Raz and Elaine came crashing through the portal, landing roughly together on a hard wooden floor. Without taking the time to adjust to his surroundings, Raz jumped to his feet just in time to see the purple door Elaine had created seconds ago, vanish in on itself.

Raz rushed forward to the space now vacated by the portal. He turned and looked to Elaine, who was just picking herself up off the floor, winded. He reached out a hand to help her up.

Taking his hand, Elaine pulled herself to standing. She was very close to him now. Looking Raz directly in the eyes, she asked, “Are you okay?” Her tone was sincere, and it took Raz by surprise, what with her attitude toward him at the bookshop moments ago. He suddenly found himself thinking again just how beautiful she actually was.

“What? Yes, I’m okay,” he stammered, realizing he was staring. Then, like snapping awake, the memory of the last few minutes came flooding back, “What is happening?!” he said. “Who was that man?!” Where are we?!”

“We are in my grandmother’s house,” she answered, releasing his hand and stepping back, brushing dust from her skirt and jacket. “Don’t worry,” she said reassuringly. “We’re safe.”

Looking around, he saw they were in a small windowless sitting room, with deep crimson walls, and two small leather chairs adorning either side of a small fireplace. The only light was coming from an oil lamp sitting on the mantle. Raz looked down and saw they were standing on a large red and gold area rug, covering the dark wood floors which were reminiscent of his grandfather’s bookshop.”The bookstore!” he shouted. “That man was destroying my grandfather’s bookstore!” He rounded on Elaine, “We have to go back!”

“Back?!” she said, sounding indignant. “You want to go back?! Are you mental?! We barely got out of there alive!” She was crossing her arms over her chest, and casting him with an angry stare. “You’re welcome, by the way,” she added sarcastically.

“Are you seriously looking for my gratitude?!” Raz yelled back at her. “For what? Getting my grandfather’s shop destroyed?!” Their arguing was making quite a commotion.

“In case you forgot, I just saved your life!” she said back. Her face was bright red now.

“If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have needed saving!” Raz shouted back.

“Are you saying this is MY fault?!” she replied angrily. She was right up in his face again now, standing on her tip-toes in an attempt to bring she and Raz nose-to-nose.

“Well, before you came along, nobody was trying to blow me up, so yeah, I guess I am!” Raz replied.

“And if you had listened to me, and not touched anything, none of this would have happened!” She had her finger digging into his chest now, emphasizing each word.

Raz held out the orb he was still clutching tightly in his hand, its previously blue smoke now turning a deep red, “How about next time, if there is a dangerous magical item you want my help finding, and touching it will cause absolute destruction of an entire building, you can tell me that BEFORE I find it!” he yelled.

Elaine opened her mouth to rebut, but before she could say a word, a female voice, quiet but forceful, interrupted their arguing, startling them both, “Elaine... that is enough, child.”

They both turned to see a tall, slender woman of about sixty standing there. She was wearing a long, deep scarlet robe, so long that it hid her feet. Her hands clasped in front of her, barely visible under the length of her sleeves. Her long silver hair draped over her shoulders, framing her kind face. She had brilliant green eyes, which were fixed on Elaine with a very stern look.

“Grandmother,” Elaine said, turning toward the woman. “Grandmother, it wasn’t my fault! I told him not to touch anything, but he didn’t listen. There was nothing I could do! He was there! Balin! We barely got away!” She turned and pointed directly at Raz now, “If HE had listened to me, none of this…” but what “none of this” was, she never had the chance to say.

The woman held up a hand, interrupting Elaine, and said, “I am sure you were very thorough in explaining to Rasputin why exactly he shouldn’t touch the artifact, and that there could be consequences? I am also sure,” she began before Elaine could respond, “that you aren’t laying the blame on a young man who, before this morning, had no idea of who or what we are, who he is, or how any of this relates to he and his grandfather?” Her tone intimated this was less of a question and more of a statement.

Elaine did not respond right away, instead looking down at her feet, blushing slightly. After a few silent moments, she looked up and said quietly, “No, grandmother.”

“I thought not,” the woman replied. Sighing heavily, she continued, “You may go now, Elaine. Think on what I said, and we will talk about this later.”

“Yes, grandmother,” Elaine said. She started to leave the room through the open door from which her grandmother had entered. She paused for a moment, as if wanting to say something more, but thinking better of it, she exited the room.

