Chapter 9
With the classes done for the day, the group went to the Keeper's room with their lunches to eat and so Lauren could do some training with Evandalyn. Once in a state of meditation, Lauren met Evandalyn in her mind library. "Okay, my dear. Let's learn to use our powers to quickly read through a book in your mind library. I do have an up on you in this area. All I had to do was smell my flowers and I had my power and of course, since I am a goddess, I already had the feel for identifying and using powers."
"I can see that," Lauren replied.
"Sense reading is the skill you need to absorb the words that describe your power and tell you how to manifest it. Complete a rapid read or speed read through the book on teleportation. Once you are done reading say "Reading is a gift. Thank you for the gift." The knowledge of the book will become yours and practice will make it so you will be able to use the power correctly. Now, which power do you want to master first?
"Discernment." Lauren proclaimed. "I believe a clear understanding of discernment will help me to understand or know something through the power of the Spirit. It will help me perceive the true character of people and the source of their manifestations. It would also help me with gaining the ability to be around different powers quicker."
"Very good choice. Okay. You were born with a finely tuned sense of natural knowing, or instinctual awareness. Your instincts serve you well. However, your natural knowing, what we call discernment, soon bumps up against your experiences of living in the world. One example would be, when you were an infant, feeling hungry at an inconvenient time for your caregiver to feed you. Under such circumstances, it wouldn't take long to begin discounting your discernment and creating stories to explain, justify or rationalize this discontinuity. All discernment is following your first instinct and not questioning it. You are then using your higher self. Your higher self is unchanging, unceasing, immortal, and drenched in unconditional love. It is your essence, who you really are."
This all made sense to Lauren. Her dad always told her to stick with her first thought. That her instinct was good and not to question them or bad things might happen. "Now for the actual power. I want you to look at one of your classmates and say "Clarity". When you do, you will be able to see their true character, tell if they are telling a lie, and read their mood. Don't say it loudly or people will begin wondering. Be discreet."
Lauren drew Edmon into her mind library's foyer and said "Clarity. He glowed and then Lauren began seeing his life story from beginning to present. Edmon, being born deep in a dark green forest, high atop a canopy of trees. Edmon as a child, playing with his siblings. Edmon, being pulled inside, while his siblings played, to do work or complete a lesson to prepare him to be king. Edmon, running away at night to the human world and seeing Lauren's birth. He had to be a young adult then. Edmon, breaking his commitment to become king so that he could be Lauren's guardian. Edmon, fighting with his father and mother because of his decision. The anger, sorrow, and disappointment were heavy in the vision. Edmon watched Lauren her entire childhood. He would even move things out of her way when it looked like she would trip or fall because of them. He tried to soothe her when she had heartaches and defend her when she ridiculed herself. He laughed at her silly jokes when no one else did. "I wish I had known he was there." Lauren thought. She saw his honor, respect, and kindness. His character was one of dignified strength. She released him from her mind library and woke up out of her meditative state.
She opened her eyes to see Edmon laying on his side, panting. "What happened? What's wrong?"
"You pulled him into your mind," Evandalyn answered. "He is strong. He will survive."
"But you told me…" Lauren began.
"I told you to look at them, not draw them in." Evandalyn stated. "It's alright. He is fine."
"Yes. Lady Lauren. I am fine now." Edmon said between deep breaths. "There was just so much power in there, the pressure was incredible! I am honored to be your first to use a power on. It was a good choice. Not many others would have survived."
"I am still sorry I hurt you," Lauren said. She walked over to him and gave him a tight hug. He embraced her back and then laid back so he could rest and regain all of his strength.
"Would you like to try that again, only not pulling the person in this time? Just looking at them."
Evandalyn asked. Lauren started to get in the position she found most comfortable to meditate and Evandalyn stopped her. "You can do it while not meditating as well. Just look at the person and use your power word in your mind. Don't say it aloud."
