RS01. The Reluctant Sorcerer (16 page)

“Well... yes, but more like a single drop of water in a river,” Brewster said. “We’ll call this drop the universe. Now it takes a great many drops of water to make a river, but if you put enough of them together, that’s what you’d have, wouldn’t you?” “Or a lake,” said Brian.

“Yes, or even an ocean,” said Brewster, “but let’s stick with the river, because the river flows, you see, and that flow is like the passage of time. Imagine that this river is so long that it has no beginning and no end, it simply flows forever. Just as time has no beginning and no end. You with me so far?” Brian frowned thoughtfully and nodded. “I think so. You are saying that time is like a river, with no beginning and no end, and all that we see around us-the earth, the sky, the stars-is but like a single drop of water in that river?” “Yes, that’s very good,” said Brewster, “But you will remember that it takes many individual drops of water to make that river. If each drop of water is a universe-in other words, everything that we know to exist-then it follows that there are many different universes, only we don’t know about them, you see, because all we know about, all we can perceive, is that which is in our own universe, our own drop of water. But all these different drops of water, these different universes, are intermingled as parts of the same river-the river of time. And though they all flow in the same river, they are still separate drops of water. They are merely so close together, and there are so many of them, that if you stand on the bank, you can never see them as separate drops. You only see the river.” Brian was frowning with concentration as he tried to visualize Brewster’s explanation.

“Think of it this way,” Brewster said. “We draw a cup of water from that river. And from that cup of water, we draw an even smaller amount, merely a couple of drops.” Brewster held his right hand out flat, fingers together, palm down. “Let’s say that my hand is one drop.” Then he held out his left hand and placed it flat on top of his right hand. “And this is another drop. Each drop is a universe. And there are many other drops like this, layer upon layer of them, and these layers are called dimensions.” He separated his hands. “Only if we live in this dimension,” he said, holding up his right hand, “there is no way for us to travel to this dimension.” He held up his left hand. “Because they are like separate drops of water, you see, and while they may flow very, very close together, so close that they appear to merge, there is no way for them to merge, because no matter how close together they may come, they still remain separate.” He dropped his hands and shrugged, not really satisfied with his explanation, but unable to think of a simpler way to put it for the benefit of someone with no knowledge of science whatsoever.

“Anyway, that’s the idea of parallel universes,” he said.

“How do we know that this”-he held his arms out, to encompass everything around them-“is all there is? If you had been born in that chest you were locked up in, and had lived all your life in there and never seen the outside, then you might think that the inside of that chest was your entire universe. Of course, once you got out, you’d see that there was more. Well, you’re locked up in your universe, in your dimension, just like you were locked up in that chest. There’s never been any way for you to get out and see if there was anything else. You may think there is, or you may think there isn’t, but because you can’t get out, you can never really know for sure.” Brian put his hand up to his chin and furrowed his brow. “Only you did get out of your chest,” he said. “And you somehow managed to enter mine.” Brewster smiled and nodded. “Yes! Yes, that’s it, exactly! You understand! That’s what interdimensional travel is!” “I am not certain that I do understand,” said Brian slowly. “ ‘Tis a weighty thing to ponder. But you said that this... this travel from one dimension to another could not be accomplished. Yet, you claim to have accomplished it.” “By accident,” said Brewster. “I never meant to do it. I wasn’t even thinking about doing it. I was trying to do something else entirely. I was trying to travel back into the past.” “Into the past?” said Brian. “You mean, you meant to travel from today back to yesterday?” “Well, yes, more or less,” said Brewster.

Brian frowned. “But...” He shook his head in confusion. “How is that possible? It cannot be done.” “That’s what a very wise man named Einstein thought,” Brewster replied. “Only I thought he was wrong. I believed it could be done. And I built a device that I thought would let me do it.” “This magic chariot of yours,” said Brian.

Brewster nodded. “Exactly. Only it looks as if Einstein’s had the last laugh. Maybe it can’t be done, after all. At least, not in the same dimensional plane. Maybe the only way you can travel back into the past is to enter another dimension. I don’t know. I don’t know what happened, or how. I only know I’m here, and if I can’t find that first time machine, I’ll be stuck here for the rest of my life.” “Would that be so bad?” asked Brian.

