Read Online The Law of Isolation by Angela Holder - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Angela Holder
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most likely their heritage wasn’t at fault.
Gevan called his wandering thoughts back to the present. The Dean of the University was finishing the last flowery phrases of his introduction. “…I assure you, what you are about to witness is so amazing, so revolutionary, that your understanding of the Mother and her world will be changed for all time. And so I wish to present to you all, your majesty, lords and ladies, the finest flower of the University’s scholarship, the greatest mind of our generation, a man history will remember as far ahead of his time—Professor Gevan Navorre!”
Gevan cringed inside, though he kept his face carefully pleasant. Did Ithran want to bring the enmity of every faction in Ramunna down on him? But no, it was just the Dean’s way. He probably thought he was doing Gevan a favor with his effusive praise. Ithran might be brilliant when it came to abstract mathematical formulas, but he had no understanding of politics.
Gevan stepped forward, bowing in response to the polite applause that answered Ithran’s words. He laid the leather case containing the window-glass on the lectern that faced the throne. The rest of the gathered onlookers were nothing. If he could convince the Matriarch of the truth of his claims, he would win the day.
“Your majesty, ladies, gentlemen. I am honored by your kind reception. Despite what my esteemed colleague has told you, I am but a simple scholar. I only desire to understand the truth of the Mother’s creation. I’ve devoted my life to studying the records of the ancient wizards, seeking to learn more about how they accomplished the feats for which they are renowned. We have been taught that their skills were a supernatural gift from the Mother, and that when those skills were used for evil she took them away.”
A quiet murmur sounded in a few places around the chamber. So far he’d recited the orthodox doctrine of the Temple, but his next words would directly contradict it. First Keeper Rothen was able to take a relaxed view of such disputation. He held the view that the ancient texts were cryptic and open to varying interpretations, frequently of a symbolic nature. But Yoran and the Purifiers insisted on a strict literal reading of the texts. What he was about to say would offend them deeply.
Gevan gripped the lectern and chose his words carefully. “In my studies, I have come to form a different theory about the ancient wizards’ abilities. A number of the documents I’ve translated indicate that no supernatural force was responsible for what the wizards did. Instead, they drew upon natural forces. Forces which still exist exactly the way they did in the wizards’ time. Forces which can be manipulated by devices, just as the ancient wizards used. Forces which allow me to duplicate one of the ancient wizards’ feats for you, here, today.”
A gasp of shock went up from the onlookers. Gevan kept his eyes focused on the Matriarch. He had no doubt she’d been forewarned of what he would say. She displayed no surprise. Only a quiet intentness, reserving judgment until she saw what he had to offer. He’d have to prove to her that what he said was true.
Fortunately, he could do just that. He unfastened the leather case and opened the lid. With reverent hands, he lifted the window-glass from the velvet padding where it nestled. “This device can open a window, exactly as described in the ancient records. Through it, things far away appear close at hand.”
Murmurs ran around the room. Gevan ignored them. He stepped around the lectern and approached the dais. Kneeling before the Matriarch’s throne, he held the window-glass up to her. “Your majesty, I invite you to look through the glass and see for yourself.”
The Matriarch gazed down at him. The heavy cosmetics she wore gave her face the appearance of a painted porcelain doll, flawless and ageless in its beauty. No trace of emotion showed. Gevan made bold to meet her eyes for a moment, but
Gevan called his wandering thoughts back to the present. The Dean of the University was finishing the last flowery phrases of his introduction. “…I assure you, what you are about to witness is so amazing, so revolutionary, that your understanding of the Mother and her world will be changed for all time. And so I wish to present to you all, your majesty, lords and ladies, the finest flower of the University’s scholarship, the greatest mind of our generation, a man history will remember as far ahead of his time—Professor Gevan Navorre!”
Gevan cringed inside, though he kept his face carefully pleasant. Did Ithran want to bring the enmity of every faction in Ramunna down on him? But no, it was just the Dean’s way. He probably thought he was doing Gevan a favor with his effusive praise. Ithran might be brilliant when it came to abstract mathematical formulas, but he had no understanding of politics.
Gevan stepped forward, bowing in response to the polite applause that answered Ithran’s words. He laid the leather case containing the window-glass on the lectern that faced the throne. The rest of the gathered onlookers were nothing. If he could convince the Matriarch of the truth of his claims, he would win the day.
“Your majesty, ladies, gentlemen. I am honored by your kind reception. Despite what my esteemed colleague has told you, I am but a simple scholar. I only desire to understand the truth of the Mother’s creation. I’ve devoted my life to studying the records of the ancient wizards, seeking to learn more about how they accomplished the feats for which they are renowned. We have been taught that their skills were a supernatural gift from the Mother, and that when those skills were used for evil she took them away.”
A quiet murmur sounded in a few places around the chamber. So far he’d recited the orthodox doctrine of the Temple, but his next words would directly contradict it. First Keeper Rothen was able to take a relaxed view of such disputation. He held the view that the ancient texts were cryptic and open to varying interpretations, frequently of a symbolic nature. But Yoran and the Purifiers insisted on a strict literal reading of the texts. What he was about to say would offend them deeply.
Gevan gripped the lectern and chose his words carefully. “In my studies, I have come to form a different theory about the ancient wizards’ abilities. A number of the documents I’ve translated indicate that no supernatural force was responsible for what the wizards did. Instead, they drew upon natural forces. Forces which still exist exactly the way they did in the wizards’ time. Forces which can be manipulated by devices, just as the ancient wizards used. Forces which allow me to duplicate one of the ancient wizards’ feats for you, here, today.”
A gasp of shock went up from the onlookers. Gevan kept his eyes focused on the Matriarch. He had no doubt she’d been forewarned of what he would say. She displayed no surprise. Only a quiet intentness, reserving judgment until she saw what he had to offer. He’d have to prove to her that what he said was true.
Fortunately, he could do just that. He unfastened the leather case and opened the lid. With reverent hands, he lifted the window-glass from the velvet padding where it nestled. “This device can open a window, exactly as described in the ancient records. Through it, things far away appear close at hand.”
Murmurs ran around the room. Gevan ignored them. He stepped around the lectern and approached the dais. Kneeling before the Matriarch’s throne, he held the window-glass up to her. “Your majesty, I invite you to look through the glass and see for yourself.”
The Matriarch gazed down at him. The heavy cosmetics she wore gave her face the appearance of a painted porcelain doll, flawless and ageless in its beauty. No trace of emotion showed. Gevan made bold to meet her eyes for a moment, but
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