Rand and Uber made it back to town in no time. But as soon as they saw Merc's Restaurant they noticed that there were people going in and out of there.

"I do believe, Merc reopened the restaurant." Rand said, a smile breaking out across his face. He no doubt thought his talk with her changed her mind. "Let's wash up and check this out."
Uber nodded as the two headed towards the inn.

An hour later, after a hot bath and a change of clothes, the two of them made it to the restaurant. As they entered. The place was nearly filled with customers. Mentokka, Tosh and Gunner were helping with taking orders and serving food. Mentokka was wearing a long peasant's dress. Her hair was once again tied up into a pony tail. Once again, her 'innocent girl' look had most of the male customers following her every move.

Gunner and Tosh were wearing red and white servants clothes. Gunner was taking the orders. While Tosh was serving the food to the customers.

"What in the world did Merc say to Gunner to make him remove his Brown Scarf and Cape." Uber said, his eyes wide with slight shock. "He Never takes them off."

"And I can only guess what Merc did to Tosh to take off his uniform." Rand said. "I'm betting she know some horrible secret on him. Half of the time I have to cast a sleeping spell on him to get that damn thing washed." The two laugh at that.

"Well, Rand." Uber said. "Might as well get us something to eat. Seeing the restaurant is open and all." Rand nodded with agreement.

The two walked over to the back of the place and sat down. After a minute of waiting Mentokka walked over towards them "Uncle Rand......Uber. When did you come in?" Mentokka asked.

"We just got in, Little Girl." Rand said happily. "You must be working pretty hard not to see us walk right past you. How are you feeling?"

"I feel great. A good night's rest did me wonders, Uncle Rand. And when Merc told us that she was opening up the restaurant. We all offered to help."

And she was right. Mentokka looked wonderful. The bright and happy expression on her face, could put a smile on anyone face. Mentokka asked Rand that she needed to talk to him later and her newly acquired magic. Rand told her he would be glad to help in any way he could.

"Oh!.....I almost forgot." Mentokka said. "I almost forgot to give you the Menu." She walked over to where a stack of then were sitting on a small table. She came back and handed one to each of them.

Rand read the Menu for several moments and then looked at Mentokka strangely."Your Kidding.........right?" Mentokka smiled. Clearing knowing what was coming next.

"Roast lamb, Boiled ham, Pickled spam, Candied yam, Minced clam, Battered ram, Quince jam and Candy Gram Grand Slam???" Rand said reading off the first selection, then looking up at Mentokka.

"Mystic Lake flank steak, Spice cake, Stewed snake, Frosted flake, Chocolate shake, Clambake and Coffee break???" Uber said reading from the second selection, then looking at Mentokka.

"This...... is a Menu, Little Girl.?" Rand said, grinning broadly.

"Hey! Don't look at me like that!" Mentokka said putting up her hand in front of her. "I only work here.........Besides, it took me five whole minutes to stop laughing."

"What do you recommend, Mentokka?" Uber asked.

She looked at the menu for a few moments, then smiled. "Hmmm......The Roast Lamb or Battered Ram for you, Uncle Rand. And..............The Flank Steak or the Stewed Snake for you, Uber."

"Snake?" Uber said worriedly. "I think I'll try the Steak instead."

"And I'll have both, Little Girl.....Lamb and Ram. I like the sound of that." Rand said.

Mentokka giggled that giggle that can make you think happy thoughts, as she bounded off towards the kitchen.

For the next several minutes, Rand and Uber was laughing at the other section of the Menu. And some of them were hilarious. Like.........

'Scottsdale Steamed Quail, Braised Kale, Ginger-ale, Garlic Snail, Lobster Tail, and baked stuffed Whale and Holy Grail Dinner Pail.'

When Tosh came with there food. Rand had to ask him, what Merc had on him to get him out of his uniform. He just grumbled something under his breath and said he didn't wish to talk about it. Rand and Uber laughed, promising themselves they were going to have a little chat with Merc about this.

