The After Cilmeri Series Boxed Set by Sarah Woodbury

Author:Sarah Woodbury
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: middle ages, medieval, prince of wales, historical romance, time travel, time travel romance, alternate history, wales, britain, teen, young adult
Publisher: The Morgan-Stanwood Publishing Group
Published: 2014-11-24T00:00:00+00:00

ON THE TWENTY-EIGHTH of May, only a day before Aaron intended to leave for Chester, a guard on the wall shouted that a rider—a foreign rider—requested permission to enter. Math and Anna went to find out who it was. The man dismounted and bowed deeply.

“I am Abraham ben Moses,” he said. “I’m looking for my uncle, Aaron ben Simon, whom I’ve heard is within.”

“He is,” Math said. “I suppose we’ve been expecting you.”

The man raised his eyebrows, but didn’t ask questions, just allowed Anna to lead him into the hall.

“Are you okay with this?” Anna asked Math (‘okay’ was one of the words she couldn’t seem to stop using; apparently she said it often enough that other members of the castle had adopted it too).

Math nodded. “I can’t predict the future like you can. But I can see my way clear on this.”

“Abraham!” Aaron entered the hall from a rear doorway, David a pace or two behind. In three long strides, Aaron reached Abraham and embraced him. They patted each other on the back, and then stepped away, smiling, though Abraham’s smile quickly faded.

“We are here to impose upon your hospitality, Uncle, and that of your lord, if he will have us.” Abraham looked past Aaron to David. “The King of England has barred us from London. The Jewish community has fifteen days to leave the city, ten of which have already passed.”

“They will lose everything,” Aaron breathed. “On such short notice, no one will get a fair price for any of their possessions.”

“If such a thing was ever possible.” Abraham shook his head. “The edict caught us unawares.”

“What is your profession?” David said.

“I am a wool merchant,” Abraham said, “though in recent years I’ve worked in the shop of a gentile—ill-paid and ill-respected—except for the money I brought in.”

“I’m sorry for your troubles,” David said. “But if you have contacts in Europe with whom you do business, you may settle in the village and practice your trade from here. There will be no undue taxes or restrictions on your behavior or your movement.”

Abraham stared at him. “Truly?”

“We will restrict usury among your bankers to a maximum of five percent interest,” David said. “While they may not feel that is worth their efforts, over the long term, they could earn a living if that profession is their choice. Otherwise, we ask that you accept our hospitality as it is offered: from one free people to another.”

Abraham shook his head, opening and closing his mouth but unable to speak. Aaron patted him on the shoulder. “He’s the Prince of Wales,” Aaron said. “Best take him at his word.”

“Sire.” Abraham finally managed to speak. “Thank you.” He allowed Aaron to lead him to a table and settle him on a bench, an expression of wonder still on his face.

“What is Father going to say?” Anna said.

“He’s not here, but it’s the right thing to do.” David glanced at the two men who were too far away to hear him. “But you’re right that I probably should discuss it with Father before we get too far down this road.

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