Chapter 1

Through the dark billowing smoke, I tried to see what was happening, and finally, it would end. I took a step ... huh? Oh crap, sorry, I started at the end. This all started a few hundred years ago. Me? Oh, I am Toman Wilbey. Yeah, I know it sucks, right? I am a mage and have been one for a long time. I ... what’s a mage? Hmmm, how do I explain? Merlin, from ancient times, was an extremely powerful mage. So powerful he was an elite mage that was called a wizard.

I can only hope to be that powerful one day, though from what my grandfather said, I will. Compared to Merlin, I am weak, though I have a secret that I know a lot of other mages would kill to know. Looking at the smoke, I nodded; as a matter of fact, a few had already tried, as many had been trying for centuries.

I got a little far into my cups one night at the Mage Academy. You know, a school for mages. I opened my mouth about an ability I had, and that was the day I started fearing for my life. It wasn’t a big deal, so I could increase my power and retain almost all my achieved levels. At least, I thought it wasn’t a big deal. Not ‘til my then-only friend tried to kill me and take it for his own.

Betrayal can be a real eye-opener, mainly if you survive. I’m sorry to say that my friend didn’t, so I was then wanted for questioning. Then suddenly I was wanted for murder, and then I was sentenced to death, on sight! I went home, started to pack, and was on my way out when Grandfather’s voice stopped me cold.

“Where in the hell do you think you are going?” I heard his older, gruff voice call out.

“I’m leaving Pops; they will be after me soon. I don’t want you killed when they come for me!” I said hurriedly as I tried to push my way out the door.

“Uh-huh, and why would they do that?” His gruff voice asked.

I hung my head; I was caught; if anything, Grandfather would kill me mercifully. At least with him, it would be quick and nearly painless. Sighing, I opened up. I’d never lied to him and wasn’t about to start. “I killed him, Pops.” I blurted out. “He tried to power siphon me, so I put up a defense, but he wouldn’t stop. So I pushed back, I guess harder than I thought I would. I felt his heart slow, stop, and then explode!” Tears streamed down my face, “I didn’t even try; it just happened!”

“I see,” Grandfather said, “You really expect me to believe that?”

Dropping everything, I spread my arms, leaving myself open to him. A moment later, I felt his probe as he watched what had happened.

“You see, Pops, I don’t lie! You taught me that!” Kneeling on the floor, I bowed my head. “I know you will make it as painless as possible Pops. I’m ready.” I felt a movement next to me, and then I was flying backward into the wall.

“I thought I raised you better than that,” came his bellowing voice! “Now get up! Come to the kitchen so we can plan.”

I looked up from the floor, a look of disbelief on my face. Pops wasn’t going to kill me? He was an older retired member of the council. Here, I thought it was his duty to take criminals in.

“Unless you want to get smacked around again, I suggest you desist with the criminal thoughts!” He growled to let me know he wasn’t playing.

Nodding rapidly, I got off the floor and walked to the table. “I thought it was your duty since you were once a council member. Sorry, Pops, I didn’t mean to insult you. I forgot that they made you leave.”

Grandfather’s face softened a bit as he nodded. “You were always a good boy. You have always listened to the ramblings and rumblings of an old man. I just wish your father had sooner. Then I feel he’d be alive today. I must admit he hid it for far longer than I thought he could.”

I could only stare at him. What in the world was he talking about? “Uh, okay,” was all I could get out.

Pops chuckled a moment, and a faraway look came to his eyes. “You know your father was extremely powerful. Even Merlin had said that his power only rivaled your father’s.”

“Merlin? I thought you told me he died a hundred years ago?” I asked, a look of astonishment on my face.

“Ah, that’s just a story that he made up so he could enjoy life, well, what he’s got left. He’s very alive and living on an island. Wish I could have gone with him. Would have too had this trouble with your father not started.” Pops said, a tear starting to fall from one eye. “I couldn’t leave, not after your father died. Especially as suspiciously as he did. Besides, I made a promise. As you know, we NEVER break a promise.”

I nodded as I agreed with Pops. As far as I knew, no family member had ever broken a promise. Sitting at the table, I waited for Pops to sit and start to outline his plan. “Alright, Toman, we’ll be on the run for quite a while, I am afraid. As I told you, your father had a lot of power. You, my boy, are exactly like him, though I think you might develop much faster after today.”