The woman turned to face Raz now. “I must apologize, Rasputin,” she said. “We do not normally welcome guests to our home this way. Nor was it our intention for you to arrive the way you did. Elaine means well, but she has much to learn.”

Raz noticed her eyes were kind, and sincere. For no reason he could think of, he trusted her completely. All of his anger and confusion dissipating, he said, “It’s...it’s okay.”

“That is kind of you to say, but I understand that everything is very much NOT ‘okay,’” she said. “What you have just been through would have troubled anyone, so your being upset is understandable and expected.” She stopped for a moment, giving Raz a warm, tender smile. “Now let us begin again, shall we?” she continued. “My name is Nyneve Shemwell. And, as I am sure you have figured out, I am Elaine’s grandmother, and this is our home.” Her voice was kind, setting Rasputin at ease much more quickly than expected. “Welcome, Rasputin, and thank you for coming. I know you have many questions,” she continued, “but I ask that you set them aside for now.” Seeing the mutinous look he was giving her, she raised a hand to interrupt, and said quickly, “Please trust that all of your questions will be answered, but right now your grandfather is waiting for you, and time, I am afraid, is not on our side.”

All of the questions he had disappeared at the mention of his grandfather. “My grandfather is here?” he asked. “Is he okay?”

“Yes, he is here,” Nyneve replied. “If you will follow me, I will take you to him.” She stepped aside and beckoned him through the sitting room door.

Raz followed her into a brightly lit dining room. The room was twice as long as it was wide, with the same deep crimson walls found in the sitting room they just left. Late afternoon sunlight flooded in through a large recessed window on the wall opposite them. In the center of the room was the longest table Raz had ever seen. He guessed it sat at least ten on each side, with room for two more at the ends. Two large gold chandeliers adorned the ceiling above the table. As they passed the window, Raz could see only a dense forest of trees, reminding him of the view from the living room at his grandfather’s cottage in Woodhaven.

They passed silently through a large archway leading to a small foyer, stopping at the foot of a large, curved staircase.

“Your grandfather is up the stairs, first door on your right,” she said, pointing upwards and stepping aside.

Remembering he was still holding the orb, Raz reached out, offering it to Nyneve. He noticed as he did, that the smoke inside was no longer red, but once again, the brightest of blue. “Here,” he said, “I know Elaine was sent to bring this back.”

She smiled softly at him and said, “No, Rasputin. It does not belong to me. It belongs to your grandfather, and I expect he will be glad you brought it to him. I will give you time to talk. Find me in the sitting room when all is done. And Rasputin,” she paused for a moment, her eyes looking directly into his own, “I am sorry.” Then, turning on the spot, she walked back towards the dining room and out of sight.

Raz turned to face the stairs. His mind was flooded with questions as he climbed. What is this place? Who was that woman? Was his grandfather really here? Why was his grandfather here? What was the old woman sorry for, exactly? He was still unconvinced he wasn’t dreaming. Reaching the top of the stairs, he turned down the hallway to the right and, stopping in front of the first door, he knocked gently.

“Come in,” his grandfather’s voice came weakly through the door.

Raz entered into a small bedroom, reminiscent of the sitting room he and Elaine just crashed into. Like the sitting room, a small fireplace, with orange glowing coals sat on the wall opposite the door. Two tall, thin windows, with drapes slightly closed, were letting a little of the waning daylight into the room. And there, in a small bed, sitting propped up with two large pillows, the orange glow from the embers in the fireplace illuminating his face, lay his grandfather. A small blanket covered him to his chest, and Raz knew immediately that something was very wrong.

Turning to look at Raz, and with an unmistakable sense of relief in his voice, Pelias said, “Rasputin.” His voice was quiet and shaky.

“Grandpa!” Raz exclaimed, and rushed to his bedside. Dropping into the chair next to him, and taking his grandfather’s outstretched hand, he asked “What happened to you?” His voice was filled with concern. Raz had never seen his grandfather like this. His skin was pale; the usual childlike glow he always had was gone. His eyes would hardly open, and every word sounded like it took all the energy he could muster. He looked small and vulnerable - two words he never associated with Pelias Fischer.

“Thank the gods you’re here,” he whispered to Raz.

“Grandpa,” Raz said. “What is going on? Where are we? Who are these people? No one here will tell me anything!”

