by Tom Larcombe
The dragon head nodded, tapping lightly against Merlin's chest.
“It doesn't hurt to spread out this thin?”
{No, I'm fine. I think it will be easier after I grow more though.} Anguis sent.
Since he was alone, aside from Anguis, Merlin sat and thought for while. He reviewed the prophecy and tried to figure out specific points of it.
I hate divination! It's always so hard to grasp a solid meaning before the fact. I guess that's why I don't indulge in it very much, he thought.
Some of the points of the prophecy seemed self-evident. He mistrusted those, but for now he worked on the other sections.
Drain the curse. Perhaps I can contact Verruckt? He was good at draining spells and he owes me a debt. He claimed that he and his kin would go deep underground though and I'm not sure how to contact him. Although I may be able to use the name he gave me to get his attention. The draining knife seems a better option. If Rein recalls where he deposited it, perhaps it can be retrieved, Merlin thought.
He continued to muse about the possibilities, noting the ones he thought might be worth pursuing so he could discuss them with Nimue at an appropriate time.
Nimue returned after a little more than an hour passed. She had a self-satisfied look on her face. It was partially wiped away when she saw the metal draped over Merlin's shoulders. Then her face lit up.
“Anguis?”
“Yes, he was getting too large for my neck,” Merlin replied.
“That's a good look for you, if you're going for dramatic,” Nimue said.
Nimue's face returned to its previous look. Merlin waited a bit but eventually gave in and asked.
“So, how did it go?”
“Evidently, male wizards balance out their powers by excelling in foolishness.”
Merlin resisted the urge to comment and waited in silence.
“She asked him to marry her a year ago and he says he's wondering how she really feels. So he's in even more trouble than you were when you wanted to research what marriage was before committing to it.”
This time Merlin couldn't resist commenting.
“You said it was reasonable. I didn't know what marriage was at the time.”
“I know, but I was somewhat frustrated by your answer. You made up for it when you learned about marriage and immediately said yes though. Gwyddon has not. He's hemmed and hawed, told her that he was too old for her, but never actually given her an answer yet.”
“Ouch, this male wizard may be foolish but even he knows that what Gwyddon's doing is just asking for trouble.”
“He'll make up for it somewhat if he follows my advice,” Nimue said. “Although if she's in a bad mood like she has been the last few days, he might end up waiting for her answer. Now, I think our honeymoon is close to ending. Let's not talk of others' troubles.”
* * *
Merlin woke with the dawn. The ambient power levels in Wales meant that he only needed three or four hours of sleep to feel fully rested. Nimue was still asleep so he slid out of bed, dressed, and went to the restaurant for breakfast.
Brenda was sitting at a table, evidently waiting for him. When he entered she stood up and approached him.
“You've got a hunk of metal waiting at the train station. You'll need to cut it up yourself though,” she said.
“Thank you.”
Brenda harrumphed and tried to walk around him. Merlin moved to block her.
“Why are you so agitated? Was it that hard to find the metal?”
The middle of Brenda's eyebrows pulled down and she spat her words at Merlin.
“Why, exactly, was Nimue closeted with Gwyddon yesterday afternoon?”
Oh, so that's it. She's jealous, Merlin thought.
“I'm not privy to everything they discussed but it was innocent as far as I know.”
She sneered at Merlin and shouldered her way past him on her way out the door.
Try to help someone and see what you get? I should remember to mind my own business more often, he thought.
Merlin ordered breakfast and took his time eating. The restaurant was nearly deserted and it was still an hour before the time Gunter had requested he and Nimue arrive at the train station. Before he was done his leisurely breakfast, Nimue entered and sat down with him.
“You could have woken me,” she said.
“Sorry, I thought you'd like the extra sleep. I would've returned and gotten you in time to have breakfast before we need to be at the station.”
“I'd much rather spend the time awake with you than sleeping. I thought you knew that.”
Merlin didn't have a good answer so he stayed silent. He finished his breakfast and waited for Nimue to finish as well.
He offered her his arm.
“Shall we?” he asked.
“Yes, please.”
They returned to the boardinghouse to recover their gear. The door to Gunter's room was open. When Merlin poked his head in he found it empty and guessed that Gunter and his gear were waiting at the station. Their luggage in hand, they headed for the train station themselves.
As they approached, Merlin saw Brenda on the platform. When she saw Nimue approaching, she glared at her balefully.
“What is it with her?” Nimue asked.
“She's jealous. She heard you spent some time with Gwyddon yesterday.”
“He's a nice man, if a bit clueless, but... it's not like I'd be tempted.”
Merlin glanced at Brenda, then back at Nimue.
“I wouldn't say that where Brenda can hear you, it might make things worse.”
Nimue grinned at him.
“For a foolish male, you occasionally have some good insights.”
The two ascended to the platform. Merlin saw the four foot long, rust-covered piece of metal set off to one side and sighed.
“When she said I'd have to cut it, I was thinking something smaller. She must have gotten someone else to carry that.”
“I'll go talk to her, see if I can smooth over her problems with me,” Nimue said.
