Chapter 2 backup

Prestidigitation! No need for make up. A simple rudimentary spell ensuring the world will see you at your best. Assistants have long given up the fuss, trying to make him look good for the public eye, he would not have it. In fact, this arch-mage genuinely disliked “handlers.” They're for those who lack self-will. Administrative secretaries? Sure he had plenty of them, they can be delegated to handle matters unworthy of his direct intervention. Assistants, though, were little more than semi-morons handling the everyday minutiae he despised, running errands, writing schedules, setting appointments, handling public relations. The latter was the only aid he genuinely thought indispensable, but the others were kept to a minimum. He ran the world! No handlers, thanks. As he was about to step into the scrying eyes of the world, he was in control, master of his universe.

The idea of of an interview had been his own, not his PR staff. With the growing restlessness amongst the free people of Daleth, how better to present yourself than in a casual interview? The traditional speech would've been too much like another lecture, like talking down to them. All his magical tittles - Arch Magus of the Grail, Philosophus Rex, Master of Storms, Priest of the Sun, Light of Ra - would only further the gap between leader and subject. He needed to address them on their level, as a real human being, a personal and likable public servant. No bells or whistles, simply a leader who only ruled to serve their best interest, whether they knew it or not. What else could he do from his vantage point? When you're the lookout, up in the crow's nest and you spot reefs and icebergs ahead, would you let the rest of your blissfully ignorant shipmates sail towards doom? Philosopher King Lucius of Daleth did what he did because someone needed to do it. His paradox of love and disdain for people was something he hoped to understand someday, in the meantime, he had a ship to run.

Lucius took a final long look into the mirror. Light skinned with a golden caramel undertone, black shoulder-length hair curling down beside wide cheekbones. A fashionably trimmed beard imposing maturity over an otherwise youthful face. The only sign of age, if you could call it that, were the few silver streaks running down his hair and short goatee. This was convenient, for as a general rule, older mages didn't like to submit to the leadership of younger colleagues. Never mind that he was far older than he looked, if there is one thing he learned in twenty four years of office, is that politics is about appearances. Take his eyes for example, dark brown pupils peering out from below eyebrows fixed in a permanent scowl. Like nursery tales, where making faces warrant an evil fairy to curse it stuck, years of grave thought have left their mark. A simple gaze could make provincial king feel like a yokel chieftain of some back-country-middle-of-nowhere village. Dark piercing eyes filled with intellect, along with a sardonic smile. It was an effective way to get a point across to such fools. Yes, Lucius mused in open narcissism, kingship is evident not in a superfluous crown, but in a man's eyes. How many kings, and prime ministers had he seen wearing all the social cues for their status except the only one that mattered? Cattle in expensive clothes, eyes pointing in different directions, years of inbreeding to achieve the perfect idiot.

Enough! Its easy to let negative cynicism creep in, but that wouldn't help him. Compassion and understanding is what he needed for the interview. How easy to see through the lying smiles of a politician. Faking wouldn't make it this time, there was too much at stake- too many critics ready to jump at shadows of misconstrued words. A banishing ritual would surely clear his mind, but what he truly needed was his real self.

He dashed to the door making sure it was locked, then strode to the balcony overlooking the Ivory Citadel - the glory of Daleth with it's sky-scraping white towers. At this height, powerful winds assaulted his dark robes, the gold and blue cabalistic tapestry flapped madly, and pressed against his legs. A well worn battle robe tailored into the ornate attire of a statesman. With quick gestures, trained motions choreographed over the years into a flawless dance, his index finger drew four pentagrams of bright light all around him hovering at eye level. Opening his arms wide he uttered the name of four angels and the five pointed stars vibrated with greater power.
“...about me flames the Pentagram, and in the column shines the six rayed star.” Forging one ritual unto another, he moved to invoke the fire of his true will by drawing a hexagram.
“Pater et Mater unos deus Ararita” he said in the old speech with a booming voice not entirely his own. He uttered all the words of power in this ancient, tried and true ritual. He was no longer the sack of meat and bones with an idiotic gray mass worrying about trivialities of his mortal ego. His mind was like a blank canvas primed for some grand work of art. All he had to do now was invoke the stroke of genius, the same source powering artistic inspiration, scientific revelation and mystical enlightenment.

