the Acquisition of Swords (the New Age Saga Book 1)

by Timothy Ray

  “Maybe a more direct approach with less cryptic talk would have garnered a more proper response,” he snapped back. He knew that he was slowly losing it, but it seemed to be beyond his control to stop.

  “Granted,” Merlin nodded, conceding the point given. “I have been cut off from civilization for so long that sometimes I forget how to speak to people. You’ll have to forgive me; I was encased in a block of ice for a very long time. Makes you kind of frigid when you meet new people, no pun intended.”

  “Encased in ice?” Willow probed curiously.

  “There’s no time for that right now. I am here for a reason. I have spent years bringing this unlikely group together because their unique skills are essential to the quest at hand. But we’re not ready to set out, our group is not complete. And for that, I need the both of you,” Merlin stated, watching their reactions.

  “What could we possibly have to offer you?” Willow pushed further, her fingers playing with the magical amulet around her neck.

  He grunted. “You mean you believe this shit about the Phoenix? She’s dead! She’s been dead for a thousand years! This is such bullshit!” He had tried to keep quiet as requested, but the lack of sleep was making him extremely incapable of putting up with this crap. “What are you really after?”

  Unfazed by his anger, Merlin simply took it in stride before continuing. “Merchants have come from the north with news of raids on outlying settlements. The ravings of a mad dwarf screaming of demons and vast armies has been forever silenced. The building of tension in the air like the world is about to break out into chaos. Do not tell me that these events have passed your notice. That you yourself haven’t put to question the source of this madness?”

  “How do you know?” Willow demanded.

  “You know how,” the man stated, eyeing her carefully.

  “You can’t be the same Merlin. That would make you—,” she began.

  “Over four hundred years old?” Merlin laughed. “Oh yes, I am that and much more.”

  His mind was racing, what were they talking about? He had never heard the man’s name before today, but it was clear that his fiancé obviously had. His mind traced over the conversation, looking for hints that would lead him to understanding, a key to unlock some hidden knowledge. He came up empty.

  Wait, what was that about the dwarf being silenced?

  “Your father had him executed last night. His burnt and beaten body is lying at the bottom of the moat behind the keep,” Merlin answered, gnawing on another biscuit.

  “Could you not do that?” he snapped in irritation. “My father would never give such an order. We were waiting on word from the Dwarves. He was going to be sent home.”

  Merlin shook his head and rolled his eyes. “You don’t think they want him any more than your people did, did you? They gave leave for your father to deal with it, and he has.”

  He felt like he got punched in the gut.

  How could his father condone the murder of an innocent man? The dwarf might have been insane, but he had not hurt anyone, had not committed a crime worthy of execution. He hadn’t thought his father capable of doing something like that. Is that the kind of thing that came with being King? Could he do the same in his father’s place? No, there had to have been another way.

  “Seriously, do not get stirred up so much over the dwarf. He was truly mad. The poor man was tortured vigorously, long past breaking. There was no coming back from that. Nothing remained of the person he had been before. Old Constantine did him a favor putting him out of his misery; it was an act of mercy,” Merlin told him, as if to comfort, but it was useless. He could not reconcile the image he had of his father with the portrait being painted by the dwarf’s murder.

  He felt defeated inside.

  Willow pressed forward, trying to divert the conversation back to the former topic. “You look to be in your thirties, how is this possible? Are you immortal?”

  “That, my dear, is a story for another day as we are pressed for time. She knows the general area that we are in and she could have her servants on her way even now. You will have to trust me that I am who I say,” Merlin stated flatly. He was brushing his hands of crumbs and looking at them expectantly.

  “What do you want from us?” he asked, exhausted.

  Merlin leaned forward. “Before I tell you that, I need to speak to your father. We’re old friends and I owe him the courtesy of speaking to him first.”

  “Then why follow us here? Why not walk up to the castle and ask for an audience?” Willow cut in for him.

  The cryptic cloaked man leaned forward. “Her servants are everywhere; I can’t take the chance of being noticed. I need to get in and out quietly, and I’ve foreseen that the two of you can make that happen.”

  He sighed. “Is that all you need?”

  “No, but it’s a start,” Merlin replied.

  “Then let’s get this over with,” Tristan grunted and got to his feet. He needed time to sort through everything that happened; to try and make sense of things. It all sounded unbelievable and he wasn’t sure he wanted to be involved any more than he had too.

  If this man wanted to meet his father, fine. The old man had his failings, some recently discovered, but his experience and wisdom would likely cut through the bullshit. Maybe he could get to the truth of things.

  He bent over to help Willow pack up their things and begin their journey home.

  II

  There had been a heated debate before hitting the road.

  Merlin had insisted that only four of them go on to the castle. Being that Jared was one of them, it did not sit well with Reyna, who turned out to be his twin sister. She was strongly against them being separated and insisted upon accompanying them.

  Finally, it had been Jared who had to settle her down and with open hostility, she rode south towards Crystal Cove. Merlin gave a few quick instructions to the other two and they followed after her; giving the fuming black knight some space. They watched them go, then turned their horses west and began the ride back to the castle.