As expected.........The food was wonderful. Uber wondered if he could ever learn to cook like Merc. Rand told him it was possible. But he also asked him was he planing to start a family or something.

Uber smiled. He told him he thought about it. But there were issues he had to take care of first. And that was his father. Rand knew there was a problem between the two of them. But he also understood that it was something he was going to have to settled between the two of them if he wished to truly move on with his life.

Rand said nothing. Just nodded quietly.

But Uber didn't want to dull the good conversation they were having. So he quickly chanced the subject.

"Tell me something Rand." Uber said keeping his voice down. "Did you ever think about getting married and starting a family of your own back in the days?"

Rand was surprised by the question. "Me?" Rand said. "What makes you ask such a question?"

"No reason, just curious. The things I've learned from you. Before Mentokka and Tosh came in your life, you never seem to have time for yourself. It seems like you've dealing with magic since you were a teen."

Rand sat back and thought about it. Uber was right. Nearly all his life, magic was a part of his life.

But Rand told him about the time right after Master Benqu finished training him. He met a young lady in the Kingdom of Fatorian. Her name was Thyra For him it was love at first site. She was of stunning beauty. She was short, Raven black hair that flowed down to her shoulders. High cheek bones and a pair of green eyes that seem to sparkle. One look and Rand knew that his girl was high born. And he knew he had a better chance of jumping off the planet in a single bound then getting together with her. But when he found out that she was the eighth child of the family, he knew he had a chance on dating her. And who knew.......maybe taking her for his future wife.

Things went well for the two of them. The parents seen to taking a liking to him. But when it was found out that he was a spell caster. Everything seem to fall apart from there. Rand could seem to sense trouble coming, so he asked her to runaway with him. She would be free to marry him and live without them telling her what to do with her life. But one look in her eyes told him all he needed to know.

She was a women of good family. And see was bound by it. She told him, that she would either be given to the church or given to a man. It was her fate. As much as Rand tried to change her mind. She wasn't going to change her mind. They soon broke up. Rand was heart broken. A little more then a week later. She was sent to a Nunnery in another country. No doubt to keep him from finding her. It was found out that the town where the Nunnery was was taking during the war. Thyra died during the town's sacking. It took a long time for Rand to get over it.

He was ready to spend the rest of his life alone. When Mentokka and Tosh came into his life. It has been the happiest time in his life. He only guess having children of his own would of been better. But he had no complaints. "Those two are the center of my world.. And I wouldn't change a thing."

Suddenly the two heard giggling. They turned there head to see Mentokka standing behind them, blushing.

"And your the center of my world, Uncle Rand." she leaned over towards Rand and kiss him on the cheek.

She walked away when more customers entered the restaurant.

Uber looked at him and smile. "I hope to have a child like Mentokka or Tosh."

"And I'm sure, you'll be a wonderful father in the future." Rand told him.

The two shared a laugh and a smile and looked at another section of Merc Menu.


"Pine Bluff, Marshmallow Fluff, Cream Puff, Beef Stroganoff and Oysters in the rough, Can't get enough, Face Stuff."

The two broke out in laughter once again.

Uber Pendragon woke up and got dressed in silence. His mind was filled with images of himself, Rand, Tosh and Gunner trying to contain Merc and Mentokka. Him seeing Tosh and Gunner unconscious on the ground, with Rand damn near killing himself to help Merc and contain Mentokka. He remember feeling the strange power when he held aloft his sword. The surprise to hear that his sword is now an enchanted weapon and it would remain so as long as he lived. Then having his fears put to rest, when he told him that he would teach him all about the weapon he now wields.

He had to admit to himself. That old man was incredible. He would bend over backwards for family and friends. His skills in magic rival any Wizard or Spell Caster he's ever saw. And do it with out a hint of ego or arrogance. But he hired him to search for an hidden ruins more then two weeks ago.

"Always something seem to come up to side track us."

