Gathering of the Faithful: First Archive of the Magi

By F.P. Gonzalez

Nasreen felt a shiver of excitement run down his spine as he recalled the promised prophesy. Time seemed to slip by, but it was not important. His sight seemed to sense the grounds of the Fire Temple, noticed the night owl flying to capture its mammalian meal, the shooting star that briefly streaked the night air, the desert moths attracted to the light of his candle. He sensed the wick melting as the candle grew smaller and smaller. The wind blew briefly, raising a small dust cloud. And then it stopped and the usual sounds of the night resumed. In his lifetime, he witnessed the lunar eclipsing of Jupiter in the constellation of Aries on numerous occasions. But to have all the ruling planets present and then having Mars, normally a maleficent planet, supporting the ruling planets, was truly extraordinary. On that one day, all the heavenly hosts had aligned signifying the birth of a great king. On that one day, High Priest Nasreen, the Zaratoshtrutema, the highest title bestowed on a Zoroastrian priest dedicated to the worship of Ahura Mazda and a devout believer of the words uttered by the prophet Zarathustra, wondered. Could this mysterious newborn king be the saoshyant, the one who will set the apocalypse in motion that will purge the world of death and destruction?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Covenant Books, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 24, 2020
• ISBN: 9781646701247

Book preview

Chapter 1

The Parthian King

King Phraates IV stood over a map draped on a great white granite table. Tall, medium build with a smooth complexion that was roughened by time and sun, the king had his right hand scratching the thin but well-manicured dark brown beard that formed a V over his pointed chin and continued to surround his lips with a thin moustache. His nose was straight and his piercing green eyes contrasted well against his auburn and curly hair that was visible below the simple crown that adored his head. In addition to a large ruby ring on his right middle finger, a necklace supporting a large solid gold medallion decorated with precious stones of various colors authenticated King Phraates’s royal personage. His gaze focused on the miniature stone statues of men on horseback precisely placed on the map, the majority situated along the western border neighboring the Roman Empire, though several pairs were located in the north and east borders of his kingdom marking the eastern limits into Asia. He represented well his countrymen from the mountainous steppes of Central Asia known as Parthia, but under his refined stature, he was known for his ferocity, horsemanship, and skill with a bow and sword.

Three other men of similar height, build, and complexion surrounded him. Except for the gold chain necklace around the king’s neck, these men wore a similar outfit as the king. A leather tunic padded the torso, extending halfway down both arms, eventually forming a skirtlike protection above both knees. Where the sleeves and leggings stopped exposed well-defined forearms and calves. Leather wrappings from the shin down merged well with covered sandals. The outfit was designed specifically for horse-riding, for the Parthian soldiers were renowned horsemen. They each carried a curved scabbard hoisted on the left hip supported by a black belt. The hilt of a sword gleamed gold.

Two solid white marble thrones dominated the farthest part of the room. These chairs sacrificed comfort to bestow the image of power and majesty. A slender woman sat on the right chair seemingly interested with the whereabouts of the king and his generals, but her left ear remained inclined toward another man who stood gauntly to her left, nestled in the space between the two marble thrones. The woman was Queen Musa. Of Italian heritage, her dark brown hair flowed over her shoulders. She wore a diadem of red rubies that adorned her oval head and accentuated her penetrating brown eyes. In contrast to the men, her dark forest green silk robe bespoke of foreign origin with Asian markings and symbols. Each fine and delicate finger wore a unique ring made from different metals and gems, although one ring in particular had in its inset a large ruby stone that sparkled brilliantly like her diadem.

The man by her side was of medium height and thinly framed. His pale complexion resulted from sun avoidance and hinted at a secluded lifestyle while his round, clean-shaven face and penetrating hazel eyes hinted at his foreign origin as well. He, too, wore a silk robe, but dark in color. Depending on the light, it would glimmer between dark blue to black. He prided himself by wearing a gold necklace supporting a gold medallion that bore the Parthian image of a rearing stallion, a status depicting loyalty to the Parthian royal family, but otherwise, wore no other jewelry. His short, dark brown hair shimmered with occasional strands of white hair which seemed to be more pronounced along his sideburns. Other than the changes in his hair, his striking and handsome appearance seemed to defy time and masked his age well.

