Toman of the Cherokee 8

“WHAT?!!! I thought it was a trick!” I said as the apparition of my mother stared at me…

“I’m sorry Toman in almost all cases it is true that ghosts cannot exist on this plain. In certain cases when a death is so horrific and quick the essence of a person can latch on to another. In this case it was father. I thank you father for holding us as long as you have. I know it has taken a supreme effort on your part.”

“We?” I almost shouted. “What in the hell do you mean we?” Even as I watched another weaker apparition appeared. “NO!” I almost screamed as I took off running. I felt pops, Mordaf, then finally Merlin try to wrap a capture spell around me. “NO! I refuse!” I shouted as I flung all three of them off of me.

Merlin suddenly appeared in front of me. “Toman stop! You are the only one who can bring…”

“No, No, No, No, NO!” I shouted as I slung my arm at Merlin watching as he was flung from in front of me. A look of absolute surprise etched on his face. Taking off at a run the visage of my mother appeared in front of me.

“TOMAN! Stop!” She shouted bring me to a halt. “Thank you, had you not stopped I fear you would have run for a long time. I am sorry that you have been saddled with this son. Your power rivals Merlin’s now, as you saw.” Here a smile crossed her features. “With the wild magic you posses there are certain things that you and only you can do. I … damn I am afraid I am too far from father.”

I suddenly felt the apparition grow weak, then, she fell to the ground slowly starting to fade. “What is happening?” I asked.

“I am too far from father, I had to stop you. Now I am afraid that I will finally pass. I am so proud of you my son never forget that. I’m afraid I won’t see you again for a long time farewell!” She said as it looked like she was in extreme pain.

“NO!!” I was screaming I’d just found that she was still here and now my being a scared child was driving her away!!!?? A thousand thoughts ran through my mind then something I had heard in a story years ago came to mind. Could it work? Could I actually do it? Extending my arms toward my mother I started to pour power out. Finally she stopped fading but grew no clearer. Grunting I reached inside feeling the locks that I had shut.
Opening then I felt twice the power start to flow.

Mother’s form was a little clearer, damn it, it wasn’t enough! Pushing harder I felt the door I had felt open crack a little, come on open! Pushing harder I felt it finally start to open, come on faster I’m going to lose her! Even as I watched she was starting to fade a little again! NO! Damn it! Suddenly I felt an almost ripping sensation as the door was suddenly flung open! About time I thought.

I could feel Merlin behind me as he had been since this had started. Then I felt the approach of pops, Mordaf then Naci. I could almost feel the tears that Naci was shedding as she watched what I was doing. Finally I could feel mother start to stabilize still I felt it wasn’t enough. I had to put out more! Reaching as deep as I could I found another source of energy grasping it I felt the out pouring of energy triple!

Even as I watched, a halo of light appeared around the apparition of my mother. So it was true after all! Nodding I started to feel strange as the two powers felt as if they were melding together. Odd I thought. That’s when I felt the drain start to set in damn but this was taking a lot out of me! Suddenly I felt Merlin’s hand on my shoulder, then Naci’s on my other.

I didn’t know what they were doing but it was helping as I continued to pour as much power as I could into the halo of light. It had almost been an hour I was fighting to keep it up, Merlin and Naci had released me some time ago both slightly stumbling away. I couldn’t stop I had to finish! A moment later I heard pops and Naci gasp as a figure stepped out of the halo of light! Finally I thought it was about time!

“Stop Toman! You’ve done it son!” My mouth dropped open as I was staring at my mother! Not a ghost or apparition. No, a living breathing person!

Dropping my arms I heard Naci whispering in my ear. “Push it closed Toman, like you did before. Lock the door when you do.”

I nodded as I did as she suggested. I felt one side easily close; the other took a lot of effort though I finally got it. Then suddenly I felt mother’s arms around me, god I had missed her!

“My brave and fearless Toman! I thought I’d never get back or go to the beyond. Thank you son!” My mother told me a look of pride on her face.

I clung to her for a moment then turned to see all the others looking at me in wonder. “When did you learn the restore spell?” Merlin asked. “I have been trying to master it for centuries.”

“I heard of it in a story,” I told him. “I thought I had nothing to lose, so I did it like I thought it should go.”

“A story?” Merlin asked, “Strange I remember no story like that.”

“I believe it went: When things are wild, from not quite a child.