Path of the Magi (Tales of Tiberius) by Richard J Stuart Read Free Book Online Page A

road.  What bothered him was that he only had the vaguest sort of directions from Mr. Johnson.  He thought he’d gone right, but his directions stopped at a crossroads just a bit out of town.  He looked about, puzzled, when he spied a small mechanical bird fluttering around in the intersection.  The bird flew over towards him and perched on the head of his horse.

    "You’re Tiberius, I suppose,” it said, much to his astonishment.  It was a small silver bird about the size of a robin, yet it spoke with perfectly clarity.
    “Er, yes,” was all Tiberius was able to say.
    “Well, come on then, follow me.”
    The bird flew off a bit in one direction, but Tiberius just stood still in shock.  After a moment, the bird returned and landed again on the horse.
    “Do you want to see Dallen or not?”  the bird asked.
    “Well, yes, I’m supposed to take lessons--- ” he tried to explain.
    “Right, get moving then.  Haven’t got all day,” the bird said, and then flew off again.  This time, Tiberius motioned his horse to follow. 
    The bird led him through a long gently winding pathway though a small woods.  Tiberius had the odd feeling that he’d been by here before, but never noticed this path.  Before long, the pathway opened up into a large clearing.   Here was a fine Georgian manor of red brick.  Two golden dragons were perched on either side of the steps at the entrance.  Fortunately they did not speak or move.  A man came up, identifying himself as Fredrick, the groundskeeper.  Tiberius was relieved to see there was apparently nothing at all magical about him.  He simply took the horse, mentioned that Master Fuller was expected, and pointed him to the front door.  The little mechanical bird popped on his horse again.
    “Right.  My work’s done here.  Good luck,” it said, and flew off. 
    Tiberius stepped up to the door and knocked.  A moment later the door was opened by some sort of mechanical man.   He seemed to be made of bronze and copper. 
    “Master Fuller?” he said.
    Tiberius had been warned by the bird, so a mechanical man didn’t seem so preposterous.  Still, he was a bit surprised.   
    “Yes, er, you’re…”
    “I’m Mr. Eumaios, sir.  Mr. Dallen’s butler.  I’m an automata, sir, a sort of wind-up doll if you will.”
    “A wind-up doll?”
    “Yes, sir.  A rather sophisticated one, but an automata all the same, sir.  If you’ll just step inside and have a seat, I’ll inform the master that you’ve arrived.”
    Tiberius did as he was told.  The front hall didn’t seem anything so extraordinary.  There was a desk, a mirror, coat racks and hat stands, a place for umbrellas and a desk for the mail.  There was also a rather large grandfather clock placed prominently in the middle of the hall.  A brass chandelier was dangling from the ceiling.  Tiberius stepped over to look at the clock.  As he did so, the clock struck nine and a little bird popped out. 
    “Coo-coo ... Coo-Coo ... Coo-Coo” it said eight times.  The ninth time it said “Coo-ack!” and seemed to cough.  Tiberius looked at it in surprise.
    “Sorry about that,” said the little bird.  “It’s not easy doing the same thing over and over again, every hour on the hour.  I try and mix it up now and then, just for variety, but people complain.  They say I’m supposed to be a coo-coo clock, not a bird of paradise clock.  Still, if you’re going to put a magical alarm clock in your front hall, you may as well get your money’s worth, say I.  You're new here, aren’t you?”
    “Yes, I’m Tiberius Fuller.”
    “Oh, yes, we’ve been expecting you.  The master will be along in a minute, I suppose, unless Singh’s gone and blown something up again.  Well, nice meeting you, but I’ve got to go and rest.  Big performance coming along at quarter past the hour.  Think I’ll do a macaw this time.  Just remember, I take requests.  I do an excellent rooster if you’d like to