The Chaos Tree

Chapter 16

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Caleb left the conference room, shaking his head. He claimed he needed to get their rooms sorted for the night, that if they wanted to be on the same floor it needed to be done now. Dean thought he just needed to get out of the room so he could vent his laughter without Sam punching him on the nose. He had to admit, he found Sam's conclusion pretty farfetched.

Sam knew exactly what his brother was thinking. "It all makes sense, Dean."

"Really? How? The Garden of Eden?" Dean sighed. "Caleb's right; what are we supposed to do with that? How does the Garden of Eden tie into chaos all over the country?"

"Not the Garden, exactly, but what was in the Garden."

Dean stared at his brother a moment, then suddenly got it. "The seeds?"

Sam nodded. "We've been focusing all our attention on the violence part of what happened in Baltimore, Stillwater, the other cities, but we forgot the other side."

"The altruism," Joshua interjected.

Sam nodded. "Donna Hanscum said that the Stillwater Police Benevolent Fund received a record three-hundred-thousand in unsolicited donations when they usually receive around twenty-five thousand with direct fundraising. Diana Ballard said something similar happened in Baltimore. Ethan said there were extreme acts of charity in Houston. Houston Fire and Rescue claimed they had more donations than any other time ever. He also said people were bringing food and water to the station so the cops would have meals during the crisis, and that convicts were feeling complete remorse for their actions and confessing to priests, family, even police officers."

"Extreme good and extreme bad," Raylan observed.

"Yes."

"But there's always been the good and the bad," Daniel stated.

"On a natural level, yes," Sam agreed. "But what about bringing something into this world that gave complete revelation and utter clarity? Something that wasn't meant to be in our realm, then using a spell to enhance its affect on society?"

"A Chaos Spell," Joshua interjected. "From the elements of this spell; the placing of the circle in a counter-clockwise position, inciting a violence from talismans, he is definitely doing a chaos spell."

"What is the spell called?" Adam asked.

"The Chaos Spell," Joshua said with a smile. There was some chucking before he went on, "I haven't had a lot of time to examine and dissect the spell, but it looks to be very old and very powerful."

Just then the door opened and Caleb walked back in with a few keycards in his hand. Dropping into his chair, he spun the keys across the table to Raylan, Daniel, Joshua and over to Sam. "Raylan and Daniel, you both have rooms next to one another. Josh, you and Adam will share a two bedroom suite. Sam and Dean have a double with me and Onida next door. We're all on the same floor." He wanted Sam in the same room as Dean in case Dean needed him nearby.

Dean smiled. "Thanks."

No one seemed inclined to continue the discussion, so Caleb finally sighed and said, "Okay, impossible Gardens. How does that help us?"

"A tree from the impossible Garden," Sam stated, eyeing the Knight.

Caleb's brows rose.

"According to Biblical teaching," Sam said, in his element, "Adam and his descendants were pure in the Garden. They had everything good come to them directly from the Hand of God. When Adam ate of the forbidden tree, knowledge of evil, darkness and sin entered him and every descendant in the Garden by proxy. God wouldn't let them live forever now that sin had entered their lives, so he banished them from the Garden. Now they could die."

"So, before they ate of the tree, all they thought were good thoughts?" Caleb stated.

"I guess," Sam said. "Their thoughts were in alignment with God. Now, they were rebellious, covetous, sinful."

Raylan frowned. "That happened all at once?"

"Probably not," Sam said. "Most likely over time their actions and thoughts degraded because of sin. One of the first great sins happened after Adam and his descendants were kicked out of Eden. Cain murdered his brother Abel because he was jealous that God honored Abel's offering and rejected his own." He gave Dean a covert look, considering himself the luckiest man in the world to have a brother who cheered Sam's triumphs instead of being jealous of them.

"So, let me get this straight," Caleb said slowly. "If the seeds from the Tree of Good and Evil…"

"The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil," Sam corrected. When Caleb gave him the evil eye and he added with a shrug, "Though the simplification doesn't change anything."

"If the seeds are here, why would that change anything? Mankind was exposed to evil and darkness several millennia ago."

"They were exposed then banished from the purity of knowledge the tree revealed," Joshua said. "Eden was purity of beauty, purity of harmony, purity of their walk with God. Earth isn't like that. So, what happens if you bring that intensity of knowledge into a world ill prepared for it?"

"Chaos," Caleb said slowly.

Joshua and Sam both nodded.

"Good impulses get gooder and the bad get badder," Dean remarked.

Sam smiled. "Pretty much."

Joshua looked at Dean. He hated to ask about it, but they needed to know what happened when Dean opened the box. "Can you tell us what happened inside the circle, when you were exposed to the seeds?"

Dean didn't speak for a minute, until he finally sighed and nodded. "At first it was like everything went a little darker outside the circle. Then all I felt was darkness and destruction." Hesitating, he didn't know how to continue. Revealing anything about hell was out of the question. Telling Sam and Caleb years ago had been painful enough. No way was he having a bear-the-soul moment here witnessed by Raylan, Daniel, Adam and Onida. Talking about Jim was off the table as well. So how did he proceed? Trying to think of what would be relevant, he continued, "It was like giving in to your worst impulses, like you didn't have a choice." Swallowing hard, he continued, "Thinking about Sam, Caleb, you," he nodded to Joshua, "helped clear my mind some so I could focus."

"And when you touched a seed?" Joshua probed.

"It felt like an electrical storm inside my head. I couldn't concentrate. There was so much darkness but there were shafts of light too." Dean broke off, shaking his head. It was difficult to explain something so surreal.

"Did you feel like the light was fighting the darkness?" Sam asked.

Frowning, Dean thought back for a time, then shook his head. "No, not really. There were both just there being…" he fumbled for a minute, "light and dark. When I touched the seed, I didn't sense any great enlightenment or viciousness."

Caleb refrained from bringing up Dean slashing his leg to pieces, though he traded looks with Sam.

Joshua nodded. "Dark and light are always together. Their affect on us tempers our actions. The spell Piruz is doing must exacerbate those emotions."

"The spell has been activated," Onida reminded them. "When I saw the light intensify around the boxes and the wood getting warmer … those seeds are going to get out at some point."

Joshua nodded. He along with his Triad had seen the small seed sprout vines and leaves in a matter of seconds.

"Spreading chaos, yes," Sam said. "We're already seeing the results of mounting tensions in those cities as well as neighboring cities."

Dean grunted slightly as he pushed himself to his feet, favoring his painful leg. "Okay, we're going with Caleb's plan. Sam, Josh, Onida and Adam are going to figure out the Chaos spell and how to stop it. If the spell ends, that should shut down the boxes. Find out why there are cardinal points in the corners. It's there so it's got to be important."

"And you, me, Daniel and Raylan are going to pester the crap out of the witch," Caleb stated, also rising. "If we can slow him down enough, we may just cancel this spell."

Dean nodded and looked to Joshua. "Are your potion ingredients still in the tour bus?"

"Tourer," Caleb remarked under his breath.

"There on the side table," Joshua said, rising. "I'll get them organized and we can start assembling some spell pouches for you to use."

After Joshua, Sam, Onida and Adam were firmly ensconced around the conference room table, working, the others got their gear ready and headed out to search the clubs. Though Caleb hadn't been happy with the decision, he'd paired Dean with Daniel and himself with Raylan. That enabled each hunter to be paired with one of the Triad - along with their Triad gifts - in case they came up against Piruz, which was the intention, after all. Like in Huntsville, they'd broken up the territory into two sections, with Dean and Daniel working the downtown hub, and Caleb and Raylan covering the clubs along the outer rim of the downtown area.

