Recovering from a backward slam, initiated by some massive green force he’d never encountered before, Gart ignored the hand Jon offered.

His sword was fifteen feet away, and it took all his strength to stay standing. Even as he did, bones knit and tissue began to mend. In that instant, he knew that if somebody wanted to take his head, they could. For now, he couldn’t defend himself. He needed several more minutes to heal. Sadly, several more minutes was too much time. The older man had him. He’d die, then Jean would. At least, he hoped his and his trainee’s demise would go in that order. He didn’t want to see Jean lose her head. The thought sickened him.

Prior to this night, he’d walked the length and breadth of his property. This megalithic circle had been totally hidden.

Now, the ground on which the stones stood was his trap. The dirt here would serve as his deathbed. Finally feeling as though he could croak out a last command, he looked at Jean.

“Baby, come to me.” He had to force out the heretofore unspoken endearment, and was somewhat mollified when she stumbled toward him, apparently as shocked by this situation as he was.

“I’m sorry, Gart. This is all my fault,” she tearfully muttered.

Finally, she used my first name.

“No, sweetheart. It’s not. It’s mine.”

Gart put his attention back on the Jon-Merlin character, hoping to keep him talking until his internal injuries healed. The ploy was a last effort to try and save them.

“Who the hell are you, mister? And don’t fucking lie to me again,” Gart rasped.

Merlin briefly closed his eyes before answering. “Goddess above…give me patience,” the older man uttered. “Of the very few people who’ve been informed, why do they always have this same, incredulous reaction? And, if you don’t mind, watch your language in front of a lady.”

“I’d like to fucking know, too,” Jean offhandedly countered.

Merlin shook his head and arched one brow. “Women! As long as I’ve lived, I’ve never gotten used to their intense desire to be like men, despite the fact that they’ve always been more powerful, in many ways.”

“Answer the question,” Gart injected.

“I told you the truth. I am Merlin, of Camelot. I was born in the fifth century, and became aware of my Druidic powers early in life. These powers were gifted to me by some unknown source. However, I like to think that they emanate from Mother Nature.”

Gart scowled, but said nothing in response.

Merlin cleared his throat and continued. “I studied with men and women who showed me how to direct energy from the earth, and use it for my purpose. Jean has those same powers though I let her stay with you for a time, to better judge her character. Now, it is up to me to teach her to use her gifts. Reports tell me she’s mentally acclimated enough to handle the truth.” He glanced at Jean. “You can thank Garrett for that.”

She dragged her hands through her hair in response.

“Gart has been sending in the most wondrous reports about you, my dear. According to him, you’re the most proficient student he’s ever seen. Quite…what was the word he used? Ah yes…he said that you were brilliant. That was among the very colorful and complimentary comments he has sent in to home office.”

Even in her obviously stunned state, Gart saw Jean suppress a grin. He ignored her very palpable gratitude, flexed a few muscles, and hoped to keep the other man distracted for a few more seconds. Apparently, the so-called wizard of legend wasn’t going to kill him right away. “Look…I don’t know what game you’re playing, but there is no such person as Merlin. There never was.”

“Gart…I think he’s telling the truth,” Jean acknowledged. “He can do things. Weird things. He can control light. But that blast that hit you wasn’t his. It belongs to the powers of the circle. He told me so. And how could he know about such things if he wasn’t trained to be aware of them? He does have powers.”

Merlin snorted. “The power to produce the green orb is nothing. I can easily teach you to form one, Jean. I only used it because I needed to get your attention, and bring you up the hill. Such dramatics were necessary because I didn’t want Sir Impetuous to intrude, with any sword-swinging, histrionic act of futile chivalry. Well, so much for that!” he gustily responded. “To get back to the point…I waited for days for you to make an appearance. I can imagine you’ve been kept on a very short leash. Did Gart threaten your freedom in any way? Did he tell you to stay inside like a lap dog?”

