Read Online Path of the Magi (Tales of Tiberius) by Richard J Stuart - Free Book Online
Authors: Richard J Stuart
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think that God will judge us by the fruits of our labors. In our wake the sick are healed, the innocent defended, and good news preached.”
“Seems to me that it’s playing with fire at the very least,” Tiberius said.
“You know, with your attitude, it’s a pity you won’t join us,” Singh said.
“What do you mean?” Tiberius asked, startled.
“Well, it’s clear to me that you love God and want to serve Him. You’ve obviously got a good grip on mathematics, or you wouldn’t be here at all. You’ve also got a healthy respect for the dangers of magic. Magic means using the very building blocks of the universe. It’s a delicate art. In the wrong hands it can be a terrible source of evil. But you’re the sort of chap I’d like to see able to use magic, simply because you don’t trust it and would always be reluctant to use it.”
“He’s right you know,” Dallen said, coming up suddenly behind him. “Someone like you who doesn’t like magic is really the ideal candidate. It’s the man too eager to be given power that shouldn’t be given it.”
“I’m not here to learn magic,” Tiberius said firmly.
“I know,” Dallen said. “I’m not trying to persuade you to do anything. I simply note that you could be one of us if you so chose. We could teach you to heal the sick, and defend the innocent from those who would use magic, not in God’s service, but for their own ends. Many people can become engineers, but only a few would I trust with God’s own thunderbolts. You should know that the option is open to you.”
“Thank you,” Tiberius said, “but I think I’ll stick with engineering.”
Dallen simply nodded and changed the subject to math. Tiberius stuck to his lessons, but a small voice inside his head nagged at him as he worked on the math problems with Ian. Perhaps he was taking too literal a reading of the Bible. After all, the magi had served Christ. He’d talk to his pastor about it, but Tiberius very much doubted that he would change his mind, regardless of what his pastor said.
Chapter III
Omens
A lightning quick stroke lashed out and Tiberius countered with an equally fast parry. A late summer’s day in S.R. 297 found Tiberius in Mr. Okubo’s backyard keeping up with his quarterstaff work. Tiberius had progressed enough with his katas that Mr. Okubo was now doing a bit of sparring with him. This was a lot like sparring with Marcus, in that Tiberius lost all the time. Still, at least he was losing with more dignity and didn’t get dunked into the creek every time he lost. He could tell that Mr. Okubo was a lot better at this than his brother had ever been. He might still be losing, but at least he was learning something.
“Oww!” he said as Mr. Okubo gave him a rap on the foot with his staff.
“Pay attention; don’t let him distract you.”
“Him?” Tiberius said.
“Gillyian, yes. Ignore him. A knight must not be distracted in battle. There will be many distractions. A friend dies, a tank appears, a woman watches the battle. Be aware of your surroundings, but stay focused on the battle you fight.”
“Yes, Sensei. What’s a tank?”
“Never mind. It’s an Old World siege engine. The ban prohibits them here,” he explained, resuming their sparring.
After a time Mr. Okubo called a halt. “That was better. You’re making progress. We will make a proper knight of you yet.”
Tiberius gave a slight bow in acknowledgment. Then, turning to look over his shoulder, he glanced towards the woods in the distance. Mr. Okubo’s house was a bit further out than the Fuller residence. The backyard looked out on some park land, which was handy as a fletcher needed an archery range in his backyard.
“Is it just me, or is that elf starting to crop up more and more?” Tiberius asked.
Mr. Okubo smiled at him. “You are making progress with your meditation. As
“Seems to me that it’s playing with fire at the very least,” Tiberius said.
“You know, with your attitude, it’s a pity you won’t join us,” Singh said.
“What do you mean?” Tiberius asked, startled.
“Well, it’s clear to me that you love God and want to serve Him. You’ve obviously got a good grip on mathematics, or you wouldn’t be here at all. You’ve also got a healthy respect for the dangers of magic. Magic means using the very building blocks of the universe. It’s a delicate art. In the wrong hands it can be a terrible source of evil. But you’re the sort of chap I’d like to see able to use magic, simply because you don’t trust it and would always be reluctant to use it.”
“He’s right you know,” Dallen said, coming up suddenly behind him. “Someone like you who doesn’t like magic is really the ideal candidate. It’s the man too eager to be given power that shouldn’t be given it.”
“I’m not here to learn magic,” Tiberius said firmly.
“I know,” Dallen said. “I’m not trying to persuade you to do anything. I simply note that you could be one of us if you so chose. We could teach you to heal the sick, and defend the innocent from those who would use magic, not in God’s service, but for their own ends. Many people can become engineers, but only a few would I trust with God’s own thunderbolts. You should know that the option is open to you.”
“Thank you,” Tiberius said, “but I think I’ll stick with engineering.”
Dallen simply nodded and changed the subject to math. Tiberius stuck to his lessons, but a small voice inside his head nagged at him as he worked on the math problems with Ian. Perhaps he was taking too literal a reading of the Bible. After all, the magi had served Christ. He’d talk to his pastor about it, but Tiberius very much doubted that he would change his mind, regardless of what his pastor said.
Chapter III
Omens
A lightning quick stroke lashed out and Tiberius countered with an equally fast parry. A late summer’s day in S.R. 297 found Tiberius in Mr. Okubo’s backyard keeping up with his quarterstaff work. Tiberius had progressed enough with his katas that Mr. Okubo was now doing a bit of sparring with him. This was a lot like sparring with Marcus, in that Tiberius lost all the time. Still, at least he was losing with more dignity and didn’t get dunked into the creek every time he lost. He could tell that Mr. Okubo was a lot better at this than his brother had ever been. He might still be losing, but at least he was learning something.
“Oww!” he said as Mr. Okubo gave him a rap on the foot with his staff.
“Pay attention; don’t let him distract you.”
“Him?” Tiberius said.
“Gillyian, yes. Ignore him. A knight must not be distracted in battle. There will be many distractions. A friend dies, a tank appears, a woman watches the battle. Be aware of your surroundings, but stay focused on the battle you fight.”
“Yes, Sensei. What’s a tank?”
“Never mind. It’s an Old World siege engine. The ban prohibits them here,” he explained, resuming their sparring.
After a time Mr. Okubo called a halt. “That was better. You’re making progress. We will make a proper knight of you yet.”
Tiberius gave a slight bow in acknowledgment. Then, turning to look over his shoulder, he glanced towards the woods in the distance. Mr. Okubo’s house was a bit further out than the Fuller residence. The backyard looked out on some park land, which was handy as a fletcher needed an archery range in his backyard.
“Is it just me, or is that elf starting to crop up more and more?” Tiberius asked.
Mr. Okubo smiled at him. “You are making progress with your meditation. As
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