Path of the Magi (Tales of Tiberius) (14 page)

Salina’s visit was a bright spot in his school days which were mostly uneventful.  That isn’t to say he had no other adventures, but at this time they were all of the ordinary sort.  He traveled with Dallen, learned first aid from Messura, and saw other sights of the Stewardship.  Mostly this was a time of learning and study for him, though: classwork and basic reading, the foundation for great magic, not magic itself. 

The time passed quickly, as time does when one is busy.  By the end of three years, Dallen and his other tutors had crammed into him a body of basic knowledge that made for more than the average four year university education.  The government proctors were surprised when after only three years Ian and Tiberius applied to take the government certification exams. They were surprised even more when the two of them passed with high honors. 

It was good to have the basics out of the way, for their education was by no means finished.  Their lessons became more applications of the mathematics they had studied.  They were learning the complex formulas that would, under the right conditions, produce applications of supernatural energy, or spells, if you would so call them.  Their meditations progressed, as did Ti’s skill with the staff.  It was all for the good, for the next step was approaching.  The day of investment grew near.   

A few days later, Ti found himself standing in front of Dallen’s desk. 

“So tell me, Tiberius, what is fire?”  Dallen asked.  

“A chemical reaction that occurs when oxygen rapidly unites with a material thus forming a body of incandescent gas emitting light and heat,” he answered.  He was used to Dallen’s little oral pop quizzes by now.  He’d just been though the government exams a couple of weeks ago and he still felt ready for anything Dallen was likely to ask him.  Probably Dallen had just decided to keep him awake.  The early summer heat had set in and even though Dallen’s northern home was situated far in the country, it still seemed to catch some of the cities summer malaise.

“Good.  And the fireball?”

Tiberius frowned.  Evidently Dallen was merciless this morning.  “To throw a fireball spell involves summoning and directing fire.  Summoning fire typically involves burning oxygen and hydrogen, the latter we summon via water electrolysis of atmospheric water vapor, at least in the simpler forms of the spell.  The fire is given a telekinetic velocity and directed to the target.  The process of casting the spell involves tapping into one’s spiritual energy and directing it by mentally reviewing the precise formula.  The body, being attached to the spirit, is directed to gesture appropriately.  The key words of the spell are also physically spoken as to further place mind body and spirit in harmony and thus produce the desired effect.  That about cover it?” Tiberius answered.

“It will do for a summary.”  Dallen said.  “I know you know the basic mathematical formulas by now.  What we want now is to put them into effect.”

That got Ti’s attention.  “I thought I had to go though investment to have the right spiritual frame to do dramatic magical effects,” Tiberius said.

“That’s basically true, but not absolutely true,” Dallen explained.  “There is of course, a much easier way. You can make a pact with a demon or other spiritually inclined entity to channel the power for you.  That won’t do for us, since we’re trying to stay on God’s good side.  Fortunately we can gain limited effects though other means.  A staff can serve as sort of a spiritual antenna.  Typically you’ll carry a staff or wand with you.  It isn’t essential, but it makes the process less tiring.  Let’s go round the back and give it a try, shall we?”

Ian and Tiberius got up and followed.  Considering the weather, Ti was more than willing to go outdoors.  It was a bit stuffy inside.  Anyway, it was about time he actually got to do some magic.  Dallen led him and Ian around to the back to a large open area with a few targets set off in the distance.  There was also a table set up with a curious silver blue orb. 

“This is a training staff,” Dallen explained.  “Something between a true magician’s wand and ‘magic’ wand that does all the work for you.   Holding it you should be able to manage some slight effects.  Especially if I hit you with an assistance spell.”

“A what?” Tiberius asked.

A second later he felt it as Dallen waved his short staff.  It felt like someone had fed strong coffee inside of his every cell, or he’d heard some particularly rousing bit of music that inflamed the soul.  Picking up the training wand was a similar sensation.

“Now let’s try a small fireball, shall we?”

Tiberius nodded.  He ran though the formula and spoke the words, gesturing towards a target set on the other side of the lawn.  

