Power Awakens
Chapter 11

Eventually the two Latents stood up, stretched their backs, and made their way across to the waiting pen. As they did so the Archduke and his Master Majee Fraykus moved from the Noble stalls to join them. Ignoring the boys the Archduke spoke to the tallest of the Latents. “Willem, why has my daughter been sent to the Waiting Pen?”

“My apologies my Lord, unfortunately neither I nor Gundor could determine the best path, we both spent over ten minutes each with her. It appears that once again in Bowltown the impossible has happened. We were hoping that Fraykus would be able to help?” Replied Willem.

“And these other four boys”, asked the Archduke

“We could not replace their allocated talent in the first two minutes, my Lord, we will test them again now at your command” replied Willem.

“Yes, yes” answered the Archduke, “get on with it, Fraykus, if you would do me the honour of retesting my daughter”.

“My Lord,” smiled Fraykus, “It will be my pleasure, Duchess Taegan, if you please.”

Taegan gracefully stood and almost glided to her Father’s side. Fraykus gently placed his hand on her head and focused, closing his eyes. He almost immediately looked up and spoke to his friend.

“My Lord, we have both good news and bad news, I can see why Willem would have had a difficult choice, even though the previous readings clearly showed Taegan would be ideal as the next Archduke, I have looked much deeper than either Willem or Gundor could. Unfortunately, there is very little to choose from between the two talents. It appears, my Lord, that Taegan would make an excellent ruler, but not of a region the size of Bowltown, she would, it seems, be better at Ruling the Kingdom of Bruk, as she has the Talent of a Queen”, silence and surprise greeted Fraykus’s exclamation.

“Not only this Lord, but the masking talent, which was difficult to see as they are fairly equally matched, is the talent for Majee, Taegan it seems, would make a very powerful Sorceress. She needs to be trained in both my Lord, and this means she will have to Travel to Mank or possibly Breem. I am sorry my Lord, this is very clear to those who have the talent to see, it is not one of the probabilities, Taegan is destined to rule and be a very powerful Majee as well.”

The Archduke bowed his head, to those nearby including Taegan, it was clear he had tears in his eyes, however, when he looked up they were filled with steel, as was expected of a ruler of domain as large as Bowltown, he would stand by the traditions of the land and the word of a Majee.

“So be it” replied the Archduke, laying a comforting hand on Taegan’s shoulder, “We will begin immediate preparations, what must be done must be done. Now what about these four boys, will you help with these too Fraykus?”

“Of course my Lord” bowed Fraykus “Over here boys, who will go first?”

Tem pushed Mort to the front of the group whilst Jaac edged back, a little apprehensive of the whole proceedings so far. “What’s you name boy?” asked Fraykus.

“m..m..Mort” stammered Mort. Fraykus put his warm hand carefully on Mort’s head, after a few minutes he spoke once again to the Archduke.

“It seems you have some luck today my Lord, the reason William couldn’t determine this ones talent is due to the sheer latent ability this boy has. He could be the best mind in the Kingdom of Bruk if developed. I suggest that you train this one well in all aspects of the Kingdom that is if the King doesn’t claim him first. It appears that he has the taint of a Nexii about him; you know the rules about reporting them. It may develop or it may lessen over time. In the mean time I suggest you take him into your household staff and I’ll let the Master Majee Nuthay at Mank know what’s happened here. Can things get any more interesting?”

“Boy, you are next, lets see what’s the issue here?” Ainy stepped forward and Fraykus placed his hand on his head. “Unbelievable” he muttered, “another one”, Fraykus looked up and spoke again to the Archduke. “My Lord, this one also has enormous talent, he could run the logistics of the whole Kingdom if properly trained, and he would also be a formidable Warrior, Sword if I’m not mistaken. He is also Nexii tainted, though a little stronger than the big lad Mort. Am I to continue my Lord?” Fraykus was speaking fast shocked by his discoveries so far, the excitement at being able to tell such news was making his face flushed.

“Yes, Fraykus, it seems that today is just full of surprises, what else can possibly happen?” replied the Archduke shaking his head in disbelief a small smile playing on his face but he still had his arm protectively around his daughter.

“Next” said Fraykus as Jaac shoved Tem forward. Fraykus placed his hand on Tem’s head. After a few moments Fraykus spoke again. “Quite amazing Lord, this one has an even greater balance of talents, he would certainly be a formidable Sorcerer, particularly in the defensive mode, but the latency for his Martial Talents are off the scale, I have never met the like, trained only half well, he would probably be the best Warrior in the Kingdom. He is also Nexii tainted, but again much stronger than the first or second boy.”

“Come here” Fraykus asked Jaac as the only one yet to have been re-tested “Lets see what surprises you have?” Fraykus placed his hand on Jaac’s head, at first nothing happened, then suddenly Fraykus threw his hand backwards and a small crackle and bright light seemed to momentarily strike his hand from Jaac’s head. Everyone was stunned to silence.

“By the stars what happened then? Are you ok Fraykus?” asked the Archduke, looking at the stunned face of his Majee.

At first Fraykus didn’t respond keeping his head slightly bowed and holding his hand, then slowly he lifted his eyes to focus on his Lord and friend. “I couldn’t determine the extent of his talent my Lord, already his ability at Majee surpasses mine and he hasn’t been trained to use it yet. He will also master the Martial forms, other Talents I couldn’t see before his latent Majee expelled me from his mind. This I can say, this boy is extremely important.” Fraykus drew a deep breath before continuing, “He is definitely a Nexii, and we have just opened the way for a Nexii convergence to occur. It is here and it is now, as to what will happen from this point I cannot determine. This boy needs to be trained by Master Majee Nuthay who fortunately is currently residing in Mank. He is on a secondment from Breem to train the Northern Majees. My Liege the probability of all of these rare talents to be found together is a miracle. You need to send them off to Nuthay and inform the King.” Fraykus looked about to faint as he realised the enormity of what had just transpired. “My Lord, the pure talent of the group of youngsters is enough to destroy worlds. We are charged by law with protecting their future.” Looking fatigued but somewhat scared Fraykus continued, “This has been an incredible day my Lord, I feel quite drained and if you command, I would like to retire.”

“Of course” answered the Archduke with a deep frown, “I will speak later on how we tackle this information. Meanwhile can you send word to Celia the housekeeper, I know she has enough to do with the party today but she will have to make up some extra rooms for these boys at my keep, it seems I should not let them out of my sight until matters are better understood.”