“You’ve got a real set of brass balls, mister! I’ll give you that,” Gart complained, “but there’s a price for coming on my land and starting crap! Believe me, I intend to exact payment.”

“Your being ridiculous, Garrett Bloodnight! Your unwillingness to listen, as well as your impulsiveness, is unnerving in the extreme. I suppose your size has more to do with your survival over the years. Certainly, your existence has nothing to do with mental acuity.”

“You son-of-a—”

“Stop! Just stop it…both of you!” Jean shouted as she held up her hands between the two men.

Gart turned his attention to her. He was healed now. All he had to do was get to his sword. It was closer to Jon Merdwyn than it was to him. He had to be careful.

“If you reach for that sword again, you’ll end up with another broken back,” Merlin advised. “I know you’ve been attempting to divert me until the damage done to your body is healed, but such stalling wasn’t necessary. It won’t do you any good. Not in this circle! If you don’t calm down, we’ll be here for a very long time. I’ve only chosen to divulge information now because Her Majesty thinks so well of you. And because of how well Jean seems to have responded to your training. Don’t mistake my patience for gullibility,” he angrily explained. “We need to talk, but you first need to listen. After you’ve heard what I have to say, then you may ask intelligent questions. Emphasis on the word intelligent. We need to come to an arrangement as far as Jean’s future training goes. We need an agreement tonight.”

“Don’t I have anything to say about this?” Jean asked.

“No!” both men responded.

Gart frowned but willed himself to stay calm. The last thing Jean needed was to see his head rolling at her feet. “How is it that I’ve never heard of you…Merlin?”

“Have you never read a single word of Arthurian legend? Nothing at all?”

“I was talking about your presence within the organization!”

“I am an Ethereal. Until now, my presence within the organization wasn’t your secret to know. I am not the only one. Furthermore, Jean showed signs of being like me, on the night of her accident. This was kept secret even from David Harrington, who knows nothing about my true nature or anything at all about the Ethereal program within the organization. He hasn’t got that kind of clearance. Neither did you. Not until now.”

Gart stood to his full height and pulled his shoulders back. “Are you in charge of this group of secret immortals?”

“Yes. If you’re willing to watch and learn, I will step outside this protective circle. I cannot wield more than a small amount of magic within it. There are other places like this one, and I will show you how to recognize them. If you’re prepared to learn.”

Gart snarled. “You’re not serious!”

“Gart, please!” Jean begged. “Listen to him. If he’d wanted to hurt us, he’d have done it by now.” She put her hand on his arm. “I’ve already said it once…I think he’s telling the truth. We both need to listen.”

“Jean, you cannot buy into this garbage!” He could no longer pretend he didn’t care about her any more than duty permitted. This was personal now, and on levels he was only beginning to understand. Jean meant more to him than he’d let himself acknowledge. He’d do whatever it took to see her back to safety.

“Only a year ago, I’d have agreed with you, Gart. I’d have believed that Merlin’s blathering was some kind of hoax. But I’ve seen too much,” Jean insisted. “If I have these powers and can use them to help people, then I have an obligation to do it. We don’t live in a world where everybody gets along. You’ve been through two World Wars. You, more than anybody, should know just how unfriendly this planet has become. I think that’s why Merlin is here. I think he’s trying to help.”

“Listen to her, Garrett Bloodnight. She’s making every kind of bloody good sense!” Merlin urged.

Gart took a deep breath and exhaled it slowly. “All right. Show me your stuff…Merlin!”

“Very well. If you’re sufficiently calm, pick up your weapon. Do it slowly. Show control and above all…respect. If you don’t, the circle’s powers will body slam you until you do.”

Bristling at a command that’d been relayed as if he were a child, Gart nevertheless heeded the other man’s warning, and slowly picked up his broadsword with his right hand. He let it hang loosely in his grip, by his side. When he stood again, Merlin nodded at him.

“Follow me,” the older man commanded.

