A Curious Boy
Autumn 1230 as told by Simon ex Jerbiton
Magic is messy. I say that because my sanctum is a complete mess. Packing has proved to be much more time consuming than I hoped - I believe this is the why wizards have apprentices to tidy up around the lab. My daydream of having an apprentice was interrupted by the quiet persistent presence of Abdul. Its seems I'm wanted in the hall.
A young page of good grooming stands in our hall - wide eyes slowly studying the strange decorations that adorn the walls. "If you're wondering that's a Viverna's tail - it’s quite poisonous - I'm not sure where the rest of him is but that's not important. How may I be of service?" The boy slightly shocked at my appearance recovered and followed a well-practiced script: introducing himself as a messenger of Lady Blanca of Casa de Cordona, deciding I really was the Simon de Baux to whom the message was intended, and then proceeding to inform me that his Ladyship wants a horoscope done of her son. Needing a break, I eagerly accepted and walked off to pen a reply. Returning some time later, after the ink had dried, I presented my reply to the boy who hastily excused himself.
Abdul suggested that perhaps Domingo should come along as there are dangers on the road best met by a man of his stature. I agreed and I went off to pack some charts and writing supplies. The next morning the three of us set out for the city of Valencia. The journey was quick but the gate was slow. Domingo charmed those around him and I was thankfully ignored. I must learn that spell - the one to be ignored – it may come in handy. Upon entry we headed to the House of Cordona. It was a new building but an old family from what I could tell wealthy. Domingo made our presence known and after a time, one of the guards did not want to let us in, we gained entry to the house.
Opulent. Not at all like my father’s house which is frankly much too functional for my tastes. The house was well adorned with tapestries on the wall and even a few rugs on the floor – some of the finest I’ve seen. I wonder if it was intentional... tapestries of Biblical scenes best viewed by standing on the soft cushion of a Moorish rug. We were guided to a waiting room where we waited. The sound of children playing in the next room was strange to my ears – children are not generally found in a covenant – the price of their curiosity being too high.
The Lady made her entrance along with her Nursemaid and dismissed the other servants. She welcomed me kindly and told me of her concern for her son Estuvay for he was born under a red moon. At the time she dismissed it as folklore but over the years it weighed on her mind to the point that she now wants his chart to be drawn. I asked the usual questions of place and day of birth, and almost dropped my quill - if I was holding one - when I learned the boy’s age. He was eleven. This flustered me as I had only brought the last two year’s charts and would have to do his chart by hand. The noble lady was obviously very concerned for her son. I told her I’d do it and ask first to see the boy. He was fetched by his Nurse and brought before me. I examined him closely. He was of noble blood no doubt, strong with a smart look in his eyes which I might add were a vivid blue. I walked around the boy three time and not once did his gaze stray. Satisfied, I told the lady I would like to work on his chart right away and waste no time travelling around. She obliged and soon I was set up in a guestroom immersed in my work.
Abdul brought me my meals and minded the door. I’m not sure what Domingo was up to but he thought it was important to tell me the Lord of the House was at court and did not care for charlatans. Lucky for me I’m not one of them – and anyway – I’m much too busy to bother with such things. A day or two later Domingo showed up again and, still on about the Lord of the House, asked me when I might be done. This made me a little cross and I told him, “I am not going to finish before I am done,” and returned to my calculations without another moment wasted.
Abdul informs me his Lordship has returned and to expect a visit from his priestly advisor Father Beauregard. How he knows these things is beyond me but true to his word the priest showed up. Being familiar with the habits and expectations of the clergy, I set upon a pleasant conversation by finding common ground. We both are well educated - he at a reputable Cathedral school learning theology and I at the University at Montpellier learning anatomy and astrology. The conversation naturally went toward ethics and ultimately to the evils of fortune tellers. Having asked myself the same question I was able to make a case that astrology is not witchery as it does not change ones free will. Furthermore it is only an imperfect mirror of God's perfection - similar to Plato's Cave - the art of astrology is less the reading of stars but overcoming the flaws of the man who strives to understand them. Ultimately it is God's mystery one which is revealed by God's will alone. I did not go into the magical reasons - such as the limits of the heavenly sphere et cetera - as this would have not dwelt well on his priestly ears. Satisfied the priest made his leave and I proceeded to work until the candles burned down.
That night I made a breakthrough. It seems the boy will die - no that’s not right - he will face a choice which will change his life – yes that is it. When Mars and Venus are in aligned and countered by Saturn’s stabilizing effect his Moon will be in Gemini and he will have to choose his fate. It will be a difficult time – he will be of two minds and much turmoil will arise within him and around him. It seems her Ladyship had reason to be concerned.
