Ghostly Water

By D. Charles Miller

"Ghostly Water" is the memoir of a necromancer living in mid-eleventh century Europe. Follow his recruitment as an orphan into the realm of learned men and his initiations into the esoteric sciences. He surpasses his mentors by discovering Ghostly Water the most powerful of magic potions. This story is not "Harry Potter." It is a memoir of a Hermetic practitioner who tries to be a good and moral man, but who has a dark side that reflects the dark times in which he lives.

The magic he possesses is more acquired from study, initiation, and experimentation than it is a function of his lineage though he had always had an aptitude for it. It is more subtle and plausible than the magic in most medieval fantasies and the beasts in the text may have truly existed in the medieval past. Much of the setting involves real places and true history though some liberties have been taken. There are duels, battles, and in the end a war for the crown of England.

• Language: English
• Publisher: D. Charles Miller
• Release date: Oct 13, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310723247

Book preview

Ghostly Water

By D. Charles Miller

Copyright 2015 David C. Miller

Smashwords Edition

Chapter 1

It was the year of our Lord 1027 AD, and my father lay on his deathbed. The fever was taking him. My mother had died three years earlier, and I had no siblings. Now I was about to lose the only family I had for I knew of no other relatives to which I could turn. Boys in my situation had few options. If a tradesman would take me for an apprentice, I could stay here in the village that I knew as home; if not, I would be sent to the monastery forty miles to the east. The tradesmen had been approached, and none had need of a new apprentice. Our little village had a small church with two priests, and arrangements had been made for one of them to take me to the monastery shortly after my father’s funeral.

That night my father breathed his last. A priest was present and administered the last rights. I remember the next morning so vividly. It was a cool crisp spring day. The sky was blue with a few fluffy clouds. It could just as easily have been dark and wet that time of year in southern England which would have more reflected my mood. It did not take them long to put my father into the ground. The priest said a few words in Latin that I did not understand, and it was over. I went home; this was the likely to be the last day I would get to spend here for tomorrow the younger priest would take me to the monastery where I would begin my training. Slowly I packed my few belongings into a small bag. I really did not want to live at the monastery and contemplated running away, but I had nowhere to go.

I barely slept at all that night. Every time I dozed off, my dreams would awaken me. I arose at first light and had some porridge. It was the only food we had for we had eaten almost all of our stores while my father was down with the fever. As I looked out the window, I saw the priest preparing his cart for the trip. The ox attached to it did not seem very enthused. I finished my meal and gathered my things. I grieved for my father and for the only home I had ever known, then went to take my seat upon the cart. While I was waiting for the priest, a stranger arrived in our village. He drove a small cart pulled by a single horse. When he got down, you could see that he was tall and strongly built. He had gray in his hair and beard, but his face appeared to be no older than that of my father’s.

Where is Ander son of Geoffrey? He shouted. The storekeeper pointed to the graveyard. Where is the boy? He asked. The storekeeper pointed at me, atop the oxcart waiting for the priest. Boy, I am your Uncle Eli. I am sorry I was too late to say goodbye to your father. I came as soon as I heard that he had been stricken with the fever. I gave him a good look. There was something familiar about him. I think I had met him once when I was much younger. It was hard to remember.

Would you like to come live with me? He asked.

Yes. I answered, thinking that it was not my destiny to become a monk. In retrospect, the course of my life was to be of no less rigor. As I got down off the cart, the priest came out of the church with a load of supplies. He looked at me and asked, Where are you going?

My uncle said, He is kin and he is coming to live with me. We went back to my house. As we were walking, I asked him why he walked with a staff.

No one thinks twice about a man with gray in his hair walking with a staff, but a sword on one’s belt draws much attention. He answered.

We spent the night and then left the village at dawn. We headed south. It was the longest journey I had ever taken, over four days on the road. We would travel by day and camp at night. Sometimes, we would stay in a town if there were accommodations. Near the end of the third day, we saw soldiers ahead on the road. As we got closer, I could see that the men were accompanied by large beasts with spiked collars. They resembled dogs, but not the likes of any I had ever seen. They had short faces with huge heads and gaping mouths, and they were gigantic. We passed by slowly.

What are those beasts? I asked.

Do not look them in the eye for they may take it as a challenge. Those are dogs of war. They are bred to wear armor and fight armies. Many noblemen have war dogs, but these are special. They protect the lands of Eyldon, and by their reputation alone few armies have ever dared attack. These dogs weigh more than two large men and can jump over a full size horse. They can crush a man’s skull with a single bite!