Gart was surprised when Jean took up a firm, close position by his right side. She put one hand on the lower part of his back. When he glanced down at her, twilight of the ending day glistened in her eyes. He saw concern there that shook him to the core.

She’d been frightened that he might lose his head. All her concern had apparently been for his sake. He felt waves of warmth and caring wash over him as she touched his back.

To bolster her courage, as well as his own, he hugged her to his side and firmly nodded. Anger over her wandering transgression was quickly replaced with concern and tenderness.

Focus.

This could be some crazy trick. If it was, however, what could be gained from such a display; why would anyone make such an outlandish claim as being the wizard of Camelot?

He led Jean out of the circle, and followed Merlin down a path on the other side of the stone megaliths.

Eventually, Merlin stopped in a small clearing no bigger than about fifty feet across. The older man turned and faced them.

Gart took time to look the fellow over again. He also gripped his weapon with more intensity.

Though darkness encroached, there was still enough ambient light to see quite well. He sized up his adversary.

Merlin was older, but that meant nothing in the world of immortals. In fact, the older immortals were, the more tricks they had at their disposal.

He and the other man were similarly dressed in hiking boots, jeans, jackets and shirts. That told him the other guy had meant to be on the hills, wandering about his property after the man had been told not to.

As Merlin took his turn looking them over, Jean firmly grabbed his free hand in both of hers. He felt her anxiety, like a cold wave. She didn’t want a fight. She knew how tightly he held onto his sword.

“It’s all right,” he whispered. “No one will hurt you. Not while I’m here.”

“She needs no such warning since it’s highly likely she’s been gifted with more power than you and I combined,” Merlin softly chastised. Then he held out his hand. “Jean…come to me, girl. Don’t be afraid. I knew your great grandfather, too. Though I don’t owe him my life as Bloodnight does, I owe him allegiance as a good and fine man. There has always been dire need for more people like him.”

Gart refused to let go of her hand. “What do you want with her?”

“To show you the truth. We’ve much to discuss. If you’re worried about your employees, I’m quite sure your claviger won’t miss you, Bloodnight.”

“What about yours?”

“I…wasn’t completely honest with you in that respect. An Ethereal has never been required to have a claviger. Neither will Jean, once she has been sufficiently trained.”

Gart grimaced. “So, my thoughts on the matter are correct. The rules don’t apply to you.”

“We are not the same, sir. I will say it again. Jean and I are Ethereals. We are immortals blessed with magical abilities. To that end, Jean’s files have not been made public nor shall they ever be. David Harrington was told what he needed to hear. If he asks questions about the change in protocol where Jean is concerned, he’ll be sufficiently shushed. He’ll be told to move on with business. As a good warden of the law, he will do so and without informing you. If you call him to ask about me again, he’ll tell you that the highest sources have basically slammed a lid on Jean’s files. She’ll be my responsibility.”

Jean’s body visibly stiffened.

Gart felt her fear like an electrical charge. Before he could speak, however, Merlin-Jon Merdwyn reacted to what he, too, must have sensed.

“My dear girl, don’t be frightened. I’m convinced there’s room for compromise. It’s been a very, very long time since another Ethereal has emerged on the world scene. Between that last emergence and now, times have changed. We will succeed in our endeavors because we change with them. I will repeat a summation of my history and yours. No one knows why Ethereals are here. We simply are. I will also reiterate with great pride…not one among us has ever become a rogue. I think we are made of more honorable stuff.”

“If you can live forever and can wield magic as well, then you’ve no need to fear anyone. You are beholden to no one and no agency,” Gart remarked as he slightly raised the tip of his sword. “That makes you dangerous!”

Merlin shook his head in denial. “We protect the good and innocent in this world. To do otherwise is not in any Ethereal’s soul. However, some humans are not so righteous.”