Dean and Daniel had already driven to nine clubs and were now walking along West Hargett Street in the downtown entertainment section of Raleigh. There were several clubs along this street, so instead of trying to park at the curb near each, the pair decided to walk. Dean's leg was aching more now as he wasn't sitting. But the pain helped remind him that he wanted to be a better man than the one who'd hurt so many in hell. In both pockets of his jacket he had bottles of water, and Joshua made them a potion that would prevent Piruz from burying a box around the clubs. Dean knew Piruz would bury one somewhere, but he wanted to make it as tough as possible.

Daniel touched his arm and pointed down an alley. Looking up, Dean saw they were at Neptune's Parlour. Nodding, he watched Daniel toss a small amount of potion in the air.

"No sign of magic," Daniel stated under his breath.

"Then let's finish," Dean said. He pulled out a largish bag of sand-like ingredients and walked down the alley, dribbling the powder along the side of the building, past the rear windows and door, then up the far side till he was on the sidewalk again. Together they walked to Capital 16 Club next door and repeated the process, this time with Daniel walking the building.

That will not work, child…

Dean sighed. He hatred it when Piruz spoke at them through the air. "Yeah?" he mumbled. "Well come and stop me."

"What?" Daniel said, coming up beside Dean as they headed for the next club.

Dean waved a hand by his ear, saying, "Piruz wants us to stop what we're doing."

Snorting loudly, Daniel glanced around and remarked, "Like that's gonna happen."

Dean grinned as they approached a bar called Coglin's. Pulling out his cell, he texted Caleb and let him and Raylan know Piruz was aware of what they were doing. When he finished, he said to Daniel, "Instead of a lookout on the street, we should stick together. I'd rather not get caught with our pants down."

Daniel nodded. Once they passed into the shadows of the building and alley, he pulled his gun and palmed a spell packet.

Sprinkling Joshua's potion along the sides of the building again, Dean kept his eyes peeled for the witch. No one came. They finished and headed for the next club. After they'd hit London Bridge Pub, The Raleigh Times, Watts & Wards Speakeasy and the Architect Club - where Dean had to stop and take a picture to show Caleb - they turned down South Blount Street to walk the Pour House Music Hall before turning to head back to the car. Dean was limping heavily by this time.

When they finished walking the building, Daniel said, "Stay here." Pointing to the crowded club, he continued, "There's plenty of cover and I'll go get the car."

Dean immediately shook his head. "You're not walking out there on your own."

Daniel pointed to the dozens of people milling around on the sidewalks though it was almost midnight. "Town's hopping. This guy isn't going to start something in the middle of a crowded street. He's been laying all his boxes pretty under the radar. We're only parked a block away. I'll be back inside ten minutes."

Dean sighed. "Damn it."

"Ten minutes. And get inside where there are plenty of people. I'll text you when I pull up," Daniel said, and he started walking quickly down the street, dodging through the swarm of drinking, laughing, and selfie-taking people.

Dean huffed out a breath and limped into the building. The music was deafening. The Pour House was a split venue with two bars; one in the pool room, the other housed in the Music Hall, complete with a stage for live performances. The music side was long and somewhat narrow, with stools at the bar but other than that, standing or dancing only. Along the brick wall opposite the bar was a narrow, rickety metal staircase leading up to a mezzanine walkway. Jostled by dozens of gyrating bodies, Dean limped to the bar and sat on the only seat available.

"Want something, bud?"

A dark-haired man with a mustache so narrow it looked painted on, leaned over the bar, smiling.

He was taking up a barstool, so Dean said, "Beer."

"Type?"

"Whatever's on tap."

"Got thirty-two on tap," the man said, his smile widening into a grin.

"Then make it a good one."

The man laughed and walked away. He returned a few minutes later with a chilled glass of medium-bodied beer with mild foam. "Narragansett Lager from Rhode Island," he said. "You're going to love it." He stood there with his brows raised, waiting for Dean's feedback.

Dean hadn't planned on drinking the beer. He was on the job and had only ordered it so he could sit on the stool. But now, it didn't look like he had a choice. He put a ten dollar bill on the counter, lifted the glass and took a gulp. Swallowing, he said, "Wow, smooth."

"It's one of my favorites." Sticking out a hand, the guy said, "Gaeland."

Dean blinked. "You're kidding."

The man threw his head back and laughed heartily, drawing the attention of several people milling around near the bar. "Nope, my parents had poor sense in picking names. I've thought about changing it hundreds of times, but I just keep putting it off. Now I fear it's too late."

"You like the novelty," Dean remarked. "Ain't nothin' wrong with that."

Someone called out for a refill, and Gaeland looked around. "Gotta get back to it," he said. "Enjoy your beer."

Dean watched him walk off and looked down at his watch, surprised to see that only six minutes had passed. There was no text from Daniel, so he took another small sip of the delicious beer. At least waiting for a ride in a bar had some perks.

"Join you, may I?"

Dean choked and looked up … and up at Piruz, standing at his side. Crap, the man was tall. It was different seeing him up close rather than across a field or several yards away behind a building. Where had he come from, anyway? Joshua's magic tracking potion had showed no magic in the area. He couldn't believe he was out here where he knew the witch would be planting boxes, and the guy walks right up. Caleb was going to put him in boot camp like his father had after a screw up years ago. Nodding, he looked around, but before he could say anything the man sitting next to him suddenly got up and moved away into the crowd, leaving his friend staring after him, open-mouthed.

Gaeland walked up and Dean said, "Another," inclining his head to Piruz.

Smiling, Gaeland nodded, picked up a glass and flipped it lightly in his hand as he walked to the long wall of beer taps.

"Stop … your action," Piruz said, obviously finding English a difficult language, as most people did when learning it.

"I can't," Dean said softly.

Piruz looked aggravated as he sighed. "Quare?"

Dean frowned. Growing up, his father had always told him to keep his cards close to the vest. Did he want Piruz to know he understood Latin? Figuring that at this point it didn't much matter, he took a few moments to form the words and word order before he spoke. Latin sentence structure was different than English, and he hadn't lied to Sam; he was rusty. Reciting spells and code words was different from having a conversation. "Omins anima habeat valorem," he said slowly. (Every life has value.)

Head cocked to the side in perplexity, Piruz said, "Non omnis vita sit ponderanda." (Not all life is valued.)

"No," Dean said finally. "It's not. But that's not my call to make." When Piruz looked confused, he thought a moment, then translated, "Sed quod suus 'non voctionem." His cell vibrated in his pocket, indicating that Daniel was waiting outside.

Piruz watched Dean closely before asking, "Et cui?" (Then who's?)

"God."

Piruz's eyes widened, and then he laughed. "Deus? Deus abiecit de vita hominis." (God threw man down.)

"Yeah, He did." And considering some of the crap mankind pulled, Dean couldn't say he blamed Him.

Eyes narrowed, Piruz hissed, "Ego ibi erat. Deus cum hominibus submerserunt."

Frowning, trying to translate the words in his head, Dean finally shook his head and said, "What?"

"Ego," Piruz pointed at himself, "there, in water. Deus occidere … murder familia. Deus murder mater mea, pater, fratribus et sororibus, nos servi; omnibus amicis nostris. Deus murder all." (God murdered my mother, father, brothers and sisters, our servants and all our friends. God murdered all)

Dean stared for a long time, his mouth slightly open in surprise. In water? Had this man just said he'd been there, had lived through the flood; as in Noah's flood? How was that possible? His pocket vibrated again. There were no words for such grief. Instead, he formed the only words he could offer before saying softly, "Id est humani generis nu cupla." (That is not humanity's fault.)

Piruz looked like he'd been slapped. He stared at Dean as though he were examining an intriguing specimen under a microscope. Finally he rose stiffly and said, "Voluntas hominis sit bona. Quid faciam Deo non poterat." (Man will be good. I will do what God could not.) Almost faster than good be seen, Piruz lifted his hand and shoved power at Dean.

