See Part One for Disclaimers

Galen watched from the doorway, as the man seemed to edge closer to the fire, wanting to catch him in an unguarded moment, to assess his possible adversary. He heard the slight mutter of words and stared, amazed as the flames rushed higher and brighter. Who the hell was this man?  No mage, that he knew. He felt no power from him; at least... no that wasn't true. But not technology, that he would have sensed the moment he set eyes on him. This was something he had not encountered before, and all his inborn distrust rose to the fore.

"Sorry about that," Merrin apologised, as he finally heard the Mage approach. "It was still a little chilly in here."

Galen stepped closer, the blanket in his hand temporarily forgotten. "Who are you?" he demanded. "You have power, yet I don't recognise you. Who is your master?  And what do you want?"

Merrin's eyebrow lifted. "Well there's no reason why you should know me, I sure didn't know you. Ah, not strictly true I suppose, I knew  of you, who doesn't?"

"About ninety-nine point nine nine percent of the Universe I should think," as he dropped into the matching chair opposite the fire. "Now talk, before I find a more interesting way to get the information."

Galen's tone was reserved as he pulled in his disquiet; until he had the measure of this man he would not incite an incident. As he stared into the brilliant green eyes, he alerted all his scanners, hunting for the seat of Merrin's power; searching, with all the not inconsiderable technology at his disposal, for some hint of its source.

Merrin eyed the towels and blanket meaningfully, and Galen passed them over, waiting with ill concealed impatience as the man stripped off and wrapped the articles around himself, before sinking back into the chair with a sigh.

"Comfortable?" Galen asked, his voice deceptively light.

Merrin caught the undercurrent of annoyance and pulled himself up. He had no time to waste either.

"I come from a land far away..."

"Oh please!" Galen barked out. "Spare me the 'once upon a time' riddles and tell me who you are, why you are here, and, more importantly, how you arrived."

There was no gainsaying his order, for that is what it was. The power of his voice worked with as much authority on Merrin as it would on anyone else, and he found himself explaining in rapid, short sentences.

"My name is Merrin. I come from Merlina. I'm here because the Circle's search spell found you. And I came through the front door -- metaphorically speaking!" The thrall of Galen's voice had lessened as Merrin spoke. He was not aware that Galen had even released his hold on him, or that he had been held at all.

"The front door?" Galen asked, then turned as he felt Dureena's presence enter the house and head in their direction. His eyes sought hers, inviting her to join them, and his features softened as they rested on her.

Merrin watched with interest at the by play. Noting that neither one acknowledged the bond between them, though Dureena's tawny orbs had lingered on Galen long after he had broken the connection. The longing in her eyes almost stopped Merrin's breath.

Galen was aware of Dureena standing behind his chair, her closeness welcome now that she had no demands of him.

"Our guest was just explaining himself to me."

"And?" her husky voice drew Merrin's attention.

"I was just explaining, dear lady, that I came through the front door. The circle of power... about an hour's walk from here?... You don't know where I mean?" Incredulity lit his face. He had felt the power of the stones the moment he had exited the portal, it was one of the reasons the Circle had found Galen.

The mage sent a message to Dureena, querying Merrin's statement. She had explored a lot of the nearby areas, places that Galen had never seen. When he had taken this place for his own, the waters had still not receded very far, the surface had been a vast ocean punctuated with the odd mountainous outcrop. His valley had nestled deep in one of those regions.

Dureena nodded. She had seen the stones but she had felt nothing from them.

"Look, I know you don't trust me..."

"How very perceptive of you," Galen cut in.

"... but we need you. My home is under siege, from a foe our magic can not touch. We invited him into our hearts and homes, now he rules us, and not kindly. The Circle has tried everything, every spell they can think of; nothing affects the fortress. And he has the most savage of creatures guarding every entrance; even our assassins can't get through. Magic doesn't stop them -- they don't eat, they don't sleep. They arrive out of nowhere, and kill indiscriminately. We searched for someone, anyone who could help us. We thought, someone with a magic to match that of Renn. In some of our ancient writings there are tales of power, unlike the magic we wield today. And stories about a Wizard called Galen who could smite the heavens with a word."  Merrin saw Galen's raised eyebrow and hurried on. "We were desperate can't you understand that?  We are at the stage where we'll clutch at any straw. We put together a search spell and sent it out to find our salvation. It found you!"

"Renn?  You are sure that is the name?"

"Galen, could it be?" Dureena touched his shoulder lightly.

He held up a hand, asking for silence. "Can you show me this man?"

Merrin concentrated, trying to summon the energy required to bring forth the illusion. Before him appeared a hazy image, showing the face of Renn. Dark eyes looked out from the illusion, the strong hawk-like nose set over thin, uncompromising lips. It wavered for a moment, then popped out of existence as Merrin fell back.

