by Tom Larcombe
“Nimue chased me out of the house. She said I was hovering and suggested that I go somewhere else for a while.”
Nigel stifled a chuckle.
“I'm sorry to hear that,” he said.
“So, what brings you to the pub? I haven't seen you here before, and in the middle of the day no less.”
“It's related to your own problem. John's in a bit of a tiff. I left so we wouldn't get to arguing again.”
“What's the problem?” Merlin asked.
“Well, as I said, it's related to your own. With Nimue pregnant, he's supposed to discharge her immediately and send her home. As you can guess, there are numerous problems with that.”
“Well, yes. Sending her home would put her in more danger than she's in here.”
“That, and the students she's training are significantly more effective. Her training in conservation of power has been turning out students that can do lots more than those we trained earlier in the war. John doesn't want to lose that edge and he's looking for a way to not discharge her.”
Merlin stayed silent for a moment, lost in thought. He reached to stroke his, now non-existent, beard and settled for stroking his bare chin instead.
“There's a way around that,” he said.
Nigel looked up and gestured for Merlin to continue.
“What is it?”
“Couldn't John discharge her then hire her back as a civilian to teach the same classes?”
Nigel shook his head.
“Unofficial rules require a higher ranked officer who is also a wizard to teach the beginning wizards. It makes sense that way, if the teacher is both higher ranked and more powerful there tend to be less problems with the students. And we both know what kind of problems beginning wizards can cause.”
“Maybe it's possible we can combine our problems to create a solution,” Merlin said.
“How so?” Nigel asked.
“Well, Nimue's been training me in those techniques as well. She says I'm almost as good as she is now and it's all just practice to get to her level of proficiency at it. So, since I'm not teaching classes any more perhaps I could be assigned to her classes and she could do what I've been doing; caring for the lightning tree and acting as a liaison to the other magical creatures around. They know her nearly as well as they do me.”
Merlin nodded as his train of thought continued.
“That would keep me out of her hair and if there were any issues with my teaching her classes, she'd be readily available for me to consult. It would also still leave me the time to continue with the theoretical research I've been working on. Since I'm not allowed to be present when we test the ideas from that, I'll be available here on base to teach the classes.”
“I don't know, that keeps the classes going but it doesn't deal with the rules about discharging her,” Nigel said.
“If John absolutely needs to discharge her and can't find a way around it, then he discharges her and hires her on as a civilian for the tasks I mentioned. Technically, either of them can be done by a civilian. A groundskeeper for the tree and a diplomat for the other.”
Nigel burst into a spasm of laughter.
“Are you alright?” Merlin asked.
Nigel nodded and waved away Merlin's concern. When his laughter died down he looked Merlin directly in the eyes.
“Sorry, I was just thinking of Nimue. As a diplomat...”
Nigel began chuckling again at the thought. Merlin glared at him for a moment before giving up and joining in the laughter.
“Well, technically it's a position for a liaison, not a diplomat. Good thing, too, or I probably wouldn't have been able to fill it myself,” Merlin said.
“I'll pass your idea along to John. It does have merit if he can't find a way around the regulations.”
The two men discussed some of the ideas they were working on together for a while as they nursed their beers. After an hour or two, Merlin decided it was safe to return home. He mentioned to Nimue that he'd run into Nigel at the bar and that they'd chatted for a couple of hours. He carefully didn't mention their initial topic of conversation knowing that, in her current mood, he definitely didn't want to be the bearer of bad news.
* * *
Several days later when Nimue returned from teaching her class, she was furious.
“I can't believe this!” she shouted. “I'm being discharged just because I'm pregnant.”
Merlin carefully schooled his face to show an indignant expression.
“I was worried about that,” Merlin said. “I know the regulations call for it. So, should I resign so we can go elsewhere?”
Nimue calmed slightly at his offer.
“No, John's hiring me back as a civilian. I'm just angry because there was no alternative to being discharged.”
“So he's hiring you back to teach your classes?”
Nimue's anger flared again.
“No, you'll be doing that. I'll be taking over part of your duties so you can teach my classes.”
“Really? He didn't tell me about any of this yet. I wonder when he's planning on doing so?”
Merlin continued the conversation in an attempt to calm her. Eventually, he asked Nimue about her classes and what she was currently covering.
“Well, the current wizards I'm teaching have barely started. In today's class, before I met with John, I covered some background on wizards. I got all the students to tell me what traumatic incident befell them right before they started being able to do magic. Getting them to talk about it helps them get a better grip on things. Some of them associate the magic with the trauma and talking about it helps disassociate the two. That allows them to use their magic more effectively.”
“I always wondered about that theory. I know you're an exception to it so I wonder if there might be others,” Merlin said.
Nimue looked at him quizzically.
“I'm not an exception to that theory,” Nimue said. “I thought you knew. When I was two or three years old, I fell into the farm pond. I thought I was going to drown. My father heard my screams and came running. Before he arrived I shot up and out of the water, back onto dry land. My father saw that and told me it was the 'Hand of God' that saved me. Since he was a one God worshiper, they're called Christians nowadays, he dedicated me to that church. That was why he was so angry when you and I made love that first time. According to him, I was soiled and could no longer be dedicated to his church. So he tried to take it out on you, and we both know what happened then.”
