“The Saracens rule there.”
“So they do, and they have many wise and
learned men in their schools. When I had learned all I could from
their physicians and mathematicians, and from their astrologers and
alchemists, I joined a caravan bound for what you English call the
Holy Land. Though your Christian crusaders have conquered that land
from the Saracens, still, neither side balks at trade with avowed
enemies. The goods carried by the caravan I was with were welcomed
in Jerusalem and it was easy for me to enter the city with my
traveling companions. It was in Jerusalem that I first met Sir
Giles. We became friends and when he decided to return to England,
he invited me to travel with him.
“I have acquired more learning than I ever
dreamed existed before I left my homeland,” Hugh finished his
story, “but with knowledge came the realization of how little I
know, of how much I have still to learn. A wise man in Jerusalem
told me it is always so, that there is no end to learning. I hoped
to discover yet more knowledge here, in this damp and cold northern
land.”
“Master Hugh,” Mirielle asked, “with all your
studies and your remarkable travels, have you learned the secret
yet? Are you able to change base metal into gold?” The question was
a trick, and if Hugh was all he claimed to be, he would recognize
the trick and give her the correct answer. Mirielle did not really
doubt Hugh’s honesty, but Cerra had repeatedly emphasized the need
for caution where her art was concerned. She was impressed by the
solemnity with which Hugh now looked into her eyes.
“As you profess to be a student of the art,”
he said slowly, “surely you know that the tale of making gold is
but a parable for the true end of alchemy, which is the perfection
of the human soul. All efforts, all experiments, and all true
knowledge lead to that goal, which is more valuable than the purest
gold.”
“I do know it.” Mirielle let out the breath
she had been holding. “It is among the earliest lessons Cerra
taught me. She died too soon, leaving me half-taught, and I have
been forced to experiment on my own. I have had some slight
success, along with too many failures.”
“For a woman to engage in this effort is
unheard-of in my land.” Hugh frowned.
“But, not altogether unknown in other lands,”
Mirielle said. “In Wales, where I was born, there are many women
who know more than just the simple herbal healing they are careful
to practice while others are watching. Some people call those women
sorceresses, but disapproval does not stop them. Cerra believed I
was born with a talent for the art.”
“I would like to learn what you know of the
local herbal lore,” Hugh said, his eyes on the bunches of lavender
and rosemary and other herbs hanging above the worktable. He turned
his attention to the mortar and pestle on the table, then to the
retorts and the alembic on the shelves.
“Master Hugh, I propose an exchange of
information.” So enchanted was she by his story and by the
possibility of acquiring valuable new knowledge that Mirielle had
all but forgotten that he would be leaving within a day or two at
most. She knew only that she had found a friend, a possible
teacher, one who understood how she craved learning. As she was
beginning to understand was Hugh’s custom, he did not give her a
direct answer but instead made a remark that at first hearing
seemed to have no relevance to her request.
“My true name,” Hugh said, “is Hua Te. In
this land it would be best if you would continue to address me as
Hugh.”
“Thank you, Hua Te.” She tried to say it in
the same way that he did and when he smiled at the sound she smiled
in return. Then she did remember that he would not stay long at
Wroxley Castle, and she thought about Giles, and her smile
disappeared. “Master Hugh, what is your purpose here?”
“I cannot tell you all of it, for it is not
my story,” he said. “I can promise that in the beginning
“So they do, and they have many wise and
learned men in their schools. When I had learned all I could from
their physicians and mathematicians, and from their astrologers and
alchemists, I joined a caravan bound for what you English call the
Holy Land. Though your Christian crusaders have conquered that land
from the Saracens, still, neither side balks at trade with avowed
enemies. The goods carried by the caravan I was with were welcomed
in Jerusalem and it was easy for me to enter the city with my
traveling companions. It was in Jerusalem that I first met Sir
Giles. We became friends and when he decided to return to England,
he invited me to travel with him.
“I have acquired more learning than I ever
dreamed existed before I left my homeland,” Hugh finished his
story, “but with knowledge came the realization of how little I
know, of how much I have still to learn. A wise man in Jerusalem
told me it is always so, that there is no end to learning. I hoped
to discover yet more knowledge here, in this damp and cold northern
land.”
“Master Hugh,” Mirielle asked, “with all your
studies and your remarkable travels, have you learned the secret
yet? Are you able to change base metal into gold?” The question was
a trick, and if Hugh was all he claimed to be, he would recognize
the trick and give her the correct answer. Mirielle did not really
doubt Hugh’s honesty, but Cerra had repeatedly emphasized the need
for caution where her art was concerned. She was impressed by the
solemnity with which Hugh now looked into her eyes.
“As you profess to be a student of the art,”
he said slowly, “surely you know that the tale of making gold is
but a parable for the true end of alchemy, which is the perfection
of the human soul. All efforts, all experiments, and all true
knowledge lead to that goal, which is more valuable than the purest
gold.”
“I do know it.” Mirielle let out the breath
she had been holding. “It is among the earliest lessons Cerra
taught me. She died too soon, leaving me half-taught, and I have
been forced to experiment on my own. I have had some slight
success, along with too many failures.”
“For a woman to engage in this effort is
unheard-of in my land.” Hugh frowned.
“But, not altogether unknown in other lands,”
Mirielle said. “In Wales, where I was born, there are many women
who know more than just the simple herbal healing they are careful
to practice while others are watching. Some people call those women
sorceresses, but disapproval does not stop them. Cerra believed I
was born with a talent for the art.”
“I would like to learn what you know of the
local herbal lore,” Hugh said, his eyes on the bunches of lavender
and rosemary and other herbs hanging above the worktable. He turned
his attention to the mortar and pestle on the table, then to the
retorts and the alembic on the shelves.
“Master Hugh, I propose an exchange of
information.” So enchanted was she by his story and by the
possibility of acquiring valuable new knowledge that Mirielle had
all but forgotten that he would be leaving within a day or two at
most. She knew only that she had found a friend, a possible
teacher, one who understood how she craved learning. As she was
beginning to understand was Hugh’s custom, he did not give her a
direct answer but instead made a remark that at first hearing
seemed to have no relevance to her request.
“My true name,” Hugh said, “is Hua Te. In
this land it would be best if you would continue to address me as
Hugh.”
“Thank you, Hua Te.” She tried to say it in
the same way that he did and when he smiled at the sound she smiled
in return. Then she did remember that he would not stay long at
Wroxley Castle, and she thought about Giles, and her smile
disappeared. “Master Hugh, what is your purpose here?”
“I cannot tell you all of it, for it is not
my story,” he said. “I can promise that in the beginning
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