Merlin, Adrienne, and Crystal had all arrived at the Camelot Magical Temple. This would be the day that Merlin, Adrienne, and Arthur would take on their first mission as a true team of three. Crystal had gone ahead inside, leaving Merlin and Adrienne waiting outside for Arthur to arrive. They sat, admiring the sunrise, and watching the young Apprentices filter into the temple for their magical lessons.

"Man, it's crazy, isn't it?" Merlin asked.

"What is?" Adrienne answered.

"How time has flown. It seems like just the other day we were like them. Still complete beginners in the way of magic. I mean, I know we still have a lot to learn but…you know what I mean…"

Adrienne laughed at Merlin's awkwardness. "Yeah, I do."

"A lot has changed since then, hasn't it? You'd barely talk or even look at me. I was pretty convinced you hated for a while there!"

"I never hated you, Merlin! I just…I needed some time to adjust, to get to know you, and get comfortable is all."

"Yeah, I know…but man, look at you now!", he exclaimed. "A full-blown Witch already!"

Adrienne looked at Merlin timidly. "Merlin, you can be honest with me. Are you upset about the promotion?"

"Of course not!", he answered. "I have no right to be upset, that wouldn't be fair to you! But…I won't deny I am a little jealous…But I meant what I said earlier. I really am happy for you".

Adrienne smiled at him, and this time placed her hand on his.

"You'll get there soon, Merlin", she encouraged. "In fact, I think once we finish a few missions on our own, they'll probably promote you to Wizard!"

"Thanks, Adrienne. But I've got no one to blame but myself. I guess maybe I should've listened to Mom all those times when she was telling me to work harder."

"Don't be too hard on yourself", Adrienne said. "She just wants you to be the very best you can be!"

"Well, she does have a point though. I do need to work a bit harder. Maybe you-", Merlin was interrupted by a familiar voice calling out from across the courtyard.

"Hey guys!" the voice said.

Merlin and Adrienne turned to see a young man with near shoulder-length brown hair and a short beard come running up to them. Their friend, the Spellknight Arthur.

"What's up you guys? Any idea what we got going on today?". Arthur asked.

"Actually yeah", Merlin answered. "We're going on our first real mission, just the three of us."

"Wait, what?!", Arthur said, flabbergasted.

"Adrienne was promoted to Witch. She's our team supervisor now", Merlin stated, proudly.

"It's true!", Adrienne cheerfully said.

"Wow! Congratulations Adrienne! It's much deserved!", Arthur exclaimed.

"Thank you!", she said. "But we should probably head inside before we're late!"

The three of them entered the Camelot Temple, ready to accept their first mission alone. They passed through the ornate hallways, seeing seminar rooms full of young Apprentices receiving lecture from their instructors. It reminded Merlin of the beginning of his own journey several years ago. He remembered those times with a sense of nostalgia. Long lectures about magical theory, practical exercises in casting beginner and even intermediate level spells, and finally graduating to the rank of Mage. Merlin couldn't help but smile, proud of his accomplishments thus far, but knowing in the back of his mind that he still had so much further to go, and that he would need to work harder if he was to reach his goals.

"What are you smiling about over there?", Arthur asked.

"Ah, nothing!", Merlin replied.

Arthur laughed, finding it amusing that he seemed to catch Merlin daydreaming. The three of them finally reached their changing and preparation area. Adrienne gave them instructions, her first act as their team leader.

"Alright you two, hurry up and get changed, and let's meet back out here!"

"Yes ma'am", Arthur exclaimed jokingly.

Merlin nodded his head in agreement, and he and Arthur entered the men's area. Merlin quickly got dressed in his dark blue robes, the sleeves of which ran down to his wrists. He threw on his calf-high, brown leather boots, and a brown leather belt to keep the robes tighter, easier to move in. Finally, he put his black cloak, which symbolized his rank as a Mage. He felt a sense of pride wearing this outfit. Knowing that when commonfolk saw it, they were given a sense of hope that there was someone to rely on. That whatever problem they were having would soon be resolved.

He turned and saw Arthur, fully dressed in his white plate armor. A white cloak trailing behind him, a white kite shield in his left hand, and his broadsword sheathed on his left hip.

"You know, I've been meaning to ask," Merlin said, "is all that armor heavy?"

"Nah, it's got an enchantment that makes it basically weightless".

"Oh, well that's convenient…"

"Right?! Makes it much easier to manage stamina!"

"Well, we better not keep Adrienne waiting".

Merlin and Arthur went back into the hallway to find Adrienne waiting for them, wearing an identical outfit to Merlin. The only difference being her new blue cloak to symbolize her rank as a Witch.

"You two ready?", she said.

"Ready as we're gonna be!", Arthur said.

"Yep, let's do this", Merlin added.