"Sorry, guess I am weaker than I thought."

Galen had observed closely, as had Dureena. Both watching for the familiar surge of power that would indicate a mage at work. They exchanged a glance. There had been no such emanation.

Dureena walked over to the stranger, touching his hand briefly. "He has no technology, Galen. How did he do that?"

"Magic," he said ruefully. "Real magic."

***

"Well, do we go?"  Dureena's voice spoke directly in his mind.

"It is intriguing. Real magic, to study and to learn."  And to maybe divert their thoughts from the memories that surrounded them, hurt them both.

"And if this Renn is the same man?"

"Then we have to deal with him. Or inform the Council and let them take the necessary action. But I don't think they would look too favourably on my trying to contact them. I did, after all, trigger the death of their leader. Not to mention their lack of help when we needed them most."

The amulet glowed faintly as Dureena's thoughts turned inward, and she quickly tore them away from the visions that tormented her. She saw Galen flinch at the memories and cut the connection between them. The amulet had proved to be so much more than the protective ward Galen had designed. It had linked to Dureena, and then to Galen, in the most intimate of fashions, and they had worked hard on adapting and enhancing its abilities since the raid last year. Without implants, Dureena should not be able to accept messages from Galen, but the improvements now gave them leave to communicate not just emotions, but short messages.

Merrin had donned his now dry clothes and was studying them again. Galen, aware of the scrutiny, ignored it as he communicated with Dureena.

"We'll come with you."  Galen turned a jaundiced eye in Merrin's direction, as the man let out a sigh of contentment. "Now you are stronger, can you show us the beasts you referred to earlier. If we have to get past them to reach Renn, we need to know how to disable them most effectively."

"Good luck on that!" But Merrin, his strength now much improved, called up a vision of the terrible guardians.

"Holo demons," Galen muttered, as he walked around the vision. "They are solid you say?" His deep grey eyes fixed on Merrin.

"Solid as wood. We've thrown everything at them from fire to arrows. Everything bounces right off them. Sleep spells have no effect, even Sharree's thunder bolt only splattered one for a moment before another one took its place. We don't know what to do."

"What other defences does he have?"

"Maybe the Circle can fill you in better than I can. I've seen these creatures, but no-one has been inside the fortress since he took control."

"Then we had best make a move. Is there anything else we should know?"

"Well, you might need some pain killers. Since our first attempt at sorcery, Renn has cast a spell that gives everyone with any talent a blinding headache. It makes it incredibly difficult for those of us with the gift to function. There is this..."  He waved his hand, confused. "It is like a noise and yet you can't hear it; it's just out of range, but it is so bloody hard to concentrate. It seems the greater the gift, the more painful and debilitating the effects. This is the first time in months that I have been able to think clearly. I'm not sure how long the Circle can keep the portal open, we should really hurry."

Galen retrieved his cloak and staff, picked up and pocketed a small box from the mantle-piece, then indicated he was ready. "As speed is of the essence I suggest we fly to the stones."

Outside, he formulated a flying platform large enough to take them all. Dureena hopped on beside him and then held out a hand to the dazed Merrin.

"Bloody hell!" Merrin exclaimed, as the ground disappeared from under him, and they seemed to fly through the air without support.

Dureena's hair had grown down to her shoulders now, and the soft curls blew around her face with the passage of the breeze. She leant into the wind, revelling in the speed and freedom, and let her cares blow away for a moment.

Galen looked down at her glowing face, and for the first time in a month, did not see the pain in her eyes. He looked forward again, and let a little hope rest in his heart.

***

The stone circle loomed large and imposing before them. Merrin hopped down and made his way swiftly toward the centre but Galen stopped beside the largest of the stones. He passed a hand over his eyes, initiating the scanners and aimed his gaze at the stele. Only the rock's composition registered on his senses, and yet as he let his hand run over the faint writings, he could feel a small tingle caress his fingertips. In all his years searching for knowledge, he had not thought to check out his own back yard. The slight pricking of his skin indicated power, but nothing that he had previously come into contact with. Certainly he would investigate further when they returned.

"If you didn't know about this place it's no wonder you didn't reply when we tried to reach you before."  Merrin was holding out one hand as though feeling for something.

"Reach me?"

"Yes... ah, here it is."  He patted the empty air possessively. "Yes, we tried to send you a message, twice, but when we had no reply the Circle decided to send a messenger -- me."  Merrin waved a hand and the shimmering blue disc became visible.

Galen let his mind slip back to the two times he had found himself at the flyer without any memory of his journey. He gave Merrin a hard look. If the magic these people possessed was strong enough to influence his mind from this distance, he would have to keep a tighter grip on his sensory perceptions.

Dureena walked up to the portal and let a hand reach towards it, her fingers barely touching its radiant surface. "Amazing," she sighed. Her hand rested on the amber stone around her neck as she sunk her fingers further into its vibrant blue surface. "Galen, feel this."

