Chapter 11

Marcus punched the haystack with the pitchfork more forcefully than he meant to, opening another blister on his left hand. His anger from the afternoon argument had not faded as he had hoped when he agreed to help his new cousins with afternoon chores. Lunch had been awkward, their anger making the family uncomfortable and grasping for anything that would ease the tension between him and Geoff. When they realized it, both Geoff and Marcus had tried to be less hostile not having meant to inform Elizabeth and her children that anything had happened.

            As lunch cleared away, Ted casually informed Geoff that he had some news that would be useful to a mutual friend of theirs. Catching onto Ted’s purpose immediately, Marcus had turned to the children seeking some way of getting out of being corralled into the meeting as well. Geoff had allowed him to help; his eyes letting Marcus know they would still be finishing their earlier argument when he ran out of excuses to postpone it.

            “Which is why I’m hiding in here burning these blisters off,” Marcus muttered, setting the pitchfork aside to see to his hands. He stopped, his eyes widening as he looked at his hands, his conscious mind realizing what he had just said. Four months ago, he would have never admitted he stood here because he was hiding. Hell, four months ago he would have never had the courage to stand up to anyone like that, let alone be hiding from them because four months ago he had still been running from Max and his henchman.  Did Geoff’s plan not only offer a chance to learn his power, but a chance to free himself completely from the shadow he had lived in while under Max’s thumb?

           

Geoff silently entered the barn, the three children’s concern ringing in his head. Marcus had changed from earlier and they did not like it. He seemed distant and angry and as Sara pointed out to him, a dark scowl on her face, “He answered our questions earlier, now he won’t say two words to us and I bet it was your fault. You need to fix it because we like him and don’t want him to leave.”

            The boys had nodded their agreement, identical frowns on their faces. If he hadn’t understood the seriousness of their worry, he would have smiled. Soon, the boys’ would not be copying her, but trying to get her to follow them. Commander Sara was not going to like that change in the least.

            He found Marcus where the children had said he would be. Surrounded by a mess of strewn hay, a pitchfork set against a nearby empty stall, Marcus stiffly stood in the center of the barn, staring wide-eyed at his red hands. Quietly, Geoff moved to his side wondering what had caused the confusion, refusing to break Marcus’ fragile trust by invading his mind to discover the answer.

            “Those are blisters Marcus. They come from working hard at something you’re not used to doing.”

            Marcus looked up, shaken that Geoff had not only found him, but had gotten so close without him noticing. A frown quickly formed as the comment sunk in. “I know what they are. I’ve gotten them before.”

            The boy’s frustration had held though his anger had abated some from earlier, maybe now they could discuss what Geoff had planned without another fight. “Than why do you look so confused?”

            Marcus shook his head, “It’s nothing.”

            Geoff accepted the answer, knowing Marcus would tell him when he was ready to face it. “What were you planning on doing?”

            Confusion lit Marcus’ eyes and Geoff gestured to his hands. Marcus looked back down. “Oh, umm…I was going to try to heal them sir.”

            Geoff caught the sir and sighed. The boy only used the title when they argued or started talking about his power. “Do you know how?”

            Marcus nodded looking up. “Sort of, Astra showed me a few things for healing like this.”

            “How about for healing an injury, say Aunt Lizzie’s wrists?”

            Marcus shook his head, “I’ve never done that before, I’m not sure if I could help her as easily.”

            “How were you going to keep your promise to the brats if you don’t even know if you can do it?”

            Marcus shrugged, looking back at his hands, his face coloring slightly. “I was going to improvise.”

            “So asking me to show you never crossed your mind?”

            Marcus’ head shot up, guilt eating away the green of his eyes. Geoff waited crossing his arms in front of him. “Well?”

            “It had, but…” Marcus tapered off.

            “Marcus, I’m not going to stop teaching you because you disagree with me.” Geoff muttered, guessing what the boy wanted to say. “I already told you that.”

            Marcus said nothing, the guilt having eaten his eyes to gray. He tried closing his hands into fists, but the newly open blisters caused a hiss to escape his lips and his attention returned to his palms. Geoff let the silence hold. He could sense the power to heal the wounds running through his apprentice. He waited to see if Marcus would take the offer to see how to use that same power to heal the woman who had opened her heart to him even though he had hurt her.