Dean reacted instinctively and slammed his booted foot against the bar. His barstool flipped backward, knocking him into the man behind and sending them both crashing sideways onto the floor. It wasn't pretty or elegant, but the energy blast missed and hit the bar. Scrambling back, he eyed Piruz, who nodded and said, "Ita sit. Unus bellator descendit hac nocte." (So be it. One warrior down on this night.)

Gaeland darted out from behind the bar. But by the time he got to Dean's side, Piruz was gone.

"Are you all right, man?" Gaeland exclaimed, helping Dean to stand, and reaching behind Dean to help up the other man.

Dean turned around too and apologized, saying the next round was on him.

Gaeland looked shaken. "Who was that man?"

Dean looked to the door and saw Daniel trying to muscle through the confused and jostling crowd. "No one good," he murmured.

Caleb and Raylan had started at the outer rim of their territory at a club called the Capital Cabaret before heading inward. They'd already covered five clubs when they pulled up a couple blocks down from TJ's Night Club. Climbing out, they headed from the alley near the club.

"You think Daniels's truck will be all right?" Raylan asked, eyeing the crowd. This was definitely a seedier area of Raleigh. He had already seen three drug buys and they'd only gone a block.

Caleb smiled, sending a psychic cop's are coming thought to two of the dealers, causing them to scurry away. "It'll be fine. We'll only be here a few minutes." They were driving Daniel's truck because Dean had refused to let Caleb drive the Impala, declaring that he needed his Baby by his side.

In the shadow of the alley, Raylan pulled a packet of powder from his pocket and tossed the dust in the air. Nothing. "He's not here."

Caleb nodded, pulling his own bag from his pocket. He started pouring it along the foundation of the building. Suddenly his psychic bat signal, as Dean would have said, went off. Whipping around, he saw Raylan on the ground, unconscious and Piruz standing there smiling. So much for the witch not being here. He must have been cloaked. Caleb reinforced his titanium blocks.

"Oportet prohibere," Piruz said gently. (You must stop.)

"Quisque non licet interfiecere," Caleb replied. (You do not have the right to execute everyone.)

Piruz shook his head patiently. "Non omnis, puer. Tantum reus." (Not everyone, child. Only the guilty.)

"Nullae innocentem. Non unum." (There are none innocent, not even you.) Caleb felt his heart pounding rapidly. What was Piruz after? He knew they wouldn't allow the wholesale slaughter of millions of people. Why was he even trying to talk to them?

Piruz cocked his head to the side as he watched Caleb. Suddenly his eyes widened slightly. "Daemonium."

Caleb threw the potion packet he'd palmed at Piruz while reaching out psychically. Touching the man's mind was like touching the sea; vast, expansive and teeming with slipperiness and slime.

Exite, dimidium daemonium. Nihil enim mihi est hic. (Go away, half breed. There is nothing for you here.)

Caleb grimaced as the words pounded around his head, not in his mind, per say, but echoing in his ears just the same. Growling, he put power into his words and sent back, Revertere ubi tu pertinent. (Go back to where you belong.)

"Et ubi est illud?" Piruz said with a smirk. (And where is that?)

"Inferos," Caleb growled, pulling the Dragon's Talon from his belt and brandishing it like a sword.

Piruz's face lost all expression as he stared at Caleb, though his eyes spit fire and anger. "Ostende aliquo respectu, puri. Et non sumus pares. Tu nihil nec attentionem ceterorum turbat." (Show me respect, boy. We are not equals. You are not but a distraction.)

"I'm okay with that," Caleb hissed, and tossed another spell bag at Piruz.

Piruz countered, and then Caleb was under a full-scale assault with potions and spells hurled his way. His Dragon's Talon rose to the occasion magnificently, blocking every single one. Allowing the Blade control, he tried to figure out a new plan. This standoff with a spell-hurling witch needed a conclusion, and he needed to get to Raylan. How to make that happen, however, remained elusive. It was just then he felt a presence behind him. Spinning around, he just had time to mostly dodge a spell bag thrown by a young girl with white eyes. Instead of hitting him square in the back, it glanced off his shoulder to splatter on the wall. But the contact was enough to have Caleb stumbling back. He was near enough to the back corner of the building, and he ducked around the side.

He had only seconds to assess the rear of the club. The only cover was an industrial trash bin in the corner of the lot. It's effectiveness as shelter was dubious, as Piruz could simply throw power at it and squash him like a bug between the bin and the fence. But as the only shelter available, he ran toward it, his mind on fire and body screaming in pain. Whatever spell Piruz's puppet had used on him was having an effect.

Feeling Piruz behind him, Caleb pivoted, tossing two more potion bags at the witch while blocking another three with the Talon. But his movements were slow and it was becoming more difficult to keep his eyes open. He slipped behind the trash bin. The ground was covered in bottles of every kind from beer bottles to vodka and whiskey; a testament to partying. Suddenly, he had an idea. He sent out a psychic all points; Party behind the club! Party behind the club!

"Sero nunc, puer. Merlinus callidus est, eligens dimidium genus." (Too late now, child. Merlin was clever, choosing a half breed.)

"Et adhuc plus homnies quan tibi," Caleb snarled. (And still more human than you.) Leaning out from behind the bin, he hurled his last three packets, his aim true. All three hit the witch center mass just as the back door to the club banged open and dozens of partiers spilled out.

"Where's the party?" someone called, followed by laughter.

"Someone's already sloshed," another yelled, as Piruz stumbled under the power of Caleb's spell pouches and fell.

"Then give him a drink, dude!" Raucous laughter followed that suggestion.

Piruz waved a hand and half a dozen people fell back against the others, sending a dozen tumbling to the ground.

Cries of watch it, what the hell? and get off me, filled the rear yard of the Cabaret.

When Caleb peeked out from behind the trash bin, Piruz was gone. Pain had encircled his entire body and he pulled himself to his feet while gritting his teeth. He needed help badly. Stepping out from behind the bin, he walked gingerly toward the crowd with the intention of getting to Raylan. He bumped and dodged his way through the confused partiers, who were either scrambling off the ground or attempting to continue their partying, and made it to the corner before he dropped to his knees.

Someone noticed. "Hey buddy, you okay?"

Caleb pointed down the alley and said, "Help."

The man looked around. "Don't see no one else here."

Blackness was covering his vision, Caleb pointed again and said, "Raylan," then he yelled psychically, Sam! before losing consciousness.

Sam tried to call Dean again as he trotted down the wide hallways of Duke Raleigh Hospital, Onida and Joshua on his heels. Adam had dropped them off at the emergency room entrance and was now circling the lot for a parking space. Rushing the nurse's station, he said, "Caleb Reaves? He was brought into emergency tonight."

The nurse said, "Just a moment…" as her fingers continued to fly across the computer keyboard. Finally, she said, "What's the name?"

Joshua ground his teeth and repeated what Sam had already said; "Caleb Reaves; R. E. A. V. E. S."

The nurse began typing again. "He's being evaluated in our trauma unit. You'll need to wait out here. The doctor will come for you when he's finished."

"Can you let me know his condition?" Onida asked.

Returning her eyes to her screen, the nurse said, "There are no notes on his chart as yet." Pointing to several chairs in the large waiting room, she said, "Have a seat, and we'll get you when we know something."

"What about Raylan Tanner?" Sam asked.

The nurse began typing again. "Uh, that's the man that came in with Mr. Reaves. He's been treated and is in stable condition."

"Can we see him?" Joshua asked anxiously. He hoped Raylan could give them some news on what happened.

