Unburning Alexandria Read Online Free Page A

own mouth." Heron put his knuckles to his chin, and shook his head slowly. "The room was crowded. Theon and I were separated. We never had a chance to finish the conversation. He would soon be ill himself. This was shortly before you arrived."
    "He wrote the entry before that."
    "Yes, of course," Heron said. "But I dared not go back to that time, to question him, and risk dislodging this one thread that we had–"
    "That is why I should keep searching now–"
    "Don't you think I have searched, and far better than you? Don't you think I know far better than anyone the truth and wisdom that was lost in this burned black hole of Alexandria? Why do you think I told Antisthenes about the possible cure back in the prison that night? Do you think I was really afraid of him? I was hoping, I knew, that my telling Antisthenes would get you and Alcibiades looking for that cure. . . . Ah, what a prime mistake that was! I, of all people, should have known better. . . ." Heron shook his head. "It was an idiot's hope in the first place – if the far future does not have such a cure, how on Earth could they have one back here?"
    Sierra looked at him with suspicion and surprise. "Surely you know that the ancients knew some things that the future has yet to rediscover."
    "Not as much as you think. Not that." Heron stroked his chin. "And I was responsible for introducing a lot of future knowledge, at least in Alexandria."
    "Athens still has a good Library," Sierra said, almost wistfully. "Some of its learned schools endure, though Justinian will close them forever in a hundred years. And Pergamum has some excellent holdings, too. Perhaps they have some of Theon's scrolls."
    "Good," Heron said. "Then come with me to Athens. There should be four chairs in that house now. Take yours anywhere in the future you like – I won't get in your way." He had been standing for the entire conversation. Now he sat near Sierra. "Let me take you away from Alexandria."
    Sierra stood. "No."
    "You would prefer to be ripped to pieces by the Nitrians? Why, when we have an insensate body that can take your place?"
    "We can't do that now," Sierra answered. "If my double is killed before 415, that will change history."
    "Let me worry about that."
    "That's your best response?"
    "Maybe Hypatia was murdered in the first place in 413 not 415," Heron said. "But Synesius has been informed about all of this. He will write several accounts of your death and hide them in safe places. They will all say you were murdered by the Nitrians in 415. The date of Hypatia's death will be safeguarded for subsequent history regardless of when they tear your double apart."
    Sierra started to reply, then turned her head towards the hall–
    "Yes," Heron said. "That would be Appleton the publisher. He wants to leave this place, too. He wants you to leave, as you know. But he will stay here, till his death if he has to, before he abandons you to the Nitrians. If you won't leave here to help yourself, do it to help Mr. Appleton. Please."
    Sierra gestured to the hall. "I'll think about it. Now I would like some privacy, if you don't mind." Her nearest weapon, a knife, was unfortunately on the far side of the room, or well beyond her reach. She shuddered, slightly, at the realization of how accustomed she had become to violence. What had Socrates regretfully said about Alcibiades becoming so violent? Now it applied to her–
    Heron did not move. "I know noble motives are not the only things that are keeping you here. You want to stay here for Alcibiades."
    Did Heron also have the power to read her mind, and know she was thinking about Alcibiades? No, it was only logical, knowing what Heron knew about her and Alcibiades, that Heron would think that. "Do you know what happened to him?"
    "You may not like what he has become – it was not my doing."
    "Tell me."
    "If you agree to leave with me, I will do more than tell you," Heron said. "I will show you."
    Sierra shook her head. "Appleton was the