“I invoke thee, Bornless One.” he began in earnest, “Whom no man hath seen at any time. Thou art Truth in Matter and Truth in Motion, distinguishing between the Just and Unjust. Thou who formed men to love and hate one another.” With those words Lucius took an astral leap outside his body. Looking back he saw tears streaming down his mortal face. The sensation of being in two places at once was both unsettling and exhilarating, he never got used to it and probably never would. A body of light descended from above and spoke to him.

“You called me”
“I did, and you know why.” the mage answered.
“You need help with the interview, you can't bear to think of your enemies using own words against you.”
“That much is true, but I know you'll tell me I can't control other people.”
“Very good” the light replied with an ineffable grin. “Are you finally learning to let go?”
“Letting go? It was your idea to get involved in world affairs! You're the one who 'hates evil in the world'” Lucius said mocking his own higher self.
“That's a figure of speech and you know it!” the light replied in a petulant tone.

Lucius had always known that, deep down inside, his higher self was kind of a dick. His contradictions only fueled mortal Lucius' anger. It didn't often occur to him that there were lessons to be learned and he simply couldn't grasp them. The real kicker was that spirit Lucius always had the “I know something you don't” grin and he hatted it. It also didn't occur to him that he projected his human arrogance upon his higher self. What difference did it make after all? Lucius treated others the same way, being faced with his true nature served him right.

“Alright” the wizard sighed “Lets try this again, shall we?”
The spirit nodded in silence.
“No, this is not about controlling the world.” Lucius explained as the angel watched expectantly, “It's about controlling myself.”
“You expect me to pat your back and cheer as if you had an epiphany? Come on! You're just telling me what I want to hear! We've had this talk before. When it comes down to exerting our power you always give in to your demons”
“Listen, they get things done here on the ground while you're frolicking in the clouds. We can't argue with the results.”
As though speaking of devils beckoned them (it probably did) shadows grew from the ground spawning distorted faces and limbs. Some were hooded figures, others looked like humanoids with animal heads and more than few were complete aberrations. They huddled together just outside the wizard's protective circle groaning, giggling, bellowing; anything to disrupt their conversation. “You're the laughingstock of Lothaire” one of them whispered not in his ear, but his mind. “Make an example of them!” Another one said. “Conquer, rape them, fuck them in the ass!” another cackled with a chilling shriek, “No spit!” another demon shouted and Lucius grimaced. Both halves of the wizard acted in unison, stomping the ground with a loud thunder, not even granting them the dignity of a shout. The balcony shook as though the whole tower teetered, turning the demons in a panicked retreat.

“Yes... they can get things done, but it costs us” the spirit resumed. “You can't let them have a leg up on you. That's not good management. How many times have you regretted losing your temper?”
Lucius stood silent remembering diplomatic mishaps over perceived insults to his character. Reading this – they shared a mind after all – the spirit continued “It always happens after I help you. You get cocky, they whisper in your head and you listen.”
“I know... I'm working on that, as you well know. I couldn't do it without you.” Lucius admitted.
Now it was the spirit's turn to sigh. He watched his mortal half drop all pretense of self-righteousness and allowed himself a genuine smile, guileless this time.

“As above so below. When they breach that chain of command by running roughshod over you it makes me look bad too, and that's bad for everybody!” We made a deal when we first met, remember?”
“Off course I do, we bound them to our will” Lucius answered.
“We bound them to your true will.” The light corrected him, “Its your job to enforce the binding, not theirs. You've been distracted and they know it.”

“This is too much responsibility, policing myself AND the world...” The wizard said exasperated.
“True, but that is the burden we bear willingly. Was there any other way?” The spirit replied. There was a mystery about such relationship between the self and the world, but it was beyond either of them to fully comprehend.
“No, we might as well argue with fate.” he concluded.

“Listen, I know what this interview means, furthermore, I know how it can impact the world, I see it as rippling waves in the fabric of your reality.”

“Then you'll help” Lucius asked with hopeful eyes.

