Chapter 7

Eyeing the ‘guards’ that Merlin had made, I wanted to ensure I wasn’t attacked while he and I talked. Merlin noticed my uneasy gaze and then turned to hiss and growl at his guards. They hissed back, then moved off into the high grass.

“Now we can talk, though I am unsure why you are here,” Merlin stated.

Sighing, I nodded. “I was told you were the only one who could help me. You see, I am a wild magic user.” I saw Merlin’s eyes go wide, and then he nodded as he extended a hand toward me.

“Ah! You’re Tollan and Drenna’s son! A fine pair of mages!” Merlin said, then suddenly, his face twisted into a mask of rage. “How dare they!” With a sigh, Merlin shook his head. “I am afraid that I cannot leave here for a bit. I need this recharge if I am to survive. Though I can teach you all that I know.”

“That’s why I am here, sir,” I told Merlin. Merlin stood there momentarily as I felt him scanning me again, and then his eyes flew wide. “By all that is holy! You are a total user also! As I can see, you have almost complete control! Why have you come to me? Better yet, who told you I was here ... wait! Ah, I see. Reginald is your grandfather!”

I nodded, “Your brother Mordaf wanted to, though Pops didn’t think he was strong enough. As I saw, he wouldn’t have been.”

Merlin nodded, and then his eyes opened wider. “So--- you and my niece are to be joined. A very good marriage, I feel. Though, as I can also tell, she has the Wyllt temper!” Leaning close, Merlin whispered, “Watch that one! She has a fiery temper, much like the rest of the family!”

Touching my arm, I nodded my agreement with him, and he started to chuckle again. “Yes, I am well aware of her temper!”

Nodding, Merlin’s face suddenly got serious, “I will teach you all I can. As have you, I also found that the learning and skill retention level makes things so much easier.” Turning back toward me, he looked harder. “Ah! I see that you can also turn them off. Keep that to yourself as long as you can, Toman, as long as possible. Even if you reveal it, do so to a very few!”

Waving his hand, Merlin made a modest Mage house appear. Smiling, I nodded. “After what Pops and I have experienced in the last few months. I welcome this!” I told Merlin.

“I am afraid that it will take a few days. I am still recharging, so I must start with the strongest first.” Merlin advised me.

“It’s fine, sir,” I said. “Anything I can learn that also increases my control will help.” I was staring at Merlin, seeing all the power he had. Obviously, his was also starting to decline a bit. Reaching in, I saw that a small part of his open power was dull. Flicking at the spot, I saw Merlin’s eyes open, then he turned toward me and nodded.

“It’s always good to have another to help. I’d felt that decline for years now.” Then I suddenly felt Merlin within me, moving a few things. Suddenly, I felt like I had almost total control! I was astounded! Was this for real? Looking back at Merlin, he laughed a bit. Apparently, my mouth was hanging open! “I take it you like the shift in control better?” Merlin asked.

“Like!?” I almost shouted. “It feels fantastic!” Then, I felt something else almost slip in me. I felt a sudden rush of energy coursing through me. Looking at Merlin, I suddenly saw some things I hadn’t seen before. Reaching out, I felt an old magical wound that hadn’t healed. The thing is, it was extremely close to the source of his power.

Shaking my head, I reached further, feeling almost a tear, releasing far more energy than it should be. Barely able to be near it, I started to close the tear as fast as I could. Damn it! It was so hard! I suddenlyI felt Merlin beside me as hewatchedg what I was doin, g, his mouth open in shock. Reaching out, I felt him add to what I was doing, though I could feel myself fading. Almost complete, I pushed as hard as I could to finish. Then I withdrew, lying on the ground panting from the effort.

“I think,” I said, panting to regain my breath. “That is why you have been having such a hard time recharging,” I told Merlin, gasping harder for breath. Damn, it had taken a hell of a lot out of me.

Merlin was beside me a moment later, and then we were suddenly within the Mage house. “What you did was foolish, Toman, though I am glad you discovered it. I am not about to sacrifice you to be whole again. What you healed was from hundreds of years ago. A parting gift from Morgan le Fay,” Merlin said, a distant look in his eyes. “She was many things though a truthful mage she wasn’t. Beware a female mage that always agrees with you!”

I nodded at Merlin’s words, or rather I tried, as I felt my strength slowly evaporating. “I’ll try, sir,” I replied.