“Maybe not, but I don’t belong here, Brian,” Brewster said miserably. “I don’t even know where I am. The Kingdom of Frank, in the Land of Dam... it could be never-never land, for all I know, a fantasy land straight out of a dream. I don’t even know anything about this place. I’ve been hanging around with a leprechaun and I hadn’t even known it. Leprechauns, fairies, nymphs, unicorns... they’re all creatures of myth in my world. They don’t exist! And as for magic ...” He exhaled heavily. “The others all think I’m a sorcerer and I let them think that because I thought it was convenient. I thought they were just primitive, superstitious people and it would be easier, and probably safer, to have them think I was a sorcerer than to try explaining the truth to them. I tried explaining it to Mick and I only wound up confusing him. Now I’m the one who’s confused. And I’m certainly no sorcerer.” “But.. .these things you have done here,” Brian said. “They are most wondrous, indeed. Are they not sorcery? And to travel from your dimension to mine, is that not sorcery?” “It’s science, Brian, not sorcery,” said Brewster. “And as for what I’ve done here, it’s just some basic engineering, not magic.” “I do not understand,” said Brian, frowning. “ ‘Tis most puzzling. You call it science, yet it seems very like magic to me. And I know of no sorcerer who could do such things.” “That’s only because they don’t know how,” said Brewster. “With the right knowledge, anyone could do these things. In fact, I didn’t even do them, really. The brigands and the local farmers did. Mick and McMurphy and Bloody Bob and the rest. They did most of the work. I helped and I showed them how, but they were the ones who did it. I took advantage of their superstitions... well, what I thought were only superstitions, but there’s nothing magical about any of this. They could have done it by themselves, without me. They just didn’t know how until I showed them.” Brian folded his arms across his chest and paced slowly back and forth, the wind ruffling his long blond hair. “And you call this knowledge science?” he said.

“Yes, that’s all it is. Science is merely a form of knowledge.” “Merely knowledge,” Brian said. “What, then, is sorcery?” Now it was Brewster’s turn to frown. “I’m sure I don’t know. I didn’t even think there could be such a thing as sorcery.” “Sorcery is a form of knowledge, too,” said Brian. “An apprentice to a wizard knows nothing when he embarks on his apprenticeship. In time, if he is diligent and clever, he learns. As an apprentice, he could not cast any spells, because he did not know how, but once he had the knowledge, he could do it. How does that differ from your science?” Brewster grinned. “Now you sound less like a prince and more like a philosopher,” he said.

“What is a philosopher?” “Never mind,” said Brewster. “If you thought parallel universes and interdimensional travel were confusing, you don’t want to get anywhere near that one.” “No? Well, I shall take your word for it for now. Perhaps, one day, you will explain it to me. Still, you have not answered my question. How does your science differ from sorcery, if both are knowledge?” “Well, for one thing,” Brewster said, “in my world, sorcery doesn’t work and science does.” “Indeed?” said Brian. “Yet, your science seems to work here, in my world.” “I see what you’re getting at, but it’s not the same thing,” said Brewster with a wry smile. “Just because magic seems to work here is no reason why science shouldn’t. Science is merely an understanding and an application of the way natural forces work. And it isn’t just one thing, really. For example, if you want to understand the life processes of living organisms, then you study the science of biology. If you want to find out more about the stars and other heavenly bodies, then it’s the science of astronomy you want. Or if you’re more interested in the origin of your own world, then it’s the science of geology you want to study. If you want to learn about the natural laws that govern matter and energy, then it’s the science of physics you’re interested in, and to get more specific, there are different categories of each science, known as fields, depending on which branch of natural phenomena you wish to investigate. In physics, for example, there’s mechanics, thermodynamics, acoustics, nuclear physics, particle physics, plasma physics...” He saw the expression of dismay on Brian’s face and stopped. “You have absolutely no idea what I’m talking about, do you?” Brian shook his head. “At first, it seemed as if I were beginning to understand, but as you went on, it became more and more confusing.” “Well, it’s pretty complicated for someone who’s never had any formal education,” Brewster said. “Maybe I just went too fast. It’s not your fault, Brian, it’s mine. I guess I just didn’t explain it very well.” Brian leaned back against the wall of the battlement and scratched his head. “I wish to understand. Doc, I truly do. This science, it appears, ‘tis not just one thing, but many things.” “Well, yes, in a way,” said Brewster. “You see, science is basically a discipline, an approach to learning about things. But there are many different things to learn about, so the branch of science you choose depends on which specific thing you wish to learn about.” “Ah,” said Brian. “You mean like war.” “War?” said Brewster with a puzzled frown.