  They were in the lead and didn’t have much in the way of privacy. Breaking from the trees, the Guardians came into view, showing no sign that anything was out of the ordinary. The fact that they were being followed by two strangers did not seem to matter at all. He gave Merlin a questioning look, but the blank stare did little to answer his questions.

  He turned to Willow. “Do you know this guy or what?”

  “If he is who he says he is,” she started, glancing behind her. “I’m surprised you don’t as well. Aren’t your tutors teaching you anything of Elven history?”

  She was referring to the three elves that had been sent by Bordin to school him in the Elven culture and traditions. It was supposed to make the transition easier on him. “Yes, they are, but I don’t remember Merlin’s name ever being mentioned.”

  She sighed and rolled her eyes.

  “My ancestors met resistance when they tried to break away from the forest and move into the lands of Man. Their views were not accepted within the Elven community, that a shared destiny was preferable to a solitary one. Harsh words were exchanged and tensions mounted. Civil war almost broke out. Then a man came into the Council chambers and spoke to the leaders involved. No one knows what was said, the records were forever sealed, but from that meeting came the proclamation that my people were allowed to leave without threat of permanent exile or war. The name of that man was Merlin.”

  He had no recollection of the history she spoke about, but her words at least gave him an understanding of how she knew the name. “And you think it’s the same guy?”

  “I have no idea, but the description fits. And you know that generally those that practice magic can sense it in others. What I feel from him is nothing like I’ve ever encountered before. Magic is neither good nor dark, it’s the person’s intent. So far, I have not detected any malice, but that doesn’t mean it’s not there. We’ll have to wait and see,” she told him slowly, hesit
ant to say too much with the target of their conversation so close behind.

  He almost laughed.

  “You know, you don’t have to whisper. If he can hear my thoughts, then he knows exactly what we’re talking about. I’d just feel better knowing who I was bringing to see my father. If any harm comes to him—.” He let his thoughts do the rest and heard a soft chuckle from his rear.

  Then a disturbing thought hit him. If this was the same man, then he was responsible for everything that came after, including his betrothal to Willow. For, if not for his intercession, she might not exist at all. What did that say that he had come looking for them now? Was this preordained?

  Pulling up on his reins, he slowed his horse’s pace and let their two “companions” catch up. Willow realized what was going on and did the same. “You know, there is no secret passage, no real way to “sneak” you into the castle. My word will only carry so far, you will be challenged before being allowed to see my father.”

  Merlin simply nodded. “That’s why my friend is here.”

  “How is a blind boy, no offense, going to help you bypass our castle’s security? And let’s just say he can, then what need is there for us?”

  Jared remained passive, as if not paying attention to anything they were talking about. “Jared was born blind, most of his physical abilities absorbed by his sister while in the womb. His body compensated by opening up areas of his brain that are usually closed off to most people. I have limited telepathic skills, mostly the ability to sense moods and read surface thoughts. With great effort, maybe a bit more, but not by much. My friend here, he’s my Beethoven of telepathy.”

  “I’m sorry, what?” He was confused.

  “Crap, sorry, old world shit,” the man responded. “Do you remember how well your brother took to the sword? How it flowed in fluid arcs like he’d been training for years, not days? Jared is showing me that memory, locked deep within your mind. It was a born talent, John was a natural, as is my blind friend here. Jared is young, but very gifted in the art of telepathy. With time and training, there is no limit to what he might accomplish.”

  As Merlin spoke, he expected Jared to respond in some way, to react to Merlin’s words; yet he remained passive. “He’s keeping your Guardians from noting our presence. It’s how we were able to approach you unchallenged; they never knew we were there.”

  “That doesn’t explain why you need us,” Willow countered, her eyes betraying the uneasiness she felt.

  He sympathized. He did not like having anyone in his head. He had a strong dislike for mind readers. His thoughts were his inner sanctum, the only place he had any real privacy. Apparently, now even that had been stripped away as well.

  “How do you think your father would react if we showed up without introduction, bypassing the proper channels? As I told you, we can’t afford for the Phoenix’s agents to detect our presence. Which is exactly what would happen by hurdling through your traditional customs of security. Even then, our conversation would not be a private one. Quite simply, it’s the path of least resistance,” Merlin finished.

  He leaned towards the older man. “You said you and my father were friends, surely that would have helped to ease my father’s misgivings.”

  “Can you tell me for certain that your father’s memory remains intact? That old age hasn’t stripped them away as his health began to deteriorate? I can’t take that chance. Getting thrown in the dungeons would please the Phoenix to no end. Then her agents could either dispose of us quietly, or leave us to watch as Lancaster fell to her hordes,” Merlin told them.

  What else could he say?

  They were approaching the drawbridge and the Guardians were drawing closer. They appeared to still be oblivious to their two traveling companions. They unwittingly kept their distance as they entered the castle grounds. The guards were silent sentries, not even nodding at them as they passed.

  It was as if they weren’t even there.