In my village the dogs are small and belong to no one. They live off garbage and scraps because no one can afford to feed an animal that you won’t eat or does little work. Who can afford to keep such dogs?

The Lord of Eyldon is rich enough to feed them. They eat twice as much as a man, but they are worth it. War is much more expensive. If having them prevents it, they are well worth the cost. Said Eli.

We continued down the road. The next day we arrived at my uncle’s house. It was located in the forest on the edge of a small clearing about two miles off the main road. There were gardens, a few goats, and some chickens. The house itself was not much bigger than the one I had just left. It looked well-built and sturdy. Going inside, I was awed.

You must be very rich. I said.

Does this look like the house of a rich man? Eli responded.

No, but you have so many books. I have only seen one book in my entire life and that was the church’s bible. You have shelves of books!

When you have one book and are educated, you can copy it. Others who have done the same will trade you their copy for yours. Do this long enough and you can acquire quite the collection. I have also bartered other things of value for some of them, and others I have rescued from destruction.

Who would destroy a book? I asked.

Yes, who indeed? And he smiled at me.

Eli insisted that I learn to read and write, not only in my native tongue, but in Latin and Greek as well. He was well versed in all three languages and could speak several more. I spent three to four hours daily in my studies, learning to read his books and acquiring the knowledge they contained. I was also learning mathematics, especially geometry. Eli considered geometry to be very important. He said it contained the secrets of creation as well as being the core knowledge needed to build any substantial structure. He was proud that he possessed two of the volumes of the Greek mathematician Euclid which had been translated from Arabic into Latin. He told me there existed more of Euclid’s volumes that were being held safe in the lands of the prophet Mohammed and that there was a great collection of the lost Greek knowledge being kept there. He believed that this knowledge would one day come to Christendom and be accepted by all educated men.

Occasionally we would have visitors. They were usually foreigners who wore strange clothes and spoke unfamiliar languages, but they all spoke Latin or Greek. They would converse with my uncle on history, politics, religion, philosophy, and esoteric knowledge. The more I learned, the more I was able to grasp from their discussions and debates.

Our house was about thirteen miles from the nearest village, and it was another day’s travel from there to the sea. This village was smaller than the one where I had lived with my father. It did not have a church nor any priests. We would go there once a month to get supplies like flour and oil. My uncle bartered with goat cheese and herbs from our garden. Occasionally he would pay with coins. I enjoyed going to the village for there were other children there my age. We would play together, and I made friends. I befriended a girl named Anne and her older brother James. Anne was my age, and James was two years older. James and I would wrestle, and I could hold my own with him even though he was older. Eli insisted on physical training as well as my studies.

The years passed, and I grew taller and stronger. Anne was maturing into a real beauty, and we were growing closer. James was now my best friend. We would race, wrestle and go exploring. James was falling in love with a girl named Mary. She was pretty, but not as pretty as Anne.

I was progressing well in my studies and becoming more learned. Now at the age of fourteen, I was allowed to participate some in the discussions with our visitors. One night two men came calling. One was tall, muscular and had blonde hair. The other was shorter, dark skinned, and came from Arabia; he had seen the Holy Lands. The tall one was named Lars, and he was from Normandy. He said to Eli, So this is the boy.

He has taken well to his studies and shows much potential. Replied Eli.

Should we initiate him tonight? Asked the Arab.

No, I think he will be ready next year. Responded Eli.

You won’t live forever old man. You need to pass on what you know. Said Lars.

There is still plenty of time. Replied Eli.

You need to teach us some of that magic. The Arab said smiling.

You are still too young and take pleasure in the company of women for my magic to be of any use to you. Laughed Eli.

They all laughed. I was a bit confused. They were talking to my uncle as if he were much older than he appeared to be. I dismissed the idea and went to prepare a meal for our guests.

No meat, dairy, or eggs in the meal. It needs to be clean, nothing from an animal. Shouted Eli.

That was strange, we usually served our guests the best we had to offer. My uncle had eaten nothing from animals for months and as a consequence neither had I. But to deny our guests, I thought was impolite and that they may take it as an insult. They however seemed unconcerned. The meal consisted of vegetable stew, bread, and herbal tea. They consumed it with zeal. After they ate, they began to converse. Their debates were heated, especially when the topic was politics and whether war was ever justified. I felt I had not the knowledge to render an opinion and was happy to not get into the thick of it. After the meal, I cleared the table. The mood of the evening settled as they began to delve into some of Eli’s volumes. They were looking for some specific knowledge that would set the tone for the remainder of their discussions.

