find my position elevated just the littlest bit. Now I am a servant and I suppose I could leave whenever I want to, but I have no money. So I am just as trapped now as I was before.” He shrugged. “Interesting how even while free, I am not.” Shrugging, he looked over at her.
“We have so few liberties, Ariah. Whisper in Hebrew whenever you like. If that frightens you, sing it in your mind. Your master cannot hear your thoughts.” Isaiah tapped his head. “They cannot take by force what they do not know is there.”
Because of his upbringing in the Judean religion, it never entered his head that someone might lie about belief in Yahweh or in connection to Him. She was Hebrew. She believed in Yahweh. That was about all that Isaiah knew for certain. And he was certain. He’d never met anyone, Greek or otherwise who didn’t believe in a god, and couldn’t fathom being Judean and not believing in the one true God. It was...ludicrous. He didn’t even think to question her.
He listened to her story about being purchased at so young an age and couldn’t imagine anything nice had happened to her. Life was hard for a servant. Always at the beck and call of someone else, you were expected to know your tasks and perform them to perfection. Your sole reason for existing was to do the bidding of someone else, as though you weren’t a person with a mind of your own, dreams and ambitions of your own. Isaiah said as much to her, sighing through his nose at the end of his little speech and glanced out towards the water.
“I came over on a ship,” he said, intentionally not going into too many details. “As a slave, but now I find my position elevated just the littlest bit. Now I am a servant and I suppose I could leave whenever I want to, but I have no money. So I am just as trapped now as I was before.” He shrugged. “Interesting how even while free, I am not.” Shrugging, he looked over at her.
“We have so few liberties, Ariah. Whisper in Hebrew whenever you like. If that frightens you, sing it in your mind. Your master cannot hear your thoughts.” Isaiah tapped his head. “They cannot take by force what they do not know is there.”
Ariah thought her treatment was fair, all things considered. Aeton was never cruel by her definitions, though she only had her 'parents' to measure his behavior by. Sure, he had threatened to starve her if she could not learn his tongue, but he did not prevent her from being a girl or being curious for that matter. Still, she did not try to contradict what he had said. It was a foolish notion to believe that everyone would be treated the same way she was. That was a fact Ariah knew well. For even she saw how little patience her master had with his other slaves. She agreed with Isaiah and said as much.
He was a slave once too? "I've been on many ships, but I have known nothing but the life of servitude. It's hard to know what freedom is like. I cannot imagine living without my master." Truthfully, she did not know if she ever wanted to be free. The life of having to work for herself to get by sounded...unattractive at best.
She paused for a moment. "I suppose we all have masters, whether man or not. Money, love, Yahweh. Some are good and some are not."
"They can only take what we let them take," Ariah nodded, "I practiced reading and writing when he is asleep. His sons do not seem to mind me much," which wasn't exactly true but what was the point in divulging that information? She could be whomever she wanted to be toward this Isaiah and she certainly did not want to present herself as helpless.
She was not helpless.
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Ariah thought her treatment was fair, all things considered. Aeton was never cruel by her definitions, though she only had her 'parents' to measure his behavior by. Sure, he had threatened to starve her if she could not learn his tongue, but he did not prevent her from being a girl or being curious for that matter. Still, she did not try to contradict what he had said. It was a foolish notion to believe that everyone would be treated the same way she was. That was a fact Ariah knew well. For even she saw how little patience her master had with his other slaves. She agreed with Isaiah and said as much.
He was a slave once too? "I've been on many ships, but I have known nothing but the life of servitude. It's hard to know what freedom is like. I cannot imagine living without my master." Truthfully, she did not know if she ever wanted to be free. The life of having to work for herself to get by sounded...unattractive at best.
She paused for a moment. "I suppose we all have masters, whether man or not. Money, love, Yahweh. Some are good and some are not."
"They can only take what we let them take," Ariah nodded, "I practiced reading and writing when he is asleep. His sons do not seem to mind me much," which wasn't exactly true but what was the point in divulging that information? She could be whomever she wanted to be toward this Isaiah and she certainly did not want to present herself as helpless.
She was not helpless.
