Magnus got to the village, found an Inn and settled in for the duration he would be there. He was excited, after this job, he would keep traveling and make his own way in the world. He spent the next few days finding out what he needed to know about the dragon which wasn't much. All that the villagers seemed to know was occasionally cattle or sheep would disappear. And that there was other magical things they could not explain that would happen around the village but it didn't seem malicious, unexplained healing of villagers, and thwarting of enemies who had threatened the village. The most scary story was late one evening of a full moon, the villagers were placing a protective herb around the crops that was done best at night when suddenly the moon darken enough for them to look up, and across the sky was a giant thing with broad wings flying across the moon. Those oddities was enough for the villagers to request the 'High Warlock' to come to their aid.
Magnus discovered the village paid his father handsomely in advance for his services, it pissed him off but there was nothing he could do about it now and he wasn't going to make them pay more currency. He would have to use his savings and make more with his other potions or services a warlock could provide. He would milk his magical dead zone until the job was done and had to leave. He planned on staying as long as possible, then escape in the night. He put up wards outside of the village and a few miles past it to warn him if his father's army or scouts came looking for him.
Eventually the Inn was too small for his needs so Magnus settled into a small shop where the village ended with a view of the forest, it had living quarters attached which made the place perfect for him, he loved it. He could work, he could start a new life and he had a beautiful forest in the background. Plus there were herbs he could find and grow with the space afforded to him. The best part, he was away from his father. He didn't know what his next move with his father would be but the fact he was so far away would give him time to figure it all out.
A couple of weeks had passed and there was no odd activity in the village or around it. Magnus was starting to wonder if there was anything going on in this village but mused to himself he didn't care. He had set up wards around the village and their farms. He also cast dragon spells but he couldn't see why the village would need them. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, but he was on his own and doing his own thing.
Magnus was going through his herbs in his garden when one of the village boys ran up to him telling him he had to go. The animals were spooked, and the birds had become quiet. The warlock looked around and was engrossed in his own activities had not noticed the change. He walked with the boy into the village where he met with his parents. He assured them, that this was why he was here and he would investigate and take care of the problem. As he about to leave he noticed most of village surrounded him to pat him on the back and thank him for his help. He wanted to roll his eyes, but refrained. Magnus wards had not alerted him and he was certain there was nothing of concern but the silence of the birds did make him wonder.
Magnus walked into the forest tree line and applied more potions, he methodically covered as much as he could without entering the wooded area. He felt a magical connection to the forest, he told himself it was because it was full of herbs used for his spells. As he was making his last pass along the tree line, he felt a gentle magical caress. He stopped abruptly and straighten his back, the warlock looked around the area he was in, the density of the foliage and trees was thicker where he was standing. Magnus looked into the forest to see if there was anything out of the ordinary. When he couldn't see anything he decided to try something else.
Magnus had learned long ago that his magic could sense magic and interacted with its presence in a variety of ways, mostly accepting the co-existence of other magic. A warlocks magic was intuitive and guided the caster, allowing the practitioner more control and power. Magnus had honed his skills, he wasn't known as the High Warlock without reason. There were a few times his magic behaved in a surprising manner but overall, he had it under control. It was an extra sense for him. His magic comforted, healed and warned him but once in awhile his magic liked to wander, his wistfulness for better things he supposed. Magnus assumed his magic's wayward ways was because he felt stuck and wanted a way out of his life with his abusive father. His magic was expressing what he couldn't bring himself to do, yet. He was going to break free from his life with his father, he was close and he knew it as did his magic.
The High Warlock sent tendrils of magic toward the forest, exploring the area without having to go into it, seeking out anything that would seem strange. Magnus was now wary because his magic was searching and while he tried to pull it back toward him, it traveled deeper into the forest, searching. Magnus raised his hands, closed his eyes and hoped for the best, if his magic was going to look he might as well allow it.
At last when he thought there wasn't anything magical in the area, he felt the caress again. This time it was more than just on his body but along his magic as well. His magic mingling with the new presence. He closed his hands quickly forcing his magic back to him, then looked again into the forest. While he was startled, there was nothing malicious in what he felt, actually the caress was warm and inviting. The warlocks magic was now swirling around him encouraging him to go further, to take a closer look into the forest. He checked his wards and felt no warnings of any kind. Magnus made a glance back to the village he was hired to protect and realized he liked it here; with determination to do as he promised he walked further into the forest.
Magnus walked farther into the forest than he had expected, while he paused to mark his way back to the village, his magic had become more active in searching the area. While he kept a reign on it, his magic still traveled and he followed along. The warlock's magic swirled around him protectively but continued in its exploration. He walked upon a clearing near a mountain there was a cave opening and his magic stopped looking around and returned to him. The warlock realized this was it, it had to be what he was sensing, and that maybe whatever was in the cave was the cause of panic in the village. Magnus gave himself a quick pep-talk, he would dispense with whatever was in the cave, maybe collect whatever magical things inside and then go back to the village a hero.
As Magnus was about to cast a spell to incapacitate whatever it was in the cave, he heard a noise from behind him. His magic hadn't even warned him, he cursed himself for being so focused that he didn't pay attention to the surroundings. He spun around to see a big black bear standing on its hind legs looking at him. It roared at him, and Magnus put a shield up to protect him. The bear roared again and fell to all four paws, it moved from side to side eying Magnus.
##
Alec sat at the entrance of his cave, he could blend in with anything when he wanted to, it made hunting far more easier than it should be but if you have a gift you use it. He watched the interesting human, he had felt his magic and allowed his to mingle with it. He had sensed him the moment he was close to the tree line. His magic briefly caressing him and then he waited to see what the human would do, when their magic innocently mixed and played together he was fascinated. Alec teased the unknown human and his magic to him, he wanted a better look. Normally, he didn't really care all that much for humans but the magic that mixed with his felt intoxicating and riveting, things he hadn't felt in years.
Alec sensed the bear before the human did; a snack, yum. How nice of the human, as the bear started to threaten the male in front him, he spit out some flame and roasted the bear on the spot. The human jumped in surprised as fire flew from behind him, and spun around. Alec was visible now, he tilted his head to study him. He hadn't expected the poor thing to pass out. Alec sniffed the male to see if he was alright, satisfied with his inspection of the males condition, he picked him up in his claw and carried into his den. He told himself that this was a bad idea, but he shrugged and continued into his cave.
Alec was having second thoughts, he had a warlock in his lair, he could tell by the power that radiated off of him. After the male passed out from seeing him, he picked him up and made a comfortable place for him in his cave, why?! Alec couldn't stop looking at him, he was so beautiful. His caramel skin, lithe body, hair highlighted with color and jewelry adorning him. His brown eyes were mesmerizing. This magical creature was the most fascinating thing he had ever seen. He could feel the stranger's magic, and it mixed well with his dragon magic. He wasn't going to think about how alluring his scent was, it was too much for him. Once the warlock was settled, Alec decided he needed to fly to clear his mind.