A Good Man (2)
—————————————————————————————————-
Tom stood frozen in shock running his hand through his salt and pepper hair, he
tried to think of a way out of this.”Frilly, you mean to tell me I’ve made an enemy of
the council?” Tom asked still a little shaken by this turn of events.
“Well,” Frilly started, “I wouldn’t say you made an enemy but you’ve certainly gotten
their attention.”
Shit Tom thought, just what I need, bad enough I’ve got the a bunch of power hungry
bastards after me but now I have seemed to have alienated the good guys too.
“Is there any way I can meet with just one of them, on my terms? Tom asked
“I can try to arrange a meeting, but I can’t guarantee their reception,” looking back
at Tom she slightly smirked, “or their reaction, after the other day they won’t be caught
off guard like last time. Though, from what I was feeling they would have still been hard
pressed to escape what you did.”
“You know,” Tom started, “you can really be a smart ass at times.” smiling Frilly
disappeared with a slight giggle.
About an hour later Tom was sitting in his recliner still trying to calm down
when he heard Frilly in his head.
<Sir?> Making Tom jump up in a defensive position, <I apologise sir I forgot you weren’t
use to thought talk yet>
<What have found out?> Tom asked
<They have agreed to almost any condition you set but they won’t come alone, Malamon is
still out there and they are no match for him alone> she replied.
<Alright in an hour, the park where we met before no tricks> Tom said.
An hour later, Tom was standing near a tree when the one he knew as Azel appeared
with a man Tom could only describe as a merlin look a like. The long flowing purple robes
almost had Tom snickering but out of respect he held his tongue. Feeling around he was
satisfied till he felt a small magical spike behind him. Reaching out he motioned and the
sprite appeared frozen next to him a look of genuine shock on it’s face. Azel and the other
with him also were befuddled who was this man? It seemed he had the power of the old and
new spirits along with the powers of a mage.
“I told you to come alone!” Tom shouted throwing the sprite at them, holding up
their hands the sprite slowed and settled near them.
“Please release me,” a pitiful begging coming from the sprite, “I meant no harm, you are
of interest to all magical beings. I was only sent to observe t’was all, Please sir I will
die if I can’t move soon,” the sprite now with tears falling from it’s face. Looking at it
hard the sprite was free. Flittering in front of him, it bowed to him.
“Thank you sir, as I said I meant no harm. I am here on behalf of the numerous other magical
beings that inhabit this world. I owe you a life and that of my family, if you have need of
an ally call upon us. May I be permitted to stay?”
Tom stood as still as a stone contemplating what had just been said, “you may stay
next time though I will be told before another interrupts,” Tom stated sternly. “Now then
for the real reason I called this meeting. Just what do you want?” Tom stated looking at
the two opened mouthed older men.
Azel spoke first, “We were hoping to enlist your aid.”
“My aid? I am no match for all of you together, it took me days to recover from the last time I
met just 6 of you. Frilly told me that those 6 were the weakest of the 12 on the council.” Tom
replied.
“Excuse me,” the other man with Azel said, “Who is Frilly?
Laughing Tom forgot they didn’t know everything, “Frilly!” he called, appearing she floated next
to him, “This is Frilly, the spirit of my talisman,” again the men’s mouths dropped open.
“Now then, why do you need my aid?” Tom was starting to get inpatient.
“Yes,” Azel started, “You may not know this but the magical part of this world is at war. We
have been, for well over 5000 years now. It started when, then, a young mage discovered a forbidden
spell, a spell to drain, devour and pass the powers and life force of magical beings to the wielder.
It is a truly evil and dark magic blight upon this world. The mage was Malamon, many magical beings
have died to feed the growing darkness that was once his soul.”
“OK, so why the history lesson? If he’s that powerful there’s no way I could stop him.”
“Malamon isn’t that powerful, because of a brave and kind hearted man/mage,” here Azel’s
face grew somber and Tom could see the sadness suddenly shroud his face, “He never considered
him self to be just a mage, he fought Malamon 1500 years ago. Though he wasn’t able to end him,
he seriously hurt Malamon. It took well over 1000 years of life energy from him, but ensured
that the magical world would be safer for a time.”
“Ok, this still doesn’t explain why you came to me,” Tom replied still a little perplexed.
“I apologise, it will be clear in a moment,” feeling edgy Tom increased his shield slowly
“At the time the kind mage appeared 2000 years ago, Malamon had started to make a move on
the council.” Azel stated, “his power grew faster than anyone had ever seen. At that time no one
had any idea what he was or who he was. The balance of power had started to shift towards a
dark force that grew it seemed more each day. Like your battle the other day, the kind mage
didn’t kill the first he fought. The man was found a day later drained of his life a dried husk
was all that was left. Each one he stopped shifted the balance back to being even but he worked at it
slowly for 500 years.”
“So you’re saying I am the reincarnation, of this mage?” Tom stated a little doubtful.
“No,” replied Azel, “but it is possible that you have taken in much of his energy, magical energy
never is destroyed just… transferred?