Ariah thought her treatment was fair, all things considered. Aeton was never cruel by her definitions, though she only had her 'parents' to measure his behavior by. Sure, he had threatened to starve her if she could not learn his tongue, but he did not prevent her from being a girl or being curious for that matter. Still, she did not try to contradict what he had said. It was a foolish notion to believe that everyone would be treated the same way she was. That was a fact Ariah knew well. For even she saw how little patience her master had with his other slaves. She agreed with Isaiah and said as much.
He was a slave once too? "I've been on many ships, but I have known nothing but the life of servitude. It's hard to know what freedom is like. I cannot imagine living without my master." Truthfully, she did not know if she ever wanted to be free. The life of having to work for herself to get by sounded...unattractive at best.
She paused for a moment. "I suppose we all have masters, whether man or not. Money, love, Yahweh. Some are good and some are not."
"They can only take what we let them take," Ariah nodded, "I practiced reading and writing when he is asleep. His sons do not seem to mind me much," which wasn't exactly true but what was the point in divulging that information? She could be whomever she wanted to be toward this Isaiah and she certainly did not want to present herself as helpless.
She was not helpless.
“Mine is an alright man,” Isaiah squinted and scratched the top of his nose. “I think.” The truth was he didn’t know much about the Stable Master except that the man drank a great deal too much wine and was truly a master with horses, to Isaiah’s eyes, at least. There was nothing the Stable Master did not know and though he wasn’t a patient person, his care for the animals was evident. Isaiah merely wished the man would demonstrate as much patience with people as he did with animals. Sometimes he thought the horses had it better than he did. They ate better, at least.
"I suppose we all have masters, whether man or not. Money, love, Yahweh. Some are good and some are not."
“I suppose that’s true,” he shrugged. “In a sense. But I’d still rather be able to decide when I wake and when I sleep or what I eat.” In the sense she was talking about, it was true that he’d been rarely master of his own destiny. The marriage to his wife was the only time that he’d defied all social convention and done what he’d wanted regardless. He still didn’t regret it. How could he? If there was a perfect human being on earth, he’d found her in Hannah.
“You’re fortunate to have a master you respect so much,” he said, not knowing the family situation. It was good to hear that she wasn’t despised by his sons, but he didn’t know why she should be? Unless...oh. He glanced sideways at her, a suspicion forming in his mind. She might not be just for cleaning floors. That was common enough for slaves, too, though he was sad, for her sake, that such a fate might have befallen her. However, he said nothing about it. After all, he was just guessing.
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“Mine is an alright man,” Isaiah squinted and scratched the top of his nose. “I think.” The truth was he didn’t know much about the Stable Master except that the man drank a great deal too much wine and was truly a master with horses, to Isaiah’s eyes, at least. There was nothing the Stable Master did not know and though he wasn’t a patient person, his care for the animals was evident. Isaiah merely wished the man would demonstrate as much patience with people as he did with animals. Sometimes he thought the horses had it better than he did. They ate better, at least.
"I suppose we all have masters, whether man or not. Money, love, Yahweh. Some are good and some are not."
“I suppose that’s true,” he shrugged. “In a sense. But I’d still rather be able to decide when I wake and when I sleep or what I eat.” In the sense she was talking about, it was true that he’d been rarely master of his own destiny. The marriage to his wife was the only time that he’d defied all social convention and done what he’d wanted regardless. He still didn’t regret it. How could he? If there was a perfect human being on earth, he’d found her in Hannah.
“You’re fortunate to have a master you respect so much,” he said, not knowing the family situation. It was good to hear that she wasn’t despised by his sons, but he didn’t know why she should be? Unless...oh. He glanced sideways at her, a suspicion forming in his mind. She might not be just for cleaning floors. That was common enough for slaves, too, though he was sad, for her sake, that such a fate might have befallen her. However, he said nothing about it. After all, he was just guessing.
“Mine is an alright man,” Isaiah squinted and scratched the top of his nose. “I think.” The truth was he didn’t know much about the Stable Master except that the man drank a great deal too much wine and was truly a master with horses, to Isaiah’s eyes, at least. There was nothing the Stable Master did not know and though he wasn’t a patient person, his care for the animals was evident. Isaiah merely wished the man would demonstrate as much patience with people as he did with animals. Sometimes he thought the horses had it better than he did. They ate better, at least.
"I suppose we all have masters, whether man or not. Money, love, Yahweh. Some are good and some are not."