“Yes I will help, was there ever a doubt? But be vigilant! I sense a twilight approaching and I can't see beyond it.” This bit of news disturbed the wizard, foresight had ever been his edge in world affairs.
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"There's no time, you're almost running late for your appointment. Daleth needs you"

In his astral body the mage turned to face his physical body once again. From this side he could see all the imperfections, all the grit and sweat of a body made of dirt. He could see a trail of snot dripping down from his left nostril and a defiant nose-hair sticking out of it. The tears had dried into a hard crusts around his closed unconscious eyes. He would definitely be casting another prestidigitation spell.
"Must we?" he asked cringing at his gross body.
"You know better" the spirit replied with rolling eyes.
All joking aside, the two halves held each other's hand and embraced in a rapturous communion of the soul. In the center of his consciousness Lucius heard the angel saying "speak the words."
Astral bodies converged into the physical body and the dry mouth had to work extra hard to pronounce the words of power. As if in response to the ritual climax, a thunder murmured in the distant horizon, towards the forgotten city of Tzadith.

"I am He! The Truth!"
He levitated three feet off the ground, facing the heavens with arms open wide.

"I am He! The bornless Spirit whom the winds fear!
No longer calling out to his inner self, but identifying with it.

"I am He! Who hates that evil should be wrought in the world! Lord of lighting and thunder!
A reaffirmation of his motives.

"I am He, the shower of life on earth whose mouth ever flameth!
An expression of his creative fire.

"I am He, the Light of the World"
His eyes glowed with arcane power.

"The Heart Girt with a Serpent is my name"
He landed in the center of his circle.

Finally, he uttered the secret name

“L.V.X.”

Time and space seemed to melt as the human magician caught and reflected the full measure of his divine self. His chest exploded with the passion of a billion Suns, expanding light to the farthest reaches of infinite space. He was the center point reaching for the outer circumference. How easy it would have been to dissolve in the light and cease to exist at all. How he longed, since birth, to be reunited with the ineffable dreams of cosmic consciousness. What was this silly thing called existence anyway? He was losing focus, so he drew his mind like a sword and centered the blade, becoming a living conduit of his own true will. Now he could channel this power like a lightning rod connecting heaven and earth. He drew breath and uttered three words that came closest to describing such radiant power. The simple truth of the universe resounding in one harmonious mantra pushing aside all mortal pretense – Love all things.

As he opened mortal eyes the love chant continued to echo in his mind, diminishing into soft angelic whispers as he banished the circle. He grounded his consciousness by fixing his appearance once more. Then, feeling centered and self-actualized, Lucius strode confidently to his destiny in a subtle aura of holy magic.







…...........................




The wizard strode out of his tower into the sunlit plaza, he wasn't going to run, not at all. Getting anxious over the possibility of being late was only going to bring about actual tardiness. “Wizard's are never late” He muttered to himself remembering an obscure old saying. “They arrive precisely when they mean to.” He couldn't remember where he heard this, but what did it matter? He was on his way, leisurely strolling the streets as he'd done so many times, relishing the bustling streets around him. Citizens going about their daily lives in ignorant bliss, clueless to the titanic bulwark holding the forces of chaos away from the vicinity of their daily lives. Self-important officials awaiting their carriages outside the Conclave towers, tired from a day's labor of tedious paperwork. Lavishly dressed secretaries mingling with their co-workers on their way to popular pubs where they can forget themselves in the warm embrace of fine Dalethian ale. His silent pride pat him in the back for all the hard work. They didn't have to know what the world was like outside this bastion of civilization, he was here to guard their luxurious lifestyle.

As far as he was concerned, they were individual notes in his grand symphony, each completely self-absorbed, unaware of their own beauty within the greater resonance of his artistic vision. And he was an artist, was he not? Are not wizards and artists essentially the same? Lucius shaped men, women and their culture the way sculptors sought to chisel the ecstasy of saints out of marble, liberating luminous souls from crude slabs of ignorant matter. By funding public works of art and rewarding bold innovations with generous grants he made Daleth into a safe haven for the most brilliant minds in all of Archanon. He might not have been creating works of art himself, but he built an environment where beauty of all disciplines could flourish. His colorful doodles and bad poetry paled in comparison this true calling. Looking at his world in such light always gave him the validation he needed to persevere. This was the realization of his lifelong dream, an utopian society of unprecedented prosperity. Let this jeweled city, mother, matron, Daleth, shine as a beacon against the darkness of ignorance and superstition in old feudal kingdoms. This was his work of art, his statement to the world - the triumph of Light. Strolling under a subtle spell veiling his notoriety from common gawkers, he observed every nuance of his work of art.