Gart tilted his head. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I’m speaking of a few scientists,” Merlin answered. “To fulfill demands from certain wealthy sources, they are already attempting to create an artificial form of immortality. They will trademark and try to own it. They will make it legally theirs. Even with rogues, such choices should be made by nature, not by white coats in some laboratory.”

“I don’t under—”

“Think Bloodnight! If immortality becomes accessible to anyone who can pay for it, you will see some very dangerous and powerful characters emerge on the world scene. Only Ethereals…using their combination of immortality and magic…can stand between that science and the rest of the world. Hence, we are left off the public radar. We will never be registered or classified. We will never be followed by clavigers. We must remain anonymous.”

“Who says any of this science is happening?” Gart angrily queried. “You’re talking about DNA research.”

“I am privy to information you cannot fathom,” Merlin countered.

“Are there other magical beings in existence that I don’t know about?” Gart angrily demanded.

Merlin lifted his chin but said nothing. His silence, whether he meant it to be or not, was an affirmative answer.

Gart let out a long breath and shook his head. He loosened his grip on his sword. “So, no one in the agency ever questions your coming or going because authorities are either bewitched, or are afraid of getting into trouble by asking too many questions. You’re suggesting that, through the use of magic, you can hide your very existence.”

“Let us say that there are a great many ways of maintaining anonymity. Before this discussion deepens, however, I must convince you that you’re not being bamboozled.” Merlin moved closer. “Bloodnight, you are among the most powerful of all immortals. You know how to keep secrets. That trait will open certain doors to you now; doors nonexistent to other immortals.”

“Jean’s presence in my life is why you’re saying that,” Gart asserted.

Merlin simply lifted one brow. Then, he slowly turned toward the woods. He lifted his left hand and a small, green orb appeared in his palm. It floated up, traveled a few yards away, and grew until it was the dimension of a soccer ball.

From there, the orb glided forward and landed in a small, rock-enclosed circle on the ground. The green ball then turned orange and a warm fire appeared.

Merlin then lifted both hands to the sky. Rain began, but it only fell on the forest and landscape directly outside the small clearing. He then turned his head to the north, and thunder sounded.

The breeze picked up.

When Merlin lowered his hands again, the rain stopped as did the sound of any storm in the distance. The little fire burned throughout the display, but then slowly disappeared as the wizard pressed his outstretch palm toward the ground.

“Y-You can control the elements?” Jean asked.

“It’s best to leave such power alone unless one is very experienced. To produce rain in a dessert could cause flooding. The ground in such areas is very hard, and cannot accept water easily. In other places, where water is prevalent, too much of it can cause crops to rot. Fire is obviously dangerous in any environment. You see, there is a balance in nature that even we cannot sway. We must be careful how we use our powers and when,” Merlin softly advised. “We do not rule nature. It only allows us to borrow powers.”

Jean simply nodded.

“And you, Garrett Bloodnight…you’ve suddenly grown silent. What have you to say now?” Merlin asked with his brows arrogantly arched.

Gart sat on a nearby stone. “What else can you do? What kind of powers are we talking about?” He heard awe in his own voice and was incapable of producing any tone bearing swagger. No one could rig the kind of display he’d just witnessed. No apparatus could cause rain to fall on a clear, moonlit night. Not while leaving the clearing in which they stood completely dry. Fire had appeared from some magical orb at Merlin’s command. The older man had easily sent that fire away.

Merlin smiled. “It is not just me. The world of Ethereals now includes Jean Long. The creatures of nature respond to us.” He looked at Jean. “My girl, you will likely have seen animals come to you whilst traipsing around the property. You’d have been unaware of how they sense your kinship with them.”

The older man knelt, then seemed to concentrate on the forest in front of him. Within a few seconds, rabbits and other creatures appeared, including deer. A few owls and even bats flew overhead.

When Merlin motioned them away with a nod of his head and stood once more, they scampered off without appearing to have been unduly alarmed or even concerned.

Gart watched in absolute wonder. Merlin faced him squarely.

