The Fifth Rule of Alchemy
There is no man whose name is so at odds with his behavior as Akram. This "generous" man's heavy folds strained against his silks, sweat blooming in every crease. He paused to smear his greasy hands across his vest before pointing. Behind him, stood a large, dark man, watchful and silent, one hand resting on the knife at his belt.
"Pass the mint jelly. Mmm, this lamb is delicious!"
The old man sat stiffly, not moving a hair. The dark man stepped forward and handed Akram the jelly. Akram scooped a mound onto his plate with his bare fingers..
"What was I saying? Ah, yes. When the prince came to power, we had been corresponding for over a decade. He named me the court’s Researcher Extraordinaire. As if I needed a title to do my life’s work!
Akram put his fist to his chest, and let out a large belch.
“As it so often happens, my patron was not content with his wealth and charged me with discovering how one might turn lesser metals into gold. I’d heard of the alchemists, thought it was all hogwash, you see. But ‘leave no stone unturned’ as they say."
"You were awfully hard to track down, always moving about! And again, so sorry for my armed companion. I knew you’d resist having our little talk and we couldn’t have that. So, old man, what do you have to say to that? Are you going to share the secrets with me willingly or will I have to make you." He sipped his wine, and as the cup lowered, the jovial mask dissolved. His eyes hardened to razors.
The old man gestured at the modest study. Though lined with books, scattered curios, and a fine rug and mirror, there was no sign of gold or luxury.
"My master is not a wealthy man. He is very engaged with his studying and I hope to learn what I can from him before I pass."
"Your...master?" Akram's face scrunched in puzzlement.
"Yes. Of course." The old man's face scrunched in mirrored confusion.
"But, you are the the master, the alchemist!"
"Oh! No. I see. No, no. I see the misunderstanding now. No, I am merely his apprentice."
"You? But forgive me for saying so, you are so old!"
The old man looked insulted, "I am not too old yet .And..." He hesitated, "No. Never mind."
"No nevermind's with me, old man. Speak, or my man will help loosen your tongue. "
The old man wavered, eyes moving to the knife, then downward. "I should not tell you this. I sought out my master because I had heard rumors that he could bring youth through the power of alchemy. If I can be trusted with the Philosopher's Stone, age can be reversed. I gave up everything, my savings, my family, to study with him. I know I'll learn the secret soon."
At that moment, the door opened. The young apprentice stepped in, startled to see strangers.
"Master!" said the old man rising.
The dark man had moved quickly, grabbed the young man by his shirt and dragged him into the room, slamming the door behind.
"Well! "Akram crowed" Look who we have here! The so called 'Master Alchemist'! We'll get to the bottom of this. And if I see that either of you is lying, there will be consequences."
The old man hurried to offer his chair. "Master, I've explained to our guest that I am studying with you." The young man nodded, and sat.
Akram studied the young man, "Is this true? Are you truly the alchemist? And do you know how to craft the make the Philosopher's Stone?"
"May my assistant leave the room while we speak?" the young man asked.
"No. Whatever you have to say, you can say for all of us."
"Very well. Then I must confess the truth: I am not an alchemist yet, and nor do I know the secrets of the philospher stone. I want learn them, and I am learning, but I do not know them."
The old man spoke, "You don't know them! I came to you, to study with you! I assumed that you were young because you had unlocked the secrets! I trusted..." He put his hands in his hands, "All this time, wasted!"
"I will learn the secrets! I will!"
Akram sighed dramatically. "Now, isn't that a disappointment. A familiar tale. An old man seeking youth, and a youth chasing coin." He swiped his hands again and let out a little guffaw. "There, there, old fellow. This cannot be your first time being duped like this. Not everyone is as trustworthy as me. Around me, the truth always comes to light. No matter. When I discover the true Master Alchemist, I will think of you. There may still be time for you."
"And you, young man, you should know better. We should all aspire to be kind in this world, and look what you've done here. You should be ashamed."
Akram grunted as he rose, stopped to pour more wine in his goblet, drank it, and then signaled his man to leave. He paused in the door way, "If you should discover the secret, I will find you. Until then."
The young man waited until Akram was well down the street before closing the door and turning back to his master."
"Master, what was that about?"
"That," the old man said, "was a man looking for something he knew he would not find. And found exactly what he expected."
"So he really believed I was your master?"
"Yes. But not truly. You see, he believed you had deceived me." The old man smiled faintly. "That's a story he knows, has likely lived himself. It was easier for him to believe you had beguiled an old man with promises of youth than to believe in the reality of alchemy."
He signed, rubbing his temples. "This was not the way I intended you to learn your next lesson, but the world rarely follows our plans."
"So, listen. This is the fifth rule of Alchemy:' Certainty stands in Truth's way.'
"And speaking of truth...our dinner is ruined. The mint jelly is spoiled and he drank all the wine. Let's go to the night market and see what we can have instead."
