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Introduction:

Tom is more known than he thought

A Good Man 4
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Tom could only stare his mouth hanging open. "Your daughter? 500 years?"
"Yes," Azel said, "you haven't realized just how long we live have you Tom?"
"Well, I knew from Frilly that many lived a long time but you... and she... how...?" Tom started.
Laughing Azel replied, "I'll try to explain. You see, mages barring injuries or total depletion of their
energy can live 3-5 thousand years at prersent I am only 3000 I am the youngest on the council. My mate and I were
young, we were only 1200 at the time we were allowed to have her."


"That's considered young? damn, wait you were allowed? What the hell does that mean?" asked a confused Tom.
"The birth of a mage has to be approved by the council of all magical beings. Most mages live in the human world
live a life with a regular person, hell they even have children. These children are called malfs or worse Halflings,
not a very good label. Most often they don't develop magic even though one parent was a mage. As little as 1% develop,
like the 14 year old you found the other day," Azel stopped a moment.
"So are they treated badly?" asked Tom


"No, not badly but their powers aren't as strong and develop at a much slower rate, therefore they don't
often make freinds and see many pass them. I remember a reverse case 75 years ago. Very unsual, 2 mages were granted
permission and had a child, when tested, she showed no sign of powers. They had such high hopes for her but after a
year there was no sign at all. They placed her with relatives to raise her, watching her for years. About 50 years
ago Malamon began actively killing magical beings again, unfortunatly they were the only ones who knew where she was,
so all contact was lost when they died. We were concerned as she was only the second born in 5000 years so as you can
see it is extremely rare," Azel said lost within his thoughts.


"So, these reverse cases they never develop powers? Did they know their parents?" asked Tom
Shaking his head no Azel continued, "No, in the two cases I know of, they never did. Though they did live much longer
than regular humans it's only to 100 to 120, like the humans mages live with, their memories are erased and a new life
is inserted, so you see she never knew what she was. Yes, I know you think it's cruel but believe me it's alot
kinder than letting them know, it's bad enough when we watch them die. As far as I know she was the first that
contact with was lost."


"Ok, ok, so tell me about Myria," asked Tom, "why did she pull away when I tried to heal her?"
"Well," started Azel, "If she is a captive of Malamon, then the pain you felt could be helping her, she might
feel that no one can heal her, there are a number of things that could influence her decision," sighing Azel
looked down, "she was always independent, taking on the world. The council advised her not to take action
against Malamon, we thought at the time she had listened to us. Later we found that right before she disappeared,
there had been many disturbances nearby a known locale of Malamon. This was the basis of our decision that she had
been killed."


Sighing Tom stood, "I'll let you know if I find out anything more." With that Tom lifted Frilly and
was gone. Now that Frilly was healed he was more at ease, laying her in her small bed Tom went to sit on his
couch again. Watching her sleep Tom thought of Myria again, he knew she was in trouble she had to be if Malamon
had held her captive for 500 years. Tom thought of Azel's words that she was the strongest mage to ever sit
on the mage council let alone lead it. That might be why she went after Malamon, even in his weakened state
though, Tom felt that Myria wouldn't have been much of a match.


Trying to not think of her capture, Tom knew that there was some way he could help her but
it seemed to escape him. Not realising that the events had taken a toll on him, Tom fell asleep within
minutes of sitting. Again floating in the gray mist this time Tom thought I'd be ready. Myria appeared
moments later, a most welcome sight.
"I tried to find you but you weren't anywhere in his building," Tom said feeling ashamed hanging his
head, "I looked everywhere, I had Malamon, I even removed one of his powers but I couldn't find you," fresh
tears fell from his eyes as Myria's grew wide. Myria then smiled at him. Tom's head jerked up as the familiar
feeling rapidly flew up his body to his ribs. "You're healing me, I know I have alot of pain but so do you
I saw your father today and told him, he is glad you are still alive," again her eyes flew wide and she shook
her head yes.