He strode quickly to her side, his fingers overlaying hers where they lay on the amulet, and he too could feel the warmth and subtle emanations that seeped through her. Like the tingle of the stones, yet magnified greatly, the emanations that coursed through the amulet sent a subtle and disquieting fire through his circuits. He stored the data for later retrieval and just let himself enjoy the shared time with Dureena.

"Look, I don't want to spoil the moment or anything, but we should really be getting along."

Merrin's voice separated Galen and Dureena like a douse of cold water. The intimacy of the moment lost.

"Then let's go," Galen's voice suddenly harsh in the still air.

***

Merrin stepped through the portal with Galen at his side, Dureena a half step behind them. Galen experienced a mild nausea as he exited the other side, and pressed his mouth tight against the feeling.

He was instantly aware of all around him. They had arrived in a large hall, wood lined with high ceilings, that reminded him of the hall on Elric's home planet. Surrounding them were eleven men and women, grey faced with exhaustion; their linked hands dropped as the portal blinked out of existence. And then the pain hit him, ferocious and targeted, aiming straight for his processing centres. So fierce it almost blinded him. He saw Dureena stagger and held her arm tightly to prevent her falling. With the other hand he delved into his capacious pocket and retrieved the box he had brought with him. Flicking it open with one deft finger, he let go of her arm just long enough to transfer the small globe to his palm, before returning his support. Mind and machine linked as the orb searched the frequencies for the jamming signal, locating it in moments, and neutralising it with swift efficiency.

The pain stopped instantly, and Galen watched in some satisfaction as he saw those around him look on in wonder. A couple of them even lifted a hand to their head, as though in awe at the miracle he had wrought. All eyes rested on him, as he became the focus of the Circle's undivided attention.

The woman coming toward them with her hands outstretched in welcome was tall and willowy. Though there were dark circles under her eyes, a testament to the strain the Circle had been under, still there was a warm and open look about her that drew all Galen's attention. She turned first to Merrin, hugging him briefly before turning her deep brown eyes to Galen and Dureena, whom she briefly acknowledged, before turning her gaze once more to the Mage standing before her.

"Thank you, thank you so much for coming to us. And for this..."  She indicated her brow. "We had tried all we knew to banish the noise."

Her dark brown eyes were soft on his, and there was something infinitely compelling about her. Not magical, he did not believe she was using her gift on him, but just the warm nature that seemed so embracing. For all Galen's mistrust, and against his better judgement, he had felt an instant attraction for her, and he found himself smiling in return. "My pleasure," he said quietly. Inside, he wondered at his response, trust was not something that came naturally to him, and instant decisions about someone was also foreign to his nature. This place was having an unsettling effect on him.

Merrin stepped in then, making hasty introductions. "Galen, meet Sharree, head of the Circle and our most powerful magician. Sharree, this is Galen and Dureena. You were right about his power, Sharree."

Others crowded round now, begging introductions. And Galen found he and Dureena suddenly separated, a tug on the link between them alerting him to her removal.

"One moment, Merrin. Where is Dureena?"

"The ladies thought she might like to, ah, change."  Merrin coughed lightly. "Her outfit is a little, well, revealing for their sensibilities."

"I suggest you bring her back before she hurts someone," Galen uttered softly, and too late.

A choked scream echoed from the other side of the room, and suddenly Dureena stood in a space rapidly created by the swift retreat of the magicians. Standing with her favourite knife in her hand, she epitomised all the fury that had been building up within her from the moment she had been ignored on their entrance.

Galen glanced over, amused. "Ah, too late."  The dry comment almost lost in the hubbub of noise her actions had precipitated.

Sharree stepped into the breach, holding out an apologetic hand to Dureena. "I'm sorry, they got a little carried away. Your clothing is a little..."

Sharree stood elegantly garbed in a form fitting dress that hugged her well formed torso and flared out from her hips to settle in soft folds around her legs. No hint of bosom or leg showed, and yet Galen did not think he had seen a more revealing, or flattering, outfit.

"Dureena is her own person, Sharree. Let's leave it at that."

The object of their discussion threw him a dirty look that could have stripped the skin from his hide -- and he revelled in it. For weeks he had seen nothing in her face but defeat and pain. She had lost so much, they both had, but Dureena had been suffering torments that he did not know how to counteract. That he could not heal his own hurts mattered little when compared to her distress.

***

Four persons sat around the table. Galen, looking solemn and unapproachable; Merrin, his eyes flitting back and forth among the gathering; Sharree, tired yet in control at the head and Dureena, quietly simmering as she lounged in the high-backed chair, one leg thrown casually over the arm.

"Can I offer you refreshments?  A drink, some food perhaps?" Merrin, who had still not eaten since he began his trip, instantly accepted Sharree's offer. As he munched on a piece of meat, the others began to talk.

