Lilah by Marek Halter Page B

cape fluttered in the sharp north wind. The stormy light filtering through the low, dark clouds glinted on his knife as well as in his eyes. He showed no impatience, and made a friendlygesture to Sogdiam when the boy handed him the cup.
    To Sogdiam, the thought of Lilah snuggling in this man’s arms was as painful as a burn. It was one good reason to hate him. Ezra was another. Yet Sogdiam could not help blushing with pleasure when Antinoes gave him back the cup and said in a soft voice, ‘Lilah loves you a lot, young Sogdiam. She told me so. She said you were very brave and not at all like other boys.’
    Sogdiam bowed his head and wondered how to reply, but had no time to speak: Antinoes was walking towards the study. When he reached the doorway, he bowed politely. ‘Forgive me, Master Baruch, if I interrupt your teaching. I have come to talk to my brother Ezra. I haven’t seen him for a long time.’
    There was a strange silence. Master Baruch looked up at Antinoes, eyes glittering with curiosity: he did not seem the least bit offended. Ezra, though, stood up, pushing back his stool noisily. He walked up to Antinoes, coming so close to him that Sogdiam thought they would either embrace or fight. But his face was cold and his voice made the boy lower his eyes. ‘You’re disturbing me in my studies, stranger. I don’t think that’s very polite.’
    â€˜Ezra!’
    â€˜You come here dressed and armed as if for war,flaunting your gold to the people of this town who are dressed in rags, and you claim that I’m your brother, which is a lie. You can leave the way you came. We have nothing to say to each other.’
    Antinoes clutched his cape. Sogdiam sensed the shudder of anger that went through him, yet when he spoke, his voice remained low and calm. ‘You know as well as I do how one of Artaxerxes’ officers has to move around. He travels by chariot and is always escorted. It doesn’t matter if he’s in the Citadel or the lower town, for him there’s only one law and one kingdom. And you’re wrong. I have something to say to you, something you need to hear. I came back to Susa to make Lilah my wife. I’m sure you know that already. But I’ve come here to ask you, as someone who was once my brother, not to condemn Lilah if she makes that choice.’
    There was a silence so heavy that Sogdiam felt it weighing on his shoulders. He was embarrassed that he was still in the courtyard, hearing this conversation, but it was too late, now, to hide in the kitchen.
    His face more closed than a blind wall, Ezra hesitated. Sogdiam feared he would throw Antinoes out into the street.
    â€˜My sister is free to choose her husband,’ he said, his voice as chilly as the north wind.
    Antinoes raised an eyebrow. ‘You won’t oppose her decision, then?’ he asked.
    Ezra smiled, which did nothing to soften his expression. He turned to Master Baruch, as if calling on him as a witness, but the old man was bent over a papyrus, clearly indicating that he wanted no part in this quarrel.
    â€˜My sister is free to make her own decisions,’ Ezra said. ‘But there are laws for us, the children of Israel and the people of the Covenant. They are not the same as your laws, son of Persia, just as our God is not the same as your gods.’
    â€˜What do you mean, Ezra?’
    â€˜â€œDo not give your children to Molek,” the Law of Moses commands. “Do not profane the name of your God. A woman who goes with an unclean man is herself unclean.” And if a woman is unclean, her brother can no longer go near her. He can no longer be her brother. Lilah will choose.’
    â€˜Oh, I understand!’ Antinoes laughed bitterly, anger getting the better of him. ‘If Lilah becomes my wife, you’ll never see her again.’
    â€˜It’s not my decision. I’m obeying the Law and the Word that Yahweh taught Moses. The Law says