"As soon as he's assigned a room. I'll let you know."

Sam looked as though he was about to lean over the desk and strangle the woman when Joshua pulled him away.

"Let's wait over here," Joshua murmured, tugging Sam gently.

Onida remained standing near the desk, looking lost. This was her worst nightmare. She'd lost Marius when she was twenty-four; she couldn't lose Caleb. She couldn't.

Joshua took her arm and led her over to where Sam was standing. "He's going to be all right," he said. "I know Caleb. Nothing is going to happen to him."

Onida gave the other man a shaky smile. "You sure?"

"Positive," Joshua said. "Come on, let's take a seat." Turning to Sam, he said, "Have you been able to get hold of Dean yet?"

Sam shook his head. Holding up his ring hand, he said, "He should be coming, though." While not burning, his ring was warm on his finger. Pulling out his cell, he tried to ring his brother once more. When the call went to voice mail again, he simply hung up.

Having parked the Tourer, Adam skidded into the emergency waiting area. Looking around, he spotted the other three and hurried over, asking Joshua for an update.

Instead of listening in to Joshua and Adam, Sam turned and regarded the double doors leading in to the treatment bays. Slowly he walked over and stared through the windows. He was tired of waiting, and abruptly walked inside.

"Sam," Joshua hissed, glancing around at the nurse's station. However, none of the personnel seemed to have realized that Sam had gone into the treatment rooms. Deciding not to call attention to his absence, he ushered Adam over to where Onida was sitting. They sat for a further twenty minutes before the treatment room doors opened again and Sam walked out accompanied by a doctor.

"Thank you," Sam said sincerely. "I apologize again, but I was worried. I just needed to see him. Thank you for being so kind."

"Just try not to let your anxiety take you into parts of the hospital where you shouldn't be. I'll return to take you to him."

Sam nodded and went over to sit beside Joshua and Onida. When the doctor retreated back through the doors, he said, "Caleb's stable for now, but his body is in shock and they're saying his brain waves are erratic."

"I can help with that," Onida stated urgently

"I know," Sam said softly. "Unfortunately, we'll need to wait until he's assigned a room." Glancing over his shoulder, he pulled out a soiled shirt and thrust it at Joshua. "There's something on the left shoulder that looks like a potion. I'm hoping you can figure out what it is, and maybe help both him and Raylan."

Two cops exited through the double doors from the trauma bay, surveyed the waiting room for a moment before approaching Sam, Joshua, Adam and Onida.

The officer on the left nodded. "I'm Officer Morgan. Do you know anything about what happened here?"

"We don't," Sam stated anxiously. Dealing with curious cops was routine for hunters, and though he was worried, he was a pro at putting the right amount of anxiety and concern into his voice.

"Can you tell us anything?" Joshua asked, using what Dean and Caleb always called his public relations voice.

"All we know is we got a call about two men and one woman found unconscious in an alley outside TJ's Night Club. There was no smell of alcohol on the bodies of the men, though the woman appeared to have been drinking. Both men had IDs, the woman did not. Do you know her?" The officer showed a picture of a blond girl who looked like she was asleep, except for the extreme pallor of her skin.

Joshua and Sam gave the picture their due diligence, though they knew the girl hadn't been with Raylan or Caleb. Shaking his head, Joshua said, "No, I've never seen her before."

Sam shook his head, and the officer held it up for Onida and Adam, who both shook their heads.

"Can we go in?" Onida asked anxiously.

The Officer's eyes softened. "The doctor will call as soon as you're able to see them." The two officers nodded and walked away.

Sam rose and pulled out his cell. Stepping a couple feet away, he sent Dean another text, adding Daniel this time. Giving an exasperated sigh, he walked to the trauma door windows and looked through.

"It shouldn't be too much longer," Joshua said, coming up alongside the younger man. "Can you sense him?"

Sam nodded. "Sort of. But it's like trying to capture air; I can't get a hold of anything."

Onida stood, as though sitting was just to much for her now. "That's what happened before with both of you." Biting her lip, she murmured, "I need to get to him."

Sam's cell rang and he answered. "Hello? … Where are you? … Are you all right? … Yeah, that's where we are. … Okay, see you soon."

"What?" Onida and Joshua said at the same time.

"Dean and Daniel are on their way. Dean's cell got cracked in an altercation with Piruz. They were on their way back to the hotel, but now they're coming here." He glanced at Joshua. "Seems like your power-seeking potion didn't work, or Piruz countered it with some sort of cloaking."

Joshua shook his head. "I should have thought of that and made a much more subtle potion." He looked disgusted with himself. "Damn it."

The uncharacteristic curse, mild though it had been, showed more than anything how worried Joshua was for Caleb. "He's going to be okay," Sam said. "Better as soon as Onida can get in there with her magic hands."

"We'll remake the spell, make it richer," Adam stated.

Joshua nodded to Adam, "Thank you." To Onida, he said, "I'm sorry I wasn't as thorough as I should have been."

"He'll be fine," Onida stated, giving the older man a quick hug. "I just need to get to him."

"Yes," Joshua whispered. "I just … hate this."

Sam nodded and murmured, "Yeah, me too."

They milled around a bit before, one by one, finding their way into the seats. Fifteen minutes later Dean and Daniel burst through the emergency room doors, Dean heading straight for the nurse's station.

"Caleb Reaves," Dean said, "How is he?"

"We don't know anything yet…."

"Find out!" Dean stated aggressively.

The nurse looked surprised, then just as it appeared she was about to give Dean a piece of her mind, Sam hurried over and pulled Dean away.

"We're waiting over here," Sam said, throwing an apologetic smile in the nurse's direction.

"How is he?" Dean asked, "Can you sense him?"

"Come on over here," Sam said.

Dean dug in his heels, demanding, "Spill it."

Sam sighed. Dean got like this when anyone he loved was hurt. "We don't know anything yet. We know he and Raylan are stable, but that's it. I can sense him, but I can't get his thoughts or emotions; it's like trying to hold water in a sieve. Onida said that was like what happened after David Lassiter came to the farm. We're just waiting till we can get in and she can heal him."

Dean's shoulders slumped and he nodded. Looking up, he saw Daniel over sitting beside Onida and Adam. He'd forgotten the other man was there, damn it.

"Come on," Sam said, giving Dean's arm a tug. "You're bleeding."

"What?" Dean grunted as he looked down at his leg. He had bled clean through his jeans, which were now a darkish red. "Damn it," he said again, though this time out loud, and he limped toward the chairs.

Dean had only just gotten seated when the double doors opened and a doctor walked out. "Family for Caleb Reaves and Raylan Tanner?"

They all rose and hurried over.

The doctor eyed them all before saying, "I'm Doctor Wallace. I've been treating your friends, and I have to admit I'm quite baffled. Both of their vital signs were unstable, irregular, blood pressure bottomed out, difficulty breathing, and their brain patterns were highly irregular; Mr. Reaves much more so than Mr. Tanner. We've stabilizing their vitals and administered Lobastatin to help regulate brain function. They're being moved to a room now, and I hope they'll be awake soon."

"Will they be in the same room?" Joshua asked.

Doctor Wallace nodded. "We thought that was best. You don't know the young lady?"

"No," Joshua said. "We didn't recognize her. I hope she's all right."

"She has symptoms of a mild concussion without having a concussion." Wallace shook his head. "Very peculiar." After a moment, he continued, "I'll have a nurse come get you when they're settled."

"Thank you, Doctor," Joshua said.

It was another half an hour before they were led to a room on the third floor. Onida ran over to Caleb with Joshua just behind.

"Wait awhile," Joshua cautioned. "You can't just heal him directly after the doctors have worked on him."