Lauren looked around the room. Demeatral, Shirley, MaGayla were there, and she could feel Gerald and Cartrell outside the spire. She settled her eyes on Demeatral and thought "Clarity". Demeatral's life show began. Álfheim, the home of the elves was spectacular. Vast enchanted forests and natural champagne springs and more gardens than there are stars. Everything sparkled and twinkled. The color of everything was so rich. She saw Demeatral being born atop the world tree. Since she was an air elf, she would fly everywhere getting into trouble. Her parents had their hands full trying to keep up with her. Girls weren't allowed to train in weapons and combat when she was young, but her father taught her at home. She was shown every weapon known to the world and had mastered them all before she gained the age of independence. She could also out-fight most. Her mother helped her with her education, teaching her to read and calculate. Through her reading, Demeatral learned politics and negotiation skills. She learned a new language every year, and she learned the art of medicine. Lauren saw Demeatral celebrate her 100th birthday.
Then, it happened. That fateful day, Demeatral fell into a deep sleep in the castle gardens. No one knew what had happened to her. Her spirit had separated from her body and was floating free. Elfin doctors and magicians were brought in trying to figure out why their princess had fallen into such a deep sleep.
Lauren saw herself at ten working on her writing assignment for 5th grade. She wasn't sure what to write about. The teacher said it had to be a poem and it had to use our imagination. We discussed several fantasy creatures and mythical beasts that we could write about. She remembered choosing an elfin princess that was sexy and tall. The princess would be able to capture the hearts of all men and bend them to her will. She would be kind and comforting, protective and vigilant. She would be a warrior among the elves. She would gather her strength from nature and be able to talk to anyone or anything in its native tongue. Lauren pictured the elf as sensual, but conservative, gorgeous, but not arrogant, and trustworthy. As she wrote her poem, Demeatral was pulled out of her body and into Lauren's presence.
Demeatral sat across from Lauren unable to talk to her or be seen by her. She tried for the entire weekend to get Lauren's attention so she could put her back in her body. Nothing seemed to work. Demeatral decided to just accept her fate and see what the situation was going to bring. The next Monday, the class shared their poem with their class. When it was Lauren's turn, she turned bashful but began to read her poem.
Lend me your ears for a moment or two,
and I'll sing you a song of a love that is true,
a magical maiden, Demetra by name;
the purest of hearts, the brightest of fame.
Finely arrayed in a soft silken gown,
her beauty alone could win her renown;
fine golden hair shining bright in the sun,
like the sands of the sea are the hearts she has won.
Proud Elven princess, beautiful and strong,
your musical voice is my siren song;
Come stand beside me and give me your hand,
my heart skips a beat as together we stand.
Never before had I seen such a face,
or a warrior with such an agile grace;
majestic and strong, her bow armed,
yet I sensed something more beneath all the charm.
Be not deceived by enchanting blue eyes,
to gaze in them once is to be mesmerized;
to take her too lightly could be your demise,
a warrior hides beneath an angelic guise.
Warrior-Maiden, noble and brave,
fearsome in battle with a bow or the blade.
More than a match for the average man,
her skill with a sword is unmatched in this land.
Warrior-Maiden, beautiful and brave,
its justice you seek, adventure you crave.
Come fight beside me, bright sword in your hand
We'll ride together in this fantastical land
When Lauren finished reading the poem Demeatral flew back into her body and from then on had a green glowing tether connecting her to Lauren. She also was super strong, and agile, and had all the other attributes Lauren had written down while she was preparing to write her poem.
Lauren sat up abruptly and looked at Demeatral. "Yes, Lauren." Demeatral began. "If it wasn't for you, I would not be here as I am now. We are tied to each other. I don't know exactly what you did and none of the doctors or magicians can figure it out either, but your power gives me life and a few wonderful new powers." Lauren gave Demeatral a hug.
"This is why I knew you were the one to become keeper," Evandalyn said. "You have the power within you and use it even when you don't know that you are. It is innate. We have to groom it and make it yours. If we wouldn't have gotten to you, someone else would have come after you. Your powers ooze from your pores and just affect everything."
"Well," Lauren replied, "I am here now."
"Yes, you are." Evandalyn stated. "And tomorrow is the great unicorn race that will decide the ranking of the great steeds. It is a tradition that I truly love. Let's get some rest and prepare for the spectacle.