- Chapter 2 –

"Always two there are, a master and an apprentice."
~ Frank Oz ~
(Star Wars - Master Yoda)

His very first apprentice. Finally! Merlin had never expected it to be this early, but it did. An apprentice of his own. One who would look up to him for wisdom and guidance. It took all of his control to contain his excitement. Although the boy was reluctant to accept, but only at first. Merlin did not forget to make it clear that it wasn't entirely his choice, which was true. It was the sword who chose the boy, not him. But after muttering the words: 'Don't you want to have magic in your life?', all doubts in the boy's brown eyes vanished, and was replaced by a spark that was enough answer for 'yes'.

Now sitting at the table with the boy's family, Merlin was left with one more thing to do: take the boy to his own home for training...with the family's consent.

So there they were. Maxim sat just across his new master, and just beside his mother, with Carlyle fiddling with his fingers uneasily as the blacksmith sat beside the sorcerer. They were all in silence. Each one of them avoiding each others eyes. It was rather awkward for Merlin, but more awkward for both Ulla and Carlyle. The boy on the other hand was just waiting for someone to have the courage to speak and bring the matter up again.

Suddenly, Ulla cleared her throat, catching the attention of all the male members at the table, which was exactly what she intended.

"So," she started, her eyes were set at Merlin, "you think my son has the gift of magic?"

"No," said Merlin shaking his head. "I saw it. And it was astonishing."

With his head slightly bowed, Carlyle couldn't help but smile. The boy was always full of surprises.

"Then because of that you are planning to make him your apprentice, is that right?" Ulla asked again, for the third time around in the whole of five minutes that passed.

"Oh, but I must," replied Merlin, rather quickly. "The talents that your son possesses should not be wasted. And at least be used for good...With proper supervision, of course."

"Carlyle told her that about my swordsman capabilities," interfered Maxim for the first time. He was rather silent from the start. "But she still chose to ban me from ever taking up a sword."

Having caught Carlyle smirking, and meeting his mother's half-hearted glare, Maxim couldn't help smiling more to himself.

"Well, it would seem as though that I won't be able to ban you from ever taking up a sword at all," said Ulla, as she indicated to the sword on the table. "Since now I can see that this sword here is your so-called...uh...what is it again?"

"Source of power," both the sorcerer and the boy said in unison. Ulla only nodded.

"Yes, that," she said. "And I believe that, as a sorcerer it is...required?"

Merlin only nodded to her.

"Then I assume that you are to take the boy along with you to your own home," said Carlyle, meaning to talk more about the matter with the sorcerer for himself. "To...properly train him."

"It is best that he lives with me, yes," nodded Merlin once again, he had this air of calmness. "But he will be allowed for home visits, I assure you."

"Yes, of course. Of course."

The blacksmith laid back on his chair, sighing. He could have been more settled with the matter if Maxim was only to become a squire to a knight. But an apprentice to a sorcerer? An utterly different subject altogether. And he can only imagine how Ulla was taking up the matter herself as the boy's mother.

"When are you planning to take him?" the mother asked the inevitable question.

He didn't mean to rush, but Merlin knew all too well that the earlier they train, the more spells he could teach the boy, and within a few years, who knows? Young Maxim could become a very powerful and smart sorcerer at an early age.

"Tomorrow," the sorcerer simply replied. "In the morning."

Carlyle half-expected Ulla to argue on that. He expected the questions, 'Why tomorrow?'; 'Why rush too much?'; 'Why not at least next week?', to fumble out of her mouth. But instead, the woman sighed softly, shifted on her chair to face her son who was looking up to her expectantly. She smiled to the lad and said, "Well, we at least need to get you packed tonight for your trip tomorrow, don't we?"

Maxim half-stood from his chair to plant a careful kiss on his mother's cheek. He beamed her a broad smile with that glint of happiness in his brown eyes when he pulled to look at her, and said, "Thank you, mother."

Merlin only smiled at the show of affection between the mother and son. He then stood up from his seat and excused himself, saying that it was about time for him to go home. Not to mention that needed some rest.

