One month later-The Day before Merlin comes to Camelot
"Bryne." Orion uttered, and he felt a surge of power within him, the power of the Old Language commanding the forces of magic to obey. A small flame burned on the candle in front of him. Pleased, he let out a long breath, his body sore and tired from the long effort to create such a tiny flame. A fault of his body, being untied to magic innately, Orion would struggle to perform even the weakest of spells but according to his books, he would only grow in power as he continued to train. "That was satisfying, to think such simple words command magic..." He beamed, proud of his first act of magic.
He had been practicing for a solid month, meditating, reading and learning the language of magic, the history of it, tales of Priestesses of Old, magical creatures, and so on. He had learned more than he could ever express to anyone, but he could tell no one. Not if he wanted to live. Uther's evil was an immeasurable thing, vast and hungry to claim more lives. In the mere month since he entered the castle, over twenty-three people had been slaughtered by Uther and with each one Orion gained more and more loathing of the man.
Studying magic made it clear that the craft was only evil in the hands of evil. One had to be a monster, like a few of the High Priestesses he read of, to make monstrous magic. Like when they made the Lamia or used the power of the Manticore. Evil was in deeds, not in power itself.
"Pity I must hide, who knows what I could do in a few years of training..."
Knowing he had to hurry and get some sleep, he hurried out of his secret space and down to his room. As he entered his room, he passed by the mirror he had bought and placed on his wall. Mainly for eventual scrying, the power to see through space and time, when he reached such mastery. He could not wait for that power, it seemed the most interesting bar mental powers like telepathy.
Looking into the mirror, he saw himself and smiled. He looked very different, Magic required a strong body to be mastered fully. There was a reason The Catha were trained fighters, why the High Priestesses trained into the Blood Guard before they become Full on Priestesses. He had started to go for jogs and walks, practicing swordplay with a practice sword he had bought from a local man. For at least three days a week, for at least an hour, he trained in his room with a book as a reference. He doubted he would be good at it, but he knew that he would get enough skill to hold his own in a fight if need be.
More importantly, he was losing the skeletal look that came from being a peasant, the tired, underfed look that he once had. He had muscles on his arms, a stronger stance and an air of strength he just lacked before. It was nice to see the results of his training, his raw effort. He could not wait for the next year to pass, to see where he would be at that point. Who he would be by that point.
At fourteen, Orion had always been a smaller boy, much like his tiny mother had been. Tiny but mighty, she was, and he hoped to end up like that as well...
Who knew, right?
""""
Tears fell down Orion's face as he watched as the local healer, Thomas Collins, was dragged by Uther's vile men towards the execution square. Thomas had healed a variety of people, making life so much better for all. Uther's evil truely knew no bounds.
"Let this serve as a lesson to all. This man, Thomas James Collins, is adjudged guilty of conspiring to use enchantments and magic. And, pursuant to the laws of Camelot, I, Uther Pendragon, have decreed that such practices are banned on penalty of death. I pride myself as a fair and just king, but for the crime of sorcery, there is but one sentence I can pass."
Uther declared from his balcony. Coldly, Uther raised his arm, then lowered it as a signal to the executioner and Thomas lost his head. Orion turned away, praying to the Triple Faced Goddess he now worshipped.
'Watch over Thomas, Goddess of us all, and guide his spirit to greener pastures.'
Uther continued suddenly, enraging Orion more than before. "When I came to this land, this kingdom was mired in chaos, but with the people's help magic was driven from the realm. So I declare a festival to celebrate twenty years since the Great Dragon was captured and Camelot freed from the evil of sorcery. Let the celebrations begin."
They all stopped, hearing the wailing of Mary Collins. "There is only one evil in this land, and it is not magic! It is you! With your hatred and your ignorance! You took my son! And I promise you, before these celebrations are over, you will share my tears. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a son for a son."
Uther called out. "Seize her!"
After a brief chant, Mary Collins vanished in a swirl of ash and wind.
'I wish you well in your vengeance, Mary, may you avenge your kind son and bring balance to the world by ending Uther...'
Not once did he notice the listening presence of one very, very intrigued by his rage, his hate and the pain he felt for those born to the craft...
"""
"What an interesting soul." Kilgarah muttered, focusing his thoughts outward onto the boy in question. With a simple prayer, the boy open his mind up to be heard by those with the skill and interest to notice. Kilgarah was but the only one in the Castle to have that skill, at that point. "So much hate, and empathy... if Merlin betrays me, as I forsee he might, this boy may very well be my only way out of my prison..."
With that in mind, Kilgarah gathered his energy and reached out, waiting for just such a time that he could meet the boy in question... It would take some time before the boy was good enough to undo his bonds but it could and would happen, given the right training and circumstances...
All Kilgarah had to do was be patient...
Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.
This is my favorite incarnation of my Merlin Ocs, I just need to flashback some backstory...
Love, your Ninja Overlord,
Mika.