The Jester’s Sword by Annie Fellows Johnston
Copyright, 1908; Copyright, 1909
First Impression, June, 1909
Second Impression, August, 1909
Third Impression, October, 1910
Fourth Impression, November, 1911
Fifth Impression, November, 1912
Sixth Impression, January, 1916
Seventh Impression, August, 1917
Eighth Impression, April, 1920
BECAUSE he was born in Mars’ month, which is ruled by that red war-god, they gave him the name of a red star--Aldebaran; the red star that is the eye of Taurus. And because he was born in Mars’ month, the bloodstone became his signet, sure token that undaunted courage would be the jewel of his soul.
Now all his brothers were as stalwart and as straight of limb as he, and each one’s horoscope held signs foretelling valorous deeds. But Aldebaran’s so far out-blazed them all, with comet’s trail and planets in most favourable conjunction, that from his first year it was known the Sword of Conquest should be his. This sword had passed from sire to son all down a line of kings. Not to the oldest one always, as did the throne, though now and then the lot fell so, but to the one to whom the signs all pointed as being worthiest to wield it.
So from the cradle it was destined for Aldebaran, and from the cradle it was his greatest teacher. His old nurse fed him with such tales of it, that even in his play the thought of such an heritage urged him to greater ventures than his mates dared take. Many a night he knelt beside his casement, gazing through the darkness at the red eye of Taurus, whispering to himself the words the old astrologers had written, “As Aldebaran the star shines in the heavens, Aldebaran the man shall shine among his fellows. (continued)
