Seth laughed. "Yeah, right, and I'm the Easter Bunny."
"Okay, if you really don't believe me, we will just pretend this conversation never took place," Herman replied, clearly becoming annoyed. "It was just a good story and you can go on with your summer no worse for wear."
Seth thought for a moment, and then finally relaxed, leaning back against the chair. "Okay, you were there. But how is that possible?"
"As I said," Herman continued, "I am a wizard, probably the only one of my kind still known to exist. I am the son of Merlin himself. He showed me all of his magic, science and the uses of it, both good and bad. But I took an oath when I was fifteen to follow the path of righteousness and to protect England.
"Merlin, my father, taught me well. He was quite old when I was born, but still looked reasonably young. He might still be alive today if that wicked wretch of a woman hadn't locked him away in that tree and cast a spell that hid him from me forever. I searched for Merlin, but never found him. Anyway, I was eighteen when I set sail with Tristan and his men. Arthur wanted me to go along to use my magic to help them, but my magic was no match for the gale that sank our sailing ship. Nor was my magic adequate enough to save Nina."
"It sounds like you really cared for her," Seth replied, once again caught up in the story.
Herman paused before answering, "Yes, I cared for her a great deal, but she was Tristan's wife and she loved him very much. Tristan loved her as well. In fact, he never took another wife after her death. I cared for them both. They were my dearest and closest friends."
"I'm sorry," Seth replied, seeing pain still evident within his uncle's eyes.
"That was a long time ago, Seth," Herman replied. Seth noticed that he had called him by his name and not boy. "But thank you."
"Why are you telling me this?" Seth asked. "How does this story relate to the medallion? Why did my mom give it to me to bring here?"
One side of Herman's lips curled into a half grin. "All in due time."
Seth nodded, wanting to know more. After a short pause, he asked, "How long will you live?"
"No one knows for sure," Herman replied. "As you have probably guessed, I'm not completely human. My father, Merlin, was half mortal and half immortal. He took a liking to an immortal woman who lived in the mountains near the lake of Avalon. She wanted a child, but did not want to be a mother. She could foretell the future and was a witch who practiced white magic. When I was born, I was entrusted to a mortal peasant girl who lived in the village outside of Avalon to learn the ways of men. Her name was Blysse of Avalon. She was beautiful and very kind. She was my mother, the woman who raised me, and I loved her very much." Herman paused to reflect on her memory. "Also, having magic helped to prolong my lifespan as well."
"So, how are you my uncle?" Seth asked.
"I had a twin," Herman answered. "His name was Launce. When we were given to the peasant woman, we both learned the ways of mortals and came to love them very much. Although my brother learned the immortal ways, he also came to love mortals and their ways even more. We were both on The Cambrian and came to this land together. Soon, he found a mortal bride, and the lineage continued until your mother was born, then you were born. My brother Launce was your great, great, grandfather many times over. I have watched many of your family ... my family ... come into this world and go out for many years."
"What happened to him?"
"He died bravely in battle protecting his family and our way of life, refusing to use the immortal ways. When I found him, it was too late for my magic to work."
Seth was amazed and stunned to hear the names of people and places in Arthurian folklore in casual conversation related and intertwined with his family. He paused, and then asked, "So, the stories of magic, King Arthur, and Merlin were real?"
"Absolutely," Herman replied in unwavering certainty. "However, some stories were embellished a bit and some over exaggerated. But, yes, the essence of the stories is true."
"Wow," Seth said, taking a deep breath. It was a lot to comprehend in one night. He thought about the deer incident and asked, "So, when we almost hit the deer, you used your magic to save us?"
"It was a bit more than that," Herman replied. "Think of it as mind projection. I pushed the tree and deer with my mind and we were back on the road. It's complicated."
Seth nodded. "And the mattress landing on the floor was your magic?"
Herman laughed, then nodded. "Yes, magic through and through. I'll tell you more about it later. In fact, I could teach you, if you wish." But then Herman looked at the clock and said, "But another time. I think that's enough for one night. I'm going to bed. Don't be long. Four o'clock comes around very early."
And with that, Herman pushed his seat back from the table with a nod of his head and walked out the kitchen door.
Seth sat at the table for a moment, digesting what he had just heard. Then he reached out to cup a hand behind the last candle and blew out the flickering orange flame, wondering what he had gotten himself into.
Aksara