Urasti's Book: Reminiscences of a Magician

Chapter IV: The road

They were standing in the middle of the street, the disintegration of the shadow left the air hot and dense.

You okay son?- asked Hermes

Not thanks to you- said Urasti with a little note of anger in his voice.

They both stood quiet, breathing, trying to bounce back.

Sure not - Said Hermes trying to apologise - But again, can you tell me how you did it?

Urasti showed Hermes the stone- I'm not quite sure how it worked, but it did- He said. The heat started to blend with the atmospheric air and temperature, making it easier to breathe.

I'd save that stone, seems a good ally to me....you know, just in case- Said Hermes

Why? More shadows are coming?- Said Urasti looking around a little bit nervous, getting ready for battle, though he did not know of what use would be the kung fu classes he had taken against the shadows.

They are serpents not shadows- Corrected Hermes- But not in the way you know them, and no is my answer to your question. Now go home and get some sleep- he continued- you will not remember any of these tomorrow.

Hermes started to walk using the walking cane, it seemed he liked playing the old useless man paper.

Wait! I almost got killed today just because of you, "Hermes"- Urasti said being ironic about the name with his fingers- At least you owe me an explanation.

Hermes kept on walking, but he glanced and smiled. Urasti approached him.

Do you even listen?- Said Urasti grabbing the old man's cloak. Hermes turned. Urasti had not seen him in detail before, but now, under the streetlight, he could appreciate. Hermes was wearing a quite fine white cloack that was attached to a leather jerkin. A very fine shirt of linen was beneath, and a brown leather belt held the hips of the jerkin. Black boots finished the panorama. He had an aged face, accompanied by white streams of hair interspersed with black hair all over his head, moustache and beard. Still, his complexion was of an adult in his 50's. The expression of his face said he had lived more, far more than a regular person.

I'm a good listener, that's my job, but I can't help you if you don't know what you want- Answered Hermes

I said I wanted an explanation- Said Urasti almost yelling.

What's your name kid?- asked Hermes.

Martin - Urasti replied, thinking it was too inconsiderate of Hermes to call him kid.

A friend of mine said once that wonder is the beginning of wisdom- replied Hermes- but still, I'm not sure you know what you are looking for.

Urasti draw a smile . You like this uh? - Said - Playing riddles with your words. Sure, it makes you look interesting. So what's next? a trick with cards or what? - His voice was a mixture of defiance and irony- Still I have to admit that you have put quite an effort on this, I mean, Your name, your clothes- said Urasti approaching Hermes- even this rod looks real.

Urasti grabbed the rod and took it from Hermes. Hermes let him, showing surprise in his face .

So, is there any kind of firework in this? - said Urasti examining the rod

There is no solution; seek it lovingly - Hermes replied.

You just don't get tired of Socrates's quotes, do you?

I usually don't. Many people pretend that whatever they say is important. I don't like pretenders, that's why I use quotes. To make sure that whatever I say is important- Hermes said laughing- From curiosity to knowledge, from knowledge to wisdom. You're in the right way - Added Hermes while he watched Urasti examine the rod.

Hermes started to walk, headed to north. Urasti heard his steps. Hey! Don't you want your walking cane back?

Carry it for me please, it gets boring to play my role over and over again- replied Hermes

Carry it? - said Urasti a little surprised- I'm not going anywhere.

That I see- ironized Hermes- But at some point you will have to choose one of both sides of this street.

What are you..? Urasti stopped in the middle of his question. His eyes could not give credit to what was happening. Suddenly, everything around him, houses, trees, cars, gardens, had lost its colours.

You blinded me?- Asked Urasti not really knowing what was all this about, but a little more scared.

Hermes approached him and put Urasti's arm in his shoulder while recovering his rod. Before urasti's eyes had completely lost its vision, Hermes whirled his rod. Everything was turned into dust, forming a very dense cloud of what seemed to be some kind of sand. With the same movement, hermes made the cloud disappear. Nothing was left but a single road between two big hills of sand. That was the last Urasti saw before completely losing his sight.