by Timothy Ray
“Can you not wait?” the mage asked after a few moments. The both of them remained silent and Merlin shifted in his saddle, obviously eager to move on. “Fine, let’s dismount and continue on foot, it’ll give us a chance to finish our conversation before we join the others.” The older man slid off his horse and waited patiently for them to follow suit.
His feet were not in the mood to walk any further, but the need for answers overrode the pain in his ankles. “You could’ve warned me.”
Merlin didn’t look at them, just continued to watch the road ahead as he spoke. “The future is never certain. Until the moment happens, it can always be changed. The choices we make determine what comes next.” There was a pause, as if the mage was trying to decide how to continue. “You don’t know how many possible futures I had to sift through; all with staggering ramifications. The moment you got shot was a nexus for things to come.”
“I’m not that important,” he mumbled.
Why did it matter what happened to him? Yes, he was going to be Bordin’s heir, but Willow’s father could still be alive long after he was gone. His children might rule at some point down the road; that didn’t mean he would. He would fade into the history books with only a short mention, forgotten by the time his grandchildren became of age.
The mage continued as if he hadn’t heard, but Tristan knew better. “Let me tell you a few possible futures that could have been born with the firing of that pistol.”
“In the first one. I met up with Jared and Reyna and we moved on with our quest, leaving the two of you alone. You returned to the castle later that evening and were shot on the palace steps in front of your brother. John went into a rage and slew the man, knocking your pregnant girlfriend unconscious in the process. Constantine withdrew into himself, bitter at the loss of his son. He locked himself in his chambers and refused to come out even as the palace burned to the ground around him. The besieging army slew everyone with the exception of your brother. He was taken before the Phoenix and she personally ripped the beating heart from his chest. That of course, was after her armies started burning every last bit of Humanity left in the southern regions. And long after King Erik was slain and his knights decimated.”
“Sound like a future you’d prefer? My non-interference?” the mage pushed; obviously irritated.
“Pregnant girlfriend?” Willow suddenly interjected.
Wait, what?
“The second one,” Merlin began, ignoring their questions. “I introduced myself without the company of the others and we quickly headed back to the castle to see your father. Having confronted you alone, you were easily swayed to see the truth. Less defensive, though more vocal, you conceded to join me and hastened our arrival to see the King. I again accompanied you as a dog, your Guardians were not aware of my presence, and I shielded us from the assassin’s sight until we entered the palace walls. I became a man once more in front of your stunned father, who went into a tirade and refused our request for you to join me. No warnings were given about possible conspirators and while we snuck out of the castle to continue on our journey, your father was killed instead. Your brother heard that I was there and blamed me for your father’s death. He could not focus and though he fought valiantly, fell on the field of battle. Your castle was sacked; your people enslaved.”
“No one person could be that important,” Willow whispered in horror.
“Oh, thanks,” he muttered. The fear in her eyes and the tremble of her lip made him regret the quick retort.
Merlin stopped talking for a moment and turned to face her. “There are certain points in a person’s life where the choices he makes impacts a multitude of people around him. It’s rare that the future could be affected so drastically, but it does happen.”
The cloaked figure continued walking and turned his gaze towards the stars.
“In the third optional future, the two of you rejected me out of hand. Nothing I could say would sway you, and you returned to the castle quickly to inform the King of what happened. One of the Guardians ran ahead and alerted your father. John happened to be standing nearby and after overhearing the conversation, rushed out to make sure you were safe. He was shot in the head on the palace steps just as you arrived and died in your arms. Your father was enraged and marched the army out to meet the oncoming horde.”
“Bereft of castle walls to protect them, they were quickly overrun and slaughtered. You became the King of Lancaster long enough to watch your defenses fall and your people murdered. They put a leash around Willow’s neck and she was given to the commander of the invading army as a pet. You were paraded from town to town, as a symbol of what lay in store for any who resisted. It didn’t matter, the horde overwhelmed the southern regions and killed every soul they encountered. With reinforcements, they spread across the lands and before the year was out, every single race was either enslaved or dead.”
Willow had tears she was trying to fight back as he wrestled with his own bout of despair. “And what of this one?” he managed, after clearing his throat.
“Those were just three examples, my young prince. Three upon millions, each changed by the choices of those involved. The variety and infinite outcomes become impossible to predict which future is the right choice until it actually happens. But I assure you, this is the one with the greatest chance of success,” Merlin told him with a smile. “Your father and brother are alerted to a threat in their midst. They are not distracted by your safety and together will plan for the oncoming assault on the castle. You are both with me, as planned, and we are finally able to begin,” Merlin declared.
“Why does that matter? Are we not here solely because you swore to protect us? What purpose do we serve except to slow you down?” he asked in turn.
Merlin chuckled. “You still don’t understand, do you? What happened today was engineered to get the two of you free of the castle and the dangers presented. Not because of your influence on the others, but because you are both essential to the success of our mission. I’ve seen it. I will fail if you are not by my side.”
“Why?” his fiancé inquired, but it was too late. There was a fire blazing just ahead and he knew they were about to join with the others.