The feeling was now almost at his shoulders his thoughts clearer than he had ever known them to be.
Myria floated closer just out of reach the feeling now at his shoulders he felt more than before, he could
sense that Myria was indeed in a type of prison but it felt different, very strange. Now above his shoulders
on his lower neck he felt her being drawn away, this time though as she left he followed her. For what seemed
like hours he followed her energy back to where she was, then he was clear. Calling out very softly for her
he waited in the darkness of her prison, it was unlike anything he had ever experienced. Suddenly he heard
something moving towards him, gathering all his power, it drew closer.


"What are you doing here?" he heard in almost impossible to hear tones, "You must leave at once or
your mind will never leave."
"I can't leave you here, not to languish forever, I can release you now," Tom said feeling the way back beginning
to close, "come I have the power to bring you back."
"I don't doubt that, Tom, but as long as he is weak and alive I can not leave here, go! I can feel the portal
closing!" Myria's whispered voice urging him to action. With that Tom was flying as fast as he could back out
the way he'd come. Just as he cleared where she was he heard a smashing clang and all feeling of where she
was, was gone. Searching he didn't know where she was nor could he even feel a trace of her energy. It was
obvious that she was extremely proficient at hiding or her captor was that good at hiding her, either way
Tom vowed to find her and release her.


Awaking Tom thought of everything that had happened, seeing that Frilly was up and moving around made
him feel even better. Tom hadn't been sure the plan would work and he knew that it wouldn't again. Sighing
Tom set about making a new plan this one he felt would be much more effective than the last. Tom also
knew that he had to do more damage this time when he faced Malamon, he just wished he knew what power he had taken
from Malamon that way he'd have an advantage and any he felt was a damn good start to Malamon's defeat.


Azel stood before the council of the mages, "I have questioned Tom, it appears he has been in contact
with Myria though I an curious as to why she never spoke to him. I might have an idea as to what she did 500
years ago but I need to test many things to make certain. I don't believe she is a prisoner of Malamon but
rather a prisoner because of Malamon. Therefore in order to release her it will be up to Tom and our actions."
Many on the council gasp though a few had suspected somethimg of this nature.
The eldest spoke up, "what would you have the coucil to do? Tom as you call him is as powerful as this council,
even then we might not be able to subdue him, I realise that if Myria has come to him then she has decided he is
good, I am not so easily swayed. We have no way of knowing where he is from or who he really is, I can not trust
that he is good as Myria would think, therefore we stay on guard." Azel shook his head, idiots! he knew better
and also knew that this might be the undoing of the council.


Tom set out the next day prepared to implement his next plan. By the end of the day he had found
and removed another 10 of Malamon's cronies' powers looking into all of them trying to find where Malamon had
escaped to. Damnit! Malamon was it appeared more paranoid than he thought, it seemed that when he felt they had
life force enough to feed him, then they were drawn to him. Sighing Tom set out to get more of them he hoped
that it forced Malamon to try and confront him directly. Reaching out he felt to see if there were areas that
were shielded from him the result was dizzing. Well over 1000 places, Tom knew that this wasn't going to be as
easy as he thought. Reaching further he found at least 4 times that in the rest of the world.


Sighing Tom went back to work removing as many as possible, now he was going to other countries where
he found that the balance was still well on the dark side. He had just taken out a slightly powerful one
when another appeared far more powerful than any he'd ever faced.
"Found you!" the man shouted, "it appears that you have taken it upon yourself to defeat us alone, a mistake
you'll soon regret!" With that Tom was slow to move smiling to his self, this was just what he'd been waiting
for. Reaching out he felt the four others, freezing each he kept open and reached for the first. There he found
the man's defences thick and his thoughts almost mirroring Malamon's. The man started to throw everything at Tom
he could each missing Tom. Delving deeper he saw Malamon weak, laying back in concentration reaching in as quick
as he could Tom snapped 2 then 3 almost had the fourth when Malamon looked at him,
<you'll pay for that bastard> Malamon was screaming back at Tom. Taking hold he violently ripped the fourth
loose as Malamon screamed then he was gone.