“I suppose that’s true,” he shrugged. “In a sense. But I’d still rather be able to decide when I wake and when I sleep or what I eat.” In the sense she was talking about, it was true that he’d been rarely master of his own destiny. The marriage to his wife was the only time that he’d defied all social convention and done what he’d wanted regardless. He still didn’t regret it. How could he? If there was a perfect human being on earth, he’d found her in Hannah.
“You’re fortunate to have a master you respect so much,” he said, not knowing the family situation. It was good to hear that she wasn’t despised by his sons, but he didn’t know why she should be? Unless...oh. He glanced sideways at her, a suspicion forming in his mind. She might not be just for cleaning floors. That was common enough for slaves, too, though he was sad, for her sake, that such a fate might have befallen her. However, he said nothing about it. After all, he was just guessing.
Not every master was an alright man. Some were cruel and expected those under them to work. Ariah was grateful to whomever was out there that she did not have a master that wanted her to slave away (no pun intended) and work out in the sun. That sounded like a horrible fate to the slave girl, who had been spoiled in her own way since the age of five. "Alright is better than a cruel, bitter one, no?" she offered.
"Perhaps that freedom will be granted to you one day," she said, "in the meantime, it's best we be grateful that we do wake up and sleep and get to eat." She was sure he would that his Yahweh and that was fine with her. She didn't look down on those who believed in their gods, she simply didn't understand them. Yahweh, at least, was easy enough to understand -- there was only one of Him.
"My master has treated me very well. I try not to take this for granted. Some of his friends do not treat their own slaves nearly as well as I am treated." She didn't notice the way he looked at her, but it wouldn't have bothered her much.
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Not every master was an alright man. Some were cruel and expected those under them to work. Ariah was grateful to whomever was out there that she did not have a master that wanted her to slave away (no pun intended) and work out in the sun. That sounded like a horrible fate to the slave girl, who had been spoiled in her own way since the age of five. "Alright is better than a cruel, bitter one, no?" she offered.
"Perhaps that freedom will be granted to you one day," she said, "in the meantime, it's best we be grateful that we do wake up and sleep and get to eat." She was sure he would that his Yahweh and that was fine with her. She didn't look down on those who believed in their gods, she simply didn't understand them. Yahweh, at least, was easy enough to understand -- there was only one of Him.
"My master has treated me very well. I try not to take this for granted. Some of his friends do not treat their own slaves nearly as well as I am treated." She didn't notice the way he looked at her, but it wouldn't have bothered her much.
Not every master was an alright man. Some were cruel and expected those under them to work. Ariah was grateful to whomever was out there that she did not have a master that wanted her to slave away (no pun intended) and work out in the sun. That sounded like a horrible fate to the slave girl, who had been spoiled in her own way since the age of five. "Alright is better than a cruel, bitter one, no?" she offered.
"Perhaps that freedom will be granted to you one day," she said, "in the meantime, it's best we be grateful that we do wake up and sleep and get to eat." She was sure he would that his Yahweh and that was fine with her. She didn't look down on those who believed in their gods, she simply didn't understand them. Yahweh, at least, was easy enough to understand -- there was only one of Him.
"My master has treated me very well. I try not to take this for granted. Some of his friends do not treat their own slaves nearly as well as I am treated." She didn't notice the way he looked at her, but it wouldn't have bothered her much.
"Alright is better than a cruel, bitter one, no?"
"Always," he agreed readily. For lack of anything to do with his hands, he clasped them behind his back and looked back out towards the water. Across that flat sea was everything he wanted. And the closest he was getting to that was standing right here beside him in the form of Ariah. As she spoke, he closed his eyes for a moment, listening to the cadence of her voice and the Hebrew words on her tongue, but she spoke too fluently and without the Greek accent that Hannah had. There was no way to truly pretend her voice could be his wife's.
Isaiah opened his eyes when Ariah expressed the notion that freedom could be his one day. "Hmm?" he hummed, distracted. "in the meantime, it's best we be grateful that we do wake up and sleep and get to eat."
"Yes," he agreed, returning his attention to her. "Alas, for me, I am not a slave for lack of choice. I placed myself into servitude for the king. I am slowly building the funds to return to Judea. I have tried to hasten my departure by offering my services to sailors bound for our homeland, but they consider me charity. I have no real skills that would benefit a ship's captain. And they would not pay me, nor deposit me in the correct port. And, I think I am a little bit of a coward. I have been gone for so long that it is easier to keep dreaming that life will be perfect and have been waiting for my return. What if I arrive and find everything irrevocably changed for the worse? As is more likely to be the case?"
