Ceenta and Jon were gathered on the veranda enjoying breakfast when they were joined by Daniel, Will, Starr and Allaoua. Saduri served them a full English breakfast. A short time later, Tiberius joined them. A full plate was set in front of the once bedraggled man, who now wore a stunningly beautiful silk robe. He was clean shaven and his hair was pulled back into an elegant ponytail.

"Good morning, gentlemen," Tiberius said as he looked around the table. "Thank you, Sarduri for tending to my needs in a most luxurious manner. I am forever in your debt." Sarduri grinning and nodded as he poured Tiberius a fresh, steaming cup of English Breakfast tea. He took a sip and savored the flavorful liquid as it warmed his throat.

"You're certainly looking well this morning, Tiberius," Starr commented.

"Thank you, young master."

"No need to call me master. Those days are well into our past." Tiberius nodded.

"Harry, where is Draco?" Allaoua asked, then coughed. "I apologize. Dan, where is Tom today?"

"I'm going to call him this morning. He had to spend some time on the set yesterday."

"Can I see you guys on the movie set? I would love to see you as Harry," Allaoua asked excitedly.

"We could probably do that, provided certain security measures are taken. There are still men out there looking for you." Allaoua gulped.

"Oh, yeah, right."

"Your speech has relaxed since you have arrived," Jon commented.

"Pardon?"

"The way you speak is a lot less formal."

"Father has always insisted on speaking properly and constantly reminds me. He says that a young man of my station should speak properly and always be poised with an air of importance. He says as long as I do that, people will respect me."

"Takes a lot more than appearance to command respect," Will commented.

"I'm fourteen. I've just recently found the joy of playing with myself. Gimme a break!" Everyone at the table burst out laughing. "It's not funny!" Allaoua screamed as he stood up. The table quieted quickly. "I get kidnapped by some horrible men. I find out I'm a wizard. I find out vampires really do exist. There are still bad people out to get me and I can't go home. Then, to top it all off, I see Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy with their tongues shoved down each other's throats! That makes for rather hot thoughts during private time," Allaoua smirked. That brought another round of laughter.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

As the full English breakfast was enjoyed by all, Malin paced, all alone in his dilapidated mansion. The anger coursed through his body strongly enough to make his eyes glow red. Plans to eliminate that bastard of a vampire and his ilk slowly formulated in Malin's mind. He may be old, stubborn and consumed with an evil rage, but one thing Malin was not, was stupid. Going one on one with a three hundred year old vampire would be stupid, suicidal even. Taking him on indirectly would be smart. Depending on other people, especially terrorist, would be stupid. Besides, they were busy trying to kidnap OPEC oil ministers' sons and so far, that had been a complete bust. Just thinking about it caused another chair to explode into charred pieces within Malin's private chambers. He grinned at the destruction but frowned when he realized he had nowhere to sit.

Thinking about that dratted vampire, if facing him was out of the question, then he'd have to take another approach. What would permanently take him out of the picture? What is that vampire's biggest weakness? A stake through the heart would work, but that required being up close and personal for that kind of attack. Or did it? Malin paced some more. This train of thought was getting him nowhere. He turned to the smoldering fireplace and pointed his finger. A quick 'ignis' and the fire roared to life.

At the same time, the television in the corner of the room crackled and flashed then the screen came to life.

"Malin, old friend," said Governor Downing.

"What could a fat assed low life bastard like you possibly want with me?"

"It's good to see you too. I believe with both share a common, ah, difficulty."

"And what could we possibly share?" Malin sneered.

"A vampire problem." That got Malin's attention.

"Okay, you have my attention." The governor smiled, paused and shoved an entire donut into his mouth. "But, governor, my attention does not extend to watching you inhale your already obscene body weight in nauseating sugar laden pastries."

"Mum 'orr," Governor Downing spoke as he attempted to swallow his donut. "Look, Malin." Burp. "We both know he has to be stopped at all costs and we have a plan."

"Do not attempt to placate me. What is your plan?"

"Ah, we governors have been discussing this and we have decided to hit him where it hurts. His purse. We intend to levy extensive taxes on his estate."

"And that gets rid of him how?" Malin questioned with ever an increasing volume.

"It would drive him out of his home. With nowhere to go, he would leave."

"That makes as much sense as your current culinary pursuits. You actually believe that Ceenta would just … leave?"

"May I remind you that you have not paid your taxes either."

