Chapter 14

Merlin’s family

Merlin Gwendydd
- sister Morgenau
- brother Morial
- brother Morien
- brother Mordaf
- brother - Naci’s father

I was still going over our last action when Naci walked to me with a plate of food. “Here husband, you need to keep up your strength if we are to succeed.” Then with a wry smile she continued. “Besides if we are to start a family one day, you will need to be in your best shape.”

I was startled a moment as I stared at her. What in the hell was she on about. I looked closer into her eyes once again noticing that strange look deep in them that I had seen before. With a soft, almost shy laugh when moved off as she threw another strange smile over her shoulder.

Shaking my head I was no closer to figuring her out now than I was when I met her almost a year ago. Concentrating I started in on another mage’s eye hoping to gain more insight. Within moments I nodded as I was outside the council chambers. It wasn’t that clear but I finally had zeroed in on it.

I obviously was finally moving into a much higher level of power. As I remember Merlin was one of the few that could actually view the council hall like this. Shuddering I remembered what Rigal had said about Merlin being dead. Shaking my head I most certainly hope it wasn’t true or both Naci and I were as good as dead.

Looking in I saw that they had quickly added two new mages to keep the council active. Smiling I thought far be it from me to allow this to stand for long. I had to take another to really start eating away at Ukobach’s full control. Anything I could do to weaken his position I needed to do.

Then I also thought of Rigal. Knowing that little ass he had gotten free and was already on the look for Naci and me. I was really going to have to deal with him permanently. Though he was more of an annoyance now I still had Naci to think of.

Sitting there in deep concentration I didn’t even notice that Naci had placed a blanket around me to ward off the cold that was starting. I knew that the council members were really going to be on their guard now. I needed a new way to get to them that no one had thought of yet. Several hundred ideas later I think I might have hit upon an idea.

Finally getting up I almost fell as my legs and feet were more numb than I thought they were. Holy shit! How long had I been sitting there? Then I noticed that it was almost completely dark, that and the fact that Naci was sitting beside me quietly with a more than worried look on her face.

Seeing that I was finally back to the here and now she helped me to stand. “Toman husband, I know that you have a great deal on your mind. Though if you continue on like this I am afraid I will be burying you before we are truly anything like a family. Please husband you scare me so when you go away like this.”

I looked at her face seeing the worry and concern. Then I saw that look in her eyes again, a pained look and something else, something so deep that I had no inkling of an idea of what it was. I hated to ask her as I was afraid that she would lose respect for me and no longer wish to help. The simple fact was she had been far more help than I ever thought she would have been. I wasn’t about to give up on that.

“I’m sorry Naci, for the moment I am trying to come up with something. We have weakened Ukobach’s control, though that’s all. We have to hit him and hit him hard. The thing is we both need to increase our power. I have you higher, though I have neglected to increase my own for some time. I think we both need to work on this.” I told Naci.

Naci was nodding as I was telling her this. “I also believe that this is a course of action we need to take.”

Sighing I stood as I started to go through the exercises that Merlin had taught me to steadily increase my power’s strength. I had been at it for almost two hours when I finally felt my power start to increase. I looked at Naci as her mouth was open. “You have finally moved higher husband. How much longer can you continue? I seem to remember Uncle saying that too much and you stand to strain your power.”

I nodded as I felt for what she was talking about. “As of yet I feel no strain though I am keeping an eye on it. Merlin told me that if I strained too much, it would be painful. Also that I might not be able to use my powers for a few days. I don’t really want us that unprotected.”

Naci nodded with a small smile, “Again that would be wise husband.”

I was starting to turn away from Naci when I noticed that strange look on her face again. The pride she had in me I could easily recognize, though this other one I was completely baffled by. I could just ask her, then again would she tell me? Hell was I prepared for what she might say. Sighing I had to find out some way as this was driving me to distraction.

Finally four hours later I felt my power had finally moved up another level. Stopping I could feel the drain that Merlin had mentioned. Though it wasn’t painful as of yet, I could tell I would be in a whole new world of pain if I continued.

