"Robert Weinberg - Logical Magician 02 - A Calculated Magician" - читать интересную книгу автора (Weinberg Robert)

von Bern. Like all magical beings. Simon had evolved with the times. Centuries ago, he had been the
magical child left behind, replacing a baby kidnapped by faeries. In the modern world, he was a
know-it-all exchange student who was never at a loss for an answer. True to his nature, Simon always
interrupted at the wrong time, grated on his friends’ nerves, and generally acted the nuisance. Yet he was
also a loyal, brave companion. Jack missed him already.
“If the Old Man of the Mountain isn’t the cartoon character,” said Megan, patting Jack’s hand,
“why not tell us who he is?”
“I guess it’s not that surprising that none of you heard of him,” said Jack. “He comes from a
mythology entirely different from any of yours,” He glared at the ravens. “Ed Hamilton wrote a story in
1943 for Weird Tales that featured the Old Man of the Mountain. He titled it ’The Valley of the
Assassins.’ ”
“We never read it,” said Hugo. “The Weird Tales were packed too tightly together on the
shelves. We tried but couldn’t pull them out.”
“Thank God for small favors,” muttered Jack. “To understand the legend of the Old Man of the
Mountain, I have to tell you of the secret society he founded, the Hashashin. Or, as they were called by
the Crusaders, the Assassins.
“The name in Arabic literally means hashish addict. The drug was used by a sect of fanatical
Shi’ite Moslems during the eleventh century to induce religious visions. The leader of these Hashashin
was a brilliant renegade cleric, Hasan al-Sabbah. Less interested in spiritual objectives than material
gains, Hasan created what was probably the most successful terrorist organization ever. For his followers
were unafraid of death. Without such fear, the Hashashin made the perfect killers. They were willing to
die to accomplish their goals. Which usually were missions of murder or extortion.
“The Hashashin were fearless because they knew in serving al-Sabbah they were guaranteed
admission to paradise. Suffering for a short time on Earth meant nothing if followed by an eternity of
pleasure. For, unlike most prophets, al-Sabbah provided his men with a glimpse of the hereafter.”
“Nice trick if you can manage,” commented Hugo. “How did he accomplish that? Mass
hypnotism?”
“Better than that,” replied Jack. “The headquarters of the cult was set in a huge mountain
fortress, Alamut, located in the mountains of northwest Iran. Thus, al-Sabbah’s title, the Old Man of the
Mountain.
“In the center of the citadel was a secret garden constructed by the Old Man’s servants. Stocked
with fruit, wine, and beautiful slave girls, the oasis resembled the Moslem concept of paradise. When a
new recruit came to Alamut, he was fed drugged wine which put him to sleep. When he awakened, he
found himself transported to Heaven, complete with willing women and bountiful wine. After indulging in
a day of pleasure, the naive recruit was returned to the fortress via another dose of drugged wine.
Knowing what awaited him in death if he served al-Sabbah faithfully during life transformed an ordinary
man into a fearless assassin. Deadly risks meant nothing to them since they knew that paradise beckoned.
They were unstoppable.”
“I take it these Hashashin made quite a name for themselves?” asked Cassandra.
“The Assassins spread terror throughout the Middle East for the next two hundred years. No one
was safe from the whims of the Old Man of the Mountain. From Alamut, he conducted a reign of fear
unmatched in history. The mere whisper of his name was enough to cause a panic.
“When al-Sabbah died, one of his followers rose in his position and assumed the title, the Old
Man of the Mountain. The murders continued. And, with each death, the cult’s power and influence
grew.”
“You mentioned Saladin?” prompted Cassandra.
“The Crusaders’ most dangerous foe made no secret of his distaste for the Assassins. One
afternoon, he mentioned to his generals that he was considering an assault on their headquarters in Syria.
The next morning, Saladin woke to find an Assassin’s knife driven into the pillow next to his head. He
needed no other warning. Saladin never mentioned the order again.”