“Take care with the creatures you’ve gathered on your property, Bloodnight. They trust you because you’ve shown great kindness. Their presence in your life is a gift. Honor their faith.”

“Noted!” Gart asserted.

Incredulity slowly dissolved Gart’s anger over Jean’s safety. Now, a sense of respect replaced concern. He had no weapon that could combat a creature known as an Ethereal. Merlin could have probably removed his sword from his hand, or might have pulled any number of other stunts so he’d be forced to let it go. Yet, the older man had shown no aggressive behavior. The circle had, but not the man himself.

Merlin turned his attention to Jean. “Come here, my girl.”

Jean let go of Gart’s hand and walked to the wizard without question. This time, Gart didn’t try to stop her.

Merlin smiled at her. “Hold out your hand, dear.”

“Which one?” she asked.

“Either. Which one seems the stronger or more prevalent?”

She shrugged. “The left?”

“Raise your left hand, with your palm facing up.”

She did as Merlin requested.

“Close your eyes and think of the moon. Think of its light shimmering in your hand.”

She complied.

Gart stood there feeling somewhat superfluous. He had nothing to add to this situation. No one at the agency had trusted him with this information. No one had ever said a thing. Only Merlin could have given permission for him to have access to this knowledge now. After all he’d done to secure the safety of the realm, only Jean’s appearance in his life prompted this sharing of knowledge. He didn’t know whether to be angry, sad or insulted.

The interaction now was between Merlin and Jean. He waited in silence.

As Jean followed Merlin’s instructions, eventually, the tiniest green orb formed in her palm. She opened her eyes, as if she knew it was present. Instead of seeing her blue gaze in that orb’s light, Jean’s eyes now glowed green. From within. As if they were backlit. As shocked as he was, Gart had learned enough from his immortal life to show no fear lest he telegraph that same distress to any other immortal nearby. Specifically, rogues. Now he withheld emotion as best as he could for Jean’s sake. She needed to concentrate. He must will himself to remain calm so that she could.

Merlin began to explain this new magic. “The orb is green because…”

“That’s the color of nature,” Jean automatically finished as the orb faded away.

“You see!” Merlin declared without even glancing at Gart, “she knows. She has an innate gift. She is Ethereal. I nor anyone else can bestow that kind of power. I cannot perform magic for her. I can only show her how to use her own gifts. She must learn to use them wisely so that she does not unbalance nature.”

Jean suddenly stepped backward, away from the men. She turned to the woods, and held up her right arm with the forearm parallel to the ground. Silently, a form flew forward. A lovely barn owl landed on her outstretch limb.

“Isn’t it beautiful! Look!” Jean quietly murmured as she admired the bird.

The owl’s talons could tear flesh, but they were now spread wide. The great bird acted as if it wouldn’t harm her.

For a moment, Jean’s attention was captured by the beauty of the owl. She admired and cooed over the lovely creature so serenely perched on her forearm. Then, she gently nudged it into flight by lifting her shoulder and entire arm simultaneously. The creature silently flew off, into the night. The glow that had appeared in her eyes slowly faded.

“She comes by this naturally. All she needed was to be shown,” Merlin murmured.

Gart now believed in it all.

Moreover, he knew Jean would have to leave. She’d have to go where she could be trained. His immortal brand of tutoring wasn’t suitable for such a monumental task. He stood, swallowed hard and faced the wizard squarely. He opened his mouth, but Merlin held up his hand to silence him.

“Cast off suspicions, Bloodnight. I sense your feelings. I told you there is room for change.”

“What change?”

“Jean should be trained so that she need not use her powers unless absolutely required. If she’s not careful, she might expose herself and the world to the existence of Ethereals. Only on the rarest occasions will she use the magic at her disposal. She will still need to be trained to know when that magic is needed and how to summon it.”

Gart shook his head. “I can’t help her do that.”