Hours passed and the time for talking was over. The Arab placed a shiny geometrical object in the center of the table. Around it they placed several lit candles. Lars removed a small blue bottle from his bag, and they all consumed equal shares of the potion inside until the bottle was empty. Eli then presented a small vial of oil. They each put some of the oil onto their finger tips and rubbed it into their foreheads between the brows. Eli sealed the vial then set it on the table, but it fell over and rolled off. I caught it before it could hit the floor.

Thank you, could you please put that somewhere safe. He said.

I put the vial in my pocket. I watched the men as they sat around the table staring at the object and chanting strange syllables and resonant sounds. I was fascinated. I took the vial from my pocket and rubbed some of the oil between my brows. I resealed it and put it back into my pocket. At first I felt no different, but after a few minutes, I began to feel a bit strange. Colors were brighter and everything seemed more significant. I leaned against another table; on it was a lit candle and a bowl of water. I looked at the flame. It intrigued me, but not as much as the water. I stared into the bowl for how long I could not say. Time was not normal if it even existed at all. The next thing of which I was aware, was the Arab’s hand on my shoulder.

Searching for the secrets of creation? There is Water in water. He said. What he said made perfect sense and no sense.

Seems the boy has taken it upon himself to start his initiation. Shouted Lars.

Indeed. replied Eli. We will start a new chapter in your training tomorrow.

See what you have done boy. You have opened the door into a new world and tomorrow you will step through it. Laughed Lars.

The next day my training in the Hermetic arts and esoteric sciences began. The first lesson was about diet. Food from animal sources, especially meat for it contains blood, possess the essence of the animal. Consuming it tends to lower consciousness closer to that of the animal. When working towards higher consciousness or practicing magic, it is best to abstain from such foods for up to one lunar cycle beforehand. I now realized not serving our guests any meat was entirely appropriate. Eli told me that everything I learned from now on must be kept secret. The Church did not approve of these teachings and would destroy all that is written about them. Worse yet they might punish you for knowing or practicing them. This was not happening on any scale at this time, but it was common practice during the fourth and fifth centuries. Currently the most severe punishment was excommunication. Fear of the Church was why Eli kept his most treasured volumes hidden. The ones on the shelves were of history, mathematics, and such. They were frowned upon but not forbidden.

Lars and the Arab stayed with us for several more days and assisted in my training. Lars even taught me some of the basics of swordsmanship. I was saddened when the day came for them to leave. There were others that they needed to visit before heading for home. Before leaving, Lars gave Eli two caged birds. They looked like doves only a little larger. In exchange my uncle gave him three bags of provisions. It looked more like an exchange of gifts than barter. Lars then gave me the bottle that had contained his potion. He told me I might have need of it to store my own. We exchanged hugs, and then they rode off.

Chapter 2

In the years that followed, I learned the uses of all the herbs we grew and the plants that we collected. They had everyday uses, but most had healing properties, and some had special esoteric applications. I learned that mistletoe was extremely powerful. It really didn’t do much on its own, but in combination with other ingredients, it always made the potion stronger. I learned to change my level of consciousness using potions made from special plants. I also learned how to control my breath and to meditate. Chanting certain words and sounds were also helpful in attaining higher vibrational states. My uncle would have me study certain texts, and after I thought I had learned them well; guests would arrive. Sometimes Lars was with them. I was always glad to see him. They would take me through initiations using potions and anointing oils. These initiations occurred at specific times of the year and phases of the moon. Upon completing each initiation, I would restudy the texts I thought I had mastered. It was as if I was reading them for the first time. New insights flooded into my mind, and now I truly understood their meaning.

I would not only study Eli’s books but copy and translate them as well. This helped me learn, but also it gave us volumes to give and to trade with others. One day I was reading a gnostic text called the Gospel of Phillip. Our copy was incomplete, but it was still of value. Eli wanted me to translate our Greek copy into Latin. As I read, there it was: There is Water in water and fire in anointing. What the Arab had said at my first initiation was here in the Gospel of Phillip!

I was now in my seventeenth year and still greatly influenced by my first experience with enhanced perception. I set out to explore the esoteric properties of water. I wished to find the Water in the water. Every day I experimented using plant extracts and mineral salts to create concoctions hoping to find the right combination that would make water more susceptible to my mental influence. I would charge water with my breath and with the energy that I projected from the palms of my hands. In the twilight of evening, I would gently heat different mixtures and stare into the vapor. Focusing my mind, I would attempt to create forms and shapes in the mist.