"Why not?" Onida demanded, a hand on Caleb's cheek. His face was pale, his breathing shallow, and he was unnaturally still. She wanted to help him now.

Dean walked over and leaned down. "Damien, if you can hear me, enough of the Princess routine. It's time to wake up."

Sam and Joshua chuckled slightly, and Dean ran a hand over Caleb's head. Then Dean turned and went to Raylan. His arm was bound in a sling, and there was a bandage around his head to stymie the blood flow from the contusion on his forehead.

Sam walked to the end of the bed and looked at Raylan's chart. "He's got a fractured clavicle and a fairly deep laceration on his forehead."

Dean nodded.

Joshua went and grabbed a chair for Onida, then one for himself and they sat down beside Caleb's bed. Adam leaned against the wall while Daniel dropped down on the end of Raylan's bed. Dean limped to a chair near the television and lowered himself gingerly into the seat. There was a fourth chair, but Sam ignored it, feeling the need to stand and move.

"What happened tonight?" Sam asked Dean.

"Yeah, I'd like to know that myself," Daniel said. "I was outside getting the car."

Sam wanted to yell at Daniel for leaving Dean alone, but figured the man had seen Dean's leg and decided to let the Guardian rest while he fetched the car.

Dean told them about what Piruz said and what he claimed.

Joshua's eyes were as wide as everyone else's when he said, "He was there for the flood? How is that possible?"

"I don't know, but he said his family was killed. Said he was going to do what God couldn't, and make a world where good people could live."

Joshua and Sam merely stared until Daniel softly quoted, "'There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.'"

Everyone looked at him and he smiled. "The book of Romans in the New Testament." Shrugging slightly, he explained, "I'm from Argentina. My whole family is Roman Catholic."

Sam and Joshua smiled.

"The thing is," Dean continued, "God wiped out mankind because they were wicked. Piruz blames God for killing everyone, including his family. What he doesn't see is that he's doing the exact same thing he accuses God of doing. Kill everyone wicked, get rid of the bad people, then all the good people will live together." He shook his head. "No one alive is capable of making that decision, no matter your personal loses."

A groan had everyone turning to the men on the beds. Raylan's eyes fluttered open on a moan.

Dean rose quickly. "Raylan, are you in there, man?"

Raylan grunted slightly and opened his eyes slowly. It took a moment, but he finally focused on Dean. Frowning, he whispered, "Where's Caleb?"

Dean stepped aside so that Raylan could see Caleb in the next bed.

"How is he?"

"He's doing fine, as are you." Dean looked over at Onida, who came reluctantly over to Raylan's bed. She didn't want to use her energy on anyone but Caleb. "Can you check his brain, see if the same spiraling you saw in Caleb and Sam is happening to him?"

Nodding, Onida held a hand over Raylan's head for a moment, then stepped back. "Yes, the same erratic firing of neurons, the same jumble of chaotic cells."

"It's a result of Piruz's spell," Joshua stated. "The big spell, not the one he used on you tonight."

Raylan frowned. "I feel fine."

"You've been given a drug to help regulate brain function," Sam said. "That's probably helping the misfiring neurons."

"Am I going to be all right?" Raylan asked, a thread of fear in his voice.

Sam suddenly whirled on Joshua. "Do you remember those protection pouches you made for Dean and JT last year? Can you make something similar for us now, to protect us from the spell until we can stop it? A Chaos Spell neutralizer, maybe?"

Joshua nodded slowly. Looking to Adam, he said, "I think we can make that happen."

Adam stood and said, "I'll head back to the hotel and get started. You stay here with Caleb."

"I'll go with you," Daniel said, standing. "I can help with the research or at least gather and measure the ingredients for the potions."

Sam stood irresolute. There was so much they still needed to find out about the box, about the spell and the witch so they could end this. Potions needed to be found that would be effective against a witch of Piruz's power. Joshua would take care of the bulk of the potion making, but the research on shutting down the spell was his responsibility. He should go and help at the hotel, but he wanted to stay with Caleb.

"You can't do anything here, Sammy," Dean said gently. "Why don't you head back, put that big brain of yours to work on protecting us all, Caleb included. Besides, it's not going to be long before visiting hours are over and we'll get kicked out anyway. In fact, I'm surprised…"

At that moment the hospital door opened. The night nurse walked in, then froze when she saw all the people crowded into the room. "What's going on here? Visiting hours were over an hour ago."

Joshua stood with a sigh. "We're leaving." He looked over at Dean. "But I expect a call immediately when he's awake."

Dean nodded. "Done."

The four men left, weaving their way around the nurse, who stepped forward and said, "And you are?"

"I'm his brother," he pointed to Caleb, "and his cousin," he pointed to Raylan. "This is Caleb's wife." He patted Onida's shoulder. "We're not leaving."

Raylan smiled, then gave the nurse an affirming nod when she looked in his direction.

"Fine," the nurse huffed. "But don't get in the way." Working quickly, she checked both men's charts and adjusted their medications. To Raylan, she said, "The doctor ordered a mild tranquilizer to help you sleep tonight."

When Raylan started to object, Dean cut in. "Take the tranquilizer. Caleb's going to be out too, and we can't do anything until morning anyway. Might as well get a relaxing sleep."

Sighing, Raylan nodded. Soon he was asleep and the nurse had left the room.

Dean and Onida sat beside Caleb's bed, Onida was wringing her hands slowly. "When can I heal him?"

"Closer to morning," Dean said. "It won't look as suspicious."

Onida nodded and slouched back in her chair. Eyeing Dean's leg, she said, "You should let me heal that while we're waiting."

Dean smiled and shook his head. "I'm good."

"You're not good," Onida stressed. "Your jeans are a bloody mess and you're in pain."

"Pain isn't a bad thing," Dean said philosophically. "It teaches us to duck faster, move quicker, zig next time instead of zag."

Onida chuckled softly.

"Pain can be a powerful teacher," Dean murmured softly. "It reminds us that while this is a dangerous gig, people are saved by what we do. The pain reminds me that I'm alive; that while I may hurt right now, I'll also heal." Healing was an amazing gift, he'd learned. In hell, there had been no healing, only pain and agony and decay. Giving Onida a quick glance, he continued, "You have an amazing gift; the ability to heal others."

"A gift you choose not to use," Onida said, her feelings hurt slightly.

Realizing he'd given offense, Dean shifted to face this woman whom his best friend had finally allowed into his life. "Please don't be upset. For me…" his face flushed slightly as he struggled to make Onida understand. He would never undervalue her gift, but he couldn't undervalue the pain he could now feel either. At least not right now, so soon after reliving his despicable actions in Hell. Yet the situation was one he couldn't explain, had attempted it only once in his life. "I would use your gifts when they're necessary to keep on fighting, but I don't want to become reliant on them. I need to be able to fight whether I'm in pain or not." Shaking his head, he finished, "I know you don't understand, but know that I value you more than I can say, for what you do for Caleb; for what you bring to our family."

Onida nodded slowly. "I don't understand, not fully. Just know that healing is there for you when you need and want it." Giving him a mock glare, she added, "But know also that if your stubbornness is putting you or Caleb, Sam or Joshua at risk, I will heal you whether you want it or not. Deal?"

Dean chuckled, nodding. "Fair enough."

Piruz slapped his leather case onto the bed and dropped heavily into a side chair at The King's Daughter Inn. Huffing softly, he ignored the aches in his body and took in the opulent room. Who would have thought that odd Piruz, who dyed cloth for a living, would eventually stay in such a grand place?