“You can help her in other ways.” Merlin lifted one hand in supplication. “We live in a world of instant communication, Bloodnight. You are fully aware of that fact. As I’ve told you both, Jean’s immortality will not be reported to that world as would normally be the case. The law exists so that humans are not afraid of the so-called deathless gods and goddesses moving among them. Immortals report our presence as a way of mollifying fear of our powers. It can be also said that this procedure is a curse. You know what I’m speaking of.”

Gart sighed heavily before adding his opinion. “I’ve heard that some powerful criminal groups go after immortals’ clavigers, their families, friends and loved ones. That’s the price we pay for attempting to live with humans while trying to prove we won’t turn ourselves into everlasting tyrants.”

“Ethereals are on no public list for that same reason. Our powers are even greater than any immortal’s. We don’t just live forever, we can control elements of nature. We can cast spells and perform magic. Can you imagine what might happen were that power to fall into the wrong hands? Can you imagine what would happen if some Ethereal had friends, or even human family still living, and those lives could be threatened by criminals? Any Ethereal under such circumstances might be compelled to aid in terrible corruption. All to save those he or she loved.”

“If someone I cared about was threatened, I do anything to get them to safety,” he said as he gazed longingly at Jean.

“Her Majesty…as well as other very carefully chosen powers in this world… have agreed to keep Ethereals’ existence secret, Bloodnight. We protect the immortals who are obeying the law and who do not abuse their powers. Someday, we’ll be secretly called on to stop science from artificially creating more immortals. This is a moral obligation.”

Jean chimed in. “Whoever knows about us must agree as well, Gart, or this is one secret that could never have been kept. We must stay off any radar.”

Again, Gart stared at Jean. She was changing, emotionally, before his eyes. Having been shown what she was, she was quick to understand the consequences of humanity’s abuses. He spoke carefully. “I don’t understand how…what I mean is…how can I help you now, Jean?”

Jean approached him and put one hand on his chest. “I think Merlin means to let me stay with you. If I train as an immortal, I can respond as one. Even if someone happens to see me, photograph me, and put my image all over some social site, no one will know who I really am, or what I can really do. They may even peg me as a human claviger.”

Gart suddenly felt better about the situation. He almost smiled, but Jean seemed intent on making sure he understood.

“Gart, assume I’m seen by paparazzi while I’m on some mission. Society can rant about me, they can make up any story they please. Don’t you see? I can go anywhere, do anything. I can use a disguise; the way immortals on missions sometimes do. Internet gossip might attribute my presence to any one of thousands of immortals that they have heard of, mistaking me for someone else. They’ll haggle over it, and argue about my identity just as they sometimes do now when an immortal is sited somewhere. But they still won’t know I’m an Ethereal. You’re known. Many immortals are. You’ve been reported all over the landscape. You can no longer even leave your home without having groupies follow you. Where you are concerned, even a disguise won’t fool a lot of people. You’ve even said as much. But none of that applies to me. Not if I was never reported as an immortal to begin with. I am nonexistent to the world. Out here, in the middle of nowhere, I could be anyone you hired to do any job around your home. Nobody would know for sure. If I’m careful, no one will ever know. Your servants seem singularly good at keeping secrets. They’ve said nothing about me so far.”

“They won’t. I hired them for their loyal qualities. But your friends know about you, Jean. Remember what you said about their behavior after you healed?”

“By now, government agents have told them to keep their mouths shut and, given the way they treated me, I’ve no doubt that they will. They don’t want some dangerous, head-hunting rogue showing up at their doors, asking about a once-mortal friend of theirs. They aren’t stupid. Besides, there still won’t be any record of me. I’ll bet the agency will see to it, even if they have to report that my head was taken by some criminal.”

Merlin moved forward and put his hand on Gart’s shoulder. “She’s right. In the event other immortals sense her near, she can pretend to be a rogue. Better still, when she’s much better trained, she can even use magic to befuddle memory of any encounter. One day, she’ll be able to mask her powers from anyone.”

