THE PIRATES CHAPTER SEVEN - Page 1

IN THE DAYS ahead, Saul and Marcus found many excuses to spend time together. Everyday, Marcus joined Saul after school at the cilicium warehouse. He seemed eager to learn much more about the local culture and found Saul a ready teacher.

"I understand many of the cilicium shepherds are Parthians," Marcus observed one day.

"That is true. My grandfather developed a strong relationship to an old Parthian shepherd named Ruel. Ruel and his wife sheltered my father and his sister during the occupation by Tribune Marcellus. My father and their son Shaphan became like brothers and now Shaphan has taken his father's place. Old Ruel died a few years ago, and Leah died soon after."

"Your family must be very grateful to them for hiding your father. I heard about the kidnapping of children by Marcellus."

"Of course, those were the orders of Cassius, not Marcellus," Saul replied, somewhat defensively. "I have a hard time imagining Roman soldiers doing that sort of thing these days. Especially under Augustus."

"Yes, we live in a much better time." After a pause he looked at Saul slyly. "I sure would like to see that cave."

Saul returned the smile. "It might be possible. Shaphan is married now to Mishna. They have no children and they live in the cave his father used to live in. They do not like to come to the city, but enjoy having visitors. My father sends a caravan to the foothills to meet Shaphan now and then. They deliver most of the food and supplies they need from Tarsus and pick up the cilicium shipment. I will ask him if you and I can go along next time."

"Now there's an adventure!" Marcus' eyes sparkled. "I would love to meet them. Will we be able to spend the night?"

"I will ask."