Damnit! pulling back Tom felt the first bolt of fire break through nearly hitting his arm. Shit!
Tom quickly crushed everything magic leaving the man a sobbing pile of flesh. Drawing the other 4 near a shocked
and frightened look on each of their faces Tom ripped all the magic out of them leaving them all in a neat pile.
Calling the council the 12 were soon there probing the minds of all 5 and wiping their memories clean of magic.
"I finally found Malamon again, I destroyed 4 more powers from him but they were all minor powers. The only one
I am sure of was his ability to change color, the others I am not sure of," the council was shocked he'd found Malamon
again that fast? They had to find out more about this man/mage a few still didn't trust him though more than half
were on Tom's side. A few were leaning more toward Tom but not quite enough.


Tom appeared in his house later that day, what he found there, he was surprised about. The same sprite
that had been spying on him and the council members when they had their meeting days before was waiting with
another sprite. "Hello sir I hope I am not intruding?" it's small voice almost in awe, "I have tried to call
to you to ask but you are so closed no one can find you," bowing low it continued, "my daughter isn't well
in her mind, Frilly told us what you have done for her, I have come to beg you to help my child."
Smiling Tom remembered the sprite and nodded yes. Tom reached out, the sprite moved back watching Tom. Again
moving in and out Tom found her pain almost twice what Frilly's had been, Tom was surprised that she was still
alive. Finding her memories he delved deep, a small soft cry escaped her lips then she relaxed. Unbeknownst to
them all a small pixie looked on, her eyes wide in wonder and hope. 10 minutes passed when the sprite girl
yawned and awoke with a smile on her face.


Looking around she saw Tom and a curious look came into her eyes, then as suddenly her eyes flew
wide and she looked at her parent. Whispering she asked, "is that him?" she asked
Her parent nodded, launching her self at Tom she hugged him whispering in his ear thank you, withdrawing
she sat looking at her parent.
"Again, I am in your debt," the adult sprite said tears falling from it's eyes, "for this my family is yours
forever," a small squeal sounded from nearby as a pixie flew to an excited sprite girl.
"Are you really better?" the pixie asked.
Laughing the sprite girl hugged her friend, "yes, the mage Tom took it all away."
Cautiously the pixie approached Tom, "great mage Tom I thank you for what you have done," bowing she continued,
"If you have need of the pixies, call for honyp we will be there," honyp said.


Tom just shook his head it was all moving so fast, everyone had just left when there was a knock at his
door. A look of confusion on his face on his face Tom answered the door, a small creature was standing there
dressed in brown it's shaggy brown hair hanging loosely from its head. Motioning him lower Tom bent to see what
the 3 foot little woman wanted. In a whispering quiet voice she asked, "are you the great healing mage Tom?"
Speaking in low tones Tom answered, "I don't know about great but I will help if I can," he answered.
Nodding she asked if she could enter, to which Tom said yes. Nodding she led another small being inside.
The other was unlike her it was short, dark and furry, Tom could feel the anger pouring from it.


Stopping beside his table she again stood holding what appeared to be a leash around the neck
of the other. Frilly flew to Tom nodding to the brown haired creature.
"Tom this is Futha," she said indicating the brown haired little woman, "she was a close friend many years ago,
she is what your kind call a brownie," looking at Futha Frilly looked back, "Oh my! the other is her sister, she
was so hurt and angered by Malamon that she turned to a bogie, a type of goblin. Futha is hoping that you can heal
her mind so she will revert back to her brownie form."
Looking at Futha Tom thought, <I will do my best>
<Thank you> came a surprised and almost happy thought.


The bogie smiled evilly and it's eyes began to glow red as it looked around the room. Tom opened up and
reached feeling the anger that the bogie held. It was thick, so thick it was almost palatable, Tom moved in and
out the anger so deep he spent 10 minutes delving deep to find the bottom of it. Starting to releave the anger
the bogie tried to lash out at Tom snarling, trying to hit him and distract him from what he was doing. 15 minutes
later he was still ridding the bogie of the pain when it screamed and cursed at him, then it was silent. After 30
minutes of working the bogie was finally still, Futha though not showing much emotion had a hopeful look on her
face.


