Free Path of the Magi (Tales of Tiberius) by Richard J Stuart Page B

Or was it jealousy?  Tiberius wondered.  It was an odd reaction for a woman he’d never met before.  She snatched up Ti’s hand again, then just as quickly threw it aside after a quick glance.  “La! But this is a school girl,” she said.  She seemed mollified, but still gave him a cross look for a moment.  Then she seemed to compose herself.  “The fault is mine.  I look too hard at the future and forget to read the signs of your youth.  You are loyal to your love, and I am too early by far.  It will be a long time ere you give me your heart.  Still, we may be friends.”
    She held out her hand.  “You’ll forgive me one stolen kiss?”
    Tiberius took her hand.  “I’ve no wish but that we be friends, Ma’am.  But I don’t hardly understand anything that you’re saying.”
    “I have confused you; I’m sorry.  I'm a little confused myself.  La, I have explained nothing.  I’m a seer among my people.  Sometimes I confuse the future, the present, and the past, even though the future is not yet written.  A name, your name, is known in fairy circles.  It is the name of a great enemy of evil.  To me it is the name of a dear friend and perhaps a lover, one day.  But elves and wizards live a long time.  Our time may come.  Till then, I am content if you will call me friend.  Come call me Salina and give me a sister’s kiss, so I may know I’m forgiven.”
    She turned her cheek to him and Ti steeped forward and gave a her a peck on the cheek.  “Friends then, Salina.”

 
    She smiled at him and gave him a hug.  Catching Gillyian’s eyes she turned back to her horse.  “Very well, I am content.  I’ve seen you now and can sleep again.  You’re a hard man, I can see.  You need to be.  But think on this.  I’ll call you a cruel man if you won’t at least dance with me.  My wait will be long if I can’t at least tickle you now and then.”
    “I don’t think Marybeth will like that,”  Tiberius answered.
    “La! But who thinks of her.  It’s others I fear.”  She took another long look at him.  “You favor Athena, I think.  Aphrodite will be jealous and won’t be over kind to you.  Home and hearth may elude you, but know you may take your rest in the woods.”
    “The secret fire burns bright within him,” Gillyian chided.  “He won’t take much rest from you I think, not so much as you would like.”
    “La! He’ll make me a puritan,” she laughed, and blowing Tiberius a kiss, she rode off.    
    Tiberius slowly walked back to the city, taking his time.  It was a very odd sort of meeting he’d had.  Were elves always like this?  Somehow Tiberius didn’t think so.  He’d heard stories of beautiful elves snatching up pretty boys for their amusement.  Somehow that didn’t quite fit.  Tiberius knew he wasn’t what anyone would call a beautiful boy.  He wasn’t unattractive, but his features were too sharp and serious to attract the sort of reaction from women that Salina had shown him.  Even she didn’t quite seem to know how to treat him.  First he was some sort of savior, then he was her personal plaything?  What did the elves think he was going to do for them anyway?
    Something else hit him too.  Salina claimed to be a seer, yet she seemed to see no threat to her in Marybeth.  Why was that? They were practically engaged.  Their families got along; he was set on a career path.  What obstacle did she see that he didn’t?
    Tiberius knocked softly at the door of Pastor Adams.  His wife answered the door.
    “Well, young Master Fuller, what brings you by?”
    “I wanted a word with the pastor, if he has a moment?”
    “Of course.  He’s not busy just now.  Why don’t you come on in to his office and I’ll make you a cup of tea.”
    “Thank you.”
    The pastor had a small but pleasant house.  It was well cared for and arrayed with a variety of ordinary furnishings.  There were plenty of bookcases, and Ti had been here many times