“Flame strike!” he said.   He thought he saw a little flicker of flame form around his fingertips, but that was all. 

“That wasn’t so bad.  Try again,” Dallen said, encouraging him.

Tiberius did so.  Again he said the words and gestured, but if anything the fire was less. 

“Are you sure you want to say that in English?”  Dallen said.

“What’s wrong with English?  It’s the right words, isn’t it?” Tiberius asked.  “That’s how I learned all the formulas.”

“Language is to the magician what instruments are to the musician.  A master musician can play a concert on toy piano as well as a hand crafted artwork.  But it won’t sound quite the same.  You need to find a language that resonates with your soul.  Singh and I usually use Latin.  It’s a language of classical grandeur.  The tongue of the united church.”

“Reminds me too much of Mr. Johnson and my school days.  Hmm.  I don’t really speak Aramaic.  Not Alfaran, I think.”  Tiberius thought of the various languages he knew, trying to think of one that was right.  Mostly wizards spoke ancient tongues, but he couldn’t put his mind around that.  He just couldn’t think that casting spells in linear B script would really help.  Suddenly an inspiration hit him.

“I think I know a language with just the right flavor!” he said.  “What I want isn’t an ancient language, but a new one.  A language that is precise yet whose very essence was made in a wish for peace and understanding throughout the world.  A secret language meant for good.  Esperanto.” 

Dallen listened.  “Interesting choice, it just might work.  Give it a try.”

Tiberius gripped the training orb again.  What was fireball strike in Esperanto again?  It had been a while, but he had an Esperanto Bible he read now and then to keep in practice.   The words came to him.

“Flamoj frapu!” he said.

This time there was a very noticeable flash of fire.  It dissipated long before it reached the target, but it was a noticeable improvement. 

“Yes, that’s much better,”  Dallen said.  “The only problem is I have no idea what you are saying.  Still, it works for you, I see.  Very good.  All right Ian, your turn. 

“I hope you don’t expect me to speak Esperanto,” he said.

“Just use a language that’s comfortable for you.  Just not too comfortable,”  Dallen explained.

With a little work, Ian managed a few sparks of flame.  Dallen watched with satisfaction.

“Very good,” he said.  “We’ll spend a few days getting you comfortable with the mechanics of casting a simple spell.  It’s a necessary step before your investments.  Investment is where you truly grasp hold of the power of creation.  As you can see, you can do magic now, but the effects are limited and subtle.  You can move mountains now, but to do it in the next fifteen minutes, that takes a bit of leverage and a better connection to the power of God’s universe.  To make that kind of connection we need to jar your spirit a bit.   You need to free your spirit from your bodies and do what you’ve just done.  Connect with the forces of creation and cast a simple bit of magic.  To do that you need to be able to work a simple spell.  So we’ll use assistance spells and training wands for a few days, till you’re comfortable with the mechanics.  Then we’ll try your investments.”

Tiberius found he could work the mechanics all right.  It was a question of visualization, moving the body in connection with the spirit and proper concentration.  A bit like having to do algebra while tap-dancing.  It was hard to master all the pieces, but it wasn’t impossible, and once you got everything together it made for one heck of a math lesson.         

That night he spent some time with the book of Genesis.  “And God said, ‘Let there be light’ and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness.”  It was a truth that only came though poetry.  Playing with God’s tools, he was just beginning to appreciate the true power of God.  Today Tiberius had tapped into the very powers of creation.  He felt like he’d flicked a small spark off a log and in doing so sensed the presence of steel melting fire for the first time.  “Let there be light.”  They were simple words, but behind them were thoughts of incredible power and complexity.  It was all Tiberius could do to master the simple structure and nature of incandescent gas.  God had in those simple words captured the very structure of the universe.  He knew every hair on every head down to the molecular structure of the human body.  He created the very laws of physics which made life possible.  True understanding of what God had done made him seem wonderful beyond description.  God’s creation was not only filled with endless complexity and incomprehensible power, but the result was filled with magnificent beauty.  You only had to look at any sunset to see the artistry of God.  God wrought works of art with the flames of volcanoes.  By comparison, Tiberius realized he was going to be lucky to manage to roast a marshmallow.                