I awake to commotion. Abdul informs me that the boy Estuvay is missing. Being awake I put my papers in order and Abdul comes in again. It seems the boy is still missing and her Ladyship is quite upset. I decide to test my Arts to see if I can find the boy. I send Abdul to fetch the boy’s pillow - an Arcane Connection to the sleeper - and I ask him to guard the door. I position the pillow on the floor and chalking symbols around it placing objects found in the room in the appropriate position for the casting of a Scrye. I am briefly overwhelmed by my magic and have a vision of not one but four Estuvay walking around the house. This seems odd and I pondered its meaning as I returned the room to normal and go back to my calculations.
Domingo again. He is a bit excited which is a unnerving in such a large man. It seems he has found a boy who has at some time explored a cave outside the city walls - with Estuvay. Not wanting to leave the boy's fate to chance - we immediately head out to look for the cave. I underestimate Domingo. With some skill he guides us to an otherwise imperceptual cave hidden on the side of a hill behind a wall of wind blown trees. The cave had a wide mouth of old but hewed stone. I summon a light and enter to see a large ledge on top of which a tunnel sloped down into the earth. Domingo helped Abdul up and then prepared for me to climb him like a common monkey - which isn't that common except at the monkey market of Constantinople - so I've heard from my pater. I loathed the thought and instead used my magic to rise up to the ledge. Domingo pulled himself up and we proceeded into the quiet darkness. The air became stale and the weight of the earth became suffocating but we pushed on. As hoped we found the boy injured but whole - with only a broken leg. Domingo carried the boy out and soon we were above ground.
I watched as Domingo set his leg and built a steady splint - further magic being unnecessary. The boy despite the pain struggle unto his legs and looked me in the eye. He asked what we are going to tell his father. I said the truth that you foolishly were exploring a cave and got hurt, and I would ask him to do the same - to tell the truth and honor your father's judgment. I asked him if he learned his lesson to not to go into the cave - alone - bring a friend if you must return. He nodded. He looked at me again curiously and asked what was that light you held? A simple answer would be a pure representation of the Aristotelian view of fire unhindered by the dry heat that normally accompanies aspects of this Form - but instead I said - it was magic. He looked toward the cave and asked - did you hear the voices? That was a question that I needed him to answer. I pressed and after some encouragement from Domingo he confided that he heard voices in the mine - those that speak Latin but not Latin, who beg to be spared, to be brought out of the darkness, to breath again. Abdul recognizing that the cave was an old mine and whispered to me in Arabic - they were ghosts magus. This is truly a curious boy. I decided he needed to know something of his stars and I told him of his coming choice. He listed quietly and then asked - what should I do? Malak spoke with me - he told the boy to follow the paths of Virtue: To be Righteous - to do God's will and not to abide evil; To be Respectful - to honor ones parents and obey them; To be Brave - do not let fear weaken you for you cannot run away from yourself, you must choose your fate and accept God's judgment. But most of all - be true to God. And then in my own voice I continue - this choice is yours and one that you alone must make. We sat in silence and then the boy said - we should go tell my mother I am okay.
Domingo made the boy a crutch and Estuvay hobbled his way home. We were richly rewarded by Lady Blanca for returning her son. In private, Lady Blanca listened to my reading of her boy's chart. She asked me not to speak of this to anyone and politely made it clear that I should go. I gave the purse to the grogs and headed back to finish my packing.
Epilogue: I decided to write to Estuvay. I wrote a letter that I'm sure my father at one time sent to me - actually I still have the letter and I made use of some of his finer points. In it I said, sometimes a boy comes to an age when it is hard to hear the wisdom of ones father. I will, in all respect to your father, repeat here in the ink on this page what I think any good father would say to his sons. I go on with fatherly advise emphasizing that one honor one's parents. I end by stating that - if you ever find your self in the darkness again, look at these words. God keep you safe.
This is the clever part - I summon Ghost Ink. I prepare the paper and cast a circle, call the magic, and carefully dip an invisible pen into invisible ink. I write to him and tell him that if he can read this he has a Gift and if he wants to know more about it to leave a letter under a rock on the day before Michael's Mass. I send the letter by Redcap and await his reply which I requested a Red Cap retrieve this Autumn.
Ghost Ink - Creo Imaginem (Mentem) create writing that is visible but only to ghosts for duration Moon.