He felt a little bad feeling that way towards him. Everything that came up was legitimate. His dealings with Merc and Mentokka, and even himself. When he saw him more or less rose from the dead. He has admit to himself, at that moment he was scared of him. But one look in those ancient brown eyes. He saw warmth, tenderness and kindness he shared with his family and friends. He knew right there that there was no reason to fear him.

But he was thinking about himself. He needed to find those ruins. No!......... He wanted to find those ruins. He prayed that it never get that bad. But he's been taking a backseat to the old man long enough. Yet as soon as he was thinking about it. He remembered that Rand-Tor is a well of knowledge. And he was more then happy to pass on what he know to him.

"Damn" he muttered as he ran his gloved hand though his raven black hair. "This shouldn't be so hard."

Yet, it was.
He was planning to cancel the search for the ruins.

The reasons were simple enough. Every time they were ready to begin the search. Something always come up.

There was someone out there that that was shadowing them.. Someone that nearly killed Rand. Someone Rand was sure who it was. But instead of going after him. He wanted to find out who was behind him. The person who hired him. He told Rand he should of took him out right there and then.

But Rand being Rand told him if he took him out and he didn't give him the information they were looking for. They would no doubt send someone else after them. And they would be back to square one. Again, Rand was right.

"Damn it!" Uber shouted. "Is that old man ever wrong?"

Uber hated feeling this way. Angry. But with no one to be angry at. He wanted to hate Rand. But there was no reason to justify it. All he could do is take a deep breath and let it out in a long sigh.

"I better tell them all the bad news." he thought. "I can only guess how upset they will all be."

He left his room and headed for Rand's room.

He was about to knock on the door, when a voice called out. "It's open. Come on in."

Uber sucked his teeth and shook his head. "I really hate when he does that!" He muttered between clenched teeth.

As he entered the room, Uber was sure that Rand was going to tell him that he felt his 'Bio- Magical Signature or some other crazy term like that'. But Rand told him that he know the sound his boots make.

Rand could see the look on his face, and he had to chuckle

"What were you thinking, Uber?" Rand said, his smile getting larger. "I felt your...... Bio-Magical Signature or some other crazy term like that?"

Seeing Uber looking at him with open mouth shock. He tapped a finger to the side of his head. And right there Uber understood what it meant.

"You can read minds.....Damn it all!" he shouted, remembering that the Old Man could do that.

Rand couldn't help but laugh. The look on Uber's face was priceless. After a while Uber had to join in.

"You enjoy doing that, don't you, Rand?"

"I'd be lying if I told you I didn't. I drive poor Tosh crazy most of the time when I do it to him."

Again the pair laughed. When Rand asked him why was he there to see him. Uber told him the bad news.

"Rand,....I-I'm canceling the search for the Ruins." Rand expression didn't change.

Seeing that Rand wasn't surprised or shocked by what he said.

"Why aren't you upset about this?" he asked, totally confused buy the old man's reaction.

"With all that has happened to us. I was thinking the same thing" Rand said, giving a shrug of his shoulders. "I told the other what I was thinking. But, we would wait to hear what you were planing to do since your the leader of this expedition. If anyone here should be feeling upset, it's you, my friend."

Once again, Rand threw him off balance. He was expecting him to be angry or upset. At least disappointed. All he could do was sigh inwardly.

Rand walked over to where Uber was standing. He put a hand on his shoulder. They were going to tell the others what he was going to do, later. When he asked why were they going to tell the others later.
He told him grinning, that he had an enchanted weapon that he had to learn about.

They walked about a half mile out of town. Uber wondered why they couldn't just do it in the town square. Maybe Rand didn't want too many eyes seeing or learning how he use his magic. Or maybe they were dealing with magic that might get someone hurt if something went wrong. What ever the reason was, he never brought it up with Rand.

When they reach the area. Uber could see it was an open ended area by a flowing stream. Uber couldn't help but think that this would be a great spot to take a nap. And Rand picking up his thoughts told him it was a great spot, indeed.