Shifting slightly, he grunted as a burn along his torso and side pulled. These men of Merlin's choosing were most aggravating. They simply would not see reason. He was making the world better by eliminating the wicked, just as had the God-With-No-Name. But he would not eliminate everyone; no, he would save those who were good at heart. Had Merlin's chosen always been this stubborn? It had taken centuries to devise this plan, centuries in which his heart had writhed with the desire for vengeance. Bettering the God-With-No-Name had become his mantra; he would show how to create a desirable world without killing all living beings. And the instrument of his vengeance would be the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.

He had discovered the existence of the Tree in the vast Library at Alexandria. For decades he had poured over the massive accumulation of knowledge there, often cloaking himself and spending entire nights absorbing the wisdom of generations. The tale he'd discovered read that the God-With-No-Name had forbidden the first man from eating of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, yet man had done it regardless. Therefore the man and his issue had been banned from the garden where they lived, and were cut off from the Tree that would give Knowledge as well as Life. Though he theorized the tale to be a parable highlighting the rise of violence in the world, he yet believed the Tree existed. Often parables held seeds of truth, and myths were often woven around magical objects. Yes, this Tree that dispensed Knowledge of Good and Evil without filter would be his weapon. But where to find it?

The Alexandrian quest for knowledge of the tree's location was cut short when the Library and all its riches were destroyed in a vast fire that had killed thousands. His own escape from the flames had been made through his portal directly in front of the Master Record's Keeper and his wide-eyed Assistant, armed with only one scroll that described in detail the Tree and its unique qualities. When he returned, there was nothing left, and he'd needed to seek the knowledge he wanted elsewhere. That elsewhere had been the expansive Library at Pompeii.

More decades were spent searching until he'd finally found a reference to the Tree's location in an old scroll from the Land of Goshen. Delighted, time was a causality to his translating the text and checking cartographs for the location. He'd nearly finished when his time in Pompeii ended abruptly: Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. The devastation had been so quick and absolute, he had barely managed to escape into his alternate home. Again, upon his return, Pompeii was no more. He could almost believe the God-With-No-Name was determined the knowledge of the Tree remain hidden. But found it he had. And to his amazement, his refuge from the flood, the volcanos and the fires had been in the place the scroll from Goshen had called Eden.

Of course, finding the carefully cloaked Tree within the vast Garden was not an easy task. Time flowed by as he fought to find the Tree. Finally, he broke through the Tree's protections to the place in the Garden where it flourished. While those fortifications had been daunting, even more problematic was taking the Tree anywhere. He would magically sever a limb, but the limb would simply reattach itself to the mother Tree. After much practice, he'd finally managed to open a stable door to the real world near the Tree, sever a limb and take it through. Once the window had closed and the branch couldn't get back to the Tree, it would grow where he set it.

Yet still, the newly grown Tree refused to be tamed. Two massive outbreaks of violence had occurred before he was able to create a strong enough protection circle around the trunk, thus curtailing the Tree's influence. Once the power of the Tree was contained, he was ready to search for a method to control and dispense the influence of the Tree. Time seemed to have no bulwark as he worked on finding that harness. Finally, he succeeded: The Chaos Spell. The intricacies of the spell were shrouded in mystery, and Piruz needed a teacher. Fortunately, he had heard rumors of a talented Mage with a power and skill unparalleled in history. He wanted to meet this man.

.

7th Century AD

A heavy knock sounded on the door of a solid but simple home in the village of Tintagel spread out below Castle Tintagel. The door opened and an older man with white hair and piercing blue eyes stood in the entryway. Regarding the stranger he'd seen periodically around the village and castle grounds, Merlin nodded his head in greeting and said, "Beannachdan. Cò thusa?" (Greetings. Who art thou?)

Frowning at the odd language, Piruz asked, "Latina?" He had watched the noted Mage for longer than the Sorcerer knew. Not only from afar, but more recently from the woods and caves surrounding the small village. He knew the man was more talented than any he'd known in Petra. What he didn't understand was why, as an Advisor to Kings, he would choose to live in such a humble abode.

Merlin studied the man in an unobtrusive manner, one he'd learned long ago when dealing with Arthur. The man now at his door was a study in contradictions; unnaturally tall with a young, unlined skin but with the white hair of age. He felt ancient. Nodding, he said, "Quod sic."

Piruz sighed in relief. "Piruz zadeh Vahid," he introduced himself.

Merlin nodded. "Myrddin Emrys."

Before Piruz could continue, a man stepped up behind the Mage. He was tall and broadly built, with strong arms and shoulders. His craggy features were weathered with age and care. However, the eyes beneath his russet mane were intensely blue and sharp as they regarded the stranger warily. "Myrddin, a bheil thu gu math?" (Merlin, thou art well?)

Merlin turned slightly and murmured, "Tha e gu math. Bidh sinn a 'còmhradh a-mhàin. (It is well. We converse only.)

After a moment, the man gave a sharp nod and disappeared back inside. This had been one of three men Piruz had seen work with Merlin in various situations, both in the village, at the castle and in the surrounding countryside.

Merlin gestured to a bench outside his home. "Sedete?" (Will you sit?)

Piruz nodded and sat gingerly on the rough hewn bench.

"Quid tu hic?" Merlin asked. (Why are you here?)

"Tu us doctrina. Volo discere." (You are learned. I wish to learn.)

"Iam magna arte." (You already have great skill.)

Piruz's eyes widened. He was absolutely certain he had remained hidden from Merlin and his followers.

Merlin smiled. "Ego te vidi in silva." (I have seen you in the forest.)

"O videns?" (Seer?)

"Sumus." (We are.)

Piruz frowned, then abruptly turned and looked over his shoulder to see a slight man with long, wild black hair and dark solemn eyes watching him through the window. Thin slates of horn that usually shuttered those inside from the elements were opened slightly so the man inside could watch. Eyes darting back to Merlin, he confirmed, "O videns?"

Merlin inclined his head.

Piruz merely nodded. Leaning back against the small home, he watched as villagers went about their daily business. This place was so much more primitive than the place in which he'd grown up. But he hadn't come here to find a home; he'd come to speak with the most gifted Mage to have ever existed … aside from himself, of course. He had a problem that needed solving. Thus, he spoke to Merlin of where he'd come from and of his desire to rid the world of evil but save the good, something the God-With-No-Name had ignored when he had destroyed all living things.

"Vos crede Deo poenas graviter bonum?" Merlin asked. (You believe God severely punished the good?)

"Et ego operor." (I do.)

Merlin nodded slowly. "Et Noah quid?" (Then why Noah?)

Piruz blinked. In all the years that had passed since the flood, he'd completely forgotten that Noah and his family had lived. Of course they had. Who else would have repopulated the world?

Merlin gave the other man a solemn smile. "Centum et viginti annorum Noe aedificare arcam. Quare ?" (For one hundred and twenty years Noah built the ark. Why?)

Piruz frowned.

"Cur tam diu?" Merlin asked. (Why so long?)

"Nescio." (I do not know.)

"Moneo ut pœnitet," Merlin said. "In omnem terram, unum hominem iustus. Erat Dei admonitio. Nemo audiebat." (He warned man to repent. All over, one man was just. He was God's warning. None listened.)

Piruz felt anger course through him. Yes, they had all laughed as Noah had built his boat in the midst of the desert. They had thought him a madman! Who would not? Even Petra used a vast system of cisterns and viaducts to capture and use the little rain that fell. It was insanity to believe the earth would be flooded … until it wasn't.

Merlin's expression was one of compassion and steel. He knew what Piruz was thinking.

Forcing aside his feelings on the flood and God, he spoke to the Mage of that which he desired. "Peto convocabor quia magos educavi." (I ask for training.)

"De?" (About?)

"Illud chaos Cantatio." (The Chaos Spell.)

