I could, for the life of me, not figure out how to get him to meet Oliver, so I went with an opaque, sort of blunt approach...
I am not sure if I like it... but hey, I tried. I do like the adjustments I made with the Spirits, you'll see...
Four years later
Magic was a funny thing, a balancing act of skill and power. Rowan spent so often focusing on the balance as time progressed that he learned to walk that fine line between the two things. It was an all-consuming balancing act. Over the course of four years, of day-in and out training, he became a master of walking that line. His efforts to master the powers of the universe, Rowan lived to walk it.
He had first mastered sensory magics, able to read auras and lies and magical energy. Then he mastered runes and herbal magics, using them to heal and cast enchantments and potions. From there he learned to master mental magics, swaying the weak of heart and masking memories so he could hide his mystical powers. Lastly, he mastered defensive and offensive powers, learning to move things with his mind, attack with mental force or create fires. Through all of these skills, he mastered healing, of the mind and body, with herbs and runes and force of will...
He was no longer a helpless child in any way, and he was no longer drifting aimlessly. Armed with magic, a blackbelt in Judo, and a Bachelors in Nursing, he lived happily, ready finally to leave his home with Esrin and rejoin the world at large.
"Are you sure, amor?" She asked him, as he presented this to her.
He sighed. "I think so... I have learned so much, it is time I use it to better the world. You said yourself that a large part of why you worked with me was because I was balanced between light and dark, let me do some light deeds. I want to use my powers in my hometown, to work there in the hospital and help those there. I read that due to rapid theft, poor funding and politicians, there is not enough drugs to help the patients. That is a great place to start, I think."
A proud smile crossed his beloved mentor's face. "I am honored to have known you, amor... go, walk about the world, but never forget who taught you."
"Never, ever, ever." He kissed her cheek, and embraced her, knowing he would love this woman for as long as he lived and likely far beyond.
It only he knew how great his life would change, the direction it would go as he returned home to a city under siege by the wealthy and high born.
"Rember," She said and he started to pack. "You were taught by a shaman, you know how to briefly embrace the essence and words of the spirits, of energies most never touch. Do not let this sense be ignored. This is my final lesson to you."
"I will remember..." And he would... and it would be everything.
"""
Two weeks later
"Why here?" Rowan asked, looking at the Steel Mill his mother once worked at. He hated this place, the memories he had were vast and all negative, her being laid off along side so many was why he had nearly been killed by his mother's abuse so many times before he turned fifteen and ran off. "Why would my spell take me here?"
After two weeks of establishing himself in Starling city, he had cast a spell to draw on the Spirits Esrin channeled, to lead him to the path to do the most good. Like a magnet in his chest, the pull was intense. It led him out of his apartment and toward the Steel Mill with burning intensity.
"I sense life... and magic... what the...?" He bite out, not at all worried at being overheard, he was under a light glamour to mask his presence while he walked. No need to upset the locals or needing to kill someone that tried to rob him. With careful steps, he walked towards the Steel Mill, into the building itself confidently. "Esrin said to listen to my senses, so I might as well go inside..." Within minutes he found a large expanse of floor gone. "The magic is strong, but faint... and the aura I sense is potent, human though clearly... and one filled with pain." Hopping down, using his powers to mitigate his fall, he saw the source of power.
It was a man shirtless, doing upside-down crunches. The sight was lovely, but Rowan's eyes were drawn toward the man's tattoos, one of which was oozing delicate but potent magic. Around the man was a few computers and some flood lights, all high-tech... He watched for over an hour, stunned as the man moved from exercise to exercise, ending with him shooting tennis balls with a bow, his shots perfect.
"Impressive," Rowan muttered, a mistake as the man whipped around, pointing his bow at him. He felt it then, the magic of the spirits had wiped aside the glamour, this was the one that was to lead him to do the most good... but why? He had to know. Stepping forward, he focused hard. "Motus." He muttered and the bow went flying from the man's hands all the while he too went flying, straight into a pillar. The man's entire body was pinned to the surface of the pillar, unable to move. Reaching out, he put a hand on the man's face. "What are you to resonate such agony? Why would the spirits lead me to you?"
Immediately images formed in his heart, of a boat, a girl, endless water, the pain of being shot by an arrow, torture and finally the endlessly cold of longing...the spirit spell clearly taking effect as he had cast no magic to see into the man's heart. Recoiling, he sighed. "Oliver Queen, what in the name of all the gods happen do to you?" He waved his hand, releasing the man from the pillar. The man's goodness was clear, he was filled with love and light, a lot of darkness to, but the Light was that much stronger.
Oliver Queen, for he now knew the man's name, said with cold precision. "You have magic, it's been a while since I've seen magic. How did you find me?"
Rowan sighed. "Your tattoo oozes magic, and you ooze pain... I am good at sensing both, I was trained by a shaman. I cast a spell, to listen to the Spirits of good, to hear their guiding voice, feel their pull. It led me to you." He frowned. "I sense desire in you, righteousness... what is your mission? You know I could force you, so you might as well tell me."
The man sighed in return. "To cleanse the city, of those that have corrupted it... I have a list my father gave me, of names of people destroying my home."
"And you aim to kill them?" Oliver nodded. "Good, the entire city oozes agony, I entirely endorse your deeds... count me in." Oliver gaped. "What, I can sense your goodness, I agree with your mission and I can help you. For starters, I can make it so no one enters your domain, or suspects you. I can make it so that you are protected from harm, I can heal injuries, and soothe your heart from trauma which is nonnegotiable... now say yes so we can begin. The spirits led me to you for a reason, and I aim to see what that is."
The man opened his mouth a few times before sighing. "You are not going to leave this alone, are you?"
"Not a bit."
"And with your magic, there is no way I can stop you... Fine... let's start with Adam Hunt, or well I will while you... you make this place untouchable, okay?"
"Deal... and Oliver, I will be helping you, you need it and the spirits led me to you... my own senses definitely did so, so get used to my presence for if nothing else, I am loyal to my own powers."
Oliver just nodded. "I can't say no to a literally magical ally... and when you touched me, and saw whatever you saw, I felt your goodness too... it was like part of you bled into me... was that supposed to happen?"
"I suspect your magical potential was awakened by my powers... and it created a backfeed, or maybe the spirits did that as part of the spell I cast to be led... So not technically supposed to happen but it did... so, let us get started shall we? Oh we are going to have to create a reason we know each other. I am a healer by nature, so maybe you employed me to help with your trauma response?"
The man sighed. "That's... fine, I guess... "
"Great, expect me to be over and we can work on your meditation. With some magic I can actually reduce your stress... you ooze agony, Oliver, so much so that it resonates over the city's... oh and my name is Rowan, it really is nice to meet you, no matter how oddly we met."
Oliver nodded. "I have yet to decide if it is good to meet you... if I am to be honest."
"Fair enough... I will to just earn your loyalty and trust, something I look forward to doing."
And like that, he started to protect Oliver's lair, with powerful magics, eager to make his mark on the world.
Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.
This was a joy to write, if a bit odd...
Mika.