"Will you stop that, Rand!" Uber shouted. "I feel like an open an book with you. Gods! I feel like I'm not wearing pants in front of you!"

Rand told he was sorry and he wouldn't do that any more. But he had a hard time keeping a straight face when he said it.

Rand told Uber to draw his weapon and go though a routine of his cuts, parries and slashes. Rand asked him to do twenty of each. While Uber was doing it, he noticed that his sword did not crackle with energy.

After finishing it, he was breathing hard, enjoyed this feeling. Everything in his body was pricked and stimulated. At this moment, Uber was ready to take on anything.

Rand told him to stand in the guard position and stand ready.

Rand took several steps back and cast a small fire ball at him. As the fire ball headed towards Uber. The sword came to life, with that Blue-Black energy. But some thing was different. The energy came on too quickly. And Uber couldn't correct himself for the shift in balance fast enough. Uber feel over on to his back. Something that hasn't happened to him in over fifteen years.

While Rand, looked over at him, smiling. Uber feeling nothing but total embarrassment. He was glad the others weren't here to see it. He quickly rose to his feet.

"Did you know what happened to you, Uber?" Rand asked, walking towards him.

"I'm not sure. the energy came on too fast for me to control." Rand nodded.

"That's right." Rand said. "And the answer is very simple."

Rand told Uber that he was letting the weapon control him. When the fireball came close. The sword reacted to it's energy.

"You have to be in control of the sword's energy flow. You have to be ready for the sword's energy output. You must control it."

Rand told him to try it again. Uber stood ready, as Rand casted another small fire ball towards him. But this time, the sword energy came out in a controlled pace, which Uber handled with ease. He blocked the fire ball with with no problem.

"You see. You can do it." Rand told him. "What I will teach you will take ten minutes to learn. But it's going to take maybe a year to master. No more different then wielding your sword, I figure."

For the next couple of hours Rand shows him all that his sword can do. From energy release. To energy shield. To energy transfer.

But Rand warned him not to use the energy to much at one time unless it was absolutely necessary, for it can sap your physical strength in no time. But he promised to show him how to avoid this from happening to him.

With nothing more for Rand to teach him at that time. He told Uber that it's time from them to go back to town to wash up and get something to eat.

As the two were walking. Uber spoke up.

"Does this make me your student also Rand?"

"I could think of worse things to happen to you."

"Like what?"

"How about your, Merc's student. Learning how to cook."

Uber stopped in his tracks.

"I agree, Rand.........That is worse!
Or should I now call you Master Rand."

The two laughed at loud.

Several minutes after the three made it back into town. They went into Merc restaurant home. Mentokka went straight to bed and she was fast asleep as soon as she hit the pillow. Rand was still fighting the urge to hit the first bed he saw. He knew that he would need to rest for a day or two and have a large portion of food to get his Physical and Magical strength back to normal. But he wanted to check on Merc, to see how his student was doing.

He use his inner eye to see Merc's spirit, and smiled. All he could see was a soft color of blue-green. The aura that was Merc's spirit. They talked for several minutes. Merc saying once again that she felt some part of her missing. Rand told her not to worry about it too much. That part of her will be filled in no time. He only wondered how would he tell her that he knew who put the curse on her. But that would have to wait til he gets some rest. Before leaving for his room at the Inn. He asked Merc to keep a close eye on Mentokka. When she asked why. He told her there was no reason. But something deep inside of him told him to do it otherwise. For the next couple of days, he was going to be a little paranoid for there own good........ and his.


Mentokka's dreams were strange to her. Nothing like the dreams she usually have. Something about friends or family, or the little bit of magic that was learned by her uncle. Or the power she wielded by the use of her Rune Rings. But this was different. Lights, colors and sounds. They were all so intense, and they pounded her senses. This had to be the magic. Her new found powers.

