Seeker of Stars: A Novel by Susan Fish Read Free Book Online

was certainly one I held. My thoughts of truth, however, convinced me to be honest with him.
    “All my life, I have dreamed of reaching up and grasping the unmoving star,” I said.
    Balzar nodded seriously. Then, as we reached the doorway of his house, he patted my arm. “You may be closer to God than you think.”

~ 9 ~
    D elegation
    A week later the council reconvened, and Shaz was again presiding. “The king agrees that the Hebrew prophecies are convincing. The ephemerides, the star charts, certainly point to a regal birth in Israel. We believe that the birth of a new king in Israel is the meaning of this star.”
    Balzar patted me on the back.
    Shaz continued. “The business at hand now is to select a delegation to represent our king and to deliver the official gifts.”
    I looked around, trying to imagine who would be sent. When I had first joined the astronomers’ school, I had been surprised to discover how much rivalry there was. Though I had seen much striving for position when I lived among the merchants, I had not realized how universal the activity was. It was not enough for many of these men to be magi; they wanted positions at the king’s court, and they would peck and strike at anyone who stood in the way.
    My first day in the city I had learned several important lessons. One was that I had not been accepted into the astronomy school; I had been accepted to be tested. The other was that the test would be harder for me than for the others, simply because no one knew my family.
    Breeding and family counted to Shaz more than to anyone else. Being the nephew of the chief astronomer had gotten him further than my mere calculations had, and he was all too aware of the benefits of a system that promoted its sons. The decision regarding the delegation to the new king would not be Shaz’s alone, however. The chief astronomer was responsible for such choices. The process was a delicate one, done publicly in council as it was. Raised eyebrows, averted glances, cleared throats were all part of the subtle game I had seen played before.
    “Our king has asked for four magi as well as servants,” Shaz explained. “Horses will of course be made available, and king’s guards will secure the gifts.”
    His face expressionless, the chief astronomer gestured in Shaz’s direction. “We would, of course, be honored to have you, Alshazak, lead our delegation.”
    As Shaz bowed in ritual agreement, I could see his eyes glow with the pleasure of being recognized.
    The chief astronomer’s second choice was equally predictable: his other son-in-law, Caspar. I wondered once again how my own career might have advanced had Stela chosen me instead of Shaz. Not that I had ever expected it. I had learned the politics of the magi early on.
    Choosing the remaining candidates proved a more difficult matter. The chief astronomer listened to requests from several rising young men, but there was no obvious candidate from among them.
    Finally Hasin, Balzar’s son, nudged his father. “Tell them your dream, Father,” he urged.
    At this, all ears perked up. Dreams were held in high regard among the magi, and the telling of dreams was an art form of which Balzar was a master.
    Balzar rose to his feet slowly, clasped his hands in front of his stomach in his customary posture, and began. “At this time last year, I awoke from sleep with my dream carefully and fully preserved as if in wax. Joy filled my heart as I thought in my bed upon this dream. I have long pondered its meaning and wondered if it foretold my death. Lately I have begun to wonder if it might foretell something else.
    “In my dream, I was traveling across the desert by night, as I have not done for twenty years. I was not alone, but I did not recognize my companions. We rode on horses, not camels. I felt we were being pulled to a destination, one I eagerly anticipated but did not know. The stars guided us in their song.
    “I sorrowed to awaken from this dream, so real