Merlin turned to tell her that he didn't think it was a good idea, but she was already half-way to the red-headed wizard. He turned back to his task.
How, exactly, am I supposed to slice this up into small enough portions for Anguis to eat? I'll need to use something to cut it, maybe a knife I enchant for the purpose or maybe a hot enough fire will do it, he thought.
He sent his Sight into the iron. Beneath the coating of rust it was brittle, a knife would work well for slicing portions of that off. He continued his scrutiny to find that the very center was solid, high-quality iron.
So, fire it will have to be. I wonder how hot I'll need to make a flame to cut through this thing.
Merlin tapped the plentiful magic of the area and caused a jet of flame to spring from his finger. He brought it down across the metal and found that all it was doing was heating the iron, it wouldn't cut. He was trying to keep an ear open just in case the conversation between the two female wizards took a turn for the worse. That made it harder for him to focus on the task at hand.
I can't believe how inconsiderate she is, now to me as well as Nimue, he thought.
He shook his head and forced more power into the flame. He could See the iron beginning to melt, but he wanted to cut portions off, not melt it down. Merlin sighed in exasperation and started to add more power still when his attention was caught by Nimue and Brenda.
“You don't see me asking to talk to your husband in private, do you?” Brenda yelled.
“No, I don't. I wouldn't have needed to talk to your husband either, if you were actually married,” Nimue retorted.
Merlin glanced around. The wizard recruits were at one end of the station, eagerly watching the two women to see what was going to happen. Merlin called out.
“Nimue, Brenda, that's enough of that.”
The two women apparently didn't hear him, their voices grew louder as the taunts flew back and forth.
Merlin was still using
his Sight and he Saw Brenda begin to gather up magic. He called to them again but this time he used the command tone he had learned from Gunter and amplified his voice with a touch of magic.
The two women looked up, startled.
“That's enough of that, you two. You're supposed to be an example for these recruits. Is this the example of wizards that you want them to follow? If this is the way the older Welsh wizards normally act, I can understand why the Brits turned them down.”
Brenda blushed as only the fair-skinned can, turning a bright red. Nimue blushed also but it was less evident with her tanned skin.
The two women answered simultaneously.
“She started it all,” Brenda said, “by asking to talk to my man in private.”
“You're right Merlin,” Nimue said. “This is the wrong example to be setting. I'm sorry.”
Brenda screeched.
“She's doing it again! Now I look like a stubborn ass and she looks gracious.”
“Stop and think about that,” Merlin said. “Is she doing something to you or are you doing it to yourself by reacting without thinking?”
Brenda screamed her fury and turned to stalk off the platform. Merlin looked back at the students and found that they were no longer staring at the women, they were now staring at him. More particularly, they were staring at his right hand.
He looked down at it and saw that the flame emanating from his finger was now a solid blue bar, outlined in a white light that left him with spots in his vision when he looked away.
“That should do it,” he said.
I'd better watch my temper, he thought, if I was mad enough to strengthen the flame this much, that means I'm close to losing it. Maybe it's just the stronger magic though, either way I need to be careful.
He bent back to the task of cutting chunks from the iron. As soon as the first one was loose, Anguis swarmed off of his shoulders and gulped it down. After cutting several pieces off, Merlin looked up again. The recruits were split between staring at Anguis and staring at the flame on his hand.
Gunter choose that moment to step out of the train. He winked at Merlin before turning to face the recruits.
“That, recruits, is why you don't want to anger Merlin. Think for a moment as to what that flame could do to human flesh if it cuts through iron like a hot knife through butter. So let's stay within the rules I gave you and you'll only need to deal with me, not him.”
The recruits' eyes flicked to Gunter. For a moment or two they flickered between him and Merlin, then they settled in on their temporary NCO.
* * *
As Gunter gave his speech to the recruits, Merlin finished cutting off as much iron as Angius wanted. Then he walked over to Nimue.
“Sorry I snapped at you, but...”
“No need to apologize Merlin, I let my temper get the better of me, so did she.”
“She was gathering magic when I stopped the two of you. I don't know what for but I thought it better not to wait and find out.”
“I didn't notice that but I'm certainly glad you did.”
Merlin's eyes were drawn to a movement in the street. Gwyddon was practically dragging Brenda towards the platform. When they reached the stairs, Merlin could hear him speaking.
“Come along, you fool woman. If you want an answer out of me, you'll have to apologize to Nimue first.”
Brenda stammered and stuttered something in reply but Merlin couldn't sort any words out of the noise.
When they reached the top of the steps, Gwyddon pushed Brenda out in front of him.
“Now,” he hissed.
“I'm... I'm sorry Nimue. I have a temper and it got the better of me.”
“Apology accepted, I was partially at fault as well.”
Brenda turned to Gwyddon.
“There, happy?”
“That's better, but you may soon wish to thank her as well.”
“What?” Brenda shrieked.
Gunter chose that moment to start loading the recruits onto the train and Merlin couldn't hear the next part of the conversation. But he saw what happened.