She was sitting by a frozen stream in the forest. She was wearing there partly burned dress during her trial. Even though there were snow on the ground, she felt no cold. Actually, she felt hot. But it was a kind of heat she felt when she was aroused. Even though she just turned her 20th summer of life.She started having these sensations at 17. But Uncle Rand told her it was nothing to worry about. She was just growing up. It was all part of her path to becoming a women. But Mentokka never felt it come on with so much intensity. She could feel her breasts though the dress she was wearing. Her nipples were hard and erect. And any time they came in contact with the thin material of the dress, she felt shivers shoot up her spine. But it was the feeling between her legs that were worse.

She remembered playing with her self one time and the noises she made woke up her brother. When he knocked on her door to ask was she was alright. She told him it was just a bad dream. He never entered the room. But Mentokka wanted her brother to come into her room so bad that night it nearly brought tears to her eyes.

"No!" Mentokka shouted, she rising to her feet. "I don't think about Tosh like that? He's my Brother!"

"So what?" a voice called out.

"Who's there?" Mentokka called out, frantically looking around. "Where are you? Show yourself!"

"Look down at the stream.'" the voice told her. "I'm right here."

Hesitantly, she walked over to the foot of the frozen stream and looked down. What she saw made her flinch. She was staring at her own reflection.
Yet, it wasn't her reflection. It was another Mentokka! She looked to be around the same age as her, maybe a little older, but her body was more filled out. Especially her hips and upper thighs. Her breasts were slightly larger, yet they were firm and stood proud on her chest. Her hair was in a ponytail like hers but it was thicker and longer. Then it all came to her. She wasn't looking at Mentokka the Girl. She was looking at Mentokka the Women. No doubt her in a few years.

"By the gods," Mentokka muttered.

"What's wrong, Mentokka?" the voice asked. "Don't you like the look? I think you'll look great in a few years."

"How is this........possible?"

"Don't you get it, sweety? It's the Magic. You passed the trial. Now you'll experience so many new things about yourself. All the new powers, all the new feelings.

Mentokka brought her hands up to her quivering mouth as she spoke.

"I know you've looked at Tosh. That hard body. Those powerful arms and legs.."

"Stop it!" Mentokka shouted, as she turned away from herself and covered her ears.

"Covering your eyes and closing your ears will not change anything. I am You! I am your soul, I am your wants, I am your needs, I am your dreams! You can not run and hide from me.Your running from yourself. Now stop all this naive attitude and come back here."

The older women's words forced it's way into her brain. And with little resistance she moved back to the foot of the stream to look down at her self.

"Why is this happening? I don't think that way about Tosh!"

"You may not think that way about Tosh." she said slightly chuckling "But I can tell you Tosh thinks Plenty about you. Clean and Dirty thoughts."

Mentokka tried to tell her that Tosh never did anything to make her believe the things she was saying about him. But she told her to try and think back before Tosh's magical Trial. And what kind of person her was.

She remembered what kind of person Tosh was at that time. More of a womanizer then Gunner. He was a little rude. Tell a lot of dirty jokes. Sometimes drink too much. And a few times look at her with nasty eyes. She felt uncomfortable around him when he was like that.

She sank to her knees tears flowing from her large brown eyes. There were times she was really scared of her brother.

"Why do you cry?" the image asked. "You thought that Tosh would of asked you to go to bed with him? Or did you think he'd try to rape you?"

Tears flowed from Mentokka's eyes now. Her body shook as she pictured those horrible thoughts about her brother. But it was the image that told her he thought those things about you. But there were only thoughts. It never went any further. He'd Never do that to you. He wouldn't even ask.

"Why are you telling me this?" she asked rising to her feet and heading over to the image at the foot of the stream. "Bringing up these bad memories. And why are you here?"