"Merrin was a little vague on the details of this fortress, and of Renn, the man who is causing you so much trouble. Would you care to fill us in?"

"Of course," Sharree replied. "It started nearly a year ago. A stranger, Renn, arrived at our city and, being hospitable folk, we accepted him into our society. We have many visitors here, the markets and speciality goods that our artisans are famed for drawing huge amounts of clients. This man was different however."

She glanced at Galen, a small frown creasing her brow. "I do not mean this as any kind of rudeness Galen, but he had the same air of isolation that surrounds you. Almost as though we were beneath him somehow."

Galen did not reply. If his assumption was correct, then these people had, albeit unwittingly, harboured a rogue Techno-mage. One that could most certainly do great damage to them. And Renn would be more than aware of his superiority.

Dureena cast a quick glance his way, catching his eye for a brief moment. It was enough for their delicate bond to be re-established, though neither showed any awareness of that fact.

Merrin, observing from behind his raised glass of beer, watched fascinated as the silver tendrils intertwined.

"At first he just made small demands. A bigger house to stay in, someone to help out in the place. Small, innocent requests. But his demands became greater, and when our mayor finally said 'no' to him he struck out with, what we thought, was magic. He consumed the man in fire."  Sharree's hands linked in front of her on the table. "You have to understand that very few of our people have the gift. And not one of them would use it to destroy anything. It has many uses, and yes, we know of its destructive capabilities, but it is foreign to our nature to use it in such a way."

"We follow the path of light, you see."  Merrin finally entered the conversation. "There once was a sect, a group of dissidents, that followed the path of darkness. This was long ago in our history you understand, but the true believers wiped them out."

"So much for not harming anyone!" Dureena sent to Galen.

Galen nodded in answer to Dureena's message, though Merrin thought it acknowledged his own comments.

"After that incident," Sharree continued, "his demands became more and more outrageous until we had to reform the Circle. The populace had never trusted true magic, or those that wield it, but suddenly we were the ones needed. They though he was a wizard, a student of the path of darkness -- and so did we."

Sharree slumped a little in her chair and Merrin laid his hand over her clasped ones, squeezing gently. She looked up at him gratefully.

"We tried every magic that we could think of. Our first confrontation seemed to be a spectacular victory. We had decided that we had to either capture and confine him or, if given no choice, kill him."

"Let me guess. You failed."  Galen's light tone reached the furthest parts of the room. "You failed not only to restrain him in any way but also to kill him. You attempted magic to harm him, and though initially successful, maybe you hit him with a surge of your power?  A day or two later he was back as bad as before and now carrying a grudge?  Am I right?"

"Yes," Merrin said softly. "Sharree has the most power of any of us, she hit him with everything she had and he fell. Before we could be sure he was dead two of his hell spawned minions snapped out of nowhere and dragged him away. It was blissful those next few days, the city began to hum again, the citizens felt safe to walk the streets."

"I take it that didn't last?" Dureena had swung her leg down to the floor and was now truly caught in the tale, leaning forward to rest her arms on the table.

"He began to take hostages 'to ensure co-operation' he said."  Merrin hesitated as though fighting to bring the words forth. "He took children -- our children. The sons and daughters of the members of the Circle."  Merrin's voice barely rose above a whisper, and all his cocky assurance had fled.

Merrin was barely aware of the surge in Galen and Dureena's auras. The sudden spike of grief that hit them simultaneously, and separated the fragile link that had previously bound them.

"Are they still alive?" Galen's face gave nothing away, and yet inside his anger was stirring, and the power that he held pushed against the boundaries he had set.

" Yes."  Sharree had taken up the tale once more. "I don't know what he wants with them apart from hostages to our good behaviour, but he also removed a handful of women from the town. One only is allowed out to shop for the fortress. Always she is accompanied by one of Renn's minions, but about a week ago she managed to drop a message whilst buying her goods. The children are alive."

"That is all that the message said?"

"At the time that was the most important thing on our minds. Since then we have tried again to gain entry to the fortress. Renn has blocked every entrance to the place bar the front door, and that is guarded night and day by his demons. My sleep spells don't work on them, power bolts obliterate them but they return in an instant. We tried to sneak past them using misdirection and illusion, but the minute our man touched the door they were on him."  Sharree shuddered at the remembered outcome.

"Do you have plans for the building?  Or, if not, is the builder still around to talk too?  If Renn did any work on the place before this got out of control, who did the work?  Bring me whatever you can."

"Thank you. Thank you both."

Merrin added his thanks to Sharree's.

"Come along Dureena, I'll show you to the room we set aside for you. I'm afraid we didn't expect two of you but... well, we'll manage to find somewhere for Galen."

"No need," Galen's voice reached him, laden with frost. "I rarely sleep."

Continued

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