Leaving the opulence of Conclave Square with it's looming towers, he made his way down from the central plateau that was the Ivory Citadel. The landscape of the city was a rare natural wonder, with mountains on one side and calm ocean on another making a perfect balance of strategic defense and sea-trade. The city itself seemed to rise from the water ascending to the mountain tops with gravity defying towers reaching heavenward. This symbolism wasn't lost on artists who stood in the surrounding hills painting this holy city. Mountains and towers connecting heaven and earth, a rising sun born out of ancient temples amidst the serene ocean. Her name came from a root word meaning gate and mother or mother as the gates of life. The city's placement in the foremost West of the continental map where Sun rise was no accident. The world's greatest architects, astrologers, wizards and priests built temples in harmony with the heavenly cycles. In ancient mysticism, Daleth was the letter of supreme mother who gave birth to the Sun and sent him on his Eastward journey as the Light of the World. Even after Wraith, the ancient wizard, banished the gods, Sun worship remained strong in the city. Rather than a literal god, people revered the Sun as symbol of inner enlightenment as they made their own private journey through life, death and rebirth. Just as Daleth cradled the sun, it was the cradle of spiritual light. The Temple of Inner Light flourished as the answer to mortal's separation from the meddlesome deities of the past.

This painterly cityscape wasn't so glamorous when Lucius first set foot in this land. The landscape was as glorious as ever but the “city” itself was no more than a hamlet of squat buildings, ancient castle ruins and obscure temples. Back then he and his companions were outsiders from the large continents looking for help against Zargos, a world-devouring wizard-lich. All Lucius wanted was to “borrow” their only source of magical protection – a fragment of the sacred grail-stone which the locals called Mother's Heart. Negotiations weren't looking good, but as it turned out (lucky for him) Zargos' forces stole the grail-stone fragment anyway and burned most of the town. It was a tragedy, but he couldn't fathom how things could have turned otherwise. He certainly wouldn't have been hailed a hero for bringing down Zargos, returning the stone and restoring the whole city-state to it's ancient nobility. He certainly wouldn't be the wizard-king he was that day. Before descending another set of marble stairs, he took a final glance at the Grailstone Sanctuary, the magical heart of the city and shuddered at the infernal depths of his own cunning.

The ends almost always justified the means, Lucius mused. The sky's reflection in the Glass Palace Museum reassured him of this. Centuries of wisdom stored in the Halls of Arcana public library hailed his name. The ancient temple of the All Mother, down by the waterfront, sang angelic hymns with triumphant freedom of worship - the same freedom which he instituted as a basic civil right since the first draft of the constitution. The warm sun-tinted green of the old Imperial Garden seemed to reflect his radiance against deepening cool hues in the western sky. Beyond the garden, the Solar Might Castle stood in the horizon like an extension of surrounding mountains. There priests and magicians from the Order of the Star studied side by side implementing weapons of faith and magic in a professional army. There was the Order of the Sun, with mighty sol warriors armored in alchemical gold and the Order of the Moons with their luna agents, famous for wielding silvered moon-blades. The city's armed forces consisted of all races and classes, men and women united in devotion to liberty. The Forces of Light, he often called them. There was no need for a military draft when people believed in the righteousness of the state and the state believed in the the people's liberty. Passing the castle's courtyard, Lucius gazed at the gigantic marble statue of a defiant king Davih, who despite his youth, fought an army of mountain giants when he founded the city.



-----


If you feel like you're having a lousy day, remember this scientific fact: We are made of carbon. We've been forged in the heart of stars billions of years ago.





Magic is a word we used to describe phenomenons which we can't yet comprehend. Haven't you ever looked at the far horizon as a child, and asked your parents what lays beyond the hazy mountains? What lies beyond our sun and moons? What mysteries awaits us beyond the stars? To a child, the world is filled with magic. He grows to understand the world but each answer spawns myriads of new questions, new horizons yet to be explored. Wizards are children exploring the universe. We wield magical forces without fully grasping them, the way an eagle harnesses warm air currents to soar the skies. Yet the more we understand, the more magical tools we have.