After the good-bye's, Carlyle himself went back to his shop, promising he'd be early next day, as he went into the night, waving a hand to the mother and son. Maxim then quickly took up his sword from the table, rushing to his room as though Merlin would be back soon to take him. He was followed closely behind by his mother, shaking her head to her boy with a smile on her face. The last time she saw him that excited was when he found out that his father was to teach him ride a horse.

It was about a few minutes after sunrise when Merlin came back the next day. He was mounted on a white horse, as he tagged along with him another horse of brown skin, and hair of black, and was without a rider. He brought it for Maxim, of course.

Both Ulla and Carlyle was waiting at the door when the lad finally showed up. A bag over his shoulders, and his sword was sheathed into a scabbard that Carlyle gave him.

"Now, remember to always respect your master," said Ulla, handing an apple to her son. The boy only nodded to her.

"Pay attention to him when he's teaching you a new spell." She was keeping her voice from shattering into a sob. The last thing she'd ever want to give her son before leaving was tears. "I am aware that sorcery has its own risks. You may get hurt along the way while learning."

"I'm certain Merlin will be there watching over," reassured Maxim, risking to smile while munching on the apple his mother gave him.

"Yes, but the point is you could still get hurt." Ulla was even more worried of her son than she thought.

"Mother, please," said Maxim, holding up a hand as though to halt his mother's unnecessary reminders and all in all worrying towards him. "I am going to be with a powerful and wise sorcerer, and I think I am old enough to look after myself."

Ulla was silent but for a moment, and was considering her son closely before she reached over to him with open arms, crushing him into a tight embrace, surprising the lad.

"Yes, I know," she said softly against his dark hair, tears threatening to pour out of her eyes, but she managed to smile. "It's just that...I'm missing you already."

"It isn't like I'd be away forever," said the boy, not certain how to react to such an emotional moment.

"I know," was all he heard from his mother.

Maxim couldn't help much more himself, as he wrapped one arm around her mother, since his other arm was holding his sword, and buried his face in her mother's shoulder. He was trying hard to pull back his own tears from falling.

"Mother?" he whispered.

"Hmm?"

"I love you."

Smiling more broadly, Ulla kissed her son on the head, replying with, "I love you too, son."

They took a moment longer before they finally pulled away from each other, eyes already watery. Maxim stepped aside to look up at the blacksmith waiting patiently at the other side by the door. He was looking down on the boy with a smile, a clenched fist at his waist.

"Well, it's about time," said the blacksmith.

With a half-hearted glare, Maxim scoffed and waved a dismissive hand to Carlyle. He was smirking when he looked back up to the blacksmith.

"You may not say it, but I will...I'm going to miss you too."

Chuckling, Carlyle patted the lad on the shoulder and waved a hand towards the still waiting sorcerer.

"Go. We've wasted too much time in good-bye's," he said.

The thirteen-year-old made off to leave, but paused a mere five feet away. He turned to face the blacksmith again, a serious look on the lad's face.

"Take care of my mother."

Carlyle only nodded, as both him and Ulla watched Maxim left. He went up to his master as they nodded to each other, and Maxim mounted the brown horse. Master and apprentice left with their horses, not even risking to glance back.

Along the way, after they passed the town, Merlin noticed how his new apprentice was looking down on the sword that had officially became the lad's very own source of power. The boy was rather sad, and from the looks on his face, thinking about something deeply.

"Missing your family already, I can see," he said.

Glancing briefly behind him, as though he wasn't that far from his home, Maxim shrugged and re-focused his attention on the road. "It isn't like I'm moving to another country," he replied.

"Has anyone ever told you how much of a bad liar you are, young master Horvath?" Merlin asked, a smirk appeared across his face. His eyes completely set on the road.

A sharp glance to his master and Maxim found himself smiling as well.

"A few times in the past," the boy answered. "But people got used to it so now they let it slip."

The sorcerer nodded, mouthing an 'ah', then said, "It's alright. I'm a bad liar myself."

Maxim raised a brow, looking back to his master.

"Are you telling me that most sorcerers are bad liars?" the thirteen-year-old asked. In which he received a shrugging reply.

"Most, if not all, but I'm not entirely certain myself," said Merlin. He was satisfied when his apprentice managed to chuckle.