  Even the common folk were ignoring them. A wedge was carved through the crowds and he was sure they were unaware of the nudges making them shift aside. He felt awe at the power being displayed by their blind companion. The horror of what could happen if it were used for ill floored him. How would they fight an invisible foe? How could they even act if their minds were controlled; if they were turned into mindless zombies? Goosebumps rose on his arms and he prayed he wouldn’t live to regret what he was about to do.

  He looked over at Jared and saw that blood had begun to trickle from the young boy’s nose. “Quit thinking of me as a boy, I’m a year older than you. And it’s nothing, I’m fine,” the blindfolded youth declared as he wiped his sleeve across his face, smearing it.

  They were near the center of the market and he looked for his bodyguards, but they had disappeared. Suggestions must have been made for them to do so. Merlin’s horse had come to a halt and he yanked on his reins to do the same. “I think it’s time you caught up with your sister,” the older man told their bloodied companion.

  “I can handle this,” Jared spat, his fingers massaging his right temple.

  “It’s too much too soon, you’re not ready. It’s okay. You got us this far. I can take it from here,” the older man soothed. “I’m not without powers of my own you know.”

  “You need me.” More blood had begun to flow and the boy’s face was beginning to pale. “Do you want to spend an hour believing you’re a whore from a cheap brothel? Keep calling me a boy and I’ll make it happen!” Jared snapped at him.

  Merlin dismounted and came to Jared’s side. “Okay, that’s enough. You’re going to turn around and ride back the way we came. You don’t need to use your powers anymore, no one will delay your departure. Ride south until you reach the lake and join up with the others, we will be along soon.”

  The young man, he emphasized, looked like he was about to fall off his horse. The rebellion in Jared’s face hadn’t slipped, but it wasn’t as intense as before. He swayed in his saddle and Tristan jumped down to help catch him if he fell. “This needs to happen, you don’t know how important—,” Jared began, then fell silent, his words dying out from mere exhaustion.

  “I’ll make it happen,” he promised, the sudden concern surprisingly genuine.

  Merlin walked over to his mount and began mumbling in the horse’s ear. It grunted in response and the older man smiled. He took his reins and tied them to Jared’s saddle, then began whispering to the other horse as well. Merlin could speak to animals?

  “They are as intelligent as you or I, just less vocal about it,” Merlin muttered over his shoulder. “They will take you where you need to go. Please take it easy and get some rest when you get there. I never should have pushed you like this. I’m sorry.” He then reached out and patted Jared’s leg.

  The blindfold was soaked with sweat; the youth was too exhausted to argue further. Willow had retrieved a napkin from their picnic basket and handed it over. He wearily took it and applied it to his nose, then softly nudged his horse’s flanks. His mount turned and slowly began walking towards the castle’s gates, Merlin’s own horse following at its side.

  “You’re right, he is dangerous, and powerful. But as you can see, power comes at a price, and it never fails to collect,” Merlin told them, watching as Jared disappeared into the crowd.

  The newly exposed trio remained in the intersection for a moment, reflecting on their changes in circumstances.

  “So, what do we do now?” Willow interjected, her dislike for silence obviously intact.

  Merlin turned and held his staff out to his fiancé. “Hold onto this for me.” Willow took it with slight hesitation. When her fingers wrapped around the staff a change came across her face and he was instantly concerned for her safety. “It’s not going to hurt her,” the older man tried to comfort, but he wasn’t too sure he believed that.

  “No really, I’m fine, it’s just warm to the touch, that’s all,” Willow assured him, looking less nervous now as she forced a smile.


  He turned back to say something to their remaining companion and was surprised to see that the man had disappeared. In his place was a black and brown German shepherd, eyes looking at them expectantly. “Lajeer? How’d you get out here? Where’s Merlin?”

  The dog barked in response. Lajeer had been in the family for almost a decade now, and he knew for certain that he left the dog in the kennels before he left.

  “Tristan,” Willow called, drawing his attention.

  “What? Did you see where he went?” he asked in confusion.

  “Merlin is the dog.” Her eyes danced, obviously fascinated.

  The canine barked again, then started to whine as his head turned and looked in the direction of the distant keep. A mindreading shapeshifter; was his day going to get any weirder?

  Letting out a long sigh, he moved forward and pulled Dancer after him as they resumed their journey to the palace. How the hell was he going to explain all this to his father? Or worse, his brother?

  They walked past the market stalls and he became aware that they were no longer being ignored by the public.

  Many parted as he passed, but he caught sight of quite a few accompanying sneers amongst the crowds. Someone nudged him from behind and he almost lost his footing. He held tightly to his horse’s reins and tried to keep himself upright. The dog at his feet growled at the drunkard that pushed past and the man flinched with fear.

  “Keep moving,” one of his Guardians commanded, putting himself between them.

  “You all right?” the elf probed, facing him after the drunkard turned and stumbled off. His name was Preik. He and Windel, the other elf stepping into view, were sent here by Bordin years before to train with the Guardians. They would serve as his personal bodyguards when he took his place as Bordin’s heir.