Gwyddon dropped to one knee, spryly for man his age, and said something. Brenda's mouth dropped open and her eyes seem to bug out of her head. Gwyddon repeated himself and, even over the clatter of the loading recruits, Merlin heard the shriek of “Yes!” that was her reply.
He and Nimue waited for the clamor to subside. When the last of the recruits were loaded on, Gunter called out.
“Train's leaving in five minutes Merlin.”
Brenda looked at Gwyddon and this time Merlin heard what he said.
“Damn fool woman, Nimue simply told me that I was being an idiot. She said that if you asked me to marry you, I shouldn't be wondering how you felt. She told me that if I actually cared for you, the marriage would be about you, not me. So if it was what you wanted, I shouldn't let my own judgment stand in the way. You know what you want, you always have, so why should I try to tell you differently?”
“I'm sorry Nimue,” Brenda said, “Really sorry this time. I didn't realize... Merlin was right. I jump from learning to reacting with no thinking in between.”
“That's alright. Is everything settled now?” Nimue asked.
“Oh yes, and Gwyddon was right. Thank you for talking some sense into him.”
Gwyddon blushed at the comment.
“We need to be leaving now,” Merlin said.
Nimue walked over to join him.
Gwyddon and Brenda were too engrossed in each other for more than a simple good-bye. Merlin overheard Brenda saying.
“Next week would be fine. Tonight works for me if we can find the priest.”
Merlin chuckled as they boarded the train.
* * *
Chapter 9
Even though Merlin's unintentional demonstration did relieve them of having to police the new recruits, the trip back afforded little privacy for Merlin and Nimue to continue their honeymoon. Despite the demonstration, there was always something that one of them needed to be doing. Settling disputes, answering questions, and once breaking up a fight that had devolved into the participants using magic against one another. When they arrived back at the station near the base, they were exhausted.
“Now what do we do Gunter?” Merlin asked.
“I took the liberty of contacting John and giving him our travel arrangements. We should have a pair of trucks either waiting for us or here soon.”
“I'm amazed you thought of it, glad you did though. I wonder if raising children is as rough as shepherding recruits?”
Gunter chuckled.
“This is nothing. Remember, I had to escort Horst back to the research facility. If he didn't want to go there he could've taken over the minds of all my troops, plus my own. At least these recruits weren't violent, mostly anyhow.”
“I couldn't take doing this on a regular basis,” Merlin said.
“If you remember right I was only doing one or two at a time. Twenty-five is a bit different, I'll admit that. But we just need to get them back to the base and they're off our hands.”
“Your hands maybe, I'm guessing I'll have some of them to teach.”
Gunter nodded, acknowledging that Merlin was right.
“True, but less than six, right? You said you told them the most you could effectively teach at once was six?”
“Yes and quite a few of these wizards won't need any extra training, or no more than how to apply their existing skills to the benefit of the military at least.”
“There you go. Most of them will be off your hands.”
Merlin stepped out of the train and looked across the station. There were a pair of trucks pulled up nearby so he turned and pointed them out to Gunter.
“Looks like our transportation is here, at least I hope it's ours.”
Gunter walked over to the trucks while the recruits unloaded. When he returned he made short work of getting the recruits onto the trucks. Merlin and Nimue rode in the cab of one while Gunter t
ook the front of the other.
The trucks pulled onto the base and Gunter assembled the recruits while Merlin went looking for John or Nigel. He found John in the office.
“So where is Nigel? I thought he'd want to meet the recruits,” Merlin asked.
“He does, but since he never heard of the Welsh wizards being turned down when they volunteered, he's off making some inquiries. I'm betting somebody gets their ass kicked over this. Might even get drummed out of the service. Twenty-five wizards doesn't sound like much, until you think about what you did and what Ernst has been doing while you're gone. Twenty-five could make a huge difference.”
“I'm under the impression there would have been more of them if they were accepted originally. When you see the recruits you'll notice that there are none that appear to be in the age ranges that were conscripted. There are probably a large number of them assigned as normal troops. We ought to track them down, give them some support at the least, or pull them back to use them where their skills would work best if possible.”
“That's a smart thought. I wonder how I can find them. Maybe some of the recruits we have here can direct us to where the others were assigned,” John said.
John stopped short when he saw the recruits.
“You weren't kidding, they all look too young or too old. Gives me some ideas as to how we can use them best.”
“Well, they're yours now. Nimue and I are going back to the cottage, the last two days have left little room for rest or anything else,” Merlin said.
“Take a couple more days off. Anselm says your tree is doing astounding things, so I guess you've a surprise waiting for you when you get there.”
Merlin said good-bye, gathered up Nimue, and the two of them returned to their cottage.
* * *
They arrived at the cottage and stopped short. The lightning tree was fully grown and, despite being late fall, was in full bloom.
“Is it just me or is the light brighter around the tree?” Merlin asked.
“I don't think it's just you,” Nimue said.
Merlin walked over to the trunk of the tree. He could feel the sun shining on him even though the day was mostly overcast. He looked down and saw a small wooden rack on the other side of the tree. When he walked around the tree it was obvious that all the little cubbies in the rack were filled with crystals.