FOREVER KNIGHTS: #17 Marked As Mine

WaterRose, Meadow Mountain, Grier Country

DERAGAN

As ordered the group convened in WaterRose the following day.

Deragan officiating as he directed them to seats in the Parlor.

Once everyone was there, Deragan moved aside to reveal what sat perched on the mantle.

Mardichi entered the library staring in shock at the moss-covered staff. “I canna believe ye found it. I didn’t truly think any of us would.”

“Neither did we.” Deragan said.

“Who found it?” Rhyers stood breathing in awe.

Mardichi was still walking toward it, undeterred by the fact that the other knights were standing across the room looking at it as though it were a snake that might strike. Mardichi gripped it and lifted it in shock. Watching the green luminesce of the orb igniting immediately upon the power of a Forever Knight.

However, it immediately began to sizzle and steam. Burning Mardichi’s hand like acid.

“Ah, ah, ah.” Mardichi huffed. Setting it down as quickly and carefully as he could. He opened his palm and found it bright red and swollen with blisters. “Ouch!”

The others were slate faced when he turned a betrayed look on them. Clearly, they’d known it was likely he’d be injured.

“No one bothered to tell me?”

“Well,” Rhyers grimaced and half-shrugged. “It seems to burn. You’re fire.” Rhyers gestured to his length. “We thought perhaps…”

Bast stood near the fireplace wearing a blue tunic. Blonde hair waving near his face and arms crossed solemnly. “It was a couple of our women. They sensed it and were able to track it down in the bottom of Merlin’s Sepulcher in the Merwood.”

Rhyers was nodding his understanding.

“Ouch!” Mardichi showed them his wounded hand which was already in the process of healing. He still glared at the staff as though it’d betrayed him.

Rhyers gave him a guilty grin.

Mardichi’s right eye twitched slightly as he set a heated glower on the group. “So how are we going to use this thing?”

“We have Tev on the way.”

Mardichi looked taken aback.

“Raese was training him with it.” Deragan supplied.

“He can touch it?” Rhyers asked incredulously.

“Last we knew.” Bast supplied.

As if on cue, Tev hesitantly entered the room. His gaze locked on the staff. All eyes were on him as he approached and stood a few feet before it. His hands at his side.

“Can you do it?” Deragan asked albeit worriedly.

“Yes.” He tentatively reached to grab it. His fist grasping the slick mossy wood. The green orb lit vibrantly. There was a sizzling pop but no steam emitted from it. And Tev fist tightened. He blew a relieved breath and lifted it from where it was propped against a bookcase.

“Can you turn it to a Quarterstaff?” Rhyers asked.

Tev looked over his shoulder. “No. We never got that far. Raese is the only one that mastered that.”

“If we go to war,” Deragan said solemnly. “We will need you to wield it.”

Tev sighed. “I understand.” He began to walk from the Library. Determined to go back to the Netherlands and master using the weapon.