“Good God! That can be done? I only suggested it as a matter of clarification…but it really can be done?” Gart asked as he dragged one hand through his hair.

“Bloodnight, I strongly reiterate…very few immortals know what you’ve been told. Fewer humans know. Those that do understand the need for secrecy. They understand that they must never abuse this trust. You are considered reliable beyond reckoning, or you would not have been told, I can assure you. You simply didn’t need to have this knowledge until now.”

He finally understood. If Ethereals were the next level of protection, and no law existed to hinder their movements—as immortals were hindered now—then these beings could go anywhere, do anything. No politician could stick their noses in business as yet unknown. However, it remained to be seen if the Ethereals in this world were as honest and concerned for humanity as Merlin claimed.

“Her Majesty knows all of this?” Gart softly asked.

Merlin clasped his hands together. “You’re beginning to understand the full consequences of this information, Bloodnight. There are times when extreme measures must be taken to save innocent lives. Immortals and their clavigers are scrutinized until they can no longer do their jobs efficiently. The law has taken away their freedom and their rights. The law has almost taken away their ability to do their jobs as they’ve sworn to.”

“Just to get this straight…Jean will stay with me. She won’t be taken away?”

“In all of Europe, you’re considered one of the best swordsmen. It makes sense that she would know how to use a weapon to defend herself. She may not always be able to cast a memory befuddlement spell to hide her identity…or a masking spell. At least not right away, and certainly not if she’s in a somewhat crowded area. The magic we use is, unfortunately, rather conspicuous. In every instance where she might be sensed as a regular agency immortal, she must act as one until magic can be applied to render any source of danger negligible. As to her training at an Ethereal level, that will fall to me. In these hills, in the evening or night hours. Here, we are safest from prying eyes.”

“Just how long could it take for Jean to be like you?”

“Many years. In future, if ever the royal family is threatened, Jean will be trained go to their side in exchange for their having kept and protected her secret. Ethereals elsewhere hold very strong allegiances to very honorable sources. Again, none of us has ever gone rogue. Not ever. I reiterated this to quell any remaining fears you might have.”

Jean gazed into the distance. “I’m Her Majesty’s protector? I’ll protect the royals,” she murmured in awe.

Merlin laughed. “Not right away, my dear.”

“Merlin…since you’re the resident expert…I have a hypothetical question,” Gart sarcastically began. “Could you tell me if Ethereals would be sent to take care of one of their own. In the event one of you ever does go bad?”

“In that highly unlikely situation, the responsibility would fall to me. Not you or Jean. Ethereals, world-wide, report to me. Even their respective governments have agreed on this as I am most ancient among our ranks. This does not mean my powers are greater. It simply means that I am, by reputation and deed, respected. I have never gone back on my word and I never shall. If I say a thing will be done. It will be. I have used magic to help fight two World Wars. I believe I have more than proven myself trustworthy. Especially among the greater powers on this planet.”

“Good for you. But all I really care about for the present is that Jean stays here,” Gart insisted. “You have my word of honor concerning secrecy. Especially since we’re talking about compromising Her Majesty.”

“Excellent!” Merlin happily announced. “Since Ethereals are quite rare, those of us in existence may reveal themselves to you in their own good time…as circumstances permit. I will restate, ad nauseum, that none of us has ever been evil. I don’t believe it’s possible if the origins of our powers came from Mother Nature.”

“No. Jean could never be that,” Gart affirmed as he stared at her.

Jean glanced at both men. “So…we have an agreement, then?”

“Indeed. Stay with Garrett. Seek me out in the evening hours. Right here,” Merlin said as he pointed to the ground.

Garrett ran one hand over the back of his neck. “I have questions…Merlin. A lot of them.”

“I surmised you might. One does not meet an entity such as myself and not ask questions,” Merlin confirmed with a smile. Then, he turned toward the woods once more and whistled. A large form lumbered from the shadows.