            Silently, Marcus held out his hands. He looked up, the guilt still present. “Can you please show me how to fix this sir?”

            “On one condition Marcus,” Geoff answered moving closer.

            The boy flinched, but nodded. Geoff knew he waited for some demand that would enslave him once again. Anger rose within him as Geoff realized Marcus would submit to that kind of demand because he felt he had let him down somehow.

            “The next time we argue, do not run and hide from it. You have as much right to voice your opinion of a situation as anyone, especially if you see something the other person or people might not see.”

            “Yes sir.” Marcus muttered, the guilt ringing in his voice. I’m sorry.

 For what?

            I should have never started that argument. I already had your answer to what would happen, you were right I wasn’t really listening to you.

            Geoff shook his head. I was the one not listening to you. I should have realized why you wanted to be turned over immediately, especially given whom we were talking about right before it started.

            The green in Marcus’ eyes began to return as the guilt turned to confusion. Geoff met his look, “Who were we talking about before you heard the news about Max?”

            Realization dawned and Marcus looked away. “Have I become that easy to read?”

            “If you had become that easy to read I would have caught it before I started yelling at you.” Geoff admitted. “I replayed the argument while I waited for you to reappear and I realized I had used your concern for their safety against you.  That was why you were trying to find out if I would lock you away Marcus, you were trying to keep this family and the others you have met safe from Max.”

            Marcus’ eyes stayed locked on the pitchfork as he said, “I’ve never had a family I was allowed to keep that wanted me around. I refuse to lose this one because I get too attached and allow Max to find them.”

            “The only way you can assure that Max never touches them is to continue learning what he has forbidden you from gaining.”

            Marcus turned from the pitchfork, his eyes more green than earlier. “Than I guess we better get started.”

           

            Marcus watched as Geoff assessed the damage he had done, wondering how his teacher could let the argument go so easily when he still felt guilty over his reaction. Then again, remembering Geoff’s eyes flare up when he had given in as quickly as he had, Marcus realized Geoff had not let it go as easily as he assumed.

            “Do you really think everyone would be in more danger if I accidently blew myself up from trying something without aide?”

            “Not if you tried something without aide, they’d be in danger if you tried something greater than you were prepared to handle because Max did something to annoy you into action.” Geoff muttered abstractly, his attention still focused on Marcus’ hands. “Your emotions get involved when you believe Max might have the advantage. I am afraid with his prior assumption of what you can do, he might try to provoke you to do one thing and it ends up backfiring against you when you try to do something else entirely. How in the world did you do this?”

            Marcus shrugged, “I’ve been half healing these for the last hour.”

            Geoff looked up at him frowning, “You should have come to me sooner Marcus, you could do have caused permanent damage to your hands had you continued doing that.”

            Marcus just looked down. He had not been ready to face Geoff earlier, he really wasn’t ready to face him now, but the man stood in front of him and would not allow him to leave anytime soon. He had the answer to his question though. Geoff was offering the chance to learn his spells and the power of his own voice without fear due to ridicule or a beating for an opinion different then the norm.

            “Is this how you planned to heal them when I came in?”

            Marcus nodded and flinched at the curse. “Boy it’s a good thing I stopped you.” Geoff growled at him. “Now listen and watch closely. I’m going to heal your right hand, than you will repeat the spell to heal your left.”

            “Why?”

            “Because regardless of your quick study, I want to make sure you understand what you are saying and can perform the spell accurately before I let you heal Aunt Lizzie by yourself.”

            Marcus lifted his head to meet Geoff’s waiting gaze. Shock opened his mouth several times before he was able to get out the words. “You’re letting me heal her myself?”

            “That is what you promised the children. You will keep the promises you make Marcus. It will help you ease your way through the interactions with some of the other rebels.”

            “I’m meeting more of them?”

            Geoff nodded, “We have a mission to go on once we finish here. I have news I need to pass on to my second before we reach the counsel.”

            “Your second? Second what?”

            “My second in command, the man you saw when I first picked you up outside of Elocin, I have news Uncle Ted gleaned from our friends in the forest.”

            “Darian is second in command of what?” Marcus asked, remembering the man and his brother, but still confused.

