Chapter 7

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

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

Sighing I nodded, “I was told that you were the only one that could help me. You see I am a wild magic user.” I saw Merlin’s eyes go wide 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 stated to Merlin. Merlin stood there a moment as I felt him scanning me again 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 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 as 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 level learning and skill retention makes things so much easier.” Turing 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 do 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 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 will have to start with the strongest first.” Merlin advised me.

“It’s fine sir,” I said. “Anything that 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, very small part of his completely open power was a little 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 as 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 could suddenly see a few things that I hadn’t 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 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! Suddenly I felt Merlin beside me as he was watching what I was doing 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 trying 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 that 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 around 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 the actions that Merlin was doing.

Waving my hand over it a steaming stew appeared in the bowl. Smiling I waved my hand again feeling the counter spell that Merlin had set up. Nodding I removed it then started to eat. Swallowing the first bite I could taste the rancid flavor of the meat. Rushing outside I brought up all that 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 fire ball 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 then extinguishing it. “So you did watch Reg! Good then this might not take as long.

The rest of the day we went through several spells, plus several 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 a great amount of energy. Besides I feel you are almost ready, I just hope the tricks I have showed you will help. This hunter they are sending is the son of the present council leader. He’s very strong though you have surpassed him many days ago. Many of the tricks I showed you today will save your life.” Merlin told me as 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 that is.” I said as I looked hard at Merlin.

Throwing his hands up he smiled then he pointed to the table, “Alright, no more training today.” Several plates appeared with steaming hot food on them. Nodding I scanned them all, I was starting 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, then a fourth scan. Nodding I was removing all the spells I was finding. 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 as he 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 hadn’t learned them that well yet. Reaching out I thoroughly enjoyed the meal that he had prepared. Eating 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, well at first then I realized that it had quickly turned to a nightmare. Even as I watched Naci was using a lot of the tricks that I had used against the last hunter that took her. Damn it! She was a hell of a lot better but nowhere as ready as I had hoped she might be.

I awoke in a cold sweat as I realized that it wasn’t a dream. Dressing quickly I was about to flash out when I felt the presence of Merlin. “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 to not be expecting me this soon.”

Nodding I was about to make a portal when Merlin waved his hand then again. Then suddenly I was standing outside the village. Walking in, I went straight to mine and Pops home. 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.”