Isaiah shook his head. "and if I come home with nothing...I cannot show my face to my wife with nothing to give her. And so I stay here, in this pagan place, attempting to earn my way back to her." Shrugging again, a habit he'd picked up among these Greeks, Isaiah glanced sideways at Ariah. "I am sorry. I should not have told you all of that, I think. It is too much for strangers such as we are."
"I am happy to hear that your master treats you kindly. You are right that not everyone meets with kind masters." Some of them met with terrible ones. He supposed that the two of them could be considered lucky. If they squinted and looked at the situation just so.
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"Alright is better than a cruel, bitter one, no?"
"Always," he agreed readily. For lack of anything to do with his hands, he clasped them behind his back and looked back out towards the water. Across that flat sea was everything he wanted. And the closest he was getting to that was standing right here beside him in the form of Ariah. As she spoke, he closed his eyes for a moment, listening to the cadence of her voice and the Hebrew words on her tongue, but she spoke too fluently and without the Greek accent that Hannah had. There was no way to truly pretend her voice could be his wife's.
Isaiah opened his eyes when Ariah expressed the notion that freedom could be his one day. "Hmm?" he hummed, distracted. "in the meantime, it's best we be grateful that we do wake up and sleep and get to eat."
"Yes," he agreed, returning his attention to her. "Alas, for me, I am not a slave for lack of choice. I placed myself into servitude for the king. I am slowly building the funds to return to Judea. I have tried to hasten my departure by offering my services to sailors bound for our homeland, but they consider me charity. I have no real skills that would benefit a ship's captain. And they would not pay me, nor deposit me in the correct port. And, I think I am a little bit of a coward. I have been gone for so long that it is easier to keep dreaming that life will be perfect and have been waiting for my return. What if I arrive and find everything irrevocably changed for the worse? As is more likely to be the case?"
Isaiah shook his head. "and if I come home with nothing...I cannot show my face to my wife with nothing to give her. And so I stay here, in this pagan place, attempting to earn my way back to her." Shrugging again, a habit he'd picked up among these Greeks, Isaiah glanced sideways at Ariah. "I am sorry. I should not have told you all of that, I think. It is too much for strangers such as we are."
"I am happy to hear that your master treats you kindly. You are right that not everyone meets with kind masters." Some of them met with terrible ones. He supposed that the two of them could be considered lucky. If they squinted and looked at the situation just so.
"Alright is better than a cruel, bitter one, no?"
"Always," he agreed readily. For lack of anything to do with his hands, he clasped them behind his back and looked back out towards the water. Across that flat sea was everything he wanted. And the closest he was getting to that was standing right here beside him in the form of Ariah. As she spoke, he closed his eyes for a moment, listening to the cadence of her voice and the Hebrew words on her tongue, but she spoke too fluently and without the Greek accent that Hannah had. There was no way to truly pretend her voice could be his wife's.
Isaiah opened his eyes when Ariah expressed the notion that freedom could be his one day. "Hmm?" he hummed, distracted. "in the meantime, it's best we be grateful that we do wake up and sleep and get to eat."
"Yes," he agreed, returning his attention to her. "Alas, for me, I am not a slave for lack of choice. I placed myself into servitude for the king. I am slowly building the funds to return to Judea. I have tried to hasten my departure by offering my services to sailors bound for our homeland, but they consider me charity. I have no real skills that would benefit a ship's captain. And they would not pay me, nor deposit me in the correct port. And, I think I am a little bit of a coward. I have been gone for so long that it is easier to keep dreaming that life will be perfect and have been waiting for my return. What if I arrive and find everything irrevocably changed for the worse? As is more likely to be the case?"
Isaiah shook his head. "and if I come home with nothing...I cannot show my face to my wife with nothing to give her. And so I stay here, in this pagan place, attempting to earn my way back to her." Shrugging again, a habit he'd picked up among these Greeks, Isaiah glanced sideways at Ariah. "I am sorry. I should not have told you all of that, I think. It is too much for strangers such as we are."
