Chapter 1

Through the dark billowing smoke I tried to see what was going on, finally it was going to 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 sucks right? Any way I am a mage, been one for a long time I ... what’s a mage? Hmmm how to 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 what Merlin was 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.

It appears that 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 that much of a big deal really so I could increase my power and retain almost all of the levels I achieved. 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, yup, that can be a real eye opener especially 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, 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 in a hurry 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 that I thought I would. I felt his heart slow, stop, and then explode!” Now tears were streaming down my face, “I didn’t even try, it just happened!”

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

Dropping everything I spread my arms leaving myself completely 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 then I was flying backwards 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. He wasn’t going to kill me? Pops 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 my head rapidly I got off the floor walking to the table. “I thought that since you were once a council member it was your duty. 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 have to admit he hid it for far longer than I thought him capable of.”

I could only stare at him what in the world was he on about? “Uh ok,” was all I could get out?

Pops chuckled a moment 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 hadn’t 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 one from the family had ever broken a promise. Sitting at the table I waited as Pops sat also and started 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 after today you might develop a lot faster.”

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

Pops looked as if he was about to back hand me again. “You are, you may not feel it, but you are. Problem is there are a few on the council that don’t wish for your power to mature. It would you might say, 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 a while. Hell might even get Merlin involved; he always did have a thing for the human world. Though he’s only been resting a century 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 am assuming 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 as to 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 I’m not sure but maybe a power shift? Shaking my head a moment later the air in front of us split, 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 said to Pops.

I stared at both of them I hadn’t understood 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 while 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; that is 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 became 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 very strong.

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 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. Even as it started 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 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 a moment then shaking his head pops replied, “I’ll teach you, it might take a few years but you might actually like it. ‘Til you can shift you power signature, you are not to use any of it. To do so will be like sending a beacon to those that 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 on 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!

“You’ll be fine,” pops said. “That’s just a dampening spell I used on you though I suspect it won’t last long.”