Returning Home

"Then 18 years ago William Tysonoak, the current high King, overthrew the Aries family at a time of transition. At a time when two families had been brought together in marriage. William Tysonoak apparently whipped out two royal families that day while sneaking mercenaries into the other two castles. The Ravenwoods lost their Queen and the Ewing's lost their Prince." Johnathan said spitefully, "He changed everything that day. He put a new family in charge of his original kingdom and took the place of the Aries family. We have been struggling to find a peace that resembles what we had before ever then." Standing from the table then Johnathan breathed heavily, the animated map fading away.

"How did you show me all of that just now?" she asked, still absorbing all the information he had just given her.

"Oh, my Gift is Illusion. I am able to manipulate what people see. It's not strong though, just enough for small stuff like this, but that is a different lesson for a different teacher." While he had answered her question, he had gathered a small pile of books and dropped them on the table. "Take these for now, if you are cleared to start taking lessons this is where we will start. Take a look through them and we will talk more the next time I see you. You may stay here while you read if you want. It was nice meeting you." He then picked up a book from the counter and left the room. Just as she had decided she would stay and read the door swung open.

"My lady, King Jaymoth is ready to see you." The servant lady said.

"I guess it's time for more answers."

"King Jaymoth?" Alex said gently as she knocked on the door five minutes later. The nice servant girl had led her straight here, to this door at the end of a dark hallway. A hallway that only had one door.

"Come in!" he hollered back. She swung the door open and saw yet another office. This office was larger than the last and had a lot more stuff. Scrolls, telescopes, books, and scales. The place was cultured and disorganized as a high school teachers' desk.

"How are you feeling Alex?" he asked moving things across the room without moving from his chair. Alex supposed she needed to start getting used to things like this, but she couldn't help but stare at the objects and feel like they were about to come crashing to the ground.

"Tired." She replied, sitting in the now empty chair.

"As to be expected. The tests are exhausting for both parties. Are you ready for your results?" He asked with a smile. She nodded eagerly, ready to understand what was going on with her.

"Well I know you heard me say 'Unbound' before and in order for me to be able to explain what that means I need to explain to you what Gifts are." As he said this a scroll came floating to the table, unrolling as it lands on the table. On the scroll was seven sketches, six were circled around an intricate infinity sign.

"This is a basic diagram of the Six Realms of Gifts. Each one has four sub realms and two opposing personality characteristics. Your Gift allows you to tap into all of the six realms putting you here, in the center," He explained, pointing at the infinity sign, "as an Unbound Gifted person. This however does not mean your power is limitless. That is where your training will come in." he paused for a moment while she processed, "Since it is very uncommon for someone to have an Unbound gift I will be training you personally and privately until your father arrives and makes a decision as to what he wants to do with you." Alexandra felt the blood drain from her face, "Personal lessons with a King?" she swallowed, "This can't be real."

"So, what you are telling me is that instead of being in any one Realm of Gifts I'm in all of them?" she asked. He nodded.

"And that means I can use Fire?" she asked pointing to the sketch on the far left. He nods again, "And Wind, Water, Earth, and Spirit too?" another nod. She wondered if he could be wrong, almost preyed that he was. "How long will it take to get control over this?"

"And this one?" She asked, not sure what power it resembled, "I can use this one too?" he nodded.

"It's called Beast, it gives someone certain control over all living and dead creatures, to an extent of course." He explained, "We have to teach you how to control them so that you don't hurt someone who scares you in the hallway." He adds with a small laugh. Alex didn't really see the humor in it though. It wasn't like she wanted to have no control over this Gift. It didn't really feel like a gift either.

"What about the second test?" She asked remembering how Johnathan had talked about it.

"Ah yes well, the second test works by showing your risk level to the royal families and societal constructs by rating you in five areas of the personality. You had a score of twenty-three out of thirty-three, meaning that you are trust worthy with nearly all s.e.n.s.i.t.i.v.e matters and everything else will be decided on based on what you show us in really life. If you continue to show that you can be trusted, then certain highly classified matter may be shared with you. So Johnathan will continue to teach you our ways and history. Any other information will have to wait until after your father gets here. "Alex sagged with relief, or at least some. She was grateful that at least until her father arrived, she had been deemed trustworthy and would be able to learn more.

"Also, I would like to ask you not to go looking around the castle too much. I don't want anyone learning who you are at this moment. Just try to only engage with Johnathan, myself, or your maid."

"What about Nathaniel?" She asked, not wanting to admit that his company made everything more bearable.

"I suppose socializing with him is fine, if he decides to stay that is." The king responds. He waves a hand and another scroll comes floating over. "This is what your schedule will look like." He said, dropping the piece of parchment into her hands. "Oh, and before you go, I got a raven from your father this afternoon. As it turns out he was already on his way here to see me. He should arrive in the next few days." Alex didn't really know what to say to this.

"Oh, um okay." She mumbled as she stood from her chair. "Thank you for your time today sir."

"Not a problem. If you have any questions, please just send me or Johnathan a messenger. They are usually discreet about it." He said quietly. Alex turned and left then. She was overwhelmed. She didn't pay attention as she was led back to her room. She didn't pay attention as Lawna ran her a bath or when the man from yesterday clean her burns again. She couldn't think about anything else. Her father was going to be here sometime in the next seven days. She couldn't lie. She was terrified.