Neko was still trying to plot the quickest way out of the castle and the realm when Dorian suddenly stood. Then he sat again.
"Merlin and I don't always get along," the fae explained.
Oh, even better, Neko thought. He scooted back under Colin's chair.
"Merlin doesn't always get along with anyone," Tamaran replied as he pushed aside some parchments.
"Arthur-" Dorian began.
"Arthur hasn't forgiven him for not mentioning that problem between Arthur's best friend and wife. Things are still a bit touchy. But that isn't our problem now. You barely missed him. He felt an intrusion in the veil, and it held the scent of an old enemy-"
"Maude," Colin said and won a curious stare from Tamaran. "We have had trouble with her for some time, and I fear she followed us here. We didn't know this was Merlin's realm."
"I wonder if Maude realizes where she is," Dorian added. He paused for a moment and then shook his head. "I suspect she knew no more than we did. Probably less since she followed us, and I had chosen a place with little magic — or so I thought."
Colin looked pleased. "Meeting Merlin should surprise her." He looked around and gave a nod to Dorian. He returned it. "Our three companions are special-"
"Neko, Shosha, and Reggie," Tamaran replied. He gave a nod of recognition to each of them. "I wasn't entirely sure it was you, Reginald. Nice new form."
"Temporary," Reggie replied. Did Neko hear regret in that voice? "It did seem wiser than a huge penguin wandering around. I know not everyone can see me, but I don't want to startle a mage."
Neko looked him over. "Do you want to remain a hawk? I don't mind. But wait. You should be whatever you feel is appropriate to the moment."
Neko hadn't expected the silence that followed his statement. It had seemed a logical suggestion.
"A wise and kind gift," Tamaran stated. "It should make your future work all that much easier. Trouble!"
Future work?
Before he could form a question, the building shook as unleashed magic swept over it. Not far away, a considerable amount of power exploded, sending waves of magic toward them once more. Neko could feel Maude's magic and another source that must have been Merlin.
His magic felt subtle. Neko was certain that subtlety would not work with Maude. That seemed confirmed by the next explosion, which cracked windows in the building. Tamaran frowned; with a wave of his hand, he reinforced the protective spell on the castle.
"I think we can guess how well that meeting went," Reggie said, looking down at Neko. "It wouldn't surprise me to learn that she's forgotten all about us. Merlin is a far more formidable enemy."
"And he, if she somehow won, who could provide her with the power to rule a dozen realms or more," Colin added.
"I think we need to go help –" Dorian said.
"There is no need," Tamaran said. "Merlin is on his way." A bright light grew at the doorway. "Merlin is here."
Neko moved a little to the side so that he could get his first look at the legendary human mage. Because of Maude, he had thought nothing good about humans with magic. At the moment, he couldn't say that Merlin was any better than Maude. Just being her enemy was not enough of a recommendation.
Merlin looked younger than any of the illustrations Neko had seen. He looked a lot like Colin and could probably pass for a Fae. His face was flushed, and his hands moved in a nervous gesture that unsettled Tamaran.
"Reginald," he said. "And Dorian. Interesting combination."
"Just a matter of show," Dorian assured him. "Reggie is assigned to Neko."
"But it would look odd for a cat to walk around with a hawk on his shoulder," Neko added.
Merlin gave a slight sound of amusement. Good. That said something about his temperament.
"She is heading our way," Colin warned. "We have little time for a plan."
"The best we can do is to keep her angry," Shosha offered. "And keep me away from her."
"Shosha is right," Neko replied. "The best we can do is to keep her mad, so she doesn't think things through. Maude has always depended on power over intelligence, but if she thinks about what she's doing, Maude will start conserving magic. We don't want her to do that."
"This is a group with considerable magic," Tamaren replied. "We ought to be able to do more than just make her angry."
"Don't worry. We'll get to that part," Colin assured him. "I just hope we can deal with her for good this time."
Neko ended up telling the story of Maude's involvement with his life. "And then I tripped her on the stairs. We all thought she was dead. We won't make that mistake again."
"And she knows it," Luna said. "She won't try that ploy again. I wish I could see things clearer, but I don't see anything that indicates we lose the battle."
"And from that, I assume you also don't see that we win," Merlin added. "Don't worry, Luna. We all understand how difficult your gift can be."
Luna mumbled her thanks, still looking bothered by her inability to give them something more tangible. Neko understood; being a cat gave him limitations as well.
"She's not alone," Neko said, trying to show he had use. It was a stupid reaction, but at least his observation appeared to startle the others.
Merlin nodded in agreement. "Yes, I can sense others as well. Good catch, my friend. I like to think we would have noticed before a battle, but now we know to keep watch for more enemies."
"She is going to take her frustration out on the village," Dorian said. "We need to act soon and keep her anger on us."
Neko stepped forward. "I have a plan."