Magi Apprentice - Hardcover

by Dan E. Hendrickson (Author)

It is the last decade before the ending of the period we know as BC and in the midst of the Parthian empire and Nabatean Kingdom there exist a group of men that can trace their astronomical disciplines back through the great Hebrew prophet Daniel (Known in Persia as Belshazzar). They are the only people in recorded history that recognized and acted upon the wonderous phenomenon known as 'His Star' and took the perilous journey to go see the promised messiah foretold from antiquity in the stars. Among these men is a young calvary officer who though being the son of one of Parthia's greatest generals with royal standing in the house of Phraates IV emperor of the second largest Empire in the world forsakes his privilege and title to answer the divine call to be a Magi Apprentice.

In 7 B.C., Headmaster Magi Vinda Farnah leaves for Jerusalem but with no safe passage from the empire because he believes he has seen the long-awaited star conjunction that signals the birth of the promised Messiah.

Rassan, son of the Late Parthian General Serena, readies to graduate from the royal officer's academy at the capital. Close friend, distant cousin and, sword sparring partner to Phraates V heir to the Parthian throne he is dispatched with a garrison of calvary to stop Magi Vinda Farnah from entering Jerusalem, which belongs to the Roman empire.

Rassan finds Master Vinda Farnah's caravan on the road destroyed by bandits. Comes across the dying Magi. Vinda Farnah, having had an angelic appearance after he was attacked, is waiting for Rassan and even knows his name. He charges Rassan to take back the sacred star charts that were originally drawn by the great Magi Grandmaster Belshazzar 6 centuries earlier and place them in the hand of the new headmaster of the astronomical sect of the magi in Babylon. Rassan then uses his status as a member of the Royal family to petition the emperor to take the three-month journey to Babylon to place them in the hands of the new Headmaster Daraya-Vous.

Daraya-Vous's sect is not the only Magi in the empire. The Magician Sect, led by Headmaster Dvandas has long wanted to disgrace and eliminate the Astronomical Sect and take all their influence and power in the empire for himself. Rassan and Headmaster Daraya-Vous must learn to stay focused on the Creators message in the stars and stay vigilant to stay true that calling.

The deceit of a close friend. Attempts of murder and steeling of the sacred star charts of Belshazzar, a betrothal to a beautiful maid set up to seduce him out of the astronomical sect, and an attempt to sabotage a great debate held in the grandmasters temple to decide the true meaning of Zodiac, challenge Rassan to his limit as he tries to navigate his way to stay true to his calling.

In the late summer of 3 B.C. the first conjunction of Jupiter in Leo occurs and the whole of the astronomical sect is set on fire with excitement. Could this be the signs Belshazzar showed them to look for? One year later and five more signs in Leo convince them that the Creators Champion has come, and they set off for Israel to see for themselves this wonder of the ages. Treachery and obstacles await them at every turn. But the Creator already provided them with the help of the only son of general Surena, hero of the empire, to see them through to the end.