Surprisingly, the mage halted their approach, his hand tightening on the reins in frustration. “I don’t know,” Merlin admitted as if defeated. “I can see certain things, but others remain shrouded. Part of it is the work of that witch. But other things—they remain on the edge of my vision, elusive, not fully formed.”
“I don’t completely understand the roles the both of you play in what is to come. I can’t tell you that we’re on the right path or that in the end we will succeed. I may see the future, but like you, I have to take it as it comes. How about we put aside the doubt for a moment, the endless questions, and try to learn to trust each other? Because only together will we all get the answers we seek and the ending we desire the most.” Then the mage started for the fire and their new companions waiting for them there.
He took Willow’s hand and after a quick squeeze, followed after.
Chapter 7
Glowing Embers
I
The fire had been built just past the tideline and there was a chilled breeze coming off the lake’s surface. He pulled his cloak closer and felt the exhaustion of the day’s events start to seep into his every step. He needed to sit down and rest as soon as he was able.
As they approached, Tristan took a measured look of those he’d be traveling with. It wasn’t a group he’d readily form himself, but he had to trust that each of them were there for a reason. That made him feel alienated from them; for he had no given purpose or reason beyond that of being a “protectee”.
“Surprised he’s not here yet,” Merlin commented as he took a seat next to Jared. Did that man ever say anything straight or always leave questions hanging off every remark he made?
“Who’s that?” Willow asked, as she stood just outside the group, not sure where they fit in or
what role they’d play.
“Guid day! Aam reit haur ye slick dobber! An aw ye ken,” bellowed a gruff voice from the direction of their tied horses. A dwarf marched into view, the firelight barely illuminating his round figure. He was leading four pack horses to where the others had been tied and he disappeared from sight as fast as he’d appeared.
Merlin snorted. “Didn’t see you there, my bad.”
“Your what?” He didn’t understand half the things the mage said, and he didn’t think it was just from being from another region; but from another time. They were speaking the same language two different ways and he seemed to be the only one confused.
The mage rolled his eyes. “You are just going to have to put up with not getting it. I can’t take a time out every time you get confused. We’d get nothing done and still be sitting here when the hordes invaded. Do you want me to invite them to join us instead? You two get in here and sit down. They don’t bite,” he quipped. The older man turned to look at Reyna, who was busy polishing her black armor. “Well, she might.”
“Piss off, you bloody wanker,” the black knight retorted and her brother snickered. Kylee was staring daggers at the woman and he suddenly realized something was wrong. What had they missed?
Merlin coughed, motioning once more for them to sit. “I think it’s time we all caught up to what’s happened today. Token, you’d better have brought some ale, we might need it.”
“An’ whit makes ye think onie ay it’s fur ye lot? Heh. Fa diz aw th’ wark aroond haur?” demanded the gruff voice from the shadows.
That drew a chuckle from Kylee.
Merlin coughed and made a motion for Jared to begin.
Kind of a pointless thing to do, isn’t it? That got him a glare and he tried to shut up. Wait, I didn’t say that out loud. Crap, the mage is reading my mind again. Would he ever get used to that? “I think I agree with Reyna, piss off,” he told the mage, drawing a brief smile from the black knight.
Ignoring the back and forth, an exhausted Jared began walking through what had transpired since they’d parted company.
As he did, Willow left his side to go sit by Kylee. The elf was shaking her head, but his fiancé was being insistent. The blind boy’s words echoed in his brain about crows and blood, as he watched in fascination as Willow began healing the ranger’s wounds. Of course she’d think of that; it was the kind of person she was. What did that say about him?
“Sae, whit did Ah miss?” Token interrupted as he entered the circle and plopped down next to Kore. The pairing was so odd that he almost broke into laughter.
He hadn’t gotten over the idea that he was traveling with an orc. Yet once again, it came down to trusting the mage, didn’t it?
The dwarf was round across the middle and his limbs were thick. He had a long brown beard and beady hazel eyes. His unkept hair was longer, sticking out from beneath the brim of the ragged leather hat squashed on his head. He wore leather armor, but was busily unfastening that between gulps of liquor from a large flask attached to his wrist.
“By the way, there are two elves out there skulking about in the dark,” Token burped.
He’d almost forgotten about the two Guardians.
As if summoned, they stepped into the moonlight and stood at the edge of their gathering, next to the horses. He motioned for them to come closer, but they either didn’t see, or were ignoring him. Great, he was back to being ignored, just like at home.
“What the hell are they doing here?” Reyna sneered. “Here to protect the whelp?”
“Reyna,” Jared sighed disapprovingly; like she’d listen. The smirk she displayed in response confirmed his suspicions.
“I’ve agreed to allow them to accompany us as a favor to the King of Lancaster. You don’t like it, you’re free to take it up with him. No? Okay then, let’s get back to the business at hand,” Merlin interjected, then began telling the others what had befallen them since leaving the forest that afternoon.
Willow had finally finished healing the ranger, who despite the cool demeanor, looked less pained and more relaxed. Soft words were spoken, then his fiancé got up and came around the fire to sit at his side. She almost fell off the log and he reached out to draw her close. The use of magic had taken its toll and he felt her head lay heavily upon his right shoulder.