My lady, continued the man after he elicited a school-girl giggle from the queen.

This discussion is futile. We do not have the arms and numbers to face a Roman attack. Yes, we have won small battles here and there, but we are no match against the Roman Legion. We are in a predicament since we have to defend two borders. And let me say so now, but our control of the Silk Trade routes is not only our blessings for our coffers and a splendid benefit as well…

The man paused and made reference to their silk clothing.

He added, But our bane too, for it continues to draw the Roman eyes toward us.

Then advise the king. Isn’t that what you’re supposed to be doing, Baz? Are you not our court advisor?

The queen looked at him, their eyes fixed, and a smile beamed on her face. She turned her attention back to the center of the room.

The advisor smiled in return but huffed and made an unsettling comment under his breath. He bowed to the queen for permission to depart, which she permitted with a flick of her hand. Baraz headed for the table, his footsteps silent over the marble floors. He positioned himself opposite from the commanders while the king stood at the head of the table.

Move these forces here.

The king picked up a stone statue situated along the northern border, leaving one behind. He placed it on a spot labeled, Ctesiphon, the Parthian capital. He released the statue and carefully scrutinized the whereabouts of his other forces. One of his generals made a comment, which the other two men nodded in agreement. A brief discussion ensued accompanied with fingers pointing to several other locations on the map. It was several minutes before the king looked up to face Baraz.

My lord, he started. We will need to demand loyalty from the other tribes to build up our forces. We cannot afford to fight two borders.

The king’s face remained expressionless. He paced and turned away from the map. And then he looked back. He spoke out loud more to organize his thoughts rather than to address anyone in particular.

We have brokered peace for some time by seceding Armenia to the Romans and with that, setting the Euphrates River as our western boundary. We have a truce with our Indus neighbors to our east. If we wait, then time is Rome’s ally for they have the means to recruit. Should we expand eastward instead and leave our western borders uncovered? I do not trust the Roman emperor. A truce to them means nothing.

My lord, the black-robed man continued. Let us do what the Romans are good at. Let us go for the emperor himself! Let us instigate the assassination of Emperor Augustus!

An intriguing smile formed on the face of the pale man. Excitement fueled his demeanor as he walked closer to the king.

Imagine the simplicity of it. Rome is nothing without an emperor. The Senate is only a collection of withered old men that have lost influence. The empire is a collection of different nationalities and origins that will broker to be free of the taxes imposed on them from the Romans. It will splinter into regional pieces. And then we will be there to watch as the Roman Empire falls. Isn’t that what you wish, Your Majesty?

King Phraates stared at the advancing Baraz. The excitement of the court advisor did not stir a similar reaction in the king. The three generals stood stone-faced as well, seeming to avoid the eye contact with either the king or the man talking.

So how do you propose we do this?

The man shifted the hems of his silk robe and looked intently at the king.

I have my ways, my king.

The king looked away and turned to walk toward his empty throne. He glanced quickly at Queen Musa who remained seated with her right arm draping over the armrest, legs crossed under her silken gown. She smiled demurely, and he reciprocated. Still standing, he turned around to survey the marble throne room.

The morning rays of the sun penetrated the royal chamber through four small square windows on the northern wall, but not enough to expose the nooks and crevices hidden in the shadows. The large circular and three-tiered chandelier suspended over the grand central table by a long chain hooked to the eastern wall offered no illumination from the multiple unlit flesh-colored candles. So when the immense wooden doors at the back of the room suddenly opened, the room seemed to welcome the sunlight that filtered in, causing the shadows to momentarily disappear.

The mild breeze that filtered in through the open doors caused the two large silken tapestries on either side of the doors to rustle ever so slightly. One wall-hanging depicted scenes of a hilly countryside with tall cypress trees bordering a dirt road leading to a stucco villa and the other of a mountainous cliff speckled with multicolored bougainvillea overlooking the sea. These scenes obviously did not depict the usual desert oasis of the Parthian Empire but of a bygone place, most evidently selected by the queen herself. Aside from these tapestries, the room remained bare and austere with only symmetrically placed standing candle holders on either side of the throne chairs. Two sets of three marble columns situated along the sides of the room rose from the ground up to support the arching ceiling.