Gart shook his head in wonder. His senses had never before missed the presence of a domestic animal. Horses, such as the Gypsy Vanner walking toward Merlin now, were a sign of human presence. Somehow, Merlin had masked the mare’s existence. But then, the wizard had just admitted that such power was possible. So, what other magical conjuring might exist?

Something of his thoughts must have shown on his face. He glanced at the older man and saw a smirk on the be-whiskered fellow’s countenance; as though Merlin was two steps ahead of him.

“Yes, I hid the mare from your senses, Gart. I don’t want Big Meg harmed by anyone. Not that you would. It’s just second nature that I protect her. She’s been with me a long while.”

Jean lifted one hand to push back his hair as the breeze blew it over his eyes. It was the first time she’d ever touched him like that, but he hoped it wouldn’t be the last. He quickly put one arm around her shoulders and pulled her close.

“If you want to ask more questions this evening, I suggest you go down the hill and let your claviger know you’ll be out for a while,” Merlin advised. “The rest of our discussion could take all night. I’d prefer our conversation takes place here. I think you’d prefer being in an open, defendable area. Especially since I still sense confusion on your part.”

Gart gazed into the distance. “Confusion hardly covers it.”

“Know this…I will never harm either of you, nor will I allow harm to come to you if I am able. My powers are not omnipotent, but I’ll do my level best,” Merlin promised.

Gart gazed into the other man’s eyes for a moment. He felt Merlin, or Jon Merdwyn, was telling the truth. Then again, he wondered how he’d know if magical conjuring was responsible for that trust. Merlin could be playing games with his head, he could never really be certain. Only time would tell.

“I’ll inform Mrs. Gast that Jean and I are out training, which is actually the truth. Being in the hills may confuse her, but she won’t make an issue of it. I happen to have a claviger who will never ask questions if she feels that doing so isn’t her place. That notwithstanding, I will never speak to anyone about Jean’s magical qualities. Or about yours, Merlin. It’s not like anyone would believe me, anyhow.”

“Sir, I say this again and with great honesty. I trust you. As does Her Majesty.” With that, Merlin rubbed his hands together, walked toward his horse, and unhooked a large basket from the mare’s saddle. “Wine, cheese, bread,” he explained as he smilingly held up the basket. “This kind of meeting is what I’d hoped for, so I came prepared,” he happily blathered. “Eating a meal during discussions was required in antiquity. Indeed, the very best laid plans were concocted in the open, dining in pure clean air where everyone could see everyone else.”

Gart turned to Jean. “I’ll be back in less than twenty minutes,” he told her. “If you’re uncomfortable with me leaving you alone—”

“I’m not. Don’t worry about me, Gart. He’s had a chance to hurt me. Twice.”

“Can’t help worrying. That’s the way I roll.”

Gart strode away, but left his sword leaning against a stone nearest Jean. She must never be without a weapon, no matter who she trusted.

His weapon, indeed his heart, was hers to command. He knew that now, even if everything else in life was completely muddled.

As he walked away, he sensed no angst or fear in her. He’d never have left if that was the case.

Jean was exceedingly intelligent. She was strong. Merlin had said she’d be stronger than him someday. For now, she was still his to train. His to protect. His period. Old fashioned? Yes. But that’s how he felt.

Like craters in the moon, millions of questions riddled his brain. He’d ask them all and hope Merlin answered honestly. Perversely, he was almost afraid of the answers.

If Merlin existed in the historical sense, then it followed that Camelot was no fairytale. What other legends might be revealed within the boundaries of this strange, new alliance?

One other thing crossed his mind as he made his way down the slope. Legend portrayed Merlin as someone who could see into the future. Some of the man’s diatribe implied that such power existed. What did the fellow know, what was he willing to tell, and would anyone with such powers ever be at liberty to discuss such knowledge?

Yes, there were plenty of questions to ask. Where was a common immortal like him supposed to start?