Part 4

Hope you had a great holiday! Here's the last of chapter four.

The four adults were conversing in low tones before the red cloaked women said, "let's discuss this later, we'll have to explain it to the board again anyway."

There was a murmur of agreement and the all turned to face me. The all lowered their hoods simultaneously. I realized who the red woman reminded me of, Mrs. Larson. She had the same kind eyes and well shaped face. But there was something else about her that was more... Wild.

Professor Mason saw me looking "allow me to introduce my fellow keepers to you," he said smiling broadly. "This is Drew Larson our wind keeper," he gestured to Drew.

I nodded and she smiled.  

"Rebecca Larson in the red," I realized then that Mrs. Larson, Drew and the women in red were very likely all related, although Drew didn't look at all like the two other women. "And that is my colleague Boyie Gamiette."

He smiled and took my hand in both of his, "so good to know that there will be another water talent."

Now I could see him better I saw he had long dreadlocks that reached past his shoulders. We all exited the room to enter the one where the ten other students had been waiting. We could see that they were making use of their newfound talents. Winds were flying papers around wile small fires caught them in mid air and reduced them to ash. Rocks that came from nowhere were being flung in every direction. Professor Mason viewed this scene with disapproval, his partner with amusement. He cleared his throat loudly and all activity ceased. A wind from Drew blew the rest of the mess into a garbage can.

"Well done all of you," said professor Mason "we are happy that each one of you found your powers, now Mss. Larson is going to explain something to you all."

Rebecca Larson stepped forward.

"The conflict between Feren and Thaea was started centuries ago but that battle is still being fought today."

As she spoke I noticed that she too had a slight English accent, but her voice wasn't nearly as soft as Mrs. Larson's.

"We let you choose if you would come to this academy or not, but we sought you out for your own protection. Feren would like very much to posses you. I'm sure you've been told about the power of the Heaven's Gem. Not only does it bestow power, but it also enhances everything you are. Because none of you have come in contact with the gem, the particular emotion you were feeling did not posses you. But it is a tricky thing to deal with. Your emotions can be played with much easier then normal people. And playing with them is Feren's greatest strong suite.

"Don't let yourselves be subject to his whims. Stay strong, stay on the right side."

The room was silent. It would have been a perfect time for Wayne to say something like 'well that was cheerful' but it was much too serious.

"Please return to your common rooms where you may gather your things and take them to your new living areas."

I pushed against the crowd to find Carly. She looked to be her old self now and was smiling brightly. She didn't say anything but put out her palm up to show flames leaping on top of it. By way of response I dowsed her fire with my water.

She looked shocked,

"You?" I nodded "you're the only one!"

My heart sank, the only one to be in the water division now? We walked back to the yellow dorms together.

After grabbing my bag, which I hadn’t bothered unpacking anyway, I stood in the ugly common room.

"I'm gunna miss this place," I said wistfully.

"Does anyone know why they made it so hideous in the first place?" Asked Wayne coming out of the boy’s room and demonstrating his newfound power of earth by throwing pebbles at the wall.

"No one knows for sure," said Pat her own bag slung over her shoulder.

Now that the yellow division had dissolved, she could return to the wind division.

"They say it was built the longest ago and there was a mistaken order and no one bothered to change it. We think it's good luck to keep it this way."

She fairly pushed past me on her way out.

I shrugged, "good enough for me I guess."