"Isn't it obvious, Mentokka?" the voice said. "I'm here because you passed the magical Trial. I'm the part of you that you must tap into, to reach your true self. I am your flirtatious attitude. I'm the thing in you that makes the men and boys get excited when you pass by them. You can call me your Dark side. Your Negative side. But before you wish you never had me in you. You must accept the fact, that you wouldn't be able to past he Magical Trial. I'm the thing that doesn't let you give up. I'm the thing that keeps you fighting. I'm the thing that made you punch your brother out when you thought he wanted to be Uncle Rand's Favorite. I'm your Drive. I am your ambition. I am your strength!"

Mentokka may have been a little native when it came to understanding the dark pleasures of the flesh. But she knew truth when she heard it.

"You still haven't told me why are you here?"

"You need me to tap into your 'True Magical Powers'. The powers Uncle Rand told you about." Break the barrier and set me free. And you'll become stronger then Uncle Rand himself."

"That's impossible!" Mentokka shouted. "I'll never be stronger then Uncle Rand!"

"If you don't believe me? Why don't you go and ask him yourself when you wake up. We both know he tell you the truth." Again her words rang true. Uncle Rand would never lie to her out of ego.

After a long moment of silence Mentokka, took a deep breath and asked the question she was dreading to ask.

"What do I have to do to free you?"

"Call forth your powers into one single blast and shatter the barrier." Mentokka nodded.

She closed he eyes and raised her arm out as she remembered Uncle Rand did it. She called for the magic to build inside her until she couldn't hold any more. Suddenly she screamed as a bolt of magical power shot from her hand and struck the barrier, shattering it into countless pieces.

Mentokka looked dumb struck. Never in her life, she ever called up that kind of power. The image rose from the shattered barrier, and vanished. But her words rang in her ears.

"You've done we'll, Mentokka. You have freed me. Now we are one. Sleep now. For tomorrow, a whole new world will be opened to you."

Tosh switched with Rand, carrying Mentokka on his back. She tried to tell them that she was strong enough to walk on her own. But as soon as she on her feet, she instantly feet to her knees.

"What is wrong with me?" Mentokka frantically asked, staring at her legs that seem not to want to hold her up. With tears forming in her large brown eyes, she slammed her small fist into her legs, as if hitting them a several times would some how wake them up.

Rand rushed over towards her, kneeling down next to her. He told her that her body was exhausted from the trial. When she told him that she didn't feel tired. But he told her that it was her mind telling her that she felt fine. A side affect of the trial. He told her that she'd feel much better with a good night's rest.

At that moment she remembered Tosh going though the same thing during his trial. Soon after that, she smiled and with her Uncle's help, she got up on Tosh's back.

"She has to be one of the most sensitive girls I've ever met." Gunner thought to himself, slightly shaking his head at the thought. "She could be smiling one moment, be at the point of tears the next moment only to be smiling once again."

As they walked, they talked. Tosh and Mentokka kept there voices down. Why? there weren't sure.

"You know, sis?" Tosh said as he handled the uneven ground with ease. "I knew you were going to passed the test. Even though I had my doubts."

Mentokka was going to say thank you, when suddenly, she remembered Uncle Rand words during the trial.
{"I promised him not to you this, but Tosh told me that you were going to fail. You might be my Little Girl. But He said he was the BETTER of you two. He said HE would be my favorite with you out of the way. Aren't you going to prove him wrong?"}

Suddenly her pretty features darkened.

"You wanted me out of your way, so you could be Uncle Rand's Favorite." She shouted "You Bastard!"

She cocked her fist back and slammed her fist into the side of her brother's head.

The blow made Tosh lose his center balance. He released her and fell to his knees holding the side of his head. Mentokka wasn't finished. She jumped on his back and started hammering Tosh with punches across the back of his head.

Quickly Rand hurried over to pull the still swinging Mentokka off his brother's back.

"What the hell is wrong with you, Girl!" Tosh shouted, trying to get to his feet. "Have you lost your mind?"

Mentokka was shouting that Tosh wanted her to die during the trial. That was all Rand needed to hear. His eyes went wide and made a long sigh

"My goodness!" Rand said holding Mentokka away by her waist, as she still gave a hearted effort to reach Tosh. "I forgot all that!"

