Libellus de Numeros by Jim West

Author:Jim West
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: wizards, guardians, numbers, fantasy childrens book fiction action adventure magic, archimedes, formulas, daedalus, children aged 7 to 12, math as magic, magic fantasy ebook
Publisher: Jim West

17 – Formula for War

Nosaj walked into the tower he and his Uncle shared, clothes still dripping, leaving a slick trail across the floor. His Uncle, who was standing next to the stairway entrance, stood rigidly with his jaw set and mouth drawn taut.

“Why are your clothes wet?” Councilman Etan asked.

“Today’s lesson with Archimedes got a little messy,” Nosaj replied.

“What is that smell? Winterberry?”

“Yes. I tried to wash it off in the river, but…”

“You went outside the city?”

“For a while, but it was no big deal. I was with everyone else and Archimedes was there, and one of the Guardians.”

Etan frowned. “I don’t like the idea of your being outside the wall. Anything could have happened. You’re too important.”

“I’ll go and wash up,” Nosaj said, walking towards his room.

“Wait. Before you go I must ask you something,” Councilman Etan said. “Have you been spending time with those lower class boys in the city again, playing that ridiculous game?”

Nosaj looked at him but didn’t say anything. Etan narrowed his eyes.

“Don’t lie to me,” he said.

“They are my friends, Uncle,” Nosaj replied.

“You are upper class, Nosaj. They are beneath you. They cannot be your friends. One day you will rule this city and they will serve you.”

“But for now they’re my classmates,” he replied quietly, not looking his Uncle in the face.

“Do not talk back to me.” He took a deep breath to calm himself down. “I have a future in mind for you, one that will give you the best life possible. However, it requires you to hold yourself to a certain standard. Do you understand?”

Nosaj nodded slightly. “I just wanted someone to play with.”

“Your time for playmates is almost at an end. Soon you will be old enough to apprentice on the council.”

“What of my studies with Archimedes?”

“How have your studies been going?” Etan asked.

“Well enough, I suppose.”

“Are you doing as well as the other students?”

“Yeah, I do pretty well.”

Etan exhaled. “Do you think you could elaborate a little?”

Nosaj shrugged and avoided eye contact. “I’m understanding Archimedes’ lectures, if that’s what you mean.”

Etan did not look satisfied.

“Fine. We will see about continuing your studies when the time comes, but the majority of your time will be with me and the other council members.”

Nosaj dropped his eyes to the floor.

“You will learn soon enough that magic isn’t the most powerful thing you can possess.” He walked over and placed his hands on Nosaj’s shoulder. He looked Nosaj in the eye. “It will, however, help you immensely.” Etan smiled at Nosaj, but when his nephew smiled back, he saw naïve optimism, rather than understanding. He frowned and stood up.

“Go clean up and throw those robes away. They’ll never come clean and I don’t want to smell you before you enter a room.” He turned and walked towards the door.

“Uncle, before I go change, I must ask a favor of you.”

“What would you ask of me?”

“A few days ago, the council banished an old woman and her two children from the city because her husband had died and they can offer no service to the city.

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