Thru the Heart of a Dragon

A daughter learns about her Father

Victor and Kizzie headed home to her daughter.  How could she tell him about her father in front of Victor.  How could she tell her at all, she questioned herself.  Walking beside Victor, she felt a familiarity of him.  He was easy to talk to.  When he laughed he reminded her of Merlin.  She had never quit loving Merlin.  He would always be a part of her through the daughter they shared.  Even though Merlin had remained out of their life, she felt his presence.  The forest outside of their home was filled with the air of magic.  She didn't have to tell Merlin he had a daughter because in her heart she knew that he knew about Lucretia. Maybe in was an injustice but he had made it perfectly clear he didn't want a family.  She understood the danger it would present.  Merlin had placed a spell of protection over them she was sure of it.

The closer they got to her house, Victor sensed the changes.  There was magic here.  Was Kizzie a witch after all?  He wouldn't be surprised if she was.  "Kizzie, how long have you had a place in this mountain?" It was a normal question he thought.

"Since before my daughter made her entrance into this world.  I kept her here to keep her safe." she answered him stopping to pick a flower.  "She loves flowers, I'll take her a few fresh ones."

"Does she have red hair like yours?"  He reached out to touch her hair.

Backing away she laughed, "Yes, she does."

"She must be beautiful then," he stopped and took her hand, "You are ....."   Victor stopped in mid-sentence.  A rabbit appeared out of nowhere shaking his head violently.  Victor stooped down to place his hand on the rabbit hopping to calm him.  The rabbit looked up at Victor with big eyes that produced the image of Merlin also shaking his head.  It was definetly a message from Merlin telling him to keep his distance from this woman.  Just as he was about to touch the rabbit, it squealed and ran off.

"How strange, I haven't seen a rabbit here on the mountain.  They stay in the valley close to all of the gardens." Inwardly Kizzie suspected that Merlin had passed on a message to Victor.  "Victor, have you ever heard of the Wizard Merlin?

Victor wasn't prepared for that question.  What should he tell her?  "Yes, I have heard of him.  Actually, I have known Merlin for a long time.  But Kizzie, I ask that you keep what I tell you a secret.  No one must know that I am Merlin's brother."  He watched as the color drained from her face.  "I am known only as a healer and that is how it has to be, do you understand?"

Kizzie now understood the familiarity of the man. Dare she tell him?  Since he had been honest with her so she should be with him.  Turning to face him, she touched his shoulder, "Victor, Merlin is my daughter's father." 

"No, Kizzie, Merlin would never bring children into the world." His head reeled with the knowledge of what she had just spoken to him.  There had been a prophecy handed down telling of the birth of a child  born of magic. This child will change the world for all creatures.  It is not known if this child will be good or evil, just magical.  He and Victor decided long ago that they could not risk bringing a child into this world.  Not only because of the prophecy but because people were beginning to turn against the use of magic.  He chose to be known as a healer and the people call upon him to heal and they trust him. He and Merlin parted paths long ago.  Not to be seen together, they chose only to rely upon mental thoughts sent through the wind.

"Victor, will you help me tell Lucretia about Merlin?"  her eyes begging him.

"We will have to be careful, Kizzie.  She is still young.  If she choses to not believe, it could be dangerous for her and us as well." He pulled Kizzie to him hugging her close.  "Merlin was crazy to have let you go, Kizzie. I'm sure it was not easy for him to do so.  He never told me about you.  We have never kept secrets from each other.  We both have the ability to block thoughts not meant for others to hear.  I see now that the forest is full of warnings," he laughed.  "The rabbit was a warning for me not to get involved with you.  He warned me away from you." he pushed her away from him.  "He protects you, Kizzie, never fear."

They arrived at the opening of the cave.  The dragon, Ergina, croutched just inside.  Elwood was sure to be nestled somewhere at the back entrance.  Ergina slowly raised up to greet Kizzie with a snort of welcome.  She sniffed Victor. "He smells like Merlin, Kizzie." 