“Uh huh, I don’t really believe this and I don’t really see how I can help you.
According to all you have said I am this savior?” Laughing, Tom looked at the two older
men with disbelief.
“If Malamon gets to you and takes your power or can turn you then all will be lost. You need
to be trained, to strengthen your power.” Azel said almost pleading.
“Uh huh, like I said I still don’t believe any of this,” Tom said, “it appears that if Malamon
does try to get to me, you all will be there.”
“Tom,” Azel started, “you need to be trained more, please let us help you!”
Laughing, Tom only stood there wondering if these men were so powerful then why did they need him?
Frilly was standing back trying to take everything in. Trying not to laugh she thought
Tom would react like this. Sighing Azel nodded to the other man, “Tom if you change your mind we
won’t be far, just call me. Remember don’t change, it’s who you are, ok?”
Nodding Tom waved them away, irritated that they were still here after he said no. With a
flash they were gone sighing Tom was about to go when there was a flash behind him.
“Hmmm, I don’t see what the fuss is about, you don’t have enough power to…, you son of a
bitch!” the new man screamed, Tom was about to go again when he was felt like he was moving in jello.
“So you have the power too,” Tom started
With that, a ball of fire flew at him, unconcerned he just reached out and found that his shields
weren’t going to be enough! Damnit! diving to the left the fire ball barely nicked his right arm.
Reaching out he found the man before him had a lot more power than Tom had ever felt before.
Summoning the last of his power he had, Tom thought of his home and pulled as hard
as he could. Appearing in the living room Tom found he couldn’t stop and skidded into the wall
full force. Tom awoke an hour later a throbbing in his right arm and a head ache to boot.
“Frilly!” Tom yelled hoping she was alright.
Frilly was there in a flash, worried she looked over his arm and head seeing a trickle of
blood on his forehead. “You have to heal yourself, look inside and think of being whole and unhurt.”
Looking at Frilly like she was crazy he did as she said. Slowly at first then with a slow building
a glow started to spread. Looking down Tom was surprised. Damnit! How could he have been so damn
stupid!?
The pain had finally started to fade but it was still throbbing like a bitch! Trying to stay
awake Tom felt out for anyone near. Finding no one nearby he laid back and slowly closed his eyes
feeling the world slowly start to slip away. Frilly hovered nearby, upset, still under orders
not to reveal where they were or to leave. She was afraid that Tom’s healing powers wouldn’t
be enough for him to recover. Whipping her dark hair from her face she could only stand guard
nearby and wait. Drifiting in and out of consciousness Tom had dream like visions of a small
golden haired woman, bathing his face and body when he was hot. Damn! Tom thought this was a nice
dream the woman was gorgeous. Her golden hair soft and silky, each time it brushed his skin
it was as soft as a breeze blowing barely against his skin.
Tom didn’t know who this woman was but he thought he was in love, the care and devotion
she showed him in the dream, made him promise his self that as soon as he was well, he’d search the
world for her. Two days later Tom awoke with a start, sore as hell but alive he tried to call out
but his parched throat prevented it. Thinking of a glass of water it was there but it took a
lot longer than he was used to, to appear. After slaking his thirst he looked for Frilly.
“Frilly?” He asked, seeing her tiny body draped over a match box on the table, “you ok?”
Stirring, she fluttered over to Tom and checked his head, “Ah good your magical fever has broken”
“My what?” Tom asked annoyed but curious at the same time.
“Your magical fever, one of many conditions that can occur when injured by magic. Since
I wasn’t allowed to seek help, I hoped that the healing powers you had initiated were enough
for your body to heal with, You took quite alot of the blast even if it was only a glancing
blow.” Frilly stated matter of factly, feeling his head again glad to find no more fever.
“What do you mean you weren’t allowed to seek help?” Tom asked a little befuddled.
“You said and I quote,” Frilly started, “Frilly do not leave here and do not in any way reveal
where WE are,” smiling sweetly Frilly waited for Tom to respond.
Tom was about to respond thinking as hard as he could, now when the hell had I said that?
Damnit! he had almost died and she had sat there by his side, “why in the hell did you obey what
I said if I was close to dying?”
“I am indeed the spirit of your talisman, and though I have free will I am still a servant of
the holder of said talisman. That being said, if you command me, however unpleasent I must follow
your orders. I have basic powers but nothing like a starting mage. This was set from a time long
before me during the time of the great emergence of magic.” Frilly hung her head, “I can not
even use my power unless I have orders to from you, as I said mine are only basic. They will
not grow stronger each time I use them.”
“I see,” Tom started, “is there any way that they can be increased?”
“Yes but it is not allowed, unless approved by the council of magical beings. I have never
heard of that council agreeing on anything but once, it was the kind mage that brought this about
truly a remarkable man,” Frilly said again a trace of tears in her eyes.
“Excuse me Frilly,” Tom said, “why does everyone avoid saying his name?”
Shaking slightly, Frilly turned her deep emerald eyes to Tom, “we don’t speak his name now, nor
has anyone in 500 years. It was found that the last who did utter his name drew Malamon directly
to them, they were dead within seconds.”