Tom had finally broken through, all the pain was gone and he was finishing, placing the happiest event
in the foremost of her mind. As he watched the bogie started to transform, within a minute the bogie was
looking more and more like a brownie. Futha's eyes grew wider then tears began to flow holding the leash for
her sister looser and looser til her sister was completely transformed. Her sister stood there a look of amazement
on her face, Futha held her close as they both began to cry with joy. Seperating they both walked to Tom,
bowing low Tom heard <thank you, we owe you a life and another for our family. If you ever have need of us
call Futha and we will be there.> With that they walked out the door and were gone.


Still a little confused Tom looked at Frilly, "we have to talk Frilly, you have to stop telling all the
magical beings that I can help them."
"Sir, I only told one my friend," sighing she looked at Tom, "though I am afraid many are friends and the last
was a small miracle to most of the magical beings. That one I am afraid is going to gain you alot of notice."
Tom just shook his head and increased the shield around the house. Tom layed down tired again from the
three mind healings he had done. Frilly let the many friends she knew not to come over unless they talked to her
first.


Tom fell asleep thinking of Myria, he remembered the sweet sound of her voice somehow he thought he'd
heard her voice before. Try as hard as he could, he couldn't remember where he'd heard it before. Floating again
he was searching for Myria when he felt a rush of energy enter where he was.
"I thought I might catch you here," Malamon said as he advanced on Tom. Reaching, Tom felt the fragile tether
Malamon was hanging to. Tom rushed to Malamon's mind grabbing three strands of magic, Tom started pulling feeling
only one break away, he heard Malamon screaming. Tom felt him rush back, hitting Tom square in the chest he flew
back from the strands ripping them loose. Luckily he'd wrapped his arms around them, his head starting to pound,
Tom withdrew faster than he thought he could. Malamon was screaming at him as he left.
"There's no escape for you! I will find you and kill you!" he screamed.


Tom awoke with a start, what the hell was that? How in the hell had he found him? Trying to sit up
his chest felt bruised damn! His ribs weren't so good either, a small groan escaping his lips, Frilly
hurried to Tom.
"Sir! your chest is slightly bruised, I can see at least 3 cracked ribs. What happened?" she cried.
Tom felt light headed and sat telling Frilly to get the council. Within minutes they had arrived.
"Tom! You didn't try to take Malamon on in a straight fight did you?" Azel asked concern lining his face.
"No, I was in a dream state and he was there, the gray mist area, I thought it was the perfect time to get
to him again," Tom wheezed out.
""AH gods! he's far stronger there than here. You're lucky to be alive!" Azel cried the concern greater now.


"I think you're right Azel," Tom replied, "had I not been as fast as I was I wouldn't have been able to
take 3 more powers from him, this time I took a major power."
A gasp rose from the others there trying to heal him, "you took a major power? How major? How do you know
that it was a major power?" The oldest asked.
"Well it was far thicker than any I had ever taken from him, that's how I know, plus it was closer to the center
of the magic using part of his brain than any other. The only reason it broke was because I had wrapped my arms
around it before he hit me, his hit actually helped me to pull it free," at this Tom smiled, "it was his mind
reading ability, he has to enter the mind now alot more effort even for him."
The others around the room gasped then a few smiled, this was the first time in the long fight against Malamon,
that they felt they just might have a chance against him.


Tom's pain was slowly fading, the elders all working on him to get him healed. Almost whispering
Tom leaned in Azel, "remember each time I use them I get stronger soon I might be able to heal myself."
Azel nodded his head but said nothing thinking back to 1500 years ago to another unknown mage, He had
been a friend to that one too. He also remembered that then the mage didn't have as many of the council
on his side. Lost in thought he didn't notice at first the pixies, brownies, and sprites that gathered
around also adding their powers to hasten the healing. When he did notice he was taken aback, Futha head
of the browines, the leader of the sprites Yong and his daughter and the pixie Queen Adalar her self were
there. The sheer number that were crowded into the room was astounding. Shaking his head he almost felt
sorry for Malamon. There hadn't been this amount united together that he remembered even the last time with
the other mage. Azel could finally see a possible brighter tomarrow, 'bout time he thought with a smile.


TO BE CONTINUED

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