Again, all I could do was stare at Pops. I was like my father? I had no real power, no real abilities. “Okay, if you say so, Pops,” I replied.

Pops looked as if he was about to backhand me again. “You are, you may not feel it, but you are. The problem is a few on the council don’t wish for your power to mature. You might say it would show them in a bad light with a full investigation being started. One I know wouldn’t leave the present council in place. Hell might even call for a few extinguishings.”

My eyes flew wide! There hadn’t been one of those in a century. It was the second-highest form of living punishment! To completely lose your powers, being banished to the human world. I shuddered. It was a fate worse than death for a magic user! “So what are we going to do Pops? I mean, they will eventually find us here!” I was shaking, not really knowing what Pops was going to do.

“I think the best thing we can do is hide in the human world. I still have a few contacts there, so we should be safe. Hell might even get Merlin involved; he always did have a thing for the human world. Though he’s only been resting a century, I might have to wait a few decades before I bother him.” Pops said as his forehead furrowed in thought. “If you’re ready, we should go. Try not to use your magic ‘til I tell you. I assume they are keyed into your energy signature, as I am sure they will mine before too long.”

I nodded as I was at a complete loss for what Pops was saying. I watched as he started to chant in the old language. I had just started to learn it this year, so I only understood some of it. Something about a portal, the human world, old friends, and maybe a power shift? Shaking my head a moment later, the air in front of us split, and then we were standing at the edge of a forest with a bunch of conical huts in front of us.

Leaning over, I whispered, “Pops, where are we? Those are the strangest plants I have ever seen.”

Smiling, Pops shook his head, “They aren’t plants; they are made of animal skin; the people here call them Teepees.” A tall, brown-skinned man, barely clothed, walked up to us.

“Namaste mere achchhe mitr. Bahut lamba samay gujar gaya.” (Hello, my good friend. It has been a long time.) The man was talking to Pops.

I stared at both of them but didn’t understand a word! “Pops! I don’t understand! I will get us killed if we stay here! How in the hell...” I started, and then Pops touched my head.

“The little -- afraid.” The tall man said.

“He should -- few moments,” Pops replied to the man.

My mouth must have dropped open as the tall man smiled. “I see. You used the quick -- on him.”

Pops smiled as he nodded, looking at me, “Yes, but on one -- him, it takes longer.”

I was shaking my head. Most of what they said was coming through, but not all.

“Try not to hurt yourself, Toman. Just let it sink in. You also might find it helps you with the mage language if you allow it.” Pops said with a huge smile as he watched me digest this newest information.

Pops moved away with the tall man as they engaged in a discussion.

I leaned against a tree with long, green, needle-like projections coming off it. The plants here were strange indeed, I thought. Where in the world were the leaves? Reaching up, I pulled the branch toward me. The odor was even stranger, not unpleasant but powerful.

I sat and continued to watch Pops and the man when I felt a presence. Then, several more. I started to form a shield when I was flying across the ground into another tree! “I told you no magic!” Pops growled at me, and then his face softened. I looked where he was staring, seeing that I had cut my arm. Then the pain set in.

I raised my hand to heal it, only to have it smacked away. “I don’t think I can get used to not using my magic, Pops,” I told him as he knelt beside me, starting a very low-power healing. As it began, I grimaced. This was something I wasn’t used to: PAIN!

“You better get used to it ‘til I can erect a bubble. You can’t use a single ounce of power!” Pops said this with all seriousness.

All I could do was stare at him with my mouth hanging open. No magic!? I would die! I hadn’t gone a day in over a hundred years without using magic! “Pops! How am I going to survive? I know nothing of the non-magic skills!”

Growling, then shaking his head, he replied, “I’ll teach you. It might take a few years, but you might actually like it. ‘Til you can shift your power signature, you will not use any of it. To do so will be like sending a beacon to those who wish to destroy us and our family. Remember, this is real. You might not think so, but it is. After I erect the bubble, we will start your training. We have to get you stronger. You’re barely at mage strength right now. I intend to change that before they find us.”

Reaching out, Pops’ hand started to glow as he touched me. It was warm as a tingling feeling shot through me. “What was that, Pops?” I asked.

“I want you to make the twig float from my hand,” Pops said.

I smirked as I waved my hand at it, then, to my astonishment, nothing happened! Swallowing hard as tears started to run from my eyes, I looked at Pops. “My god Pops! I’ve no powers! What will I do?” Now, I was almost in a panic. Without my powers, I was nothing!