Niklas: The Gentleman Series

In the first century BC, there were a Gentleman and his son living peacefully. The Gentleman worked as a librarian in the Great Library of Alexandria, the centre of science, culture, and technology at that time. His son, Niklas, was 10 years of age and a genius kid. His mother, Aglea, passed away seven days after giving birth to Niklas, more than enough to see his gorgeous face and name him.

The death of Aglea hit the Gentleman so hard. But, he promised her to protect and take care of their only child, even if it cost his life.

Every morning was a great time for Niklas. He loved studying and was admired by his teacher, Thadeus, who was also The Gentleman’s fellow friend at the library. His unusual intelligence and critical thinking often made Thadeus in hassles.

“Oh, praise the Muses, your son always makes me feel know nothing. But, you know as well that I always like him so much. He makes his mother proud of him.” Thadeus told the Gentleman.

“Be grateful that you just have to handle one Niklas. Just imagine if there were 2 or 3 of him. Maybe you would lose your sanity or even your memories.” The Gentleman jokes around.

“I heard that you will go to the South in few days. Did the Chairman give you some tasks?”

“Yes, that is true. I will depart tomorrow at dawn. The Chairman asked me to draw a map in the area which surrounds the river delta. His excellency Ptolemy have a development plan for that site. Maybe another theatre with a natural scenery”

“Oh, I see. What about Niklas? Is he coming with you?”

“Hmm, of course not. Do you mind if he stays with you for a while?”

“Absolutely not. With pleasure, my friend. I know he will behave nicely”

“Thanks, Thadeus. I will tell him after class.”

At the afternoon, The Gentleman and Niklas were on their way home. It was situated in the suburb, some hours from the library. Although the Chairman offered him to stay at a house he provided in the area of the library, he refused to accept his help. He preferred to live in his current home because it was calmer and he could take care of his camels.

The Gentleman always spent times to speak with his kid as a father and a son.

“Niklas, you always know that I love you so much. I am proud of having you in my life. You know those difficult years when I lost your mother. It hit me so hard. But, you are the reason I don’t give up. I miss your mother. And every time I look at you, you remind me of her eyes and compassion. By the name of Avraham’s God, I am grateful.”

Niklas smiled and hugged his father.

“I have to go to the South tomorrow. In the meantime, Master Thadeus will look after you. So please, be a nice kid and don’t upset him, will you…?”

“Sure, I promise you, Father! Hmm, in exchange, can I ask you something?”

“Of course, son, whatever you need.”

“Would you please bring me spring water from your trip? One of my friends said that there is a spring in the South and it produces water that can heal any disease and even make us stronger.”

“Haha…”

“Why are you laughing, Father?”

“Well, do you really believe in that?”

“No, I am not. That is why I want to prove my friend that he is wrong and everything he said about the water is just a myth.”

“Oh, I understand now. Wow, you are a real deal, kid. Nothing can make me prouder. All right. If I find that spring, I promise you I will bring it in this bottle” The Gentleman pointed a glass bottle he held in his left hand and promised his son.

In the next morning, The Gentleman took Niklas to Thadeus, then he left. He never realised what happened after would be devastating for him.

The sunset and the moon smiled at the Earth. Not so many stars were seen at that night. No clouds shrouded above. It was a majestic night until the human greed took over all that greatness.

Hundreds of warships and vessels were coming boisterously from the Mediterranean Sea. Thousands of soldiers landed on the northern shore of Alexandria. Fire, dust, smoke, red, and grey. Nothing can describe the horrendous scene.

That centre of knowledge, the Great Library, was not guilty, but it could do nothing to defend itself from this siege. None confessed, none was responsible, and none took the blame when fire and fury touched and burnt its mighty walls down. The flame shone brightly. The great library was burning until there was barely nothing left, but its name and history.

In the dark of the night, the fire still raged and burnt everything on its way. From far away, The Gentleman could see the fire. He didn’t think whether that was Romans of other nations that wanted to conquer Egypt when four soldiers brought the news. He didn’t care.

He only wanted to see his child, safe and sound.

He took one of the soldiers’ horses and hastened towards Alexandria.

He fell on his knees, shattered in pieces. His feet were shaking, but deep inside, he convinced himself to hold on. He ran between the ruins. All he saw were ashes.

In the next day, the siege survivors were trying to collect their remaining possession and belongings in the middle of the ruins. Some soldiers and colleagues helped the Gentleman to look for Niklas’ body. After spending hours and hours of restless search, they knew they failed.

Nothing could ever rival that scream. It came from his broken heart. Soldiers standing beside him tried to cheer and calm him down.

He lost his closest friend.

He lost the most priceless thing in the world, Niklas.

That curse, fate which God gave him, haunted him back.

That day seemed to have no end. Those hours were the darkest moment in his life. The Gentleman caged himself in Niklas’ bedroom, staring at his son’s clothes. In tears, he whispered:

“Oh, God of Avraham, give me the strength to face this hardship. Indeed, we all belong to You and to You only we will return”

In the next morning, the Gentleman buried his son’s clothes in the backyard of his house. Several Egyptian soldiers, some guardians of the Great Library and a few of survivors attended the funeral. He placed the glass bottle full of spring water alongside the tombstone. He kept his last promise to his son.

Soon after, he came to one of the guests, a young and talented Egyptian soldier he watched over for a long time.

“I give you my house, young man. Take care and live your life. This kingdom will be changing soon. I cannot stay here.”

“Where are you going, Master?” asked Pedaeus, the name of the young soldier.

“To a new land….”

-FIN-