Fantasy

Chapter VIII

     After getting dressed and a lot of weird looks, Caspian, Bryn, and I left for this so-called village. Mercy had wanted to come, but I forcefully suggested she stay behind. Sierra had stuff to do. Caspian claimed it wasn't very far but it certainly was, compared to the Grove. Must've been at least two miles, because it took us about 45 minutes to get to there. Me being me, I was annoyed and sweaty. Caspian laughed and Bryn patted my back. Those two were like Olympic athletes for not even getting tired.

      In that moment, I enjoyed my friends and forgot all about my nightmare, and the dragon. Nope. Just wanted to see how it sounded. Ya, that's what was on my mind the whole time. Maybe that's why I was sweating. Anyway, moving on.

     It was pretty much what they called it, a vilage. Pretty old fashioned though, like colonial America fashioned. The houses were made of wood, but well built. Houses, not huts. There was an iron gate like that in front of the Grove, but it was less ominous because there were little garlands of flowers around it. 

     Pushing it open, we walked into the small town. Women were outside working in long dresses, and children were running around without a care in the world. Seemed like those old reanactement towns where you went for a school field trip. Well, except for the fact that there were centaurs instead of horses, and women were working near cauldrons. Oh, and the kids were chasing fairies. Ya, that really killed the normal old-fashioned civilization idea. 

     Caspian and Bryn brought me towards an old woman sitting outside on her porch. She was swaying back and forth on a wooden black rocking chair. Even though she was snoring loudly, Bryn shook her awake. 

     "Grandma? Grandma! We have someone who needs to talk to you. Grandma!" she coaxed loudly.

     Snapped back to life the old women scoffed at Bryn.

     "Next time you want me to wake up, why don't you try pouring steaming centilade on me?" she exclaimed sarcastically.

     "Centilade?" I whispered to Caspian.

     "Don't worry, we'll get some on our way back." he replied cooly.

     The old woman glanced over towards me. Raising her eyebrows, she nodded. 

     "So that's the girl. The one who the dragon likes." she muttered. Getting up from her chair, she waved the three of us inside. We were led to what must have been some sort of parlor. Seating herself at the table in the center of the room, she gestured for all of to sit down around her.

     I couldn't help but wonder how she knew about the dragon.

     "Deary, you're all over the grapevine here. You've become a total sensation. I'm not sure if it's a good thing, or not!" she chortled.

     I was probably gaping at her because Bryn quickly piped up, 

     "You could say my grandma is clairvoyant. She reads minds, sees the future, knows everyone's past, and makes a mean casserole." 

     I couldn't help but smile. 

     "Oh Bryn, I'm just another Potent, why can't you just say that?" the old woman chuckled casually. "Obviously the girl is one too, I'm surprised you haven't told her yet!" she finished.

     Caspian and Bryn looked at each other while I looked to both of them with confusion. 

      "She doesn't even know what that means, does she? You kids are nasty at briefing someone new," she deduced, "sweetie, a Potent is someone with magical potential, or power. Most people are healers, or have clairvoyance. They all have their uses, but some are stranger than others. There are even those who use their powers for the worse. You can't call us human, you can't not call us that either. Some are born with it, others acquire it. You can't easily get rid of it though." 

     I stared at her, trying to absorb all of that information. I was pretty used to shocking revelations by now, so it didn't take too long for me to cut to the chase.

     "Okay, so I'm a Potent. What's my power then? Why did I have such a terrible nightmare?" I returned harshly. If Caspian and Bryn both knew about it, why didn't they tell me?

     "Well, we're definitely here to find that out. As for this nightmare, I'd like to know more." Bryn's grandma asked politely. She furrowed her eye brows and leaned forward towards me. I relived the entire, horrible experiance for her. 

     After I was done, she leaned back in her seat and sighed.

     Looking over at Bryn she murmured, "Is this girl, Mercy, the one who Sierra was suspicious about? The blond girl who bribed Atlas with those rancid brownies?" 

     Bryn nodded. I didn't know who Atlas was, or why Sierra was suspicious of her, but clearly no one liked that girl.

     Caspian leaned in towards me and whispered, "Sierra is a healer. That's why she doesn't come to our classes, or have time for these visits. She's the one who wrapped up your wounds when I first brought you to the Academy." 

      What more did I have to learn today?

     "This girl, this Mercy character, should be watched. She's more than she's letting on, and it's not healthy for this girl to be so close to her." the grandmother replied, pointing a bony finger at me. 

     "Well I don't know what to do. She's one of my roomates! Bryn's too." I said defensively. It wasn't my fault I was so close to her, and I certainly didn't want anyone associating me with Mercy.

     "Don't worry Jo, we'll figure something out about Mercy. For now let's just figure out what makes you a potent." Caspian comforted.

     He was the only thing that reassured me about all this madness. He made it slightly bearable. I just wasn't sure if he knew. What am I saying, Caspian is probably my best friend in all of this. Back to the point. 

     "There's really no easy way to do this. The only sign of magical potential you've had so far is being so comfortable near that dragon. Which could mean a number of things." the grandmother muttered to herself.

     The three of us waited patiently around her, as if she would have an epiphany any minute. She stared at me continously, without saying a word. This severly creeped me out. 

     By the time the sun started to set in the evening sky, Bryn's grandmother gasped and banged her fist on the table.

     "I've got it! I've got it! Joelle, dear, you're Empathetic!"