I dropped into my chair like I weighed a hell of a lot more than I did. A moment later Naci placed a plate of food next to me.

“I can feel your power is higher husband, I hope that I can still be of help to you. I feel that at one point you won’t need me anymore.” Naci said as she lowered her head, the glint of tears in her eyes.

Shocked a moment I gently pulled her chin up looking her squarely in the eyes. “I told you that you have been of great help to me. Don’t forget the last council member’s house. You saw danger that I didn’t, I could have gotten us killed. No Naci, you are faring far better than I am. At times I wonder why I am doing this, as careless as I am.”

I had dropped my head this time almost ashamed to look at Naci. It was true I could have gotten the both of us killed.

“No husband, you did what you had to. You have far more on your shoulders than almost anyone that I have ever seen. Together we can prevail in this. Husband, I trust you more than anyone, I will do all I can to help. You just have to allow me to help you.”

My head snapped up to stare at Naci, not sure if she was mocking me or telling the truth. From the sincere look she had on her face I could see she had said all this in earnest. Then I saw that look again, I could swear it was almost the same look I had seen in my mother’s eyes. By all that is holy! Was that a look of love? For me?

I shook my head as I stared a few more moments before Naci turned away. “I need to strengthen you more Naci. You are becoming formidable with your power, though I am afraid that your defenses are still too low. You know who we are up against, I need to get you to a higher level before we meet him.”

Naci’s eyes were wide a moment then she nodded as she sat before me concentrating. “I am ready husband.” She replied.

Nodding I reached out to her then delved in. Going straight to her power center I saw that all I had done was still as strong. Good I thought if she can keep them where they are or higher she had more than a good chance to survive. Reaching out to her defenses I gently touched all of them feeling Naci sigh. Drawing in from around me I started to add to the strands watching as they started to thicken very slowly. Now that they were as thick as they were it was taking far longer to increase them.

I was afraid to do more than an hour so I stopped scanning her. Ah! Good! She was past the three fourths point now. “Alright I am going to power up, the same as before I want you to block then what ever you feel is right.” I told her as she was nodding.

Going to half my power, I let lose a blast toward her. Stopping it cold I smiled, a month ago she’d had nothing even near this for defenses. Slowly I increased feeling her do the same. Finally I was at three fourths as I started to move even higher. Naci was still holding her own though I could see that she was just beginning to struggle. That’s when she surprised me by bouncing part of it back at me.

Smiling hugely I nodded as I held the blast with one hand, and what she’d sent back with the other. She had learned this on her own, I couldn’t be happier. Closing my hand the blast was gone in a moment.

Applauding I stated, “Very good Naci!” Walking up to her I hugged her tightly to me then backed up suddenly as if I had been burned. Naci had a look of pure joy on her face along with a highly infectious smile.

“Thank you husband,” she said as she suddenly launched herself at me hugging me back. This of course caught me off guard as I hit the ground with her on top of me. Then she started to kiss my face.

Pulling back from her I stared at her questioningly, “Thank me? For what?” I asked still confused.

Naci slowly got off me, “That was the first time you have ever touched me like that husband. I was beginning to think that you really didn’t like me.” She smiled shyly then continued. “Now I know different. Plus this was the first time you praised me and my powers, so again thank you.”

I sat back and thought about it, then I nodded my head, she was right. “I’m sorry Naci, I hadn’t realized that I had been so hard on you. I will try harder ok?”

Naci got a huge smile on her face as she vigorously nodded her head yes. “I will also try harder, husband Toman.”

“I know you will Naci, though I haven’t given you the encouragement that I should. I feel that I have failed you at almost every turn. I am surprised that you still wish to stay with me.” I told her as I lowered my head. I was feeling pretty bad about all of it. That is ‘til I heard Naci gasp.

“Toman Wilbey!” She shouted at me. “If this is an attempt to get me to leave your side then you are gravely mistaken!”