Merlin nodded contemplatively. The Chaos Spell was not unknown to him. He had kept an eye on Berthot for some time and was prepared to intervene should the Sorcerer use his creation to harm others. Once Chaos was unleashed, it was very difficult to control or subdue. Frowning, he considered the man at his side. The appearance of the stranger in the forests of Tintagel had not gone unnoticed by him. He knew the foreigner had thought he'd been covert, hadn't realized his cloaking attempts were seen by Merlin and Ralf, the later of whom had seen the witch soon after Merlin himself. In the dark of night, Ralf had had a vision of people wandering in confusion and attacking one another. Concerned and frightened, he'd come to Merlin saying the stranger's heart was a black and vengeful place.

Finally speaking, Merlin asked, "Quare?" (Why?)

Contemplating which answer that would get him what he wanted, Piruz finally said, "Discere." (To learn.)

Merlin studied Piruz for so long, he could sense the discomfort radiating from the other man. Standing slowly, he said, "Reversus cras." (Come back tomorrow.)

Piruz wanted to argue, but he had been the one watching for several weeks and months. He supposed he could wait another day. Standing, he gave the Mage a small bow of respect and repeated, "Cras." (Tomorrow.)

Merlin inclined his head and watched the other man walk away briefly before stepping back into his home and to the three men waiting therein. "Dè do bheachd?" (What think you?)

"Olc." (Evil)

"Ralf," Merlin admonished lightly, turning to the slight, black-haired man who was regarding him intently.

"Chunnaic thu a chridhe. Tha e dubh le fearg." (Thou hath seen his heart. Black it tis with anger.)

"A bheil thu a 'creidsinn nach bu chòir dhuinn cuideachadh?" (Dost thou believe we should nay render aid?)

Ralf sighed. "Tha a chridhe cloiche. Chan eil sgàineadh fosgailte airson dòchas no tròcair. (His heart is stone. No crack remains open to hope nay mercy.)

"Mar sin nach bu chòir ar cuideachadh a thoirt seachad?" (So our help should not be tendered?)

"Cha bu chòir dhuinn.," said a voice of the richest baritone. (We should not.)

Merlin turned to a man standing in the shadows. "Chan eil?" (No?)

Tall with the build of a jouster, Geoffrey eyed his mentor and friend. His hazel eyes were filled with compassion and iron, his handsome features offset by close-cropped reddish hair. "Tha dìoghaltas air a chridhe a thionndadh. Chan eil e a 'smaoineachadh air mòran, ach air an fhear. E fhèin." (Revenge has twisted his heart. He thinks not of the many, but of the one. Himself.)

The man who'd checked on Merlin at the door of the small house stepped forward, his stubbled chin set. "Tha Geoffrey ceart, tha e a 'smaoineachadh air bàs chan ann air beatha." (Geoffrey is right; death be his aim, nay life.)

Merlin sighed. "Tha, William, tha fios agam. Ach feuchaidh mi ri inntinn a shoilleireachadh." (Yay, William, I know. Yet will I attempt to enlighten his mind.)

William's thick shoulders squared, a look of stubbornness on his face. "Chan eil an cùrsa seo glic." (This course is unwise.)

Merlin chuckled and patted the man's shoulder as he passed by, on his way to get a cup of tea. "Mo Ridire uasal. Mura faic cuid eile am math, feumaidh sinn sealltainn dhaibh." (My noble Knight. When others see not the good, we must show them.)

William watched Merlin for a brief moment, then sighed and nodded. Picking up his blade and a cleaning cloth, he said, "Ged a dh 'fheuchas tu ri a threòrachadh, gidheadh ullaichidh mi airson leasan gun fàilteachadh." (Though you seek to guide him, I yet prepare for an unwelcome lesson.)

Geoffrey and Ralf watched their friend walk out the front door. Turning back to Merlin, Ralf murmured, "Chunnaic mi a chridhe. Chan èist e." (I have seen his heart. He will not listen.)

"Chan eil, cha dean," Merlin agreed sorrowfully. "Gidheadh feuchaidh mi." (No, he will not. Yet will I try.)

And try, Ralf knew, his mentor would; he would have done the same. Nodding, he lifted his coat from the rack by the door, inclined his head to Geoffrey and followed William from the house.

Geoffrey didn't immediately follow his friends. Instead, he studied Merlin and knew there was something more his mentor had yet to say. "Dè a tha a 'cur dragh ort?" (What troubles you?)

Merlin didn't answer immediately. Instead, he filled his cup; half with tea and half with mead. After a few bracing sips, he said, "Cha soirbhich leis an amas. (His quest will not succeed.)

"An uairsin carson a tha dragh ort?" (Then why dost thou worry?)

Eyes staring intently into his half empty tureen, Merlin whispered, "Tha dragh orm airson an latha a bhios e." (I worry for the day it will.)

.

The Next Afternoon: a defining argument…

"Et mori in bono usque ad illud chaos." Merlin argued. "Sicut Cainus occiderit Abelem, sic aliis malo ingenio observabuntur ex bono et occidere." (The good will die in Chaos. Just as Cain killed his brother Abel, so others of evil intent will kill the good.)

"Milicie Templi militibus bonorum. Innocentes et custodiat te." (The Knights are the Warriors of good. They will protect the innocent.)

"Etiam in Equitibus, in inundatio mali a bonis non superesse. Caedes esset magnificum." (Even with Knights, against a flood of evil the good would not survive. The casualties would be vast.)

"Cum satis equestri bonum maneres." (With enough Knights, good would survive.)

"Videtur ad sumptus." Merlin insisted. (Consider the cost.)

"Quidam non morietur. Etiam, quod Deus non est attentus. Deus delevit ex omnibus." (There would be costs, yet even the God-With-No-Name did not mind the cost. He wiped out every living soul.)

"Quod iustus tenuit," Merlin insisted. (The righteous survived.)

Piruz felt his face heating up as his anger rose. "Quis est Deus, qui vivit et decernere moritur?" (Who is He to decide who lives and who dies?)

"Eligit lutum figuli facere." (The Potter chooses what He does with the clay.)

Jumping to his feet, fists clenched at his side, he roared, "Ita formatur sumus ad Dei voluntatem?" (So we are shaped at this God's whim?)

Merlin stood as well, his body relaxed but his face intent and watchful. "Quod est voluntatis Dei, ita ? Deus est super omnia. Si Deus non creavit hominem." (That is a God's will, yes? God is above all. We would not be had God not created man.)

Standing, Piruz eyed the Mage for a long time. He knew the three Knights were within the small house, waiting if they were needed. They were exactly the balance he would need in his plan. Men like them and many, many more. "Vos mos non auxilium." (You will not help.)

"Non possum." (I cannot.)

Anger and vast disappointment coursed through his body. Without a conscious thought, he had raised his hand and hurled a spell at the old Mage.

Hand raised slightly, Merlin merely feathered his fingers and the spell Piruz had thrown was gone.

Taking up the challenge, Piruz tossed after spell after spell, all of which Merlin dispelled with ease. Finally, he halted, his breathing elevated. "Ubi magicae artem discere?" (Where did you learn the art of magic?)

"Ex parte Dei." (From the hand of God.)

Stiffening, Piruz knew there would be no learning from this Mage. Bowing slightly, he turned without another word and walked away. He would find the man who created the Chaos Spell, this Berthot from Netherese. It would be better to learn from the originator rather than the student.

Geoffrey, William and Ralf stepped over the threshold of Merlin's door and watched the wizard disappear through the village.

"Dè a bhios e?" Geoffrey asked softly. (What will he become?)

Ralf saw the man far longer than the others save Merlin, and he could see the rage and darkness in his heart and mind. "Trioblaid." (Trouble.)

"Dhuinne?" William asked. (For us?)