Over the years, magic research branched into different methods. We have the mystical method popular amongst poets, artists and those of a religious persuasion such as monks, shamans, druids, priests and paladins. This method examines us and the universe by way of myths, parables and metaphors. Some call it faith or divine magic.

Another method, which has grown more popular amongst scholars in recent years for it's practical applications is the scientific method. Its an organized system of measuring natural phenomena in reliable ways with demonstrable results. Magi of this school have blessed us with modern miracles of magical technology such as healing potions curing the sick, elemental mana stones refrigerating our food supplies and warming our hearths. Of course, let's not forget the wonder of scrying orbs transmitting this event for the viewing pleasure the whole world.



…..

(Bob Zalender – host's name)

How do you feel about the economic decline in Lothaire and how does it affect Daleth and do you blame the greed of the merchant sector?

“Can you blame a shark for being a shark?” Lucius answered. “All things exist to serve their nature. The merchant's job is to make money, the government's job is to govern. Ethics is a concern for government, not banks and businesses; And by ethics, I mean the collective good of the nation, as opposed to the benefit of an elite few.”

“Right” Bob nodded.

“The market's interest is to raise profits by whatever means necessary - their only difference from organized crime is that they operate within the law... most of the time. However, if law allows unethical means for profit and infractions are met with a simple slap on the wrist, then government is at fault.” He paused briefly to see if the crowd was following him and saw a few heads nodding, some blank stares and a few too many poker faces.

“Now, I'm not saying every profit organization is run by crooks, many are very charitable in fact. I'm saying it's not their responsibility to be charitable, that falls upon government. Our role to provide an even rule-set for the get-rich game, not the lop-sided mess in Lothaire”

Bob looked at him as if he had two heads, not expecting such honest remark against the grain of popular belief.

“I know, it's easy to blame the rich for getting richer. But if a rich man bribes a government official he is only doing what he does – following his predatory nature to extend power. But if the government official accepts the bribe, he operates against the will of the state - the will to govern all, rich and poor. Thus he is guilty of treason by subverting the state from within. You may think it's harsh, but If said official’s true will was self-gain, he would not be a public servant.”


Thoughts weaved a crescendo of praise to his own administration in the face of Lothaire's troubles. How could they even question his rule? Election campaigns for the Democratic Council had to be privately funded and capped at an even amount for all business. That way no wealthy giant would get the upper hand on politics. Lobbying was outright treason, punishable by prison or even exile. How could they argue with this level of control in the interest of fairness? Here was a chance for a subtle tangent to derail his political adversaries.

“That is why our government jobs pay over twice as much as in Lothaire. This wage disparity is a point of contention for many critics, yet they conveniently forget how instrumental it was for banishing corruption in this city. But that's besides the point.”

Nothing could drive his point home like words of wisdom from a sage. Best not to mention who gave him this nugget of truth, they wouldn't believe him anyway. Lucius hoped the paradox wouldn't confuse the people even more, but it was a chance he had to take.

“A wise sage once said 'The absolute rule of the state shall be a function of the absolute liberty of each individual will.' For over two decades I've enact policies based on my understanding of this principle.”

“So you attribute a heavy responsibility upon government, some might say it demands too much power, perhaps.” Bob interjected.

“In a way, yes. But its a case where might must serve what is right. Only a strong centralized government can maintain steadfast integrity. Its hard to argue with this logic. Lothaire is weak and plagued with corruption, yet here we stand steady and prosperous in the face of their fluctuation.”

“It's somewhat like parenting.” He started, though he never actually fathered a child. He had plenty of close friends who were good parents, and understood the principle, even if he was somewhat detached.

“If you witness a child who consistently acts up and bullies his younger brother, your gut reaction wouldn't be to blame the child. No, you blame the parents. Their failure to enforce personal accountability for the child's actions. Their lack of parenting condones the abuse. Government, like parenting, is a labor of love.”

“For years,” He went on to elaborate, “Big businesses complained about our regulations like spoiled children who get what they want from other nations. Lothaire gave them free reign and look at where it got them; financial bubble bursts, market crash and economic turmoil while a few got away with a lot of money. I'm disappointed in Alter...” He almost slipped calling his old friend by his first name. Things changed in twenty five years and not for the better. Friends who once would've died for one another now had to play a political poker game, each with a card up their sleeve.