Pelias smiled at Raz, but very weakly. “Let’s start with your first question, and I will do my best to answer the others.” He tried to sit up but, wincing in pain, he was forced to lay back down and, closing his eyes, he said, “I don’t have much time left, and there is so much I need to tell you, most of which you will not understand and some of it you probably will not believe, but in order to understand the events that happened to you this morning, you must listen. So, please allow me to finish before asking questions. Agreed?” he asked.

Raz nodded his head in agreement and leaned in a bit closer in order to hear, as Pelias’ voice was almost inaudible.

“Thank you, Rasputin,” Pelias said. “Now the first thing you must know, and this is the single most important thing I am going to tell you, is that I have never lied to you. Not now. Not ever. You must accept this, Rasputin, or everything I am about to tell you will be too fantastical and impossible to accept.”

“Of course, grandpa,” Raz replied. “I understand.”

“Good,” Pelias said, and taking a deep breath, he looked Raz directly in the eyes, “You are the last descendant of Emrys of Camelot. Or, as he was better known... Merlin,” he said. Noting the look of disbelief on his grandson’s face, Pelias said, “Remember what I said, Raz. I have never lied to you, and I am not going to start now.”

Raz nodded in agreement, remembering his grandfather’s words that ‘they came from a long line of weirdos’. Raz gave him a reassuring smile.

Pelias then continued, “Long ago, when the earth was first created, the main elements that make up the world were formed. These are earth, air, fire, and water. These four elements make up the structure of everything we see, hear, feel, and touch. They make up all of us, and in turn, we are all part of them.

At that time, the world was filled with magic. Dragons and monsters walked the earth. Spirits, both benevolent and evil, could be found in all corners of the world, sharing it with mankind.” Raz’s mouth opened in disbelief, but he stayed silent while his grandfather continued. “It was a much different place, and many of the ancient stories you hear of angels and demons, gods and men, dragons and monsters, come from this period of history; And into this time, Merlin was born.

The stories say that he was born of a demon, though this is not true. Merlin was just a man, no different than you, Raz.” Pelias coughed hard, wincing slightly, but continued on. “What did make Merlin different, was that he could see the magics of the world. He had an uncanny connection to them, and learned to manipulate them. You see, before Merlin, men, being born outside of the magics, had no hold over them.

Man was the lesser of all creatures, and were treated as such. Merlin changed all of this. As he grew in power and wisdom, he took on the role of advisor to many of the early leaders of men. But through this time, he realized man could never reach its potential while the magics of the world walked the earth. Merlin, in all his wisdom, decided to put the magics to sleep, until such a time, that man reached its potential. Then and only then, was he confident they could share this world together.

Merlin knew that the magics were formed by the same elements that created everything. He thought, by locating the remnants of the first of these, he could harness the power to set man on the path to its destiny.” He paused now, taking slow, shallow breaths. It was obvious that speaking was difficult for him.

“Grandpa,” Raz said, interrupting the silence, “we don’t have to do this now.”

“Yes, we do,” Pelias replied. Mustering strength, he continued, “He befriended a young boy named Arthur, and took him on as his apprentice. Some of this, you already know of course, as the tales of Arthur Pendragon are well documented. However, like all tales, not everything is how it truly was, and many truths were lost to time, or changed by historians.

Arthur was an orphan whose parents were killed in the many disputes between the magical world, and the world of men. He was not, however, an orphaned son of a king. He was just a boy, like you are. What Merlin saw in him was his sense of wonder, and before the cruelty of the world changed that, Merlin took him away, and raised him as his son, teaching him all of what he knew, in the hopes he could help usher in the changes he had planned.

When Arthur was old enough, he gathered followers and set off on the quest Merlin had trained him for. This is what is now known today as the Quest for the Holy Grail, and his small group of followers became better known as the Knights of the Round Table.”

“I know all of these tales, Grandpa,” Raz said. “They were some of my favorite stories as a child.”

”Do you now?” Pelias asked, with a slight chuckle in his voice. “You see Raz,” he continued, “The Holy Grail was only a myth, created by Merlin and spread by the knights to mask the true purpose of the quest: to locate and bring back the four pure elements, left over from the creation of the earth. In fact, the term ‘Holy Grail’, was added much, much later when the stories began to be written. Merlin knew that if the kings of the world got wind that he was trying to usurp them of their powers with a human boy, and change the course of history, they would unite with the other creatures of the world to stop him. Making the quest known, but hiding its true purpose under the guise of finding some human relic, would allow Arthur and his followers freedom to go about their true quest unabated.”