“No, after today, call me Merlin. What you have done for me should enable me to return far faster than I thought. Rest, we start as soon as you are up.” Merlin told me. I just smiled as I closed my eyes to rest.

Not sure how much time had passed, I stared at the unfamiliar surroundings as I jerked awake. Jumping up, I started to power up ‘til Merlin walked through the door.

“Ah! I see you’re awake! Good!” Dropping an empty bowl on the table, he scowled at me. “Eat! We start soon!” Then he walked away. Smiling, I could almost see Pops in Merlin’s actions.

Waving my hand over it, I saw a steaming stew in the bowl. Smiling, I waved my hand again, feeling the counter spell that Merlin had set up. Nodding, I removed it and then started to eat. Swallowing the first bite, I could taste the rancid flavor of the meat. Rushing outside, I brought up all I had eaten to the sound of Merlin chuckling on the other side of the door.

Looking at the bowl, I saw several other more subtle spells on the bowl. “You dirty ass!” I yelled as I shot a fireball at him. Almost yawning, he stopped, held it, and then absorbed it! ‘Ok,’ I thought, ‘not my first choice, but quite effective!’

“So you see, the direct path isn’t always the best. Then again,” Here he fired a fireball at me as I repeated what he’d done. At least, I thought I was as the fireball started to eat its way through my shield! Bringing my hands together in a clapping motion, I thought I had extinguished it. Only to find that it split in two! Smiling, I remembered Pops doing something like this as I concentrated, wrapped one of the fireballs, and then extinguished it. “So you did watch Reg! Good, then this might not take as long.

The rest of the day, we went through several spells and variations that, at times, completely baffled me. Finished for the day, I was panting. “Why are we stopping?” I asked.

“Son, you’re exhausted; though the third sight helps greatly, it still takes much energy. Besides, I feel you are almost ready, I just hope the tricks I have shown you will help. This hunter they are sending is the son of the present council leader. He’s very strong, though you surpassed him many days ago. Many of the tricks I showed you today will save your life.” Merlin told me as I felt my energy suddenly fall.

“Now that you mention it, sir,” I said as Merlin sighed. “I am suddenly more tired than I thought. Rest might be good, though I am hungry, if you let me eat.” I said as I looked hard at Merlin.

Hee smiledand thenhe pointed to the table, “Alright, no more training today.” Several plates appeared with steaming hot food on them. Nodding, I scanned them all. I started to reach out when I stopped. A suspicious look crossed my face as I scanned again, nodding as I felt the first spell.

Watching as Merlin smiled, I started to reach again, then shook my head as I did a third and fourth scan. Nodding, I removed all the spells I had found. Looking at Merlin, I started to open my mouth.

“You really think I am about to let up on you now? After tomorrow, you should get all of them in only two scans.” With that, he turned away and started to eat. Again, I was about to open my mouth when he again spoke up. “That’s all, Toman. Always remember to look first. It just might save your life in the long run. Well, that and a few well-placed following wards.”

I was nodding at what he’d said. I just hoped that I could use all that he was showing me. I had only done them once, so I haven’t learned them that well yet. Reaching out, I thoroughly enjoyed the meal that he had prepared. I ate as if I was starving them, realizing I hadn’t eaten much since the day before!

I collapsed after that on what I thought had to be the softest bed I had ever slept in. That night, I dreamed of Naci; at first, I realized that it had quickly turned into a nightmare. Even as I watched,, Naci was using many of the tricks I had used against the last hunter who took her. Damn it! She was a hell of a lot better but not as ready as I had hoped she might be.

I awoke in a cold sweat and realized it wasn’t a dream. Dressing quickly, I was about to flash out when I felt Merlin’s presence. “I know, young Toman, I felt it also. You have gained far more than you had before you came here. This one is tricky, though be careful. I feel this one makes the first seem an amateur. I will follow soon, son. I expect them not to expect me this soon.”

Nodding, I was about to make a portal when Merlin waved his hand again. Then suddenly I was standing outside the village. Walking in, I went straight to Pops’ home and mine. Gathering several things that Merlin had told me about, I nodded.

Stepping out, I was met by both Pops and Tall Bear. “You both know I am going after her. DO NOT get in my way!” Turning, I looked at Pops. “I spent the whole day with him, Pops; though I didn’t get to finish, he taught me quite a few good tricks.”