"And may I remind you, governor, that your very existence, not to mention your position, is all due to my benevolence. You know what, go ahead with your plan. If nothing else, it will be a distraction to our dear heir of the inheritance. In the meantime, I shall activate my very own plans to sweep in and take his very life!" Malin billowed as he pointed his finger at the television and watched it explode. "Fucking idiot," he mumbled. He walked over to his desk and poured a generous amount of amber liquid in a glass and sat down. He swallowed it in one go and refilled the glass. Clear eyes turned dull until finally, after his fifth full glass, Malin's head hit his desk as he succumbed to his drunken stupor.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

As Saduri cleared the table from breakfast, everyone seemed to go their own way except Ceenta and Jon.

"I feel as if there are dark clouds gathering on the horizon," Ceenta said ominously.

"You are feeling something I am not. All seems well in our world right now. Tom still loves Dan. Allaoua is safe from the kidnappers. Tiberius seems genuine in his loathing for Malin, despite his years of devotion."

"Yes, yes, but reach out with your senses. A dark storm is gathering strength. I can literally taste the evil in the air."

"This wouldn't happen to have anything with the appearance of Merlin would it?"

"At first, I thought his appearance had to do with Dan via Tom. Now, I'm not so sure. Malin has tried and failed on several occasions and who has it been that thwarted his every attempt?"

"We have. It seems quite the coincidence that his companion of decades suddenly decided to show up."

"I sense no ill will from Tiberius. He seems genuine in his telling of the evil growing in Malin and perhaps his arrival has heightened my senses to that every evil. It may very well be Malin that is the gathering storm," Ceenta said as he gazed out over the vast forest of his estate. "I think we should all be on storm watch for the time being. Something is coming and I fear it will be bad, very bad."

"Begging the masters' pardon, but an urgent message just arrived from the ministry," Saduri announced as he passed a letter to Ceenta. After opening the letter and reading its contents, Ceenta looked up with a grin.

"Saduri please respond to Governor Downing with two dozen glazed donuts, his personal favorite, but before you do, I'd like you to do something for me. Use your culinary skills to dose the donuts to have a little side effect, delayed reaction of course. Add in the desire to eat vegetables." Jon burst out laughing.

"As you wish, sir," Saduri said with a grin as he bowed and left.

"What did that donut arse want?" asked Jon, suddenly curious what prompted such a response.

"It's a tax bill for the estate that comes in at an obscenely over proportioned amount. I have already paid the taxes for this year and the next. This is just another way the governors are trying to bring me displeasure," Ceenta said shaking his head. "I just felt it was appropriate to respond in a much healthier way."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Daniel and Allaoua watched as Tom finished up his scene on the movie set. Allaoua was beside himself as he took it all in.

"Draco sure looks pissed," Allaoua whispered.

"Cut!" the director called out. Tom relaxed and smiled at his costar. Allaoua dropped his jaw at Tom's change in demeanor.

"He was really pissed a moment ago. I don't understand."

"It's called acting, Allaoua. Remember, you're on a movie set." The fourteen year old boy slowly nodded his head as he watched Tom walk over to where they were sitting.

"Hey, Allaoua. How do you like being on a movie set?" Tom asked with a smile.

"I don't understand how you can be so pissed one minute and smile the next."

"I told you, it's called acting," Daniel explained. Allaoua frowned. Tom grinned then changed his expression to angry and got up close to the frowning boy.

"Listen, you little Gryffindor. I'm going to make you eat slugs," Tom growled then immediately grinned. "See, it's just acting." Allaoua grinned back.

"Hey Tom, what's your friend doing after lunch? We need an extra for a scene we're shooting and your friend would work out perfectly," inquired the assistant director. Tom looked at Allaoua.

"Want to be in the movies?" Allaoua grinned and nodded his head vigorously.

"Perfect," said the assistant director. "Come with me and we'll get you signed up so you can get paid then we'll head over to wardrobe." Allaoua followed the assistant director like a very happy puppy.

"Hey, missed you last night," Tom said. Daniel smiled back.

"It was an interesting evening at Ceenta's house."

"Before I forget, we're both wanted on the green screen set first thing tomorrow morning to film some broom flying sequences."

"That sounds like fun," Daniel deadpanned. "The last time we did that my arse was sore for days."

"Let's stay at your house tonight and I'll show you a sore arse," Tom said as he winked.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Allaoua's heart was pounding as he nervously took his place on the movie set. This was something completely out of his element and he was nervous, but excited. He was going to be in a Harry Potter movie and seen by millions and millions of people. All he had to do was walk and pretend to be talking to another boy his age. They would be in the background as Harry and Hermonie walked by on their way to Honeydukes in Diagon Alley. The set alone looked so real, Allaoua was mesmerized. Afterall, he was a real wizard and he desperately wanted to go Hogwarts to learn everything young wizards were supposed to know like spells, charms, potions and real honest to goodness magic.

"Quiet!" called out the assistant director. "Ready on the set!"

"And action!" called out the director. Allaoua started walking with his fellow actor.

"Is this your first movie?" the boy asked Allaoua.

"Yes, this is so cool. There's Harry and Hermonie."

"Just keep walking and don't look at them."

"Kinda hard to do. Harry's my friend."

"You're shitting me."

"No really, he is. I'll introduce you, but I don't even know your name."

"I'm Jarvis."

"Nice to meet you, Jarvis. I'm Allaoua."

"Cut! Perfect folks!" called out the director.

"Come on. I'll introduce you to Harry," Allaoua said grabbing Jarvis by the hand and heading toward Daniel. They weaved and bobbled through the throngs of people and finally ended up beside Daniel.

"Hey Allaoua. How do you like the movie business?" Daniel asked giving the OPEC son a quick hug.

"This is great! I want you to meet my new friend, Jarvis."

"Hey Jarvis. Nice to meet you," Daniel said extending his hand for a shake. Jarvis was star struck and couldn't move until Allaoua elbowed him. Jarvis then shook hands with Daniel.

"I'm a h-huge fan," Jarvis sputtered.

"Thank you, Jarvis. I assure you I'm just like anybody else. I put my pants on one leg at a time," Daniel grinned.

"Okay, everyone. We're going to shoot this scene again," called out the assistant director. "Places everyone!" Allaoua tore off for his place on the set with Jarvis at his heels. Daniel smiled as he watched the young boys run off, then suddenly realized he need to take his place aw well.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Malin paced back and forth in the sitting room of his estate. His mind was racing with all kinds of plans to rid himself of that poor excuse of a vampire. Ceenta and his boy toy had interrupted too many of his plans and besides that, they had stolen his son. Unacceptable! Nobody deprived him of torturing his own flesh and blood. He remembered watching his man slash the bullwhip across his son's back. The screams had been deliriously satisfying. The blood was just a bonus. He poured another glass of amber colored alcohol in his glass and swallowed it in one go. The familiar burn as it made its way down his throat brought a smile to his haggard face. Malin turned and surveyed the room. He'd have to talk with his staff about their lack of meticulous cleaning. The room was filled with dust, cobwebs and debris. Perhaps a well-placed torture spell was in order. He did so love to see people writhe in agony at his feet. Nothing made him feel more powerful than to inflict pain and suffering. The more they screamed, the better. The more blood spilt, the better. And if they died in the process, well, so be it. Grinding salt into his son's tortured and bleeding back was almost as satisfying as grinding into the smooth flesh of those young imps he had chained to his bed chamber wall. Destroying their innocence was so delightful, especially when they screamed for him to stop. There was no better way to exercise his power and to satisfy his carnal lust at the same time.

Malin poured another glass and knocked it back while he continued to survey his sitting room. Finally, his eyes landed on his weapons locker. Perhaps some ideas would present themselves from that locker. Opening the door, he gazed through bloodshot eyes at the weapons at his disposal. Swords of all types hung in sequential rows of length and sharpness. Knives were arranged in a similar fashion. Spiked clubs, battle axes, a pike or two, throwing stars, shears, whips, chains and more were all on display for the master of the house. His eyes finally fell upon a crossbow and a multitude of razor sharp metal tipped arrows in a quiver.

"Perfect. A stake through the heart doesn't necessarily have to be up close and personal after all. It can be done from afar. Now I just need to figure a way to get on to his estate without being detected. I'll put an arrow through that bastard's heart and put an end to him permanently." Malin pulled the crossbow and quiver of arrows out of the locker. His gnarled hands lovingly caressed the smooth deadly wood. He pulled the string back on the crossbow and set it. Then he loaded an arrow. Malin turned to the opposite corner of the room, aimed and pulled the release. The deadly arrow streaked across the room and found its mark on a painting on the wall. It was a painting of his son. As Malin looked closely, he saw the arrow buried in his picture son's heart. The old man grinned.

"Now that's what I'm talking about."


On to Chapter Eighteen
"Merlin"
Back to Chapter Sixteen
"Storn Watch"
Chapter Index

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