After a few moments, Rand finally calmed Mentokka down. His first instinct was to tell them that he would explain everything when they reached town. But instead, he told the two of them to sit on the ground facing each other. He asked the others to go to town without them. He told them that they were going to have a Tor Family Chat. And it wouldn't take long.

Uber and Merc nodded there agreement and began to walk on ahead. But it was Gunner that wanted to stay and see how all of this turns out.

"Get a move on Gunner!' Merc shouted, roughly grabbing a hold of his arm. "You heard Master Rand. TOR Family! Gunners are Not Tor family."

As she began to lead him away. Her tied up blouse that was torn open by Rand to remove the cure from her suddenly popped open revealing her large breasts in from of Gunner's wide eyes.

"Damn!" he shouted, lowering his face to her chest. "Hear I though Mentokka's were nice."

Merc gasped, released Gunner and quickly retied her torn blouse.

"Gunner!" Merc said facing him her eyes rimmed with anger and embarrassment. "If you do not get moving right now. I swear! There is a frying pan shot in your not too distant future!"

Seeing the fire in the girl's eyes. He knew not to push the issue any further. Besides, he seem more them enough that will have him fantasizing about a naked Mentokka and Merc in his bed for a couple of nights.

With that he smiled. Merc could guess what the Horny Dragon Boy was thinking about as they headed to town.

Uber was convinced that he was the only sane person in this group. Yet as he thought about it some more........If he was normal.......Then HE was the crazy one. As he walked, he sighed inwardly. "Who did I wrong in a past life to go though all of this?"


As the others left. Rand sat between the two and told them what he told Mentokka during the trial. He explained to them that he used the fact that Tosh wanted Mentokka to fail. So she would past the test. Mentokka was upset that Rand didn't let her pass or fail on her own. But Rand told her he was sorry for what he did. But he'd sooner face the hoards of hell with a handful of snow before he let his Little Girl die.

Tosh told him that he wished he told him this before hand. Cracking heads with Gunner gave him a bad enough head ache, without her sister punching him on the head making it any worse.

The three laughed. Tosh and Mentokka embraced. The family bonds were strong among the three of them. Now that Mentokka passed the Magical Trial. They were now a True family. A family that was bless in Magic. They rose to there feet. They joined hands. They closed there eyes and let there magic flow out of them and mix with each others magic. The separate magic twisted and over lapped each in a swirl of colors and sounds.

And at the end of it. Rand asked the Magic to guide and protect Mentokka all her living days. For better or worse.

Alim staked the woods in the Great Forest. After two days of nothing but watching Pendragon and his friends babble among themselves was more then he could stand.

"It's about time I go and hunt something." He said as the sun was setting. "If this was all there going to do. They don't need me, looking over them......at least for a few hours anyway."

A little ways into the forest. He removed his weapons and cape. He used his Dark magic to hide it from prying eyes that may stumbles across it.

Not more then a few minutes in to the hunt he spotted his pray. A white tail deer drinking water from a stream. This was his true joy. Being a predator..... a stalker.......a killer.
But his idea of hunting animals were totally different from hunting humans.

He moved silently towards the deer. He moved downwind. His Dark magic moved his sent into a different direction. Even though there were dry leaves and sticks crunching under boot. The Deer heard nothing.

It was amazing for a man of his size could move so silently. Many would say it was his magic that contributed to his near silent movement. But Alim trained hard to learn to move without making a sound. Where to apply pressure. Learn how to center his balance when he walked and ran. One of his teaches taught him to use his powers to compliment his assassin skills. To mask ones sound and smell. And the best way to learn it would be to be able to walk up to an animal in the woods and touch it before it noticed you.

The deer, even with it's keen hearing and natural jumpy demeanor noticed nothing until Alim stroked it's neck. The beast raised it's head and looked at the smiling assassin with a look that just screamed out........'How the hell you sneaked up on me like that?'