“I never knew about that. Remember you were very young when I met you and you could already See the magic. I thought you'd been born that way. I never thought to ask otherwise.”
“No. My mother wasn't a Christian, she held to the old ways. Her grandmother was a wizard as well. So she taught me a few things that let me know I wasn't crazy and told me not to worry about my father's vow. I wonder if she didn't push me towards you some, just to get around that promise. She was the one that insisted I could become your apprentice. My father was dead-set against it.”
“I guess I wasn't paying as much attention as I thought I was back then. I never knew any of that,” Merlin said.
“You were busy teaching a precocious student and helping everyone who came to you with a problem. I never knew how much of that you did until I took over for you.”
“Well, things worked out for the best at least. Although I still regret leaving you alone for so many centuries.”
“It's fine. If you hadn't left me alone I'd be dead by now. I find several centuries of loneliness in exchange for an eternity with you a fair trade,” Nimue said.
Merlin settled into his chair and smiled.
She's in a much better mood now than when she arrived home, he thought. I think we'll drop the shop talk now.
* * *
Chapter 2
By the end of the year, Nimue was glad for her change of duties. Her pregnancy had begun to show in early December and the discomfort that accompanied it was easier
to endure with her new job. The best guess of the medical staff on the air base was that she was due in late May of the following year. Their estimate was based on the information Nimue gave them so she was sure it was as accurate as possible.
She spent extra time taking care of the lightning tree every day. Eventually Merlin noticed that she was spending more time than normal with it.
“Is there something wrong with the tree?” Merlin asked her.
“Oh no,” Nimue said, “the tree is fine. But I always feel better when I'm out there with it. Our child likes it also. I can tell.”
“Well, Praesagium did say that the child should get a trickle of energy several times a day. I imagine the tree provides that rather well.”
“I think our child just likes the tree. But you could be right. Oh, by the way, Anselm and Vadoma are back. They stopped by earlier to visit. They said they'd come back in the evening when you were here.”
Anselm and Vadoma were back on base over the holidays. With the way the war was progressing, they were told to wait until spring before attempting any more missions. The areas they had been working in were currently seeing active fighting. While on base, they spent a great deal of time with Merlin and Nimue. One evening, Anselm and Merlin returned to the cottage to find Vadoma white-faced and Nimue trying to calm her.
“Merlin,” Vadoma said, “when Gunter asks to go with you, tell him no. If he goes with you, he faces a horrible fate.”
“I assume you had a vision?” Merlin said.
Vadoma nodded.
“I haven't any trips planned currently. Can you give me any more information about this?”
“I'm sorry, I can't. I just saw Gunter horribly wounded if he accompanies you on a trip. It was in a city I'm not familiar with, but it was a large city and looked to be in the middle of the fighting. That's all I saw.”
“Well, thank you. I'll remember that should he ask to accompany me somewhere there might be trouble.”
After Anselm and Vadoma left, Merlin looked at Nimue.
“Was that all she said when she had the vision?”
“No, she also said that I wasn't the target. But she couldn't tell me anything else about that either. I'm afraid I pressed her rather hard, that's why she was in such a state when you returned.”
“I hate divination,” Merlin said.
* * *
At the start of 1945, just after New Years, Verruckt approached Merlin.
“Merlin, it's time for me to leave here.”
“We'll be sorry to see you go. You're welcome to stay longer if you like.”
“No, I'm over my shock and I've composed my story. There's no reason for me to stay here any longer.”
“We can provide you with transportation back to the continent if you like,” Merlin offered.
Verruckt paled at the thought.
“No, that's quite all right,” he said quickly, “I do want you to see me off though. If you remember right, I told you we had our tunnels all over the continent?”
Merlin nodded.
“We have several that run under the channel as well. If you'll see me off, I'll show you the nearest one. I will require a promise that it not be used for troops although other wizards are acceptable if you trust them.”
“I can promise that.”
“Good. When can you see me off?”
“I have no classes the day after tomorrow and I can take some time off from my research. Will that do?”
“That will do well. I'll meet you at your cottage that morning.”
Two days later Verruckt was sitting on the porch when Merlin came out. When Gunter found out about Merlin's plans, he told him that he wasn't going alone. Merlin fretted until he realized Gunter hadn't asked, he'd simply told Merlin he was going. Besides, there shouldn't be any fighting going on in Britain.
Verruckt refused the offer of any form of flight to shorten the trip but accepted Gunter joining them.
“He's a good sort. He doesn't count as troops and I know he can keep a secret,” Verruckt said.
The tunnel was a two hour drive from the base. Its entrance was located in a rocky area between Deal and Dover. Verruckt showed Merlin the signs for tunnels in Britain. The mechanism to open them was the same as the ones on the continent.
