Recap: Ava is conflicted about attending the pageant this year. Her aunt and cousin are practicing Judaism, and they’ve put up mezuzos. She’s nervous that her cousin Galla and her family will see them.
The carriage neared the palace. The clip-clop of horses echoed through the narrow stone alleyways.
Jasmin strode into my room. “Your cousin is here.”
My stomach knotted.
I slid on my dressy sandals with pale blue, yellow, and turquoise beads. The caravan of donkeys stopped, and we heard voices in the courtyard. Jasmin strode over to give the proper welcome. I hung back.
The last time I’d seen my cousin had not been a good visit. I tried to brush that aside, but I was still wary of her sharp tongue.
Galla’s family and servants entered. Jasmin’s mother, Anahita, stood in the doorway. She directed them where to take their parcels of clothing. They’d brought baskets of fruits, dates, figs, and pomegranates. Galla’s dark hair streamed in waves reaching below her waist. Her gold robe, tied with a black sash, complemented her olive skin and her wide dark eyes. Beside her pranced a large dog that looked like a wolf.
I backed away.
Galla laughed. “He won’t bite.”
I hated that I was afraid of her dog.
Aunt Annabelle strolled in with her attendants and greeted Galla’s family.
Aunt Annabelle’s mouth formed a straight line. “Please keep the dog out in the courtyard. Some of the servants are afraid.” I was grateful she didn’t say I was afraid.
Galla’s mother strolled through the doorway, past the small box affixed there. Her gold hair was wound up on her head. Diamond earrings sparkled in her ears, and several gold chains adorned her neck.
My heart pounded.
Would she see it?
She glanced around. Thankfully, she didn’t seem to notice it.
“Galla insisted on bringing that dog.” She shrugged and laughed. “Children are children.”
Aunt Annabelle didn’t respond. I could tell she didn’t agree with this philosophy of child-rearing.
Aunt Annabelle was warm and kind but also strict.
Jasmin’s mother invited the guests to come to the kitchen for refreshments and cold water. “We even have ice from the mountains.”
Galla strode over to me. “Ava, how are you?” She kissed both my cheeks. Her false smile didn’t fool me, but I kissed her back.
“What games did you bring?” Jasmin asked politely.
“Oh, lots. They’re in the sacks still on the donkeys.”
My father had many relatives. There are many cousins; thankfully, Galla’s family, distant cousins, only come once a year.
“Welcome, Nazanin and Omir. Please make yourselves at home. We have a basin for you to wash your feet. Please feel free to rest. The midday meal is in another hour,” my aunt said in her quiet, regal way.
Nazanin bowed to my Aunt Annabelle.
Jasmin invited Galla to come play our game outside. We had drawn a circle with a piece of limestone where we played with a ball. I was sure she played more sophisticated Roman-style games in Parthia.
I noticed Galla’s dog pacing nearby. Every time it drew near, I backed away.
Galla laughed. “I can’t believe you’re afraid of Lion. He’s not going to bite you.”
Could be that was true, but he was big, and he had a mouth full of sharp teeth.
“I’m not afraid,” I lied. “I just don’t want it to jump on me and dirty my robe.”
Galla turned away and called her dog over. “You’re insulting Lion. Come, Lion. Stay near me.”
Galla and Jasmin threw the ball back and forth. I stood on the side. Once, Jasmin threw it gently to me. I reached to catch it with my left hand. I was thankful I was able to grasp it. I couldn’t use my right hand for this type of thing.
I threw back to Jasmin, and she threw hard to Galla. Galla laughed as she ran and caught the ball. Then she threw hard towards me. I couldn’t catch it with my good arm, and the ball dropped.
Galla didn’t say anything, but I felt her look of pity, and I hated that more than anything.
“I can’t wait for the pageant,” Galla said.
“Yes, we’re all excited to go.” Jasmin threw the ball to her.
“My father plans to deliver a proclamation there on behalf of Parthia,” Galla said as she caught the ball.
The catch now was just between the two of them.
“Why is your father pronouncing a proclamation in our kingdom?” I asked. My neck muscles tightened. What if it was something that would hurt our Kingdom of Aurora?
“Well, you know there’s a certain group of people who are growing larger and can be a threat to both of our kingdoms. I heard my parents speak about it. We must preserve our religion and our way of life. You know that, Ava.” She smiled at me.
What did she mean by a certain people?
I swallowed.
To be continued…
Susie Garber is the author of a newly released historical fiction novel, Captured (Menucha Publishers, 2025), as well as historical fiction novels Please Be Patient (Menucha, 2024), Flight of the Doves (Menucha, 2023), Please Be Polite (Menucha, 2022), A Bridge in Time (Menucha, 2021), Secrets in Disguise (Menucha, 2020), Denver Dreams, a novel (Jerusalem Publications, 2009), Memorable Characters…Magnificent Stories (Scholastic, 2002), Befriend (Menucha, 2013), The Road Less Traveled (Feldheim, 2015), fiction serials, and features in Binah Magazine and Binyan Magazine, and “Moon Song” in Binyan (2021–2022) and Alaskan Gold (2023–2024).