One day I had a small amount of success. I had made a concoction from the juice of a common plant combined with two mineral salts. In an altered state of consciousness, I was minimally able to influence the water. I got even better results after I added a drop of mistletoe tincture to the mixture. Mistletoe always makes the potion stronger. Now the potion was able to absorb some of the ethereal energy I projected from my hands. It showed promise. I worked with it for weeks, but I could get no additional improvement. Every enhancement or variation I tried proved to be of no value. Eli now began to take an interest in my work during the point at which I was the most discouraged.

Why don’t you try a drop of your blood? He suggested.

Blood, of course. Why did not I think of using it?

You would have given time and experience.

Adding a small amount of blood was the solution. My potion now easily absorbed the energy that I projected into it. I found than if a living thing be it plant or animal consumed my potion, I could then charge them with my etheric energy resulting in an increase in their health and vitality. I could heal injured animals and make plants grow faster. I made our trees produce more fruit and our goats more milk. Eli was most impressed. He especially enjoyed my ability to enhance the power of his herbs. I continued to practice and experiment with my new abilities, gaining experience and power. When I was in higher states of consciousness, I could see actually more like sense the energy in the water.

There were limits to my new abilities. Healing animals with severe injuries or illnesses was very draining, sometimes requiring days for me to fully recover. If the animal was old, I might not be able to heal it at all. I could not revive the dead be it plant or animal. I could not make the water move or otherwise obey me. Eli told me that controlling the elements was an extremely difficult task. He had put a lifetime of study into the esoteric sciences, and he could only create a slight breeze for a second or two. That was the extent of his elemental powers. Although once, he with the help of others had made it rain during a period of extreme drought. He told me if a group could harmonize their energies, great things could be accomplished.

Time passed quickly, and I had now studied nearly all of Uncle’s books. Only his most guarded texts did he keep from me, and they were well hidden. I did spend some time copying and translating, but for the most part I was freer to pursue other things. I explored the countryside learning the plants and observing the animals. I also spent more time in the village with my friends, especially Anne.

It was now my eighteenth birthday. Eli and I toasted it with a small amount of grog, and we sang songs. The next day we went into the village for provisions. Uncle gave me a few coins to spend on whatever I desired. I was glad to be there and wanted to go find my friends, but we had to get our supplies first. My thoughts were primarily focused on Anne. We had grown close, and I had decided to court her. Eli did not want me to fall in love and marry, but if it happened then it would be my destiny.

The village was unusually quiet. We inquired with the shopkeeper. He told us an evil man, a wizard with dark powers had taken up residence here. His name was Janus. He was quick, strong, and good with a sword. He stole and demanded tributes from the villagers. Those who stood up to him fell ill to the fever and had skin eruptions. Most of the afflicted died horribly. He had sickened Anne’s father and her brother James. They were still alive but were gravely ill.

We immediately went to their house. As the shopkeeper had said, they were very sick and burning with fever. The elder was dying, and James was fighting for his life. The village healer was there, and he was glad to see Eli. He was doing his best, but nothing he tried seemed to work. He and Eli attended to Anne’s father while I assessed James. He was burning up with fever. When no one was looking, I removed the bottle from my bag and poured a small amount of the potion into James’s mouth. I then wetted my hands and placed one on his brow and the other over his heart. Focusing all of my energy, my hands became very hot, and my eyes rolled up into my forehead. I could feel vibrations in both our bodies. Our energies were aligned. After a few minutes, I released contact. My vitality was drained, and I could barely stand. James was showing signs of improvement. I took a seat near the window and rested.

I gazed out the window and was horrified. Anne was running at Janus with an axe in her hands. He turned and evaded her swing then he ran her through with his sword. I was crushed, overwhelmed with grief and rage. Eli saw my distress and came to me. He looked out the window.

God help us! He said.

Can you kill him for I can barely stand?

Now is not the time, healing others is more important. Vengeance is not a true path and must be avoided. What Janus has done today will not be forgotten.

I was sick with grief. I vomited and could not stop weeping. I wanted so much to kill that man. Hours passed. Looking out the window, I saw them take Anne’s body to the graveyard. It was almost evening before I could move freely. Eli and I went outside; Janus was nowhere to be seen. The people wanted to kill him, but they were too afraid, and he was not going to chance provoking them by being too visible. He would come out in a few days after emotions had quelled. It was now twilight, and Eli suggested that I should go to her grave and say goodbye. I looked in the direction of the graveyard and was taken aback.

I can see Anne’s ghost! I said.

"You can see her? I need to explain to you the nature of ghosts. I cannot see her, but you were much closer to her. Her spirit has left, what you see is but a remnant. Humans have two bodies, one dense and one subtle. The subtle body mirrors the dense and will usually stay near it after death. It will tend to disperse as the body