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After several days of training, Merlin thought he was ready, even though, Lazarus didn't complete many of the tests Merlin laid before him.
Merlin said, “Most of your problem was not your magic, but with your mind. I cannot teach this.”
The great mage stared at him across the grassy knoll. Merlin was floating about the ground.
“Are you sure? I didn't complete most of the spells and tests you asked me to do,” Lazarus said.
Merlin scanned up at the sky. Around here in England, everything was relatively quiet. Though when Lazarus looked far on the horizon, he saw Vvong space ships floating among the cloudy skies.
“You are talented for sure. And you may not be the best student, but I think you have the courage to face the trials,” Merlin said.
“Aren't you going to face the trials with me?” He said.
“No, as I said before. You have kinship with King Arthur. You are our best chance. I’ll just hinder you,” the great mage said.
“But, you're Merlin,” Lazarus said. “I think we could both face these trails together.”
Merlin said, “Lazarus, I think the Lady of the Lake will be less prejudice to you than me. We had our disagreements before.”
Lazarus nodded. He didn't think that Merlin and the Lady of the Lake had a history together.
He said, “Do you know what type of trials the Lady of the Lake will have me do?”
Merlin waved his hands and fireballs moved around him. “I don’t know.” Merlin paused and looked at his magical fireballs. “Everything seems odd since you broke me out of the Magical crystal. My magic seems untouched but also new again. It's hard to describe.”
Lazarus said, “It must have been tough being trapped in the crystal for eons.”
Merlin looked at him odd. “I was asleep most of the time. It was not until you came when I woke up. You did see me in my dreams.”
Lazarus shook his head. Merlin said, “I thought when you spoke to me in my dream was Morgana tricking me with a demon.”
Lazarus remembered from his dream. “Morgana was very beautiful.”
“Yes, that she was,” Merlin said. “She is a more dark creature than woman now.”
Lazarus said, “Can I ask you something?”
Merlin waved his hands, and the fireballs disappeared and was replaced by small flying horses. Lazarus was delighted and amused at Merlin’s casting. He never thought of using his magic in that way. It was more whimsical than offensive. If Lazarus was not always trying to defend himself, he could learn to use his powers in this way.
“Yes,” Merlin said, “I was in love with her. I know you were going to ask me. She seduced me and the other knights.”
“No, I was not going to ask that. I want to know if you forgive her.”
“No, I cannot forgive her,” Merlin said.
Lazarus said, “You hate and despise her.”
Merlin nodded. “Yes, she will rot in hell when I’m done with her.”
“I see. Yet, you're still in love with her,” he said.
“No, I’m not and I don’t want to talk about it,” Merlin said.
“Ok, I just need to know that I can trust you, but if you try to betray me for her. I will have to fight you as well,” he said.
“Ah, so you think, I will follow her. You think less of me,” Merlin said.
Lazarus had to make sure Merlin would help him. He wished he had the Alpha Mages with him. He hardly knew this Wizard and wasn't going to trust him fully. He felt it was a mistake leaving Cindy. He ached to see her.
“I don’t want to trust you, but I have been deceived by Morgana before and it would make sense that she would have used you as well,” he said.
“Lazarus,” Merlin said and shook his head, “you have to trust somebody. I’m not in league with Morgana. I can tell you that.”
Lazarus nodded his head, but he still felt he couldn’t trust him.
“Ok, great wizard,” he said, “where can we start?”
Merlin nodded to him and said, “Yes, we can finally start on this quest. Follow me.”
Merlin floated upwards and away from him. Lazarus flew upwards moving close to him. Merlin was moving so fast it was hard for him to keep up. He was not sure if the great wizard was mad at him for speaking his mind. He was only telling the truth.
Lazarus smelt the salt sea air and saw the large sea gulls flying in the Suddenly, rain poured from the dark clouds and soaked him. Merlin was still moving far away from him, then he stopped floating in the air. Lazarus moved next to him.
Merlin was looking down at the landscape below. Lazarus saw the green fields of pasture and hills.
Turning to Merlin, he said, “Where are we supposed to go?”
The rain was soaking his clothes and face. It was hard for him to see because the heavy downpour was covering his eyes. Merlin instantly flew downwards. He pointed toward a small marsh with a pond. He moved behind Merlin and they landed close to the small marsh.
Merlin said, “Nimue, can you hear me? I know you are there.”
Lazarus said, “That is barely a pool of water.”
He was surprised Merlin was calling for the Lady of the Lake here in this small marsh land. The water started to glow, and a light appeared floating upon its surface. A lady appeared and broke through the surface of the water. She floated above the lake. She smiled to him and Merlin. Her beauty made Lazarus blush.
“Stop it,” Merlin said. “We don’t want your enchantments.”
Lazarus seem to snap out of a trance.
Nimue said, “I have been waiting for you. It's this your new champion?”
“Yes, he is a relation to King Arthur Pendragon,” Merlin said.
“Ah,” she said, “I can see the resemblance but I also see yourself in him. How did this happen?”
“Nimue, it doesn't matter. We’re here for Excalibur,” the great wizard said.
Nimue face seem to simmer like she was in water. “Yes, but I also feel somebody else wanting to claim the sword for herself and she can also take the trials.”
Lazarus said, “Is she here?”
“No, she is still traveling the stars,” Nimue said and looked upwards. “Merlin, I wished I was the one who imprisoned you. Morgana beat me to it.”
There was tension between Nimue and Merlin. Merlin scowled at her.
“We were never destined to be together Nimue,” Merlin said. “We have taught each other our magics. But you also taught Morgana.”
Lazarus heard an accusation instead of a statement. He wanted to speak up but something was happening here that was beyond his understanding.
Nimue said, “that was in a different time and place. And we don’t want to open old wounds.”
“Can my champion take the trials?” Merlin said.
“Yes.”
She moved downwards into the water’s surface and then she disappeared all together. The water started to change and become stone steps.
Merlin said, “After you.”
