Read Online Path of the Magi (Tales of Tiberius) by Richard J Stuart - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Richard J Stuart
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is the question of how you keep managing to see me. Most Sons of Adam don’t notice me at all.”
“Mr. Okubo can see you,” Tiberius stated.
“Many people in this world are more than they appear. By now I think you know Mr. Okubo is more than a quiet country fletcher,” Gillyian stated. “His daughter can see me too. That makes me wonder. Interesting things happen around you, young Master Fuller, another reason why I think it’s you. Salina thinks it’s you as well. She wants to meet you, but she can’t get away, and it isn’t safe for you to go into the forests just yet. We may be wrong, after all. It won’t be long, I think, before we know the truth.”
Gillyian got up, stretched, and walked over to his horse. He took in a breath of air. It was a bit overcast that day but the air was cool and clean. Mounting his horse, he tipped his cap to Tiberius.
“I can’t hang about all day. I have things to do. Reports to write for my countess. She’ll like this one. Meanwhile, Master Tiberius, look for more elves, especially in concert halls and fine purveyors of wines. You won’t find any there, but if I have to keep following you, you may as well go some place interesting for a change. It will ease my labors.” With that, he rode off.
Tiberius just watched him go. They were watching him because of some crazy prophesy about his name? His dad was right; the elves were all half mad. He turned and headed home.
∴
The lessons continued. He had a very busy schedule these days: schoolwork with Mr. Johnson, chores in the print shop, (which were lessons in themselves), math with Mr. Dallen, and more martial training with Mr. Okubo. Something must have been getting to him, as he found the latest katas Mr. Okubo was trying to teach him impossible. Michael seemed to sense his frustration.
“You’re making this too hard,” he said. “This is simple, just twirling a stick around. Anyone can do it, even my infant daughter.”
Tiberius just let off a scoff, but Mr. Okubo simply clapped his hands.
“Look, Maci, you show him, eh?”
Tiberius looked over at Maci and was surprised to see she stood up on command. Taking up a very small bamboo pole, just the right size for her, Maci did a simple staff move following her father. Then she gave her father a big smile and a laugh.
Michael slapped him on the shoulder, “Easy, eh?”
Tiberius just nodded. He was too astonished to speak. Maci should barely be walking, but she was already doing quarterstaff moves and doing them pretty well, all things considered.
The next day he described the scene to Singh and Ian at school before class. “It was kind of creepy the way she was doing it all so well. He’s already teaching her how to fight and she learns it all,” Tiberius explained.
“It’s likely an illusion, at least to a certain extent,” Ian noted.
“Not necessarily,” Singh added. “The child may be some form of a prodigy after all. Didn’t you tell me her mother was some sort of acrobat?”
“Yea, Aunt Min was a traveling acrobat with her parents. That’s how she met Mr. Okubo. There aren’t a lot of Asians around this country, after all. I’ve seen her act once or twice. She’s really good.”
“I wouldn’t think any harm would come from it,” Singh said thoughtfully. “The child’s not mistreated in any way, is she?”
“Oh no. She’s just playing with her father. You never saw three happier people in your life.”
“I see no cause for alarm. In point of fact this might be a true opportunity for you to study the complexity of the human mind, Tiberius. If she is some form of a prodigy, that is a rare gift. Now, to put her on the spot could be disruptive to the child, but as you’re already treated like family you have the ideal opportunity for observing a rare example of accelerated development. I would take notes if I were
“Mr. Okubo can see you,” Tiberius stated.
“Many people in this world are more than they appear. By now I think you know Mr. Okubo is more than a quiet country fletcher,” Gillyian stated. “His daughter can see me too. That makes me wonder. Interesting things happen around you, young Master Fuller, another reason why I think it’s you. Salina thinks it’s you as well. She wants to meet you, but she can’t get away, and it isn’t safe for you to go into the forests just yet. We may be wrong, after all. It won’t be long, I think, before we know the truth.”
Gillyian got up, stretched, and walked over to his horse. He took in a breath of air. It was a bit overcast that day but the air was cool and clean. Mounting his horse, he tipped his cap to Tiberius.
“I can’t hang about all day. I have things to do. Reports to write for my countess. She’ll like this one. Meanwhile, Master Tiberius, look for more elves, especially in concert halls and fine purveyors of wines. You won’t find any there, but if I have to keep following you, you may as well go some place interesting for a change. It will ease my labors.” With that, he rode off.
Tiberius just watched him go. They were watching him because of some crazy prophesy about his name? His dad was right; the elves were all half mad. He turned and headed home.
∴
The lessons continued. He had a very busy schedule these days: schoolwork with Mr. Johnson, chores in the print shop, (which were lessons in themselves), math with Mr. Dallen, and more martial training with Mr. Okubo. Something must have been getting to him, as he found the latest katas Mr. Okubo was trying to teach him impossible. Michael seemed to sense his frustration.
“You’re making this too hard,” he said. “This is simple, just twirling a stick around. Anyone can do it, even my infant daughter.”
Tiberius just let off a scoff, but Mr. Okubo simply clapped his hands.
“Look, Maci, you show him, eh?”
Tiberius looked over at Maci and was surprised to see she stood up on command. Taking up a very small bamboo pole, just the right size for her, Maci did a simple staff move following her father. Then she gave her father a big smile and a laugh.
Michael slapped him on the shoulder, “Easy, eh?”
Tiberius just nodded. He was too astonished to speak. Maci should barely be walking, but she was already doing quarterstaff moves and doing them pretty well, all things considered.
The next day he described the scene to Singh and Ian at school before class. “It was kind of creepy the way she was doing it all so well. He’s already teaching her how to fight and she learns it all,” Tiberius explained.
“It’s likely an illusion, at least to a certain extent,” Ian noted.
“Not necessarily,” Singh added. “The child may be some form of a prodigy after all. Didn’t you tell me her mother was some sort of acrobat?”
“Yea, Aunt Min was a traveling acrobat with her parents. That’s how she met Mr. Okubo. There aren’t a lot of Asians around this country, after all. I’ve seen her act once or twice. She’s really good.”
“I wouldn’t think any harm would come from it,” Singh said thoughtfully. “The child’s not mistreated in any way, is she?”
“Oh no. She’s just playing with her father. You never saw three happier people in your life.”
“I see no cause for alarm. In point of fact this might be a true opportunity for you to study the complexity of the human mind, Tiberius. If she is some form of a prodigy, that is a rare gift. Now, to put her on the spot could be disruptive to the child, but as you’re already treated like family you have the ideal opportunity for observing a rare example of accelerated development. I would take notes if I were
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