THE PRIEST OF SANTA MARIA - { PT. 11 }

{ PT.  11 } - The cloth itself would indicate this time period, but even if it was authenticated, that in itself would not prove that it was the swaddling of baby Jesus. Also, please understand that I did not want to draw attention to it. It's a family heirloom, and I was explicitly told it stays in the family. You bring us all the way explicitly told it stays in the family. You bring us all the way to Rome for a box and a strip of fabric? said Christiano. Angelica put the swaddling band to her nose and breathed in the smell. Kurush smiled, exposing a glint of self-assuredness in his eyes. Please allow my to show you something profound. He held out his hand. Please. Angelica handed the cloth back to him. He rummaged through the middle drawer of his desk, and his hand emerged with a box of matches. He removed a match and struck it. They stared at him curiously as he proceeded to put the flame to a section of the cloth. Angelica gasped. The flames engulfed the fabric and burned fiercely for a couple of minutes without spreading, before gradually dying out. To their amazement, the area was completely unharmed, untouched, and free of any scorch marks. Angelica drew in her breath. A flame retardant fabric, perhaps? said Christiano. Kurush chuckled. You are quite the sceptic. He then proceeded to place the fabric in its proper compartment in the box and closed the lid. He lit another match and held it to the wood. They watched as the flames did nothing. Not even as scorch mark appeared. This box was meant to reach me in this time. It has withstood house fires and was even retrieved unharmed from the bottom of a river, once, but it has always remained intact and its contents secure.            _____________________________________________________