“Aye. If you wish to be a warrior, then you must study the art of war. But there are many different things that make up the art of war. There is the art of swordsmanship, and the art of archery, the art of disposition of the troops, and of making fortifications...” “Yes, exactly! That’s an excellent analogy,” said Brewster.

“What is... analogy?” “Oh, boy,” said Brewster, rolling his eyes. “Well, it’s what you just did, Brian, when you compare things that are different, but are similar in their relationships. Like war and science.” “Ah,” said Brian. “So then the many different skills that make up the art of warfare are like the different fields of science that you spoke of?” “Yes, that’s a good way of looking at it,” Brewster said. “You grasp things very quickly, Brian. You’re a very clever young man.” “I am?” said Brian with surprise. He sat down at the table opposite Brewster, an expression of intense interest on his face. “No one has ever said that to me before. I had never thought that I was clever. Tell me more about this science! I wish to learn!” “Well, said Brewster with a smile, “that’s the most important thing you need to have to be a scientist. The desire to learn. But there’s so much to learn.... To be a scientist means to devote your whole life to learning.” “Then I shall be a scientist!” said Brian excitedly. “Teach me how!” “I don’t really think you know what you’re asking me to do,” said Brewster. “There’s a great deal to learn.” “To learn, one has to think, is that not true?” asked Brian. “Well, there is little else that I can do but think. I am doomed to my enchantment for all eternity, and all I have had to think of until I met you was my misery. How stupid, vain, and foolish I had been, how I had wasted my life in idle pursuits of pleasure, how I had accomplished nothing, learned nothing...” Brian’s voice trailed off and he sighed heavily as he looked up at the sky. “Soon, it will be morning, and the enchantment will take hold again. I, a prince, born of noble blood, shall once again be nothing more but the most common sort of object, meant to serve the most common and demeaning sort of purpose. Tis a terrible enchantment, Doc. I can feel, I can think, somehow I can speak and see and hear, but I can do nothing! ‘Tis enough to drive one mad. And, sometimes, I think perhaps I am mad.” “Isn’t there anything that can be done?” asked Brewster. “ ‘Tis said that any enchantment can be broken,” Brian said, “if one has the proper knowledge.” He glanced at Brewster sharply. “Knowledge. Like your science!” “Oh, now wait a minute,” Brewster said. “We’re talking about two different things here. Magic is not science.” “How do you know?” asked Brian. “How do I know? Well... I... that is....” “You said yourself that science is but a way of knowing things about the way the world works. Well, perhaps in your world-your dimension, as you call it-magic does not work, but in my world, it does. Does that not make it part of how the world works?” “Well.. .yes, I.. .I suppose you could say that,” Brewster replied uncertainly.

“When an apprentice to a sorcerer embarks upon a study of the ways and secrets of magic,” Brian continued excitedly, “he is said to be studying the thaumaturgic arts, which is what sorcerers call the discipline of magic. And if thaumaturgy is the art of learning how magic works, then is not thaumaturgy like a branch of science?” Brewster stared at Brian for a long moment. “Well... looking at it that way.. .I suppose it would be,” he said slowly.

“And you are a scientist!” said Brian. “That means you could be a sorcerer! All you lack is the proper knowledge!” “Well... I don’t know about that,” said Brewster.

“But I do!” said Brian. “In my enchantment, I have passed through many hands, and among them have been the hands of sorcerers. I am no sorcerer myself, but there is much that I know about them. You teach me about your science, and I shall teach you what I know of sorcerers and their ways, and together, perhaps we may find a way for my enchantment to be broken!” Brewster took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Well, as a scientist confronted with a new and inexplicable phenomenon, I can hardly resist. But, Brian, there are no guarantees in science. I can’t make any promises, you know.” “But you can promise to try,” insisted Brian.