            “Marcus do you not remember our conversation from Trumpet’s Echo at all?” Geoff asked, slightly amused. “I am in charge of the rebel army that your counterpart Michael helped to keep alive.”

            “You’re in charge of the rebels?” Marcus stared at him. “That’s why those two men that had followed from the Seaman’s Fancy called you boss and why those people at the meeting looked to you for ideas.”

            Geoff nodded, his amusement lighting up his eyes, “Are you just now figuring this out?”

            “I knew they respected you, but I never expected you to be in charge.” Marcus admitted, awe clear on his face. “You’re the only one Max has ever seemed afraid of.” Marcus frowned as a memory or bits of one returned, “He had been yelling at someone, asking how you could have slipped through his fingers again when you had been all but handed to him. Max forgot I was even there as he vented about not capturing the leader of the rebels, something about you being a thorn in his side since the day you left or something.”

            Marcus closed his eyes, a headache forming between his eyes. “I can’t remember anymore.”

            “It’ll come back eventually. How about focusing on things you are going to remember from now on, like this healing spell?”

            Marcus nodded carefully, his head still throbbing from the sudden memory. The only man Max wanted more than himself had accepted him as an apprentice. What did Geoff know or have that Max feared so much? Pulling himself from the question, Marcus watched the spell start to form and realized why Max wanted Geoff under his thumb.

            “You have the power Max craves.”

            Geoff sighed and stopped the spell. “Yes Marcus, I have power Max craves. Only Max is not aware of how much power I have.” He frowned, “But if you don’t stop worrying about it and pay attention, he’s going to find out.”

            Marcus looked at him and wondered when the fear had disappeared replaced by rapidly growing respect and admiration. Had it always been there, but had been hidden because of the memory repression, as the dreams and visions proclaimed or had it been there before even those? Biting his bottom lip to keep from asking, Marcus nodded. “Sorry.”

            “As you should be,” Geoff muttered. “Now, tell me where I stopped.”

            Marcus blinked at him and looked at his hands. Where had Geoff left off? Marcus quickly went through his thoughts, trying to see what his eyes had registered even though his brain had not. After a few minutes, Marcus gave up. He had no idea. When he admitted as much, Geoff’s frown deepened, but he only growled at him to pay closer attention.

            “I’m only going to repeat this once more Marcus, do not allow your mind to wander off this time. Got it?”

            Marcus nodded, “Got it.”

            “First you are going to clear your mind of all thoughts and feelings, focusing all your energy and attention to the injury.” Geoff said, breathing deeply in and out. Marcus almost lost his concentration again when he realized Geoff’s eyes were turning molten silver as he breathed.

            “How do you focus on the injury?” Marcus asked, afraid to interrupt, but having no idea what he meant.

            “Feel the heat from the injury. Even bruises give off a heat sense indicating healing going on underneath the skin. Once you have pinpointed the source of the heat, turn your focus on that spot ignoring the rest of the body completely.

            “When your entire being is focused on that spot and you have blocked all outside sources of distraction, pull your power slowly to the surface.”

            “Why slowly?”

            “You do not want to pull too quickly or you will create two problems. First, if you do not use all the power you pull up you will be wired with the extra energy running through you and could end up killing yourself. Second, pulling too much too soon could harm the patient you are working on depending on their ability levels. By pulling in your power slowly, you are able to assess the power the person holds and how much of your power they can withstand.”

            “Does that only work for you and I or is that something all healers deal with?”

            Geoff’s eyes cleared, “Depending on the healer it could affect them, but there are not many healer mages that are higher than the deep purple and even the deep purple does not have to take things as slowly as you and I do.”

            “Oh, so once I clear my mind of all distractions and focus entirely on the injury, I pull my power up slowly and…” Marcus stopped.

            Geoff’s eyes glazed over again, “Once you pull your power up, your focus needs to turn to the healing process.”

            “What’s the healing process?”

            “Imagine the injury disappearing. Imagine bone mending, tissue and skin blending back together, and blood vessels returning to their original state. Your focus will change depending on the needs of each injury.”

            “Okay, so block out everything around you, focus on the spot that needs to be healed, pull enough power to the forefront to heal the injury than focus on the healing process.” Memory kicked in as Marcus continued, “As you picture the healing process in your mind, you start melding your power into the focus and the strength of your voice as you chant.”

