Ars Magica Read Online Free Page B

can’t be,” Gerbert said. “Sorcery is evil. God forbids it.”
    â€œSorcery,” said Ibrahim, “yes. I am not a sorcerer.”
    â€œBut isn’t it all the same?”
    â€œHardly.” Ibrahim straightened and tucked up his feet. He had a look which Gerbert knew well: eager, intent. A teacher’s look. “Magic has its orders and its divisions, as does any other branch of learning. Most simply, there are three: the white and the black, and the broad realm between. In the learned magic, the distinction lies somewhat in method, but chiefly in purpose. To heal is of the light; to destroy is of the dark.”
    â€œLike prayers and curses.”
    Ibrahim nodded, pleased. “Very like. But a prayer beseeches the aid of a saint or of God Himself; it cannot compel. The will of the one who prays is subject to the will of divinity. A white spell differs. It does not presume to command God, Who is above all compulsion. Yet it seeks to work the mage’s will on the powers of heaven and earth. The magus masters them; he shapes them to his ends.”
    â€œHow can that be anything but evil? It goes against the law of God.”
    â€œGod’s law ordains that a spell worked in His name be fulfilled by His will.”
    Gerbert frowned. “I don’t see... It’s arrogant. To assume that one knows what He intends.”
    â€œAny of His priests assumes exactly that, in everything he does.”
    Gerbert’s frown deepened. The man was right, damn him. And Gerbert should have seen it. And yet... “Why then do they bid us shun all works of magic?”
    â€œFear,” answered Ibrahim. “Ignorance. Confusion of the high learned Art with its black shadow. The power in itself is neither good nor evil; it simply is. The mind of the magus shapes its purpose.” He paused, a breath only. “I have heard that in your country the same fear and ignoranee have banned the arts of the Quadrivium.”
    â€œNot banned them,” Gerbert said. “Let them slide into neglect. But numbers can’t call up devils.”
    â€œCan they not? The art magic grounds itself in the seven liberal arts. The three arts of language and its use; the four sciences. It is all one in the face of God.”
    Gerbert’s head shook of itself. “No. No, it can’t be that simple. Or — or that beautiful.”
    â€œWhy should it not be? It is part of God’s creation. He has not given it to every man, that is true; it is too strong for that, and too perilous. So likewise is any knowledge. In the wrong hands, even the words we speak can destroy a reputation or a life.”
    â€œSurely something must be safe,” Gerbert said.
    â€œSilence. Perhaps. The mute existence of the beast.”
    Gerbert shuddered. “God save me from that. And from the snares of the devil.”
    â€œMay He favor your prayer.”
    Gerbert looked at Ibrahim. His eyes, he knew, were wild. “You believe in Him.”
    The magus bowed his head. “I am the lowest of His servants.”
    â€œBut,” said Gerbert. “But it’s — not — ” He had risen without knowing it. “How can they all have lied to me?”
    â€œThey did not know.”
    â€œGod in heaven!” Gerbert spun about. The words were in his mind: Get thee behind me, Satan! But he had a little sense left. He did not say them. He managed a travesty of a bow, a babble that passed for farewell. The sun was fierce on his throbbing head, the city a blessed, numbing clamor. Blessed because it was simple, human earth. Because there was no magic in it.

3.

    Any sensible Christian would have taken refuge in the cathedral, or in any shrine or chapel in a city full of them. Gerbert came to himself down by the quays, in the shadow of the Mount of the Jews. His back was to the city; his face was to the blue splendor of the sea. A ship disgorged treasures out of the east, its master