“I'm disappointed in king Van Orden, honestly” He admitted “I hoped he would've had tougher policies to prevent this financial fallout upon his people. Lothaire was my home once, so I feel for them.” The emotional transparency captivated the audience who wasn't used to frankness in the political scene, even coming from Lucius.

“Parenting sounds like a good enough analogy, except we all grow to discover that our parents are flawed individuals. There comes a point when we must rebel and live our own lives.”

It looked like his reasoning was back-firing. Of course this was the natural counterpoint. What are their options? Revolt? Anarchy? This city-state was the Light of the World, everyone watched and followed. How do you make children understand the method behind your madness?

“For twenty years since the founding of the Ivory Citadel, nation's everywhere took our model as inspiration for revolution against the tyranny of despots. My fellow citizens,” He turned to the people. “We are the children who rebelled against the tyranny of old gods and the so called 'divine right of kings.' Monarchy is but ritual observance of our ancient traditions. You call me Philosophus Rex, but I'm no more powerful than the combined will of your elected officials and the Wizard's Conclave. Yes, we have already rebelled and live in what some call the Aeon of the Child.”

He was downplaying his political power, but only in as much as some wild claims exaggerated it above other branches.

“I understand your concerns” Lucius eyed the crowd with undisputed honesty. “Our government is far from perfect, but it's our best hope for civilization. Until there is a better idea the only alternative is anarchy.”

An uneasy silence fell upon the crowd until a few timid claps grew into a satisfying applause then into an echoing shower, complete with shouts of civic pride. He might have still had the majority support, but there were plenty who disagreed and were willing to try anarchy if it's what it took to get their way. Bob displayed a showman's smile and started to wrap things up.

“I think this brings us to the end of my questions. You've thoroughly answered a lot of the questions the people of Daleth have been asking themselves. We appreciate you coming down here from your ivory tower.” Bob said chuckling at his own jabbing humor, followed by good-natured laughter from the crowd. Lucius played along, smiling to himself. “Yes, we mages are known for being quite sociable once in a great while. We should do this again sometime next decade.” More chuckles ensued from the crowd. Had it not been so close to the truth this might've been funnier. Wizards were notoriously reclusive, even the ones in the Conclave. The fact that Lucius was their leader, meant he took it upon himself to be their spokesman. He lived in the public eye, but not by choice, as everyone knew. Perhaps many citizens understood Lucius' burden and remained loyal in spite of the recent protests.

“We'll now turn to the public for some last question and answers.” Bob said turning to their audience. This was the tenuous moment Lucius had prepared for. Facing the public was the real deal. He'd scanned the crowd many times over the interview and found quite a few notorious faces. No doubt these rogue wizards meant to turn the crowd against him and his supporters.

Lucius hated fear. He had an unconscious way of channeling fear into rage. But here he was, under the scrutiny of the public – the world in fact - having to face his fear. He had to walk an emotional tight-rope between fear and anger while carrying the world on his shoulders. What did he dread? What could possibly make this arch-mage; a super-man, godlike among mortals, tremble in his boots? He abhorred the likelihood that ignorant rabble outnumbered intelligent citizens in the world. It's no wonder he had to invoke his better angel. Here was a game of chess where a corrupt few moved many pawns against him. Manipulators, puppet masters – it took one to know one. Except, their motives were selfish, and his self-less. In his heart, this single-minded altruistic conviction justified all his actions. He would make a stand for the greater good.

“Truly I tell you, I look forward to satisfying all your inquiries.” he said with radiant open arms, confidently smiling to the crowd. In sincere transparency, he would divulge the most profound mysteries of the universe, had he understood it himself.

----
“We were the first to implemented a democracy where the wisest citizens, regardless of race, class or income have a significant political voice. Other nations tried democracy only to make a mockery of it by appealing to people's ignorance. They crafted a democratic illusion while pacifying the people with superfluous games. Now here in Daleth predators seek favor with the ignorant masses for personal gain. They seek to replace our government with tyranny by preying on your fears.”

“Beloved citizens of Daleth...” He paused for dramatic emphasis “You are smarter than that.” he concluded. “They would treat you as sheep or cattle who follow the herd, but they've come to the wrong place. Daleth is a nation of free individuals.” The a roar of applause almost muted the last two words.