When they finally reached their destination, they came to a halt a few meters away to contemplate on the view. While Merlin was relieved to be home again, Maxim tilted his head to the side with a raised brow. If the boy ever expected to see a cottage, he was sorely mistaken.

Merlin's home was a castle. Well, not entirely like the king's castle, but at least it was one. A huge library, a spacious dinning room, there were four towers, and to top it all, the place have touches of sorcery. Tables have pages of written spells on them, a few magical items or simply instruments of sorcery, and stacks of books tower over three feet. But despite all the books and papers, and not to mention the quills and ink bottles, it was as if Merlin was able to keep a few rooms clean, tidy, and other items in order. Say for example the kitchen. The real mess though was in Merlin's room.

After Maxim settled into his own room, Merlin took him somewhere below the library. One of the library walls was actually a secret passage way. It was dark down there, but Merlin lighted the way, with magic, of course, as torches from either sides of the walls burst out with flames. The stairs were seemingly long and as if it will take them the entire day before they reach the end of it. But fortunately, it didn't. Although Maxim was breathless when they finally reached the foot of the stairs, head bowed and both hands on his knees, as he was bending slightly forward.

The moment he looked up, his vision was met by more stacks of books, and papers with written scripts on tables. The walls have a few portraits, one of which he recognized was a younger version of Merlin. He was too busy looking around the entire room filled with candles and weaponry, that he nearly forgot that he wasn't alone.

It was only until sound of someone clearing his throat that Maxim was pulled out of his thoughts and back to his master, who then stood in front of him, holding out a seemingly large book.

"This is your very own Encantus," said Merlin, handing over the book to his young apprentice, who then took it with both hands. "It contains information about the art and science of sorcery, a few spells, and also includes history. Including recent histories."

The boy opened the book as Merlin turned a few pages. "Here," he said, having a finger on particular picture of a dark haired boy with a sword that which the hilt was glowing in a bright light of blue, "you see? There you are."

Maxim nodded and placed his Encantus on a nearby table. He then watched his master walked over to the center of the room. When he though of walking over to Merlin, he was stopped by a held out hand from the sorcerer, implying that he should stay where he was.

"Eyes open," was all that Merlin said.

Raising his opened hands, palms down, at the level of his head, with his eyes closed, Merlin focused his energy. First, within him, then, he tried to feel everything that's around him. He took a deep breath, and then, he suddenly dropped his hands almost at the level of his elbows. Green flames bursted out from around him, forming a circle. Maxim almost jumped from where he stood, taking a step back but was stopped by the table behind him.

Symbols appeared within the circle with the same green flames as Merlin waved his hands around them. After the circle was complete, he clasped his hands behind him and looked back to his waiting apprentice.

"This is my circle," said Merlin with a pleasant smile. "I call it 'The Merlin's Circle'."

The thirteen-year-old only nodded, holding his gaze on his master.

"It will help you focus your energy, and will also help you to learn new spells," the sorcerer informed. "Would you like to join me inside the circle, Horvath?"

Although hesitating, Maxim walked on towards the circle as though he was entirely ready for everything. But he was stopped once again by a hand from his master when he got about three feet away from crossing over the green flames.

"But before that," said Merlin, once again replacing his hand behind him, his expressions suddenly turned serious, "I would like to make something very clear to you."

Maxim braced himself fro whatever Merlin has to say.

"You cross that line, you leave everything behind," the sorcerer started. "All your fears, all your doubts, everything."

Maxim made a quick glance down at the flames, then back to his master.

"There are risks, there will always be risks, and there will be danger. And you would have to face death," Merlin spoke again. "Whatever kind of life you had for thirteen years, all of that will change once you entered the circle. Life will never be the same again for you."

Biting his lower lip but for a moment, Maxim felt how hard his heart was pounding within his chest.

"Once you join me here, one thing is for certain; you can never live a normal life again, Horvath." And Merlin was done. All he had to do then was wait for the boy to enter the circle.

The boy hesitated a step, but he did enter the circle eventually. He made his way to the center of the circle where his master was waiting, trying to avoid the flames along the way. Reaching the center domain, he stood about a foot away from his master and finally looked up.