Raz nodded in understanding, but remained quiet, mesmerized by the tale Pelias was weaving. It reminded him of his childhood, listening to his grandfather as he read from the many books he had in his shop.

Seeing he had his grandson’s undivided attention, Pelias continued, “Merlin created four magical glass orbs to house their power, and asked that, when found, the knights use them to store the elements, and that they be brought back to him. After many years of searching, Arthur and his followers were successful. They traveled to the four corners of the earth and brought back the four pure elements to Merlin, housed securely in the magic glass orbs he gave them. Merlin then used the power of creation contained in the orbs, to put the magics to sleep, imprisoning them in what he called the Reliquary of Merlin, until such a time as he deemed man was ready for them to return. Man was now the dominant creature on the planet. The reliquary was then hidden away, where only Merlin knew to find it.

He placed Arthur on the throne, in a magnificent city of his creation to foster mankind, known as Camelot. Merlin then took the four bravest of the knights: Gawain, Percival, Brunor, and Hector, forming the first Order of Merlin, as they came to be called. Merlin then paired each of them with one of the elements housed in the orbs, awakening in them the powers he himself commanded. It is through these that we gain our ability to harness the magics, just as Merlin did."

“Wait,” Raz interrupted. “How are we descendants of Merlin? Merlin had no children?”

“Like I said,” Pelias reminded Raz, “do not believe everything you know of these tales. I told you Merlin was a man and, as most men, he had a wife. Her name was Morgana.”

A look of comprehension appeared on Raz’s face. “But Morgana was Arthur’s sister, and a villain,” Raz said.

“She was no such thing,” Pelias replied. “You see, not much was actually known about Morgana, so many liberties were taken by those that wrote the tales in an attempt to “fill in the blanks’. We do know, that she was a young maiden from a distant land Merlin met on his travels, and that Merlin became quite taken with her, and married her. I also suspect, he showed her how to access the magics, just as he did. This, I believe, is why she was thought to be a sorceress in the tales of Camelot. As for her villainy? It makes for a better story,” he said, wincing slightly.

“S-sorry,” Raz stammered. “Please continue.”

“Thank you,” Pelias said, and went on with his story. “Knowing the only way to bring back what he had just put to sleep, was to bring all four elements together, Merlin sent the four knights away to the four corners of the earth, tasking them and their line to protect what he had given them for all eternity, but not before he used their combined magics with his own to form a final magical orb, one which contained power from all four of nature’s elements. An orb which you now hold in your hand.”

Raz looked at the orb he was holding, staring in disbelief at the blue smoke swirling within it. And, at that moment, even though everything his grandfather told him seemed too fantastic to believe, he knew it was true. “So, we ARE wizards.” he said.

His grandfather laughed, causing him to wince slightly in pain. Catching his breath, he said, “Wizards, sorcerers, conjurers, shamans, diviners. Our order has been called many things. However, Druid is more accurate, I would say,” he said with a pained but sincere smile. “What we are called, though, is not as important as what we have been called to do. This charge is being past down to you, Rasputin. The orb is yours now and you, its protector. This is the legacy of our family through the ages.”

“Now,” Pelias said sitting up, a resolute and determined look on his face. “I know you have many questions, but I do not have much time left. I promise those questions will be answered, but not by me, I am afraid.”

“What do you mean you don’t have much time left?” Raz asked nervously. “Why can’t you be the one who answers my questions?”

Pelias closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. When he finally opened them again, Raz saw they were filled with tears. “I am dying,” Pelias said.

“Dying? What do you mean, dying? From what? What happened?” Raz replied, tears began to well in his eyes now, too.

“My travels to Europe, as I am sure you have guessed, were not to look for books, but, in fact, were to try to find where Merlin hid the reliquary, in an attempt to stop another from finding it, and wreaking havoc upon the world.” Upon these last words, Pelias seemed to regain some semblance of strength, as if the thought of this gave him power. “However, my enemy found me first.”

“Who is this ‘other’,” Raz asked?

“You met him this morning, I believe. He visited the bookshop and prompted your arrival here.”

