The Alchemist’s Code (45 page)

In the novel, the Baphomet is an idol – a rough sculpture which contains the entity called the Guardian of the Threshold. The word 'Baphomet' began to circulate insistently in the years when the trial of the Templars began in the early fourteenth century. The Templars were, in fact, accused of heresy and of worshipping an idol called Baphomet, a name which was present in some of the order's papers. It can be considered a deformation of the name Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam whose doctrines were probably well-known to the Templars at the time of the Crusades. The fact remains that the Templars may well have safeguarded elements of hermetic knowledge, ranging from alchemy to the cabal. But little is certain.

Dulles and Wolff actually existed and were among the protagonists of Operation Sunrise which led to the surrender of Nazi troops in Italy. The existence of the Baphomet is, obviously, my own invention.

The Guardian of the Threshold was inspired by the famous character in the novel Zanoni by Edward Bulwer-Lytton, and what the Guardian says upon being evoked by my alter ego is my interpretation of the words used in Bulwer-Lytton's novel. Far from being plagiarism, it is my tribute to an extraordinary esoteric book.

I have linked the Guardian of the Threshold to Chaldean magic. In fact, the Chaldean magicians were considered, in ancient times, very powerful, and it is believed that, through the use of their mental powers, they were able to invoke supernatural entities and bend them to their will. Again, Bulwer-Lytton's book was a valuable guide.

The history of the Alchemical Door of Piazza Vittorio Emanuele in Rome is briefly summarised in the novel, though whether it is possible to trap a Chaldean genie with it, I would not know.

You can always give it a try.

M. R.

This novel has lived two lives. Both involve the contributions, sometimes without their even being aware of it, of many people.

I want to thank Raffaello Avanzini and Newton Compton for believing in a curious story which always hovers between reality and fantasy. Thank you for your confidence. Thanks in particular to Alessandra Penna, the editor whose golden hands guided me through the treacherous pitfalls of the plot. Thanks to Martina Donati for her excellent communication work, which accompanied the book from its first stirrings.

Thanks to the friends who inspired some of the characters in the novel, including my close friend, Francesco: Bruno von Alten is him, and I hope he isn't angry with me for the unpleasant end I invented for him. Thanks to Yuliya: her presence made it much easier to imagine Anna Glyz. All I had to do was look at her and I was immediately inspired.

Thanks to Nicola, my super graphic-designer cousin, for helping me with the images, and to the other Nicola, my mentor, with whom, one day, I set out upon this crazy adventure of writing novels.

Thanks, finally, to Alice for being one of the first to read the novel when it was still in its infancy. Her advice was invaluable.

M
ARTIN
R
UA
is a scholar of the history of religions, specialising in freemasonry and alchemy. After a trip to Prague and Chartres he created Lorenzo Aragona, the central character in his novels, which combine adventure with esotericism.

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First published in Italy in 2015 by Newton Compton

First published in the UK in 2016 by Aria, an imprint of Head of Zeus Ltd

Copyright © Martin Rua, 2016

Translation © Richard McKenna, 2015

The moral right of Martin Rua to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act of 1988.

The moral right of Richard McKenna to be identified as the translator of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act of 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

This is a work of fiction. All characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.

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A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

ISBN (E) 9781784977474

Jacket Design © David Grogan

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