Meanwhile, the dwarf had finished with his armor and had gotten up to grab a large cauldron from one of the horses. Bringing a pack with him, he propped himself in front of the fire and began working on dinner. He hadn’t realized he was hungry; there had been way too much going on. They had packed provisions, but he didn’t know how long they’d be gone, and he was sure it wasn’t going to last very long. It hadn’t occurred to him that Merlin might have prepared for that. The mage glanced his way and smiled, then continued describing the assassination attempt.
He tuned it out; he already knew this part.
Kore sat silently watching the fire. He was further back than the others and made no attempt to remove his soiled armor. His green skin glistened with the humidity sliding off the lake and his large brow signified the behemoth was lost in thought.
“Kore no like stares,” the orc growled, red eyes turning to glare at him.
His heart leapt into his chest and everyone went silent.
“Now Kore, these two have never seen an orc before. They are going to stare. When they get used to you, they’ll stop,” Merlin comforted the large warrior.
The orc stood up and everyone suddenly tensed. “Kore get wood,” the warrior huffed, still glaring at him. Then he turned, stomped his way towards the forest, and disappeared from sight.
“We hae wuid!” Token hollered, but the orc was already gone.
“Let him go,” Merlin informed the telepath who must have been trying to tell Kore mentally. “He knows what he must and don’t care about the rest. Such a simple soul. He has no questions, no arguments, just his quest.” He took a large whiff of the air and turned to the dwarf in front of the fire. “Token, we had beans last night, do we not have anything else in those bags of yours?”
Token’s belly rose as the round man chuckled. “Och, aye we dae laddie. Whit better way tae break in th’ new recruits than a nicht wi’ Kore efter beans, eh?
“Disgusting,” Reyna spat and made the dwarf laugh even harder. He happened to glance at the ranger and saw Kylee chuckling at the black knight’s response. They were quite the group all right.
As Merlin finished talking, Kore walked back into the campsite and threw a very large log onto the ground next to the fire. Then he walked over to Token, grabbed the dwarf by the back of his shirt, and hauled him onto the log.
“Whit th’ heel is up wi’ ye?” Token yelped, almost falling off. His short legs were stretched as wide as possible as he tried to avoid the billowing flames before him. “Gie me doon, ye gigantic oaf! Mair than beans ur cookin’ haur!” The dwarf’s hands had gone to cup his crotch and Tristan couldn’t help but laugh.
“Kore!” Merlin yelled, showing anger for the first time since they’d met.
The orc chuckled. “Dwarf make Kore get stares. Now Kore sit, Dwarf same tall,” he spoke in his broken English, then turned to glare at Tristan once more. “Stare at funny short Dwarf,” he commanded, then resumed his earlier seat by the fire.
“Mah nuts ur cookin’! Someain gie me doon, please?” Token wailed, the flames getting closer to the large block of fuel waiting to be consumed.
Kylee was laying back, unable to hold back her laughter, and Jared was too thin to even try. Tristan considered it briefly, but he doubted he’d even get a leg up, the man was too thick. Swearing, Reyna got to her feet and Tristan had an epiphany, she really was a woman! She had a somewhat curvy body under that black armor she wore. He got hit in the shoulder and he turned to look at his fiancé. The questioning look got him punched again.
“Jaw closed,” she told him, her thin eyebrows drawing together and finger in the air.
Reyna had succeeded at lifting the dwarf
off the stump and was in the process of putting the struggling man down when her left foot got caught on Jared’s staff and she was propelled backwards. She fell flat on her back, the very large dwarf on top of her. His bearded face was buried in Reyna’s chest, arms pin wheeling as if he was drowning and trying to find the surface.
In rage, the black knight threw Token off with strength uncommon in a woman her size. She looked muscular, sure, but not strong enough to throw a three-hundred-pound butter ball. Reyna’s hand went in search of her sword and the mage had to stand between them to keep her away. Token was huddled, his hand on his crotch, trying to stay out of Reyna’s sight. The black knight was on one knee, patiently waiting for her chance to strike.
“Enough!” Merlin thundered, slamming the butt of his staff against the ground. “You are here to help fight and bring down the Phoenix, not act like a bunch of school children at recess! We are on a quest to find an object that’s been missing for three thousand years and get it to a King who has no idea what to do with it! All in the hopes that it might be used to defeat the Phoenix after we fight off all her armies and storm her castle! Does that sound like playtime to you? There’s a chance that not everyone will be there if we pull this off, and while I don’t mind a little horse play to relieve stress, sticking a sword in the gut of a friend, doing the work for the Phoenix, will not be tolerated!”
Reyna had gotten to her feet and faced the sneering mage, Jared rising to stand by her side. She shrugged off his hands when he tried to pull her away, not giving ground. He thought she was going to speak further, but after a moment, she turned to face her brother instead. The conversation was unheard but the result was obvious as she turned around and sat on a stump next to her armor. Sheathing her sword, she turned from the glowering mage, and went back to polishing her gear.
Jared sighed, shrugged his shoulders, and then went to join her.
“Token, your beans are burning,” the mage commented indifferently as he returned to where he had previously been sitting.