“I’m sorry Frilly I didn’t mean to bring up painful memories,” Tom paused a moment looking into
Frilly’s eyes, “you miss your mother don’t you?
Frilly’s emerald eyes grew wide, “how did you know? no one knows she was my mother, please
tell me how!”
“I can feel your pain, a deep unending darkness that threatens everyday to consume you. Many times
it feels as if it is trying to suck the very life from you. It gnaws at you and you fight to keep
what is you intact, little by little you can feel a piece fading or dying,” Tom sadly looked away.
“Yes!” shouted Frilly, “but how can you know of this? I have never told anyone!”
Tom looked down, “It is the same pain I felt everyday I was told I was a no good piece of shit,
that I was stupid and would never do anything. Each day I was told I didn’t know how to love not even
myself, that all I ever did was mess everything up and could do nothing right. Despite all
this I still loved her,” here Tom eyes glazed over as the painful memories intruded on his thoughts.
Frilly shook feeling the powerful waves of pain and remorse flow from Tom.
Tom caught his self, shaking his head Frilly was amazed, it was like a steel door dropped
between her and what was coming from Tom. Reaching out to Frilly Tom felt all her pain and guilt,
“Would you like it to be gone and remember her with only good memories?” Tom asked
Frilly started to speak thinking a moment, as far as she knew there was nothing anyone could do
to ease the pain. She had seen many fantastic and wonderful things but…
“Tom,” she started, “No one has ever had an ability like that, many healers have claimed to
but I have never seen it, besides I am a spirit. You are solid even with the power you possess
I doubt you could.”
“May I try? You have had this in you for a long time,” Tom said a sad smile on his face.
Sighing Frilly only nodded not really expecting anything to happen.
Tom walked up to her and held out his hands, slowly he walked around her moving closer and
backing away many times. Frilly had never seen anyone do this before so she didn’t notice the glow
forming around her for a few minutes. Suddenly Frilly’s mouth dropped agape what the hell…?
She felt a tingling and a warmth she hadn’t felt in over 5 centuries, it slowly crept up her
body almost unable to move she stared at Tom. Climbing higher it soon reached her head the warmth
spreading making her feel loved, embracing her as her mother had all those centuries ago. Turning
Frilly could only stare in amazement, with each passing moment, the pain started to fade till it
was a dull distant throb till this too faded and was gone.
Frilly felt freer than she had ever felt, she felt lighter and happier and though
she could still see the death of her mother, it no longer plunged her into an abysis of sadness.
Unable to speak she could only continue to stare at Tom, who or what was he? He did things
that no one could do or hadn’t been seen in ages.
Finally finding her voice Frilly had to ask, “How did you… What did you… WHY?” she whispered.
“The how and what, was I just thought of the joy you shared with your mother. Then I just
amplified that feeling and stuck it in your memories at the front of everything The why well…
might take a long time to say. Let’s just say you deserved it after having this pain for so long,”
Tom Replied.
“But sir I haven’t done anything to deserve this,” Frilly cried.
“I know better,” Tom replied, “you watched over me and tried to make me comfortable, I saw the
blankets and pillows. Though you didn’t have too, you did, therefore this is my gift to you.”
Bowing low before him Frilly whispered, “I owe you a life and that of my family, I will forever
be pleased to serve you sir.”
Tom stared hard at Frilly that was the second time he had heard that, he got the life owed part
but what the fuck did they mean, that of her family, just like the sprite had said days ago. He
really needed a book on all the strange customs here in this new world it seemed he was now a part
of.
Suddenly Tired again he almost fell, Frilly hurring to help him get in bed. Laying down
Tom was out as soon as his head hit the pillow. Drifiting again he was met by the small golden
haired woman. “I was hoping to meet you again,” he said, “Since this is a dream I assume this is
the only way to communicate with you” Nodding the woman smiled Tom’s heart melted in an instant.
“May I have your name?” nodding the word Myria appeared between them.
“Can’t you speak?” nodding no the words not at this time, not till appeared.
“Not till? What?” Nodding no again Tom felt a deep pain from her and reached for her. Nodding no
again she backed up slightly, Tom stopped not wanting to scare her off.
“I have to tell you before we go from here. I know you helped Frilly take care of me, though she
doesn’t remember,” the woman nodded yes, “I wanted to thank you and to tell you I… I think
I am in love with you,” The woman eyes grew wide then she smiled, it was the most happy Tom
ever felt, a warmth climbed up his feet. Then just as suddenly she was gone and Tom woke up.
“Damnit!” Tom shouted startling Frilly from her perch at the top of the bed.
“Sir?” she asked concerned, “are you alright?”
“No but I will be, I need to finish healing and practice. no more of what happened the other day,”
Tom said a new determination in his voice.
“Good sir, do you want me to advise the council?” she asked.
“No not yet, not till I’m not so weak” Tom’s face now mirroring the anger he felt for being so over confident, “not ever again if I can help it.”
TO BE CONTINUED