A few days later, Messura came by to help in the investment procedures.  This started with another annoying round of medical exams.  It seemed like Messura examined every inch of Tiberius.  

“You’re in excellent health,” he said at last.  “Except of course for your heart.”

“What’s wrong with my heart?”  Tiberius asked, with a touch of concern.

“I think there is a woman in it,” he said.

“Humph.  If you mean Salina, I think you need your stethoscope examined.”

“She troubles your spirit,” Messura said.

“I like her but I never see her,” Tiberus replied.  “She writes when she feels like it.  Either she throws herself at me or she ignores me; it’s enough to drive you mad.”

“She warned you of this, did she not?”  Messura said. 

“Yes, but I don’t know if that makes me feel any better.” 

“Patience, my young friend.  It’s difficult having a relationship with an Alfaran.  Unless you want to immerse yourself in their world you will need to be patient with her.  Like you she has duties.”

“At least she seems to like me, which is more than I can say for most women.  Being a scholar doesn’t count for much.  They all want rogues with fast horses.”

“God tests you, I think.  If you wish to champion Him, some things you will have to leave aside for now.  Raising a family is not for you.  Not now.”

“You’re married,” Tiberius observed.

“God gives us all different challenges,” Messura replied. 

“Great.  How’s Ian?”  Tiberius said, changing the subject.  He was in no mood for Messura’s flowery riddles just now. 

“Like you, in good health,” Messura answered.   

“Why the checkup now anyway?  Is that part of the investment?”  Ti asked the healer. 

Messura packed away his stethoscope.  “Indirectly.  Investment is not a safe thing to do.  We separate the soul from the body.  This is meant to happen only at the moment of death.  Ordinarily it’s a manageable procedure, but there are risks.  Sometimes the spirit prefers life elsewhere.  We want to make sure you are both in excellent health.  We don’t need the complication of a heart murmur to interrupt such a delicate moment.” 

“What about my heart?”  Tiberius asked.

“Heartaches of the sort you have, we will live with,” Messura laughed.  “Brilliant women are not supposed to be simple and figured out in an hour.”

Later that afternoon, Ti saw Dallen’s coach pull up and Tanyia stepped out.  “Hello, Dallen, decided to marry me yet?” she asked, stepping up and giving Dallen a hug and a kiss on the cheek.  Tanyia was a woman in her late fifties with short grey hair and wrinkles but youthful eyes.  It was a little disconcerting to Tiberius to realize that Tanyia was actually substantially younger than Salina, to his best guess.  But Salina kept a youthful mind as well as a figure.  Tanyia didn’t really seem elderly either, come to think of it.

“Not this morning,” was Dallen’s answer to her impertinent question.  It was positively thick with magi now: Dallen, Greentree, Messura, and now Tanyia.  Dallen, Messura, and Tanyia would be the three officiating magi.  Greentree would simply observe.  It was tradition to bring at least three magi together for any significant occasion.  Tiberius still wasn’t entirely sure how many magi there were altogether.  Dallen could be maddeningly obscure at times.  He didn’t think it was much more than this, though he knew that Tanyia had some sort of student of her own she was working on.  He wasn’t here today though, and wasn’t anywhere close to investment. 

There were few preparations to be made.  Aside from the medical exam, Dallen was mostly concerned that his pupils got a good night's sleep.  Dallen did question them into the evening making sure they knew exactly what to do.  They were both ready.   

Ian was first, naturally.  He’d been Dallen's student longer than Tiberius had.  The next morning, they woke up before dawn.  Dallen led them in morning prayers and then to a light breakfast.  After that they all went out back to the open field.  The sun was still as Dallen took Ian and had him sit down and told him to clear his mind.  There was nothing Tiberius could really do at this point but watch.  At least Dallen had put a spell of true seeing on him so he’d be able to see what was going on when Ian left the his body.  The idea was to cast a simple spell, as a spirit, and then return to the body, carrying that experience with you.  After that, it was like realizing you had a muscle you never knew you had.  From then on it was just a question of exercise.