Enchantress: A Novel of Rav Hisda's Daughter Read Free Page B

staircase to my room.
    “What did the woman look like?” Em asked when Leuton began unpacking my things.
    “Her hair was covered, so I couldn’t tell its color, but she appeared to be around thirty,” I said. “In truth, she seemed rather average in everything—neither tall nor short, fat nor thin, beautiful nor ugly, no distinguishing features—yet I’m certain I’d know her if I saw her again.”
    “She doesn’t sound like anyone I know.” Em scratched her head in thought. “Though a charasheta powerful enough to control the wind might have ways of making herself less noticeable.”
    “Do you think she’ll call on you?”
    Em shrugged. “If she is only visiting and does not intend to perform enchantments, then probably not.”
    I gave a slight sigh of disappointment. “I see.”
    Em seemed in no hurry to leave until I was completely settled, so I inquired about my schedule and studies.
    “For several months, until I’m confident you understand everything, you’ll only observe me as I work.” Her tone was firm, and I thought I heard a warning as well.
    “I wouldn’t dream of doing anything without your express permission.”
    Em cleared her throat. “Abaye’s first wife also studied with me. She was eager to learn recipes for curing illnesses, which I promptly taught her . . . to my regret.” She paused to wipe a tear from her eye.
    “What happened?” I asked gently.
    “I knew she suffered from headaches, but I never imagined she would try the remedy on herself without telling me.” Her face was etched with sadness. “I don’t know whether she made the potion too strong or took more when the first batch didn’t help, but we found her unconscious one morning, and she died that same day.”
    I shuddered. “How awful.”
    She hurriedly changed the subject. “You will continue to inscribe amulets and kasa d’charasha when you’re not dashtana . We don’t want your skills to languish through disuse.”
    “But where will I find clients?” I asked with surprise.
    “I will arrange that.”
    “I need to become familiar with the streets of Pumbedita,” I declared. The terror of getting lost as a child in the twisting alleys of Kafri had never left me.
    “I will arrange that as well.” Em glanced over at Leuton, who was standing patiently next to our now prepared beds. “But first you must get some rest.”
    Em was shorter than me, so I had to lean down to kiss her fleshy cheek. “Thank you so much for your hospitality, and for agreeing to train another student.”
     • • • 
    I woke before dawn. I knew Rava was an early riser, but I was taken aback when he stepped out into the hallway just as I did. We were facing each other so closely I could see a few drops of wash water still clinging to his beard. His surprise at almost bumping into me was too genuine for the encounter to have been planned.
    We had no choice but to walk downstairs together. I turned to Rava. “Where does everyone usually sit?”
    “Em sits here, closest to the hearth.” He then pointed out a table that was lower than the five others. “Abaye’s daughter and wife sit over there, so the little girl is as far away from the fire as possible.”
    I moved one of three remaining tables next to Em’s, pleased that Rava would have a good view of me. A kitchen slave brought us bread, bowls of porridge, and some dried fruit, and I waited as Rava blessed the bread.
    I had just replied “Amen” when there was a clatter of small feet on the stairs. I looked up to see a little girl halt abruptly at the sight of me, a stranger.
    Immediately her nursemaid came into view. “Don’t be shy, Elisheva,” the slave encouraged her. Elisheva looked to be about the age my daughter would have been if she were still alive. I gulped. With her dark braids and big eyes, Abaye’s daughter couldn’t help but remind me of Yehudit.
    “Elisheva has my permission to be as shy as she likes,” I said gently. “Once she gets used