[ TT ] A knight decides to become a master in the arcane arts . However , due to his years of sword fighting and chivalry , he ca n't grasp the concept of `` magic . ''

The world has changed much since they appeared. First came the street performers, jesters so wonderful they toured palaces by month's end. Then came the evil, powers unlike any this world had seen. We had struggled to win before, but never like this. Children took out legions, lunatics wiped armies. Then came Morgen, and we were ready to surrender. We lost ten of the table that day, we would have lost them all were it not for Merlin's appearance. The age of knights was over, just as I came into the rank. 
 
 But the Pentecostal I said, succor to the gentlewomen, mercy upon those who ask of it, and battles only for good... Were I a better man, the first two would suffice, but battle burns my soul, yearning to fight.'T was not the time to let it die, but the time to set it free and not mercy nor succor would be given in the death of dying men. I set upon Merlin, imploring his good will to bequeath onto me the knowledge of his kind. And so it was, a better man than I, gave myself mercy, and my heart and sword he had. 
 
 `` Ney!'T is not the way of wizards to swing with might and force. But delicate strokes fluid and true required to stay the course.'' Merlin's sermon rang in my ears as energy fled my hand. Three months passed, yet no spark had I cast. 
 The scarecrow stared through my soul, oh how his grinning did mock. 
 
 `` Why do you persist on a course I discouraged? The source must be found for the hands to be nurished.'' Heaving and panting, I had not heard him approach. 
 
 My anger turned outward, focused in for too long. `` This source you exclaim is childish, no strength does it hold. A knight must be courteous, brave and holy; your words ring untrue as the source of any.'' 
 
 Merlin smiled, `` My God! It's progress, the first I have seen. Perhaps I disheartened, for you seem not so keen. A knight must be courteous, brave and bold; but a knight you are not, or so proclaimed was your goal. From freedom, from spirit! And delight, you will see, come sources of power allowing magic to be. And so it is, like your sword-burdened hands, your heart needs made new, the magic demands.'' 
 
 `` Magic, magic!'' The words fled my body, `` What is this to man? Unreasoned, uncivil, no structure at hand!'' 
 
 Merlin jumped with glee in his heart, `` Progress! Progress! I must confess. Your inner child comes forth, you must n't protest!'' 
 
 And then it set upon me, the wonder professed: a heart warming spirit, a spark my hand blessed. `` I've done it! I've done it!'' 
 
 `` I knew you were fit!'' 
 
 A orb aglow, in my hand it did sit. The inner tingle I'd been lacking so long, from there came the magic I'd seeked all along. 
 
 `` And now join hands with the soul you have found. Let free the weights to which they are bound!'' 
 
 My wrist did flick, my arms did flow, but only disappeared did that long fought-for glow. 
 
 `` Choppy! Rough! Uneven and heavy! Your hands must you free from their chains, so many!'' 
 
 Again a spark grew into a glow, to the scarecrow once mocking, my hands tried to throw. But heavy, jerking, and sharp did they turn, yet their motion not changed from not long ago. 
 
 `` Awareness! You saw it! You must draw on your grit. Now, once more, from your hands spring spirit!'' 
 
 The air drove them through the twists and the turns, my hands floated through, and the scarecrow did burn. Leaping, clapping, Merlin rejoiced. And through screams and shouts, his heart did get voiced. Though one more question burned through mind and soul, how could such magic evil control? 
 
 `` Merlin, I thank you, though much I need learn. This is the beginning of that for which I did yearn. Yet one question I have, that this lesson did spur. How did magic to evil transfer?'' 
 
 `` Magic it is n't, from those whom you mean. Illusion, deception, and on tricks do they lean. For magic is good, and can not be tainted, they twist untrue forms, with their knowledge acquainted. In darkness does lie a certain great power, but always does light triumphantly tower.''
