"Who is this Empress everyone talks about?" asked Janeway once she got comfortable. Carmione squirmed uncomfortably. "We don't talk much, it's easier and much more private if we do this" she said.
You see, I like this much better said Carmione
Janeway bit her lip, she didn't think she had telepathic abilities. But who knew, she gave it a shot.
Like this? She asked
Carmione's voice showed happiness as she "spoke" Exactly!
You are a natural!
Can she cast? Asked another voice
I guess not said Janeway, she was getting the hang of this
We'll teach you, if you want us to said another voice
Freya's going to teach her anyway said Carmione
It never hurts said the same voice before
Oh all right Jaeta said Carmione
**
In another room, Chakotay, Tom and Tuvok stayed together. At the wall of the room, were a bunch of chairs and boys sat in almost every one. Chakotay nodded towards the boys. They walked to them and found two empty seats. One boy sat in his chair backwards and propped his head on his hands.
So, what's the Emissary like? He asked telepathically.
Chakotay jerked back surprised. No doubt Tuvok had no trouble or surprise with this. After all, his people had spent centuries on unlocking the secrets of the mind.
The Emissary is a strong woman he said.
Chakotay gave a shot at it, She's stubborn too he added
Tom jabbed him with his elbow. Hearing his friends "talk", he didn't want to be left out.
IS
THIS HOW YOU DO IT?
He shouted in his mind. Nearly all the boys fell off their chairs.
You needn't shout so loud said a boy's voice.
Sorry, said Tom meekly.
What are your talents? Asked another boy
I'm a healer said Tom
A few boys snickered at this, Hey! Don't laugh at me
or I'll. . .I'll turn you into frogs!
Bibbity boo. Skimp-smack Abra-cadabra! Said Tom
This time the boys fell off their chairs because they were laughing so hard.
You have no idea how to cast, do you? Asked the boy
Tom turned red at this remark, No
I am a seer said Tuvok returning to the subject
Seer huh? Tell us, will Perrin get a girlfriend by the end of the Awakening? Asked the boy
All the boys snickered at this. The one called Perrin "spoke" furiously.
Well it's not like you have one Lores! He said
Tom and Chakotay smiled at this
I do not see anything yet, it would be most unwise to ask me anything before I receive any training said Tuvok
You're too serious said Lores
Hey! I got an idea, let's teach them all the fun spells. When the Emissary comes, she'll get a kick out of them! Said another boy
All right, the first spell is called bloodworms said Perrin
Ooh, that's a good one! Said Lores
Tom, Tuvok, and Chakotay looked at each other.
**
Later on, the away team were called to a great banquet. Freya stood at the head of a very long and large table. She cleared her throat and spoke:
But among us, there is a great one"
Freya paused for effect.
There was an uproar of clapping and hurrahs. Soon, the clamor died down, and Freya spoke again.
"She will deliver us from the Empress."
"And when she does, we will be free"
"And now, a toast to our savior!"
Everyone raised their goblets and clinked them together. Then, the eating began.
**
Food was heaped onto their plates as waiters walked around serving. Janeway didn't know what any of it was and took only something that resembled pancakes. Carmione was sitting next to her and frowned at her plate. "You need to eat more." She said. A waiter passed by and Carmione stopped him. She forked somethings and put them on Janeway's plate. "That's Kaja, it tastes good. Go on, eat it" urged Carmione. Janeway slowly lifted the fork to her mouth and chewed. It did taste good. She ate more and even put some other things on her plate. "Good! You're eating" said Carmione. Soon, the plates were cleared and Freya assembled several mages and a few boys and girls to the center of the table where it was empty.
**
"Now for some entertainment!" said Freya. Carmione pointed to a girl with red hair, "That's Jaeta" she said. She moved onto another girl, "That's Becca" she said. Then she moved onto the boys, "That's Perrin and Lores" she said. "What are they going to do?" asked Janeway.
"Well, the senior mages will start with some plain things, then they'll move onto the kids, the girls will battle the boys. The winner doesn't get
dumped by slime" explained Carmione.
Janeway leaned in to watch.
**
The older mages cast a few rainbows and gave the show to the kids. Jaeta and Becca assumed a battle pose while Lores and Perrin stood
around lazily. "Begin!" shouted Freya. Perrin sprang into action and sent a funnel of water towards Becca. Becca's hands flew up and the water sprayed off an unseen shield. Jaeta fired bolts of lightning at Lores and he ended up jumping around everywhere trying not to be hit. The audience laughed at this, when the bolts were gone, he fired a torent of fire at the girls. Thinking quick, Becca and Jaeta held hands and let out a typhoon of water at the torrent of fire. Fire met water and there was steam pouring out. But soon, the water pushed fire back and the water drenched the boys. "Darn!" shouted Perrin. The girls twitched their fingers and slime poured onto the boys. Then they shook hands. After that, the feasting hall emptied.
**
Kathryn was brought to the training hall with Chakotay. Freya gave Janeway a small diamond shaped garnet. "What's this for?" she asked. "It's a gem. Mages use it to amplify their powers. The flame stone should work well with you" said Freya. "Now to use your powers, you have to tap into your inner self. Your very soul" she said. Kathryn closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Chakotay's eyes widened as he saw gold and red sparkles surrounding his captain. Freya clapped her hands, "Good" she said. Janeway opened her eyes. "Let's try some simple spells" said Freya. "This is a relaxation spell" she said and demonstrated.
**
After an hour or so, Janeway had learned several simple spells. Chakotay had watched interested as Janeway put cats to sleep and healed birds. "Now, it is your turn" said Freya to Chakotay. "Me?" he asked. "Yes. Paladins are extremely talented and need vigorous training" said Freya. Chakotay groaned inwardly, Janeway took his seat as he stood and watched. Freya called a sword and it came zooming to her hand. It was a simple one, with a grayish blade and plain hilt. She gave it to Chakotay and he hefted it in his hands. "Paladins are quite different from mages. Your power comes from light and your sword. So you must never lose it" said Freya. "This is a simple sword that is compatible with all people. You'll get a specialized one very soon. Now, tap into the sword's light force" she said. Chakotay held it in front of him and concentrated hard. The sword started to glow with a soft light and it started to get brighter. "Stop!" said Freya as the light almost blinded the people there. She took the sword from Chakotay. "You have a great power source. You'll need armor to keep it at an even flow" she said. She conjured some armor and fitted it on Chakotay. "Do it again" she said. Chakotay did and the armor glowed softly with the sword. "Arc the sword" said Freya. Chakotay swung the sword in a great arc and a rainbow shined. "Not many paladins can do that" murmured Freya. The rainbow glimmered and shined as Chakotay brought his sword down. And it faded away with sparkles. She continued with some swordsman moves and a few spells. Then the training session ended.
**
Janeway and Chakotay were escorted out by Carmione when they met up with Tuvok and Tom. "How did your session go?" asked Chakotay. "Oh naturally, Tuvok told us the future and I fumbled" said Tom in a very sarcastic voice. "Mr. Paris, must I remind you that I did not foretell the future?" asked Tuvok. Tom muttered something incomprehensible. "We should get back to Voyager" said Janeway. She told Carmione to tell Freya they were going to be back in a few days, then she slapped her commbadge, "Janeway to Voyager, four to beam up"
To be continued