A soldier armed with a large bow over his right shoulder entered and announced the arrival of guests standing patiently behind him.

The magi have arrived, Your Majesty.

The description magi originally referred to the Zoroastrian priests from Medes in the northern parts of the Parthian Empire, but eventually it became accepted as the general description of all ordained followers of the Zoroastrian religion. But unlike the common priests, magi also signified the laymen’s term to categorize the mystical and mysterious reputation of these monks who reportedly can perform alchemy, practice various healing arts, interpret planetary movements, analyze dreams, and possess other esoteric knowledge. Many viewed them with cautionary awe while others avoided them out of ignorant fear of what they could do. Nevertheless, through the history of time, many kings and queens sought the magi for their counsel.

The soldier bowed after the king acknowledged his announcement and directed four individuals to enter. As the magi stepped into the room, a halo of light originating from the opened door surrounded the guests, making them appear ethereal as if they had been traveling on the rays of the sun. As the doors closed, it became more obvious that one magus held a superior rank than the other three for he led the party. Upon reaching the center marble table, the visitors stopped simultaneously and bowed their heads respectively to the king and queen.

The magi were all of fair complexion and relatively the same height. They kept their white hair long, flowing freely over their shoulders and back. A single wrapped turban on their head secured their hair in place and out of their face. They all wore a simple garment of common linen, as if a long rectangular cloth were folded in half, with the sides sewn together, and a triangular cutting made in the middle of the fabric for the head. Sleeves were then added. The garment, in pure white, covered them to their knees. Loose flowing white trousers covered the rest of their lower legs. There was a simple cord wrapped three times around their waist. They wore sandals made of linen wrapped around each foot more for protection from the travel rather than for regular use. Their manner of walk and gait suggested that they preferred walking barefooted. They carried no evidence of weapons nor were they adorned with any jewelry. A long flowing white linen cloak adorned their back and flowed listlessly with their movements. It wrapped around their shoulders and clinched together in front of their neck by a simple wooden pendant.

The man in front only differed from the three behind him because of his wizened appearance. Though they all sported long white beards and moustaches, his appeared to be fuller. His blue eyes sparkled with wisdom, and despite his age, he stood with only a slight bend forward from his waist. Unassumingly, he quickly surveyed the room and the other attendees standing around the table. But it was the pale dark-robed man that his eyes focused on and widened ever slightly to suppress a surprised recognition. When he spoke, it was of confidence as one accustomed to speaking before assemblies.

My king and queen, I am Zaratoshtrutema Nasreen, High Priest of Persepolis, along with my traveling companions. We have arrived in response to your summons. We are here to do your bidding. His voice echoed in the room.

King Phraates approached the table with open arms.

Ah, welcome, my priest brothers, to the capital city of Ctesiphon! I have waited for your counsel. Let bygones be bygones for the moment, he paused, allowing the guests to get settled. In the meantime, make this city your home while you are here. Enjoy our hospitality for you are the king’s guests.

The lead priest nodded in acknowledgment, but he harbored a degree of skepticism with the king’s gracious invitation.

The king continued saying, As you know, this city, my empire, our empire, remains full and thriving but we are in a difficult situation. We are caught between protecting our borders but our forces remain limited. We have discussed many options but…

He paused, then turned to look at his court advisor before continuing.

We seek additional counsel to manage the current state of affair.

The king made his way around the table and stood before the high priest.

You see, my court advisor, my astrologer, he shifted his gaze toward Baraz and then back to Nasreen, truly has the curse of the tongue, but his sight is limited.

He glanced quickly at Baraz to gauge for any reaction. The pale man’s face remained stoic.

Phraates continued. Of the many counsel he has provided, he mentions the crossing and aligning of the stars that portends the coming of a great king. I must know the meaning of this astronomical sign. If what he says is true, then I must seek an allegiance with this king and end the stalemate that I am faced with now.

He paused. His countenance became firm. His eyes focused on the high priest.

I must find this person if what he says is true, the king repeated slightly more enthusiastically.