"Ergina, let me introduce Merlin's brother, Victor." Ergina crawled about him, real low to the ground. She sniffed him again, letting her tail wrap about him.

"I see he doesn't fear me." Ergina stretched out her wings. 

"I fear everything, Ergina." Victor boldly told her.  "I don't fear a thing that protects others," he winked at Ergina.

"Elwood and I must leave now, Kizzie. You are home now and you have a help greater than us."  With that Ergina took flight to go find her mate.

"Mother!" shouted Lucretia.  "Mother, I'm so glad you're home." She hugged Kizzie tightly peering at Victor.  "Who have you brought with you Mother?"

"Lucretia this is Victor. He has come a long way to meet you.  I have much to tell you and Victor is here to help me." Kizzie nervously told her daughter.

"What is it Mother? I have much to tell you too.  Mother....." Kizzie stopped her.  Lucretia whatever you have to tell me can wait.  What I have to tell you I should have told you long ago.  Victor is your father's brother, dear." she watched Lucretia as she searched the face of Victor.

"Do you look like my father, Victor?" she asked. Kizzie thought it was a strange first question.  Not the question she expected from her daughter.

"Your father, Lucretia, is much better looking," he smiled at her.  "I didn't stand a chance with any young lady when he was around," he laughed.

"Do I look like him, Mother?" she quizzed.

"You do look like him Lucretia, all but that red hair. Your father had long brown hair that flowed about him.  When the wind blew it whipped around his face. His eyes sparkled with mischief.  He could calm a crying baby with his voice." her breath was getting heavy, her heart was beating in her chest rapidly. Just the thought of Merlin, brought tears to her eyes.  She turned away before Lucretia could see them.

Victor saw the need for intervention.  "Lucretia, be glad you have that red hair.  There is nothing more beautiful than red hair especially when the sun hits it."  Lucretia smiled.

"Mother, where is he, why have I never seen him?" She would wait to tell her mother about hearing a cry of help from her father.  She wanted to hear all about him first.

"Your father didn't leave us, Lucretia, I left him. He didn't want to bring us harm.  You see, he is a Wizard. People don't look upon magic as a good thing any more.  He would be persecuted and; therefore, so would we. I never told him about you, but I know he has been protecting us.  We have been allowed to be in this cave with no one knowing we are here. I am so thankful for that too." She looked at Victor.

"Lucretia, your father is a good man.  There are those that use magic for evil which has brought harm to all of us that have magic within us.  Your father has chosen not to hide the fact that he uses magic. A child born to a Wizard would possess both human and magical traits. Have you not noticed anything strange within yourself?" Victor had never encountered a situation such as this.

"No, I know the dragons speak to me. I've never thought anything strange about it. But, I do have something to tell you Mother.  I heard my father's voice last night." Lucretia looked from her mother to Victor.

"What?" Kizzie couldn't believe it.  Merlin has at last reached out to their daughter!

"Mother, he told me he was my father and that he needed help." She jumped into her mother's lap. "Mother he is being held captive nearby.  He is being hurt in some way.  I don't know where he is or what he wants me to do.  After he told me he was my father, I fainted and I haven't heard from him again.  How can I help him, I"m just a girl?" she asked her mother, impatient for an answer.

Victor too was puzzled.  Why hadn't his brother contacted him for help?  He would need to venture out from here on his own.  I can't let Kizzie know that I can track him better as another creature.  She and the girl could not know he was a shape-shifter as well.  He would tell her that later, after all of the other shocking moments are laid to rest.

"Kizzie, I need to go out and about.  I need to try to and hear him through the wind." Victor stood to leave. "I will be back in the morning, do not worry about me."  He hugged them both. "Do try to get some rest.  Finding Merlin is not going to be easy."

"No more questions, Lucretia.  Let Victor find out what he can.  I promise, in the morning, we will talk more about your father."  She held her daughters hand all the way to her bed chamber.  She hugged her tightly.  "Your father, Lucretia, will be alright. You will meet him, don't worry."

Kizzie took to her bed, resting in the knowledge that Victor would be able to rescue his brother and bring Merlin home to meet their daughter.