It bound away from the laughing Assassin as if a pack of wolves was on it tail. Yes. These were the few joys that Alim took great pleasure in. Being one with nature. Knowing that he was very high on the ranking of predator. Alim was suddenly broken out of his moment of happiness with a voice calling out to him.

"Ya stupid bastard" Alim's head snapped to the direction of the voice. "I was hunting that beast you fool! And you had to scare him off like that."

It was a man in his later forties. He wore a pelt of a bear that covered his upper torso. His pants were ragged and torn. His boots were old. No doubt he took him off some drunk or corpse. A mountain man that lived off the land.

"Go away!" was all that Alim said. The joy of his hunt ruined.

"I have a good mind to plant a bolt in ya ass."he said raising his large over sized crossbow and pointing at Alim.

"Well why don't you try it, you smelly old man." Alim said turning to face him and started walking towards the man. "I'm in a good mood. I'll even give you the first shot."

"Have you lost yer senses?" The man shouted looking truly shock as Alim slowly headed toward him.

"Take your best shot........You know if I reach you. I'm going to grab you by your neck. And then I'll squeeze until I hear something snap."

"The bloody fool is mad." he muttered to himself as he took aim. "But if you want to die so badly."

The man released his bolt square into Alim's chest. He bought his hand up to block it but the force of the bolt striking him turned his body around so that his back was facing the man.

"Yer daft bloody fool!" He shouted as he waited for Alim to fall to the ground. "You should never take a 'Man of the Woods' for granted. All you'll meet is yer death."

Suddenly he heard laughter. His eyes grew wide, as he saw Alim turn to face him again. There was no blood on his grey shirt. The crossbow bolt being playfully being tossed into the air in his right hand. " A man of the woods? So that's what you call yourself...........who would of guessed."

As the man frantically tried to reload his crossbow. Alim continued to walk towards him. For he knew how long it takes to reload one of those things. Especially as old as the one that man carried.

Alim sighed. He grew weary of his silly old man. Without the look that he picked up speed in any way. Alim rushed the rest of the way towards the man. An like he promised. He grabbed the man by the throat an began to squeeze. The man's eyes bulged out as he gasped for air. Already growing tired of this. Alim gave one final squeeze and the man's neck snapped like a twig. As the man feel to the ground in a dead heap. Alim felt nothing for the fool. As he turned away. He looked back and spoke.

"Man of the wood?.......... Now your food for the woods."

Alim thought it would be a good time to go back, collect his things and continue his watch of the Pendragon and the others.

He sighed again, remembering how much fun that would be.

* * * * * * * *

As everyone was finally ready to move out. Rand too extra minutes to build up his magic reserves. For at the time he was too weak to change in to his younger appearance. But it was to his surprise when Mentokka took his hand and offered her help. Rand at that time thought that she was in worse shape then he was when she needed her brother to help her dress.

Never or less. The two joined there powers together. Mentokka offering the power needed for the change. And Rand with the ability to do the change. Mentokka strained at first. But with her Uncle's words to calm her mind. The change happened as if the old man done it himself.

Rand looked at himself for several second, seeing that the did he spell correctly. When it appeared that he was. He looked over to where Mentokka was standing. She looked even more spent. She seem to have trouble standing up. Rand quickly moved towards her and took her in his arms and helped her down to the ground.

The others rushed over to see what was wrong. He told the other that it was his fault, for making Mentokka use so much magical energy so soon after she acquired them. Mentokka was in no condition to walk so she would be carried back to town between himself, Tosh and Uber. Even though she tried to tell them she would be alight if she had a few moments to rest. But Rand told her that she went though enough for one day. And he did not what to push herself any more then she should.

As the group moved out and headed for town. Rand was the first to carry Mentokka. She told him that she felt silly doing this. But Rand told her that she use to love it when he carried her when she was a child. She said that's when she was a little girl. But he said that she'll Always be his 'Little Girl'.

And she has just entered a whole new world. Where the magic she learned before would be like comparing Spit to a Tidal Wave.