Raz remembered the tall, cloaked figure outside the bookshop and was suddenly filled with rage. “He did this to you?! Who is this man?!” he asked angrily.

“His name is Balin,” Pelias replied. “He was my…” Pelias paused here for a moment, as if he was going to say something, but thought better of it. “He was my biggest mistake. A mistake I tried to hide, but have now paid for in full. It was he that murdered both your grandmother and your father, forcing me to relocate you and your mother into hiding. Although I covered my tracks well, he eventually found me along a stream in the Forest of Glenn. He wanted the orb, you see. He needs all of them to complete his deranged quest and undo what Merlin did all those centuries ago. He believes that by releasing the magics back into the world, he will be the ruler of all. When he realized I did not have it, he tried to strike me down. Fortunately, I still had a few tricks up my sleeve. Using what power I still had, I used the life giving energy from the stream to delay my death. Allowing me to get here, to Nyneve, and send for you.”

“Who is Nyneve? How do you know her?” Raz asked, trying to take to conversation away from his grandfather’s impending death.

“Nyneve, and her granddaughter Elaine, are the last descendants of the Knight Percival, and guardians of the Orb of Water.”

“The Orb of Water?” Raz asked, a confused look on his face.

“Each orb Merlin created housed the power of an element. In this case, water,” Pelias replied. “This is one of the four orbs he used to close off magic to the world, and the one given to Percival to protect. Nyneve can answer any questions you may have about her line, and the orb in her charge, as is her right, not mine. All I will tell you is this: You can trust Nyneve, and in turn, Elaine, completely. I have asked them to look out for you and help you along the way, after I have passed.”

“Watch out for me? Help me? What about home… and mom?!” Raz asked. “I can’t stay here! Mom is already probably worried sick about me! And when she finds out that you…” Raz couldn’t finish the sentence, instead looking down towards his feet. Tears welling up again in his eyes.

Pelias broke the silence, “Rasputin, there is no going back. I am sorry, but your time in Woodhaven and your time with your mother are over.”

“What do you mean my time with my mother is over?” Raz demanded.

“The decision was made when we sent Elaine to get you, that the only way to protect your mother, and the residents of Woodhaven, was to erase you and me from their world. As we are speaking, Nyneve has set this in motion. Even were you to return, neither your mother, nor the people of Woodhaven, will remember you. This is the price for the gift you are given. A price I know all too well.”

Raz nearly fell backwards in his chair, unable to speak. The weight of what was happening was crashing down on him now.

“Rasputin,” Pelias said, “I am sorry that this burden now rests on your shoulders. This is not the usual way of things, but due to past events, I felt it was better to hide you, until such a time came that you were ready. Unfortunately, the best laid plans have their failures, and mine was underestimating Balin. I know you are angry and confused, but I need you to steal that away for now. There is one thing left for me to do, and I may not have the strength to do so soon. Please. Give me the orb.”

Raz sat upright, still reeling, and handed the orb to his grandfather. “Here,” he said, embittered. “I want nothing to do with it ever again.”

Pelias smiled painfully, a twinkle of knowing in his eyes, saying, “I am sorry to inform you, then, that you are about to be sorely disappointed.” And, placing his hands over the one Raz still had on the orb, he closed his eyes. The orb began to glow, brighter and brighter. A sound started emanating from it, making it hard to hear. A wind from nowhere began swirling around the room, billowing sheets, and blowing their hair. The orb started getting warmer and warmer in Raz’s hand. His grandfather opened his eyes, and Raz notice the same golden glow that was emanating from the orb, was also shining from his grandfather’s eyes.

The light began to pulse around the room, intensifying each second, the sound from it growing louder and louder. Then Pelias, locking eyes with Raz, light pulsating around the room, yelled over the almost deafening noise of energy from the orb, “The orb is yours now! My energy and power are yours! Protect it, as our family was sworn to! Trust in the order, Rasputin, they are your family now! I love you, and will be with you, always!” The pulsating slowed and the light from it began to diminish, as did the light from Pelias’ eyes. Pelias’ body gave one last release of breath, and he laid his head to rest on the pillows behind him, the final light in his eyes extinguished... forever. Raz dropped his forehead to his grandfather’s now-still chest, and wept. The orb he held in his hand was still, save for the swirling of the now black smoke within.

Next Chapter: Chapter 5 - In Mourning