Project Raven

Chapter 4

I cautiously walked through the doors and took in the large room I stepped into. As I scanned my eyes across the room, I noticed an enormous chandelier, a waterfall of long shimmering crystals, hung over a large round table that was so fancy it had