            “What do you chant?” Geoff asked, wondering if Astra had shown him this part without showing him the focusing first and if so, had Ailora taught the girl the proper way to heal someone by now?

            Marcus stopped speaking and frowned, “I don’t remember.”

            “What do you think it would be?”

            “Something about the body mending or repairing itself to the way it was.”

            Geoff nodded, “Cuimhne beatha annad, buileach càradh, ùrachadh.” (Remember life in you, fully healing, renew)

            “Cuimhne beatha annad, buileach càradh, ùrachadh.” Marcus repeated, his focus centered on the blisters. As he repeated the words again, a breath of air passed over his hands. Fascinated by the feeling, Marcus repeated the words again, his eyes widening as the skin around the open blisters seemed to take on the light of the afternoon sun. He repeated the words several more times, his eyes almost popping out of his head as the spell wrapped itself into his hands, healing them of all the scars that had appeared on them over the years.

             He held them up as the spell dissipated, turning them back and forth to examine each spot where a scar had once stood. He turned them so that they faced each other palm up and caught a movement out of the corner of his eye. “Thank you.”

            An eyebrow rose, “You did everything yourself.”

            “The power might have been mine, but I would have never learned how to do this on my own.” He held up his hands.

            “If you needed the skill, I think you would have found a way.” Geoff answered, “Now if you’re ready to heal Aunt Lizzie we need to head back inside.”

            Marcus followed Geoff back outside wondering why the man continued to allow him to get off so easily. He had started the argument, had purposely found a way to stay out of the man’s way and yet, Geoff had willingly shown him how to heal sores he would have never obtained if he had faced the consequences.

 What consequences? A voice asked as they started across the yard. The man threatens harsh punishments, but nothing has happened to follow up these threats. You could take off and he wouldn’t do anything about it.

            But what’s to say he wouldn’t do anything? Another voice asked, nothing has happened yet because he understands. You take off and he won’t be as lenient especially since he has helped you this far.

            That would only matter if he caught up to you and if you get a long enough head start, you could disappear in this forsaken land until you can get back home.

            What home? The only home you have now is Geoff and his family. You gave up any rights to the other one after you freed Astra. Besides it wasn’t that great of a home anyway, you’re better off here among this rabble.

            How am I better off? I knew what to expect back there. I knew who to stay away from and what I had the capabilities to do. Here I know absolutely nothing and I’m stuck with this… Marcus stopped the thought. He had only known who to stay away from because he had grown up fighting for his life. He had to learn to read people and their intentions rather quickly or he would have died. He had lived without choices, following the rules someone else created because making his own meant starvation and the liquid drug.

            You’ve never had a choice to decide and you won’t get that choice if you are left on your own.  Maybe Geoff had a point after all, he hadn’t really been learning anything running from Max on his own and he could use the skills Geoff taught until the final decision, which according to Derek wouldn’t be required until the counsel hearing.  He had some time to find out the answers to the questions bugging him without committing to anything permanent, at least as long as Max allowed him to have anyway.

 

Max allowed Marcus the evening before coming to claim what he believed belonged to him. At least he didn’t go after the others, Marcus thought as he took one last look at the farmhouse through the trees. He had given in immediately, hoping his acceptance kept Evans from wondering where he had been staying and where Geoff had disappeared.

            Aunt Lizzie’s wrists had not taken as long as Marcus had thought they would and Geoff had given him the rest of the afternoon to get to know the children and his new aunt and uncle. The nickname Geoff had given the three kids had become apparent as Marcus watched them practicing the few spells their parents had shown them.

            The four of them had wandered into the neighboring woods in order for the Sarah and her brothers to practice without creating more work. As they practiced, Marcus understood why Lizzie and Tom wanted them away from the house. The only spell that had been mastered was the water charm to help crops grow and only by Sarah. The other spells she tried and all the ones Timmy and Nate performed created storms of dust, covering all four of them in a thick layer of grime.

            Marcus had watched them intently, immediately recognizing the differences from his own childhood learning and what these three had available to them. Not only did they not fear anyone coming across their play, but they also had no fear of their parents if the spells did not work correctly immediately.