“This is farewell then. I think we're even now, my debt to you is paid. You can drop in if you ever find yourself in the area near me though. You've got some great stories. We can drain a cask and swap tales once the war is over,” Verruckt said.
“Thank you Verruckt, you were of great assistance to us. I also consider your debt paid,” Merlin said.
Gunter reached down and grasped the Dverger's hand.
“You're a good man to have at my side during a fight. May you make it to your home safely,” Gunter said.
Blushing from the praise, Verruckt turned and walked into the corridor behind the secret door. The door closed silently behind him.
* * *
The months passed and Nimue's pregnancy showed more with each passing day. But the beginning of March held an unsuspected surprise. When Merlin answered a knock at the cottage door one evening, he found Gwyddon and Brenda on the porch.
“Come in,” Merlin said. “What brings you here?”
The look on Brenda's face suggested she was unhappy in some way.
“Praesagium does,” Brenda said. “He told us that we'll be needed here sometime soon.”
“Soon to a dragon does not necessarily mean the same as soon to us, though,” Gwyddon added.
“Well, we'll be glad for the company at the very least,” Nimue said.
Brenda rushed over to Nimue, staring at her belly.
“You're so lucky. We keep trying but we've had no luck.”
Nimue was left speechless so Merlin took up the conversation.
“Come, follow me. There's one extra bedroom but it's a bit small. I'll show you to it.”
Merlin led the two Welsh wizards down the hallway.
* * *
Several days after Gwyddon and Brenda's arrival, Nimue began to complain of an intermittent severe headache.
“I'm sorry Nimue, I can't find anything wrong with you,” Merlin said after examining her.
“I feel fine now. It's just when the headache comes on me. Then I feel so light-headed it hurts, as though I'm about to float out of my body,” Nimue replied.
“Let me know the next time your headache returns and I'll do the same checks while you have it. If I can't discover what the problem is we'll take you to the medical center on base.”
“They come every few hours on a regular schedule. It's gotten bad enough that I dread them. I can tell you the next one will be in about an hour if they stay on schedule.”
They sat on the porch of the cottage and talked. Their conversation was interrupted by a sound Merlin had never heard before. Anguis was sitting up, his scales bristling. The vibrations from his scales and throat combined to form a horrendous noise. It took Merlin a moment to realize that Anguis was growling.
Merlin looked at Anguis and found the dragon's gaze fixated on a point just above Nimue's head. Moments later, Nimue let out a moan and pressed her fingers to her temples. Anguis' growl abated but the dragon continued to look around as if searching for an enemy.
{Anguis, what was that?} Merlin sent to the dragon's mind.
{I don't know, if felt like Ave and it felt like something else at the same time. It was stalking Nimue.} the dragon replied.
Merlin immediately turned his attention to Nimue. He quickly ran the same checks that he had earlier, once again finding nothing wrong. She was obviously in pain, so he used his Sight to look at her instead.
The problem was immediately evident. Something was trying to bore its way into her. Her shield was under constant assault and there was a hole at the top of it. A shimmer of something vaguely translucent was flowing down through the hole in her shield and into her head.
Merlin reacted quickly. He formed a bar of intense blue-whit
e flame on the tip of his finger and swept it just over Nimue's head. The flame burned a portion of the shimmering substance and Merlin quickly place a shield over the hole to prevent any more of it from entering her. When his flame contacted the substance, she let out a gasp of pain. The remainder of the substance began to cover his new shield, so he swept the bar of flame over all of it. The destroyed substance showed as a brief wisp of smoke to his Sight before dissipating entirely.
“Are you alright Nimue?” Merlin asked.
“My headache's gone already. I expected it to last for an hour at least. What did you do and what was that sharp pain I felt right before the headache left?”
Merlin explained what he'd seen, as well as what Anguis told him.
“So it seems like we aren't done with her yet. I'd hoped she died last time,” Merlin said.
“Is there something we can do to stop whatever she's trying on me?”
“Probably. Whatever it was that she was trying to pour into your head was magical. So if you keep a shield against magic up, it should stop it. I know those are draining but you can use the trigger you developed for that as well. So a light trigger shield that will respond to a magical probe by bringing up the full shield against magic.”
“Can we do that without draining my magic low enough to harm the child?” she asked.
“We'll set up the spells in crystals for you to keep on you at all times. You can spend more time near the tree as well,” Merlin said, coming short of actually answering her question.
“If you say so,” Nimue said. “But...”
“I know. But I'll do whatever I have to in order to keep the two of you safe.”
* * *
Merlin quickly made the first crystal for Nimue. He took longer on the others. He tried to anticipate any other attacks that might occur and ensured that the crystals would protect her from those as well.
His efforts worked and for several days, Nimue didn't experience any headaches. She did tell him that the crystal's shield was set off several times though. After that, the attacks ceased. There was an entire week where the shield spells on the crystals lay dormant.
Merlin was getting ready to teach a class one morning in late March. As he went about his normal routine, he heard a strangled cry from outside. He raced out to find Nimue doubled up on the ground, clutching her stomach. He tried to rouse her but had no success.