Merlin smiled down on the boy. One more thing was needed to be said.

"I am the sorcerer Merlin, keeper of sorcery that is righteous and good. And you are...my apprentice."

The day has brought such a promise, and Merlin was never so energetic before in his entire life. All day long he trained his apprentice, pausing only for the call of nature, or only at noon for mealtime. And speaking of mealtime, it was almost time for dinner, and Merlin was busy cooking at the kitchen...with the help of magic.

Kitchen wares, dishes, spoons and forks flew around preparing the food. Merlin didn't quite tolerate using magic for such things, but...Oh, for heaven's sake! He knows how his cooking tasted like, and admitted to himself a long time ago that he was better off a sorcerer than a cook. Besides, he had been at it ever since he had lived alone.

A seemingly delicious looking ham passed by, as the plate where it was placed paused just in front of Merlin for the sorcerer to have a taste. He took but a small piece and wetted his lips after his taste-test.

"Perfect," he commented. "It is just right. I'm certain how tired the boy is, so I think he deserves a splendid dinner tonight."

He smiled pleasantly and waved a hand, at which the entire silver wares, with the food, were at position at the dinning table. It was until then that Merlin noticed the wine bottle pouring wine into a goblet.

"Just for one please," he said to the wine bottle, as though there was an invisible man holding it and was actually the one pouring the wine. "The boy is only thirteen and I highly doubt that his mother lets him drink wine at his age."

The wine bottle stopped and settled on the table, just beside the goblet. Merlin smiled once again. He felt like a child again, wanting to forget even for just a moment that he had rules about sorcery, that it shouldn't be used if not quite necessary, or simply shouldn't be used just to have fun. Oh, but there was something in him that urged him to forget, just this once.

He then made his way to the library, where he believed young Maxim Horvath was still waiting. The lad was a fast learner, just as his mother had said. There was a vision of a bright future in sorcery for the boy as far as Merlin was concerned. And it was such the excitement the moment they started the training. The basic sorcery 101 of making fire; the first and most important step number one of clearing your mind; explaining the science behind the magic; to conclude, it was good to have an apprentice.

"Horvath? Dinner's ready, lad," said Merlin as he entered the library. "We must not keep the food waiting. It tends to be still at its best quality of taste when it is still..."

Merlin stopped on his tracks. His last word fumbled out of his mouth as though speaking was absolutely superfluous.

"...hot."

Five feet from where he stood, there was his apprentice, seated at a table, Encantus was opened at a certain page, and head rested on his folded arms. The boy's continuous sighs was as quiet as the room itself. Apparently Maxim had fallen asleep within those twenty minutes that Merlin was in the kitchen.

"Hmm...Perhaps I took too long," said Merlin to himself, both hands on his waist.

He walked over to his apprentice, took a quick glance at the boy's sleeping and peaceful face, then took a look at the page where the Encantus was opened. There were written scripts about random spells on motion on the page at the left, while there was a picture of the Merlin's Circle at the right.

"At least he was reading while I was gone." Merlin once again smiled, finding himself admiring the boy's great interest in learning. The boy suddenly shifted slightly on his chair as Merlin shook his head when the boy's hand reached for the sword on the table.

Even while asleep, Maxim couldn't help having his sword just close by.

That was when Merlin thought for moment, a hand under his chin. His thoughts were about the idea of just leaving the boy sleeping there at his current situation. Afterwards, Merlin decided against it, and thought that it was best to carry the boy to his room.

Surprisingly enough, Merlin didn't use his magic to carry the lad. He wanted to go through the feeling of enduring someone's weight, climb the stairs, (lucky for him, Maxim's room wasn't that far), and tuck that particular someone to bed.

After Merlin breathlessly placed the sleeping apprentice to bed, pulling the blanket over the boy, and pulling away a little to contemplate on the sleeping form, it was all worth while.

The sorcerer then carefully placed a hand on his apprentice's head, brushing away a few stray locks of dark hair. The feeling was unexplainable that Merlin himself couldn't find the right words to describe it. For a moment there, it was as if he had a son of his own.