            As the sky had darkened, Marcus had laughingly called their practice to a halt. Ushering the children ahead as he secretly removed most of the dust and mud (courtesy of Sarah’s mastered spell) from their bodies, he had caught the pull of another powerful mages power and Max’s taint. Slowly, trying not to alert his three admirers, Marcus reached out judging the distance between them and their pursuers. Noticing they did not have enough time to reach the field near the house before Max’s men were upon them, he called out for a race sending the children far ahead of him before Serrano Evans and two of the men from a few days ago came out of the trees.

            He shook off thoughts of the life he almost had, it was time to face what he had known would happen. He didn’t have any choices in how to live his life, he would always be Max’s puppet, no matter how much he wanted it another way.

           

            “GEOFF!” A voice screaming his name brought the three adults to attention as they sat around the front porch.

            “Good heavens that’s Sara.” Lizzie cried, bolting from her rocking chair on the front porch. Tom held her arm to keep her still as their children streaked into view still screaming for their cousin.

            Geoff stepped off the porch steps immediately wrapping his arms around Sara’s shaking body. “Shh, hey it’s okay.”

            Sara shook her head, “It’s not okay Geoff.  He went with them.”

            “Went with who?”

            Timmy and Nate stopped beside her as Sara burst into tears. They both looked about to cry as well. Geoff knelt down in front of them, releasing Sara from his hold as he did so. “I need to know what happened and who Marcus went away with.”

            Nate looked as Sara, realizing she couldn’t say anything, than turned back to Geoff. “We had a race to see who could make it back here the fastest. But Marcus wasn’t coming, so we snuck back to see what he was doing. Three guys had surrounded him on horses and he agreed to leave with them immediately.”

            Timmy nodded, “He sounded awful funny though. Nothing like he was today.”

            “What did he say?”

            Both boys shrugged, “We were too far away to hear anything, but he seemed stiff and the tone sounded hard like the marbles you got us last time.” Timmy answered.

            Nate nodded, “He looked back to where we were hiding and his eyes looked kinda funny, like yours when you get mad. He moved his hand a little and we were back at the end of the forest. Why’d he do it Geoff? Why’d he go away?”

            “He’s turned back.” Tom said.

             Geoff straightened from the children, turning to his uncle as he ushered the children to their mother. “If he had turned back these three would not be here right now. We would all be in line to one of Max’s prisons and your children would be mindless slaves.”

            “Geoff,” Lizzie gasped pulling the children closer to her.

            “I’m sorry Aunt Lizzie, but I speak pure fact.” Geoff turned back to his uncle, “which is why I know Marcus has left to protect us.”

            Nate moved away from his mother and tugged on his father’s sleeve. “Marcus’ eyes looked like that.” He said, still looking at his cousin. “He didn’t look happy to be with them Da.”

            “He didn’t want us there.” Sara sniffed, coming out of her mother’s shoulder. “He made us leave before we were noticed both times.”

            “Both times?” Both Tom and Geoff turned to her.

            Sara nodded, “The reason for the race, he made us leave before those three saw us. I felt them approach after I took off running. I know I should have made them keep running, but I wanted to know what was going on too.”

            “It is okay sweetheart. You kept your brothers safe by coming to us when you did.  I think Marcus would have wanted you to do that more than anything.”

            “But he could have gotten away if we had come back sooner.”

            Geoff smiled, cocking an eyebrow at her. “What makes you think he won’t get away? If he was protecting you three, he’ll find a way to get back to show you he is safe.”

            “Are you going to save him Geoff?” Timmy asked.

            “I’m going to make sure he is safe, I think Marcus can save himself.” Geoff answered.  He looked at his uncle, “I’m going to need your study.”

            “I’ll come with you.” He turned to his wife.

            Lizzie smiled, “Dinner will be sent to you.” She gathered the children to her and headed inside to clean them up to eat. Before following them, she looked at Geoff. “You need to tell the others what has happened so they do not try to kill him if they see him without you.”

            Geoff nodded, following Tom around the side of the house and into his private study. He would warn the others about Marcus’ abduction after he made sure they understood the boy was his apprentice even without the formal pledge. He had promised the boy a chance to choose his own fate. Max would not take it from him.