The trio entered the mission briefing room, where all the mages go to receive their missions, and report back on them once completed. They approached the desk, and sitting behind it was Crystal Thornheart, Merlin's mother, wrapped in her red cloak, signifying her status as a Master Sorceress, and leader of the Camelot Temple.

"About time you three showed up!", Crystal stated. "Let's see what I've got here for you…"

Crystal flipped through pages of documents, each containing mission details within. With each sheet turned, the trio grew more excited, and more anxious. After what seemed like an eternity, she finally pulled one out from the stack…

"Here we are! I think this one will be appropriate for you three! It looks like there's been some ongoing disturbance in a cave outside the village of Brittany."

"What kind of disturbance?", Adrienne asked.

Crystal replied, "Doesn't say. If I had to guess some wild animals messing with the local farmlands or something like that. Maybe a pack of hogs or some bears. You three can handle that right?"

"Uh yeah, I think we can handle that Ms. C!" Arthur exclaimed.

"We're being sent on pest control?", Merlin inquired. "We've handled more dangerous missions than that before!"

"Yes, but that was back when it was the three of you plus an experienced Wizard", Crystal explained. "Now there are only three of you, and your new Witch has been so for less than a day. And Arthur, how many times have I asked you not to call me 'Ms. C?'"

"We understand, Ms. Crystal!", Adrienne interjected. "We'll get it done!"

"I'm sorry you three", Crystal said. "This is just the way things work. Once you've completed some more missions as a trio, then you can move more into what you were doing before. And then once Merlin and Arthur get promoted, then you can get into the riskier missions. Just remember, what you're doing now may seem small in scale, but its's still very important! This is affecting people. To the point where they're asking us for help."

Crystal's explanation seemed to calm Merlin and Arthur. Though they weren't exactly happy with being sent to deal with a simple wild animal annoyance, they accepted it.

"You make a good point", Merlin said. "I guess we should head out then. Right guys?"

"Let's do it!", Arthur yelled.

"Yes! Let's get started!" Adrienne said, excitedly.

Before they left, Crystal made one final point. "Just make sure you two listen to Adrienne. Especially you, Merlin."

Merlin wasn't happy being called out this way. Perhaps in the past he had tried to take charge and maybe didn't listen to instructions very well. But things usually turned out alright in the end. For the most part…

As they were walking away, Arthur seemed to notice that Merlin's mood had changed. He mumbled to Merlin quietly, "Hey man, don't let her get to you too much! You know why they call her 'Thornheart' right?"

"Huh? Why?", Merlin asked.

"Because she's so prickly!", he joked.

The two started chuckling quietly when Crystal appeared right behind them… "No", she said flatly.

"Oh geez!!" Arthur yelled, jumping a few feet away as he did so.

"They call me 'Thornheart' because it was my father's name, and his father's before him", she explained, unamused. "Now get out of here before I show you just how 'prickly' I can be."

They exited the room quickly and silently, not wanting to draw further ire from the Master Sorceress. Once they were a safe distance away from the briefing room, Arthur spoke up. "I told you she was prickly!"

"You shouldn't purposefully antagonize her, Arthur!" Adrienne said. "She is the master of this temple! If she wanted to she could kick all three of us out!"

"Oh, come on Adrienne! Where's your sense of humor?! You don't need to be so uptight all the time!", Arthur whined.

"I am not 'uptight'! I'm just saying that maybe you shouldn't intentionally make the head woman in charge angry!"

"Yeah yeah!" Arthur said, dismissively waving his hand. "What do you think, Merlin?"

Merlin could feel them both staring at him. Their gazes piercing through him as if trying to compel him to agree with them. He looked over to Arthur, who raised his eyebrows, trying to signal for Merlin to take his side.

"I think it's important to joke around and have fun sometimes", he said, before looking over to Adrienne to find her scowling at him. Her red eyes burning deep into his soul. He then continued, "but I also think it's important to be serious when it's time, and leave the joking around for when it's appropriate…"

Adrienne's expression softened and she wrapped her arm around Merlin's. "Exactly! That's all I'm saying!" she explained.

"Whatever!", Arthur pouted. "You guys are no fun!"

"Anyway", Adrienne said, "we should get down to the supply room and get going!"

The group continued down the halls of the Camelot Temple, passing other mages and spellknights who were undoubtedly heading out for their own missions along the way. Finally, they reached their destination. Adrienne went to speak with the supply clerk, and after a few minutes returned with two slabs, roughly the size of her palms.

"Here's our teleportation tablets", she said. "One to get to Brittany, and one to get back here!"

They all huddled close together as Adrienne threw the Brittany tablet to the ground. It shattered upon impact, releasing magical energy that enveloped the trio, instantly transporting them away from the temple…

To be Continued…