The Alchemist's Door Read Online Free PDF Page B

you.”
    â€œWhy not?” Izak said.
    â€œBecause you’re illegitimate,” Loew said to him. “I’d give anything not to have to say this, but the law does not allow you to marry.”
    â€œWhat! What do you mean?”
    â€œJust as I say. The law forbids illegitimate children to marry.”
    â€œBut—but I want to get married. Sarah and I want to get married. She knows I’m illegitimate, and she doesn’t mind.”
    â€œUnless you can tell me that your mother married your father—”
    â€œOf course she didn’t! He’s probably that peddler who comes to the Quarter every few weeks—he has a child in every town, or so I’ve heard.”
    â€œThen I’m sorry,” Loew said.

    Sarah looked stricken. Izak stood and began to pace in a tight circle.
    â€œWell, the hell with you, then!” Izak said. He went to the door and opened it.
    â€œWhere are you going?” Loew asked.
    â€œTo find someone who will marry us.”
    â€œEveryone you talk to will tell you the same thing.”
    Izak left without saying anything more. Sarah hurried after him. The door closed behind them.
    Loew sighed. One more problem, he thought, though not as serious as King Rudolf’s summons. Serious to Izak, though. He stood and headed back to his family.
    IZAK RAN OUT INTO THE NIGHT AIR, LEAVING SARAH BEHIND. His mind whirled. What would happen to him if he couldn’t marry? A long sterile life and an unhappy one, with no wife, no children, no comforts …
    He was so occupied with his thoughts that he nearly knocked someone down. He smelled a terrible odor, the stench of a person who hadn’t washed in years, and he reached out and grabbed what felt like a bundle of rags. The rags shouted; he saw now that he had hold of an old woman. He steadied her and she grinned, showing three or four rotten teeth. He had never seen her in the Quarter before.
    â€œWhoa!” she said. “Where are you going in such a hurry?”
    â€œNowhere,” he said.
    â€œWell, you haven’t reached nowhere yet,” she said. “You’re still somewhere.”
    â€œWho are you?” he asked, studying her by the light of a nearby lamp. The colorful layers of clothing she wore hid her shape; she could have been fat or thin or anywhere in-between. Her face was narrow and almost bronze from the sun; she had dark brown eyes and a long pointed nose, almost a beak. Her
ears were pointed as well, and several thick wiry hairs grew from them. She seemed to have no lips. “You don’t live here.”
    â€œAnyone can walk through the streets, can’t they? Or run through them, in your case.”
    She had stopped grinning; she looked almost concerned. “I just found out I can’t get married,” he found himself saying. Well, why not? He would never see her again in his life. “Apparently bastards can’t marry.”
    â€œThat’s too bad.”
    â€œI should have lied to him. I should have told him that horrible peddler married my mother. And why didn’t he, anyway? Why should I be punished for something he did? I’ll kill him if I ever get my hands on him, I swear I will.”
    â€œSlow down. Lied to who?”
    â€œRabbi Loew.”
    â€œAh, Rabbi Loew. He’s a great magician, isn’t he?”
    He stared at her. “Where did you hear that?”
    â€œEveryone knows it. Magicians are flocking to Prague, now that Emperor Rudolf is here. There’s another great one coming from England … .”
    He barely heard her. “Well, he can’t help me,” he said bitterly.
    â€œDon’t give up hope just yet. You asked me who I am—my name’s Magdalena. What’s yours?”
    He had no intention of giving her his name, but to his surprise he said, “Izak. Izak, son of no one.”
    â€œGood evening, Izak son of no one. Maybe we’ll meet again.”
    She moved away,