"Airson ginealach eile," Merlin replied. (For another generation.) Pondering the last couple days and the dangerous man he'd met, he turned and eyed the three he'd chosen as the foundation for protecting the future. "Thig, leanamaid ar leasanan. Bidh na ginealaichean ri teachd a 'togail air an eòlas seo." (Come, let us continue our lessons. Future generations will build upon this knowledge.)

.

The Present…

Frustrated, Piruz pushed himself painfully up from the bed and went to his bag to unload the herbs he would use for healing. While he had the ability to heal from within using his own energy, he usually aided the process with specially prepared herbs and spices to conserve his strength.

Pain radiated from his shoulder as he shrugged out of his jacket and peeled his shirt away from his body. The robes worn in his youth had been easier to remove, especially when one was injured, he thought as his trousers slid to the carpeted floor. A dark red stain covered his shoulder, chest and side; and a large mottled deep red and purple bruise marred his thigh. Both wounds still oozed blood and liquid. Using one hand, he fished in his bag for a clean bandage, a wonderful asset in this age. After cleaning and bandaging his wounds, he relaxed onto the pristine bed and sighed.

While he had centuries of practice making potions and spells, the witch that created the potions Merlin's Warriors had used this night and prior were impressive. The Knight had gotten close, caused him harm. That was on him; he'd been too arrogant. His extensive experience, his confidence in his own expertise had led to his underestimating Merlin's Warrior's and their witch's abilities. But he would correct his approach. Though admittedly talented, the young witch was no match for him; his skill was unparalleled. These would be the last injuries he would sustain in this matchup. As for Merlin's Children, they would one day thank him for all he achieved. At that time, he would either choose the path of forgiveness, or send them to their graves for having had to audacity to oppose him.

Sam, Daniel, Joshua and Adam sat around the conference table at the Homestead Suites by Hilton, trying to focus on work while their minds were at the hospital. Joshua was working on making protection pouches for the team, Daniel focused on spells that could be used to stop the witch, and Sam continued his work on the Tree. Adam had several bottles in front of him as he tried to breakdown the potion that had been used on Caleb. If it had stopped someone as powerful as the Knight, then maybe he could reverse engineer the formula and they could use it on the witch.

Joshua rubbed gingerly at his forehead as he forced himself to read through his book of notes and potions again. Concentration was difficult, as his mind kept returning to Caleb. Dean would call the moment Caleb wakened, and Onida would heal him. But it was concerning that the abnormalities in his brain continued to occur. He needed to focus on the protection pouches if he were to protect them all.

"Find anything?" Sam asked quietly.

Joshua shook his head. "Sorry, I'm not focusing very well."

Sam smiled. "I know. We're all…"

"Joshua," Adam interrupted urgently. "You need to call Dean, now!"

Joshua was on his feet, frowning. "What?"

Sam and Daniel both leaned forward, their expressions reflecting the urgency in Adam's tone.

"I've broken down the herbs and oils used in the mixture," Adam said hurriedly, running an agitated hand through his hair. "From what I can tell, it's a potion designed to break down the body's organs."

Sam was on his feet, his face white and his cell in his hand.

Joshua, however, had already hit Caleb's speed dial number on his phone. Though it was just after three in the morning, he knew the Guardian would answer Caleb's phone. The moment he did, Joshua said, "Don't wait any longer. Heal him, heal him right now."

Dean didn't question Joshua's order. He merely said, "Done," and hung up. Turing to Onida, he said, "Heal him, now."

Onida didn't need to be told twice. She'd felt the urgency as soon as Dean answered the cell. She was at Caleb's side in one step, her hands out and focusing all her abilities on healing his body.

Caleb had been sleeping there peacefully … and slowly dying. The monitors hadn't given away anything. "Food," she ordered as she focused on pouring energy into his body.

Dean was immediately on his feet and limping from the room. Outside he jogged down the empty hallways, slowing to walk only when a lone nurse passed by. Not finding a vending machine with anything other than coffee anywhere on the floor, he put on his most charming face and approached a nurse's station. "Is there an all night cafeteria?"

The nurse smiled. "No, Sir. Sorry."

Showing his disappointment, he said, "Damn. I haven't eaten since midday yesterday."

Appearing somewhat uncertain, the nurse finally said, "There's a lounge for doctors and nurses that offers fresh sandwiches in a vending machine. The food is changed daily, so you know you're not eating anything stale." She gave a covert look around, then pointed, "It's down that hallway on your left." Giving Dean a smile, she stage-whispered, "Don't get caught."

"Thank you," Dean said sincerely, and he walked quickly away. When he reached the door, he pushed it slowly open. An empty room greeted him, and he stepped inside. Pulling a credit card from his pocket, he purchased three sandwiches and a soda, then hurried back to Caleb.

Sweat beaded Onida's forehead as she focused on shoring up and healing Caleb's liver and kidneys. She'd already taken care of his heart, which was her first concern. Thankfully, the medicines the doctors had used had slowed the deterioration of Caleb's systems considerably. But she hated to consider what would have happened if they'd waited till just before dawn like they'd planned.

Dean reentered Caleb's room, his arms laden with food, which he tossed on the end of Raylan's bed just as Onida nearly collapsed onto the floor. Catching her, he said, "Pace yourself, damn it!" He lifted her into her chair.

"I … had to work fast," Onida huffed, slightly out of breath. "His organs were … almost shutting down."

Dean grabbed a sandwich and shoved it in her hand. His body had started to shake slightly with exhaustion, with pain, and with the knowledge that if they'd waited much longer, Caleb might not have survived. Damn it. He longed for the days when Dad, he or Sam would liberate themselves from the hospital as soon as they were free of nurses and doctors.

Onida wolfed the food down, then stood and held out her hands again. Dean waited anxiously until finally Onida sighed and sat down.

"He all right?"

Onida smiled and nodded. "He's fine. He should be waking up soon."

Dean shoved another sandwich into her hands before saying, "I hate to ask, but…"

"Can I heal your leg?" Onida said slyly, taking a bite.

"No," Dean chuckled softly "I know you checked Raylan earlier, but I would appreciate your taking a second look to make sure his organs aren't shutting down either."

"Oh. Yeah, I can do that." Onida took another bite of her cheese sandwich. "You know, this would have been better if it was warm."

"I'll make sure you get a warm one when we get out of here," Dean promised.

"Deal."

Rising, Dean said, "I'm going to call Sam and Joshua, the others, let them know Caleb is all right. That Raylan is all right."

Onida nodded and stuffed the last bit of her sandwich in her mouth as she watched Dean walk out of the room. Rising, she moved over to the bed in which Raylan was sleeping. Holding out her hands, she frowned and focused her energy. She was aware when Dean returned a few minutes later but kept her concentration on Raylan until she'd finished checking his organs and vital signs. Stepping back, she returned to her seat, taking the Danish Dean held out for her to eat. After a quick bite, she swallowed and said, "He's fine, his organs are fine. It appears that whatever potion the Sorcerer used on Caleb, he didn't use the same on Raylan."

"Good," Dean sighed, slumping slightly. He was exhausted, but there was no way he was leaving here until Caleb's eyes were open and he was talking.

Crumpling the plastic of her Danish, Onida tossed it in the trash. Slouching in her chair, she sighed.

Dean's eyes cut over to the woman at his side. "Climb up on the bed, get some sleep. I'll wake you the moment Caleb opens his eyes."

Onida shook her head. "I'm fine. He should be waking up soon. I'll sleep then."

Shrugging, Dean let himself slouch down further in his seat as he prepared to wait. Come on, Damien. You've never kept me waiting before. I really need you to wake up.

.

TBC

Author's Note:

Re: Onida - (mid-page) Marius was introduced in The Guard Changed at Dawn. Onida married him at twenty-four, and he was killed four months later.