Your Highness, Nasreen began. There is truth to what your court advisor proposes. The planetary alignment does announce the arrival of a powerful potential ally. There are forces at work and events that are unraveling now, even as we speak, that will continue to provide a clearer interpretation of the meaning of these heavenly signs and, perhaps, reveal the location of this regal personage.

The court advisor crept closer to the high priest, his feet seemingly gliding over the marble tile. In response, the three accompanying magi started walking toward Nasreen until they formed a semicircle around their religious leader.

In a mocking and cajoling tone, the astrologer interrupted the high priest.

Zaratoshtrutema, there is more to this than you have us to believe. I may not have the gift of sight, as our king deliberately alluded to, but I know enough to not be taken for granted. You of all high priests should know that.

His voice trailed off, but when he continued, he pronounced his words slowly and deliberately as if seducing the answers out of the high priest.

What else did you see?

He was one step away from Nasreen who stood unfettered and calm. The two of equal height locked eyes, a stark contrast between the elaborately shimmering black-robed figure glaring at the simply clad in a plain white garb elder. The high priest’s traveling companions remained steadfast; however, they did not appreciate the change in the court advisor’s demeanor or tone.

But Nasreen raised his hand to calm his junior magi’s fears. He broke his gaze from the advancing astrologer, stepped to the side and then forward so that he stood to the right of Baraz. He swept his eyes toward the queen who was now standing beside the king in front of the empty marble chairs. She had moved to get a better look at the Zoroastrian priest. Her short stature became even more striking when surrounded by the men in the room. There was the look of intrigue and interest from the royal couple. On the other hand, the three commanders in chief all felt out of place and remained silent. They preferred to leave the discussion between the mystics.

This is true, the high priest began calmly. As you are quite familiar with, we live in an ever-altering world: new allies, ambitious enemies, conquered cities. The celestial signs involve the circling of Jupiter around the Aries Constellation, symbolic of the rise of a great personage and the bountiful rewards and prosperity that will result. Perhaps this is the sign that your Advisor Baraz refers to? Is it the Roman Empire under their recently proclaimed Emperor Augustus? Or could it be the rise of the Han Dynasty in your eastern border under the young but astute Emperor Ai? Both empires have become powerful as you are well aware, my lord.

He paused, monitoring the reactions of those around him before continuing.

And yet, there is something truly momentous about the celestial signs than simply the movement of Jupiter into Aries. The implication of these heavenly clues still eludes me. My calculations of the paths of the planets reveal that an occultation, or more commonly known as an eclipse, of the heavenly bodies has occurred two years ago, a rare but significant phenomenon.

Nasreen paused, then hypothetically asked, What happened two years ago that would explain this cosmic appearance?

Nasreen had walked the entire time around the table, his arm movements emphasizing the significance of his discovery. His voice echoed in the vaulted room, and he waited until it dissipated. He resumed, but in a more subdued tone.

Again, is it Emperor Ai who, in his youth, currently governs the east or possibly another who was just recently born and remains unknown? Maybe, but I say unlikely, since the signs involve Aries, also known as the Ram Constellation, which symbolizes the Roman Empire and more specifically, Judea. Since Emperor Augustus has been the Roman leader longer than two years, is it likely someone else, a successor to the emperor, or a prince yet unknown? My curiosity is piqued as is yours to find this person for as of yet there is no public awareness of who this mystery person could be.

When the priest’s voice trailed off in the echoes, the king, whose gaze never left the priest, nodded and then quickly responded.

Very well. Assemble a party to unravel this mystery. Find him so that I will have him join me. Invite him to our court and together, perhaps, we can forge a new alliance.

High Priest Nasreen nodded in agreement. King Phraates attempted to hold back his smile but without much success. He gripped his wife’s hand tightly that had slipped into his hand. Looking at the three generals, he made a signal for them to be excused. The court advisor remained silent and sullen, and inconspicuously, turned around to walk away from the royal couple and the three magi. No one noticed as he seemed to fade into the shadows of the large room.

Your Majesties, the high priest said as he joined his three assistants. I will head back to the fire temple in Yazd and there, gather the party for this journey of discovery. I will have them ready to travel and be guided by the heavens.

Good, the king started and then continued. "Stay for a couple of