Ben-A-Gard The Great

"I guess my past was bound to find its way back to me at some point." sighed Old Ben as he found himself a chair to sit in and motioned for them all to join him, "Come sit and I will tell you the full story."

"As you all know the mage wars were only three hundred years ago, it was a bloody time and a few relics from these dark times still remain today." explained Old Ben as everyone slowly found a seat around him. "One of them is your sword James, but that's a tale for another time. For now let me speak of another relic, The Talisman of Time, it allows one to alter the time around them and even turn back time itself. Now to play with time has its effect on one's soul."

"But what does that have to do with you Grandpa?" asked Joy worried.

"I'm getting they my dear." sighed Old Ben as he struggle to remind his train of thought and when he did he continued, "The mage who last owned the talisman had also unlocked the secret of immortality by using it to turning back time on his body itself. Legend tells that he is still out there and that he is the only mage left from the mage wars. Many have sought his knowledge and power but one group has hunted him for they wish to destroy him and take his power and the talisman for their leader."

"The Drakary?" half asked half guessed Marcus as he listened intently to the story as if perceived things together that only he knew. Visions from his past of the future and beyond.

"I still don't understand where you're going with this Old Ben?" asked James from Old Ben's side as he and the other two adults all looked very confused and lost in the matter.

"I'll get there lad." sighed Old Ben as he looked around before smiling and adding, "Yes, Marcus it was and still is the Drakary. You see they seek to rule the world with an iron paw. I couldn't let them do that and thus I hide the talisman and settled down and had a family with the hopes of one day passing these secrets onto a child or grandchild but sadly it seems they finally found me. I'm sorry my dears."

"So they came looking for your talisman and your secrets." asked Marcus as he placed a paw on Old Ben's before adding, "but I thought you said they were looking for me?"

"They were." sighed Old Ben as he tried to smile as he added, "You see they want anything and everything that will help them become as powerful as possible. The ability to make themselves immortal as well as corrupting one of the prophesied ones they would be half way to closing their dark grasp on this world."

"So it would most likely be best for us to keep you, Marcus and the talisman as far a part as possible?" asked James concerned for his family as well as Old Bed and his family.

"No, Marcus needs to learn how to become the warrior he i destined to do and he can only learn that here with me as well as at the mage academy in this city. As for my talisman it is well hidden and one day Marcus will wield it with great skill. If we are to defeat the Drakary we must first train up our children for the war to come so that they are ready in their time." explained Old Ben as he wheezed in pain.

"Wait! Is no one going to say anything about the fact that gramps here just confessed to being some ancient and powerful mage?" confessingly asked John.

"Umm, not really there isn't much time if I must be honest brother. These Drakary could return at any moment and none of us are ready for that." replied Joy with a sarcastic glare.

"Not true Joy my dear." coughed Old Ben. "It will take them some time to gather enough forces to take the city let alone face off against young Marcus again. And in that time we have a chance work with the city guard to be ready for them. That is a task I leave for you, and your brother to work with them. As for Marcus I'll be working with him with the help of Rebekah so he is stronger and more skilled for the next time it wont be just one arch-mage."

"Then how much time do we have?" asked James with a half concerned and half relieved sigh.

"At least on cycle of the moon." replied Old Ben with a cough.

"How can you be so sure grandfather?" asked Joy with a look of great concern.

"Because the only reason they've not already marched back in here was because of the guards resistance to magic as well as the master mages at the academy also double as part of the city's defenses along side their most skilled apprentices. Thus they'd need to come with a really large force to take the city and that takes time." explained Old Ben, "Now I more then likely see them slowly bring their forces into the city and attacking from within."

"What about me? What do you want me to do?" asked James as both Joy and John slowly stood up and head for the store exit.

"Go home and protect your wife. If they ever discover your conection to me and Marcus they will hunt you down to use you against me or him. You must always stay safe for your son's sake." pleaded Old Ben with a smile.

"I will my old friend." replied James as he stood and gave Marcus a nod before adding, "You listen to Ben and Joy and behave for them. Okay?"

"Yes daddy and you send my love to mom." called Marcus as his father started to leave.

"Wait, take a book so as to make it seem as if you're just another customer." called Old Ben.

"Why I was just the merchant hired by your granddaughter to protect her and these two children until they reached their home." replied James with a smile.