"I am happy to hear that your master treats you kindly. You are right that not everyone meets with kind masters." Some of them met with terrible ones. He supposed that the two of them could be considered lucky. If they squinted and looked at the situation just so.
She wondered then why he looked out to the sea. What did it truly mean to him? The sea meant adventure, it meant travel, and it meant danger to her. Aeton was fond of bringing her wherever he went. Sure, he only did so to have...personal company and to show her off, but she had seen more of the world than many in her position. She, at least, was not travelling to work. She’d never recalled having to do much work at all, save for serving now and then. She did not mention this to him, of course, thinking it might come off as prideful.
She’d heard of those being placed into servitude, but she could never imagine doing it herself. Perhaps, if Aeton were to free her, she might. Ariah could not imagine a life without a master. It was a part of her as it always would be. She did not long for the freedom he did, for she never had it to begin with. She remained quiet as he spoke, trying to her best to empathize with his situation. It was only when he apologized for telling his story that she shook her head.
“There is no need to apologize. Often, I have had other slaves soon to be sold tell me their stories, so that there might be someone to remember them. I can promise you I will not share your name or your story with anyone. It is not my place to do so. I can only pray that you and your wife will be reunited again.” She would not pray, of course, but he didn’t need to know that.
“Yes. My master is far kinder to me than-”
‘Ariah!’
She turned her head to see her master stood some ways away, beckoning her with his hand. She turned towards Isaiah and shot him a sympathetic look. “My master calls me, I must go, but perhaps we may meet again.” With that, she was gone to return to her master, ready for whatever he might make of what he’d seen.
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She wondered then why he looked out to the sea. What did it truly mean to him? The sea meant adventure, it meant travel, and it meant danger to her. Aeton was fond of bringing her wherever he went. Sure, he only did so to have...personal company and to show her off, but she had seen more of the world than many in her position. She, at least, was not travelling to work. She’d never recalled having to do much work at all, save for serving now and then. She did not mention this to him, of course, thinking it might come off as prideful.
She’d heard of those being placed into servitude, but she could never imagine doing it herself. Perhaps, if Aeton were to free her, she might. Ariah could not imagine a life without a master. It was a part of her as it always would be. She did not long for the freedom he did, for she never had it to begin with. She remained quiet as he spoke, trying to her best to empathize with his situation. It was only when he apologized for telling his story that she shook her head.
“There is no need to apologize. Often, I have had other slaves soon to be sold tell me their stories, so that there might be someone to remember them. I can promise you I will not share your name or your story with anyone. It is not my place to do so. I can only pray that you and your wife will be reunited again.” She would not pray, of course, but he didn’t need to know that.
“Yes. My master is far kinder to me than-”
‘Ariah!’
She turned her head to see her master stood some ways away, beckoning her with his hand. She turned towards Isaiah and shot him a sympathetic look. “My master calls me, I must go, but perhaps we may meet again.” With that, she was gone to return to her master, ready for whatever he might make of what he’d seen.
She wondered then why he looked out to the sea. What did it truly mean to him? The sea meant adventure, it meant travel, and it meant danger to her. Aeton was fond of bringing her wherever he went. Sure, he only did so to have...personal company and to show her off, but she had seen more of the world than many in her position. She, at least, was not travelling to work. She’d never recalled having to do much work at all, save for serving now and then. She did not mention this to him, of course, thinking it might come off as prideful.
She’d heard of those being placed into servitude, but she could never imagine doing it herself. Perhaps, if Aeton were to free her, she might. Ariah could not imagine a life without a master. It was a part of her as it always would be. She did not long for the freedom he did, for she never had it to begin with. She remained quiet as he spoke, trying to her best to empathize with his situation. It was only when he apologized for telling his story that she shook her head.
“There is no need to apologize. Often, I have had other slaves soon to be sold tell me their stories, so that there might be someone to remember them. I can promise you I will not share your name or your story with anyone. It is not my place to do so. I can only pray that you and your wife will be reunited again.” She would not pray, of course, but he didn’t need to know that.
“Yes. My master is far kinder to me than-”
‘Ariah!’
She turned her head to see her master stood some ways away, beckoning her with his hand. She turned towards Isaiah and shot him a sympathetic look. “My master calls me, I must go, but perhaps we may meet again.” With that, she was gone to return to her master, ready for whatever he might make of what he’d seen.