Child of Time by Spencer Johnson Page A

respond to an
insult.”
    “ I thought you liked being Merlin in that
era.”
    “ That spot was already taken, so I must make
due.”
    “Don't worry you will understand in time. You might
even learn to ignore the rest of us. They are all rather proud of
you, like a bunch of meddling grandparents. Some even say that you
will become the most powerful one of us all.” Seeing Kiyan’s
bewildered expression Theo shook his head. “You will understand
eventually I promise. Besides I seem to remember you are supposed
to wash behind your ears.” Prometheus disappeared following the
last statement.
    ‘This is ridiculous.” Kiyan mutter to himself. “I
must be losing my mind. I'm just a kid. I'm not an ascended. I'm
not even important.”
    Finally arriving at the lake Kiyan slipped in and
began swimming into deeper water. Closing his eyes he felt the
ripples around him and Ray. Counteracting them hadn't felt this
easy yesterday. Letting one ripple escape he watched it and fed
energy into it as it slid across the placid lake, letting it grow
and shift until it looked like a wave now more than a ripple. He
could feel the contours of the lake as the wave moved in the water.
Feeling a disturbance and then a counteracting force he knew he had
found Jeremy. He stopped bending and let Ray get to the business at
hand.
    After the bath he climbed out of the water and bent
the water away from him effectively drying off himself. The
principle of causing the water to levitate proved slow so he bent
just a little energy into the water. There was a feeling of warmth
before he was dry. Feeling much better after his bath Kiyan
returned home. Feeling even better after smelling breakfast, he
shook off the mornings events and prepared himself for the day.
    After breakfast the trip to the center only took a
few minutes. Kiyan was aware of the presence of several villagers
at the building. Upon entering he saw Kendra, Carlisle, Joshua and
a few other people sitting in the room. Surprise set in as he saw
Draxos and a water elf, or that is what he thought the other person
was that was, sitting beside Draxos.
    Joshua started the ceremony by saying that the
village was fortunate to have so many young gifted people living
among them. That it was the duty of the village to help these young
boys grow into men that would use their gifts wisely. And above
all, that Kiyan, Fred and Jeremy be welcomed into the village for
who they are.
    His words rang in Kiyan's ears even as he sensed the
people in the room look at him with awe and unconscious fear. The
fear was like a sour note in a song. It was an underlying current
in the emotions of most in the room. He had the distinct sensation
that if anything were to happen the undercurrent would flash to the
surface.
    Kiyan felt a pit form in his stomach, a bigger one
than was there already. He didn't want to be feared, or looked at
as something other than what he felt like, he was a twelve year old
boy. Not some special person, in fact he wished that last three
days hadn't happened at all.
    Lost in his thoughts, Kiyan felt the presence of
Prometheus and the Keeper. He watched Prometheus form near him.
They were worried about something. Kiyan watched as his father
reached out a hand at his shoulder with ever slowing movement.
Space around Kiyan began to warp and bend as he felt a rush of
energy flow throughout his body. The words Joshua was speaking
became drawn out and twisted sounding like a garble. Kiyan's head
felt like it would explode and was dizzyingly light at the same
time. Movement stopped and the light shifted into a red color
before it faded and was blackness.
    The energy was burning now, so hot, it was coursing
through his body. Kiyan knew he would burn up if it didn't stop, he
had to get rid of it. Deprived of vision Kiyan’s metal senses
exploded with detail. He felt the joined worlds and the suns frozen
in time, looking farther he saw a tapestry of stars and nebulas
carpeting space. Drawing on the