reflecting the dualism of Persian religion. Jesus was a spirit instead of Son of God, and thus his sacrifice was only symbolic. Human redemption could be achieved by one’s own spiritual growth instead of through the clergy—redemption could even be achieved by suicide! The Church declared the movement heresy and crushed it all, massacring followers after horrific sieges.”
“Why do you know so much of other faiths, madame?” Palatine asked.
“By studying the linkages between the ancient Eastern religions and the new Western ones, I hope to discover universal truths.” Which sounded considerably more ambitious than my own goal of retiring on the sale of an ill-gotten emerald, but then I was a good shot, and she was not. We all have our talents.
“This five-year-old survivor . . .” Palatine went on.
“Little older than Harry!” I interjected, feeling a little left out of the conversation.
“ . . . was raised in the aftermath of the war against the Cathars and became interested in ancient knowledge. He set out for Damascus, crammed with learned men from Persia who were fleeing the invading Mongols under Hulagu, grandson of Genghis Kahn. Our hero took an allegorical name, Rosenkreutz, which is German for ‘rosy cross,’ the flower being a symbol of knowledge and the cross for spirit and sacrifice. Then on to Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, and Spain, each time seeking out scholars and spiritual masters. In Spain he learned from the Alumbrados, another secret society ultimately wiped out by the Inquisition.”
“What has all this to do with the Brazen Head?” I asked impatiently.
“Rosenkreutz had experienced firsthand, since childhood, the mob’s persecution of people who think for themselves. He formed a secret brotherhood of eight members to pass on secret knowledge. They were sworn to use it only for curing the sick and helping the poor. Like many holy men, they did their best to avoid the sins of vanity, lust, greed, pride, and gluttony, committing to chastity.”
I can never understand such a commitment.
“From Spain, Rosenkreutz traveled slowly through France on his way back to Germany, and it is in Paris that he met the German scholar Albertus. It is legend that Albertus worked on some kind of automaton around 1260, and legend that a horrified Thomas Aquinas destroyed this mechanical seer, and competing legend that the head was not destroyed, but rather completed with the contribution of Rosenkreutz about that time. It was taken to central Europe and hidden away until mankind has the maturity to master its awesome powers of prediction.”
“Where in central Europe?” Astiza asked.
“That, madame, is what you and your husband must learn. I’m going to suggest you begin in Prague, a magical and mystical city where the greatest alchemists of the age gathered for experimentation and philosophy. I think Napoleon chose you not just for your research abilities, but your abilities to cross borders and meet with all sides. Your husband’s reputation has its advantages. Since no one is certain what he believes, all think he can be employed in their cause.”
“I believe in love and family,” I said. This fellow seemed entirely too convenient to me, with his rose sign and crypt of a meeting place. “And why are you sharing all this information, eh?”
“Pamphlets revealing the life of Rosenkreutz and promising secrets of lost knowledge began appearing early in the seventeenth century. Since then modern Rosicrucian groups have sprung up. I belong to one. We’re as interested in the truth of the Brazen Head as anyone. We’re also disturbed by the idea that a newly created emperor might misuse its powers for his own ends. We’d prefer that people of wisdom find it first and decide whether its powers should be harnessed or hidden.”
“People like us.”
“People like your wife. If she found that book in the library, it’s a sign she has official support and freedom of movement. She fits our needs.”
“If the head is in German or Austrian territory, Napoleon can’t get it anyway,” I said.
“Unless his armies march that way.”
“They’re on the coast planning an invasion of England.”
“An invasion? Or a feint before a strike to the east?”
There it was again. Were the Boulogne camps nothing but a sham? As usual, I had no idea.
“Napoleon may loot all of Europe if he’s not stopped at his coronation,” Palatine went on.
“You’re asking for assassination?”
“That would make him a martyr and elevate his inept brothers. No, we prefer humiliation. Which brings us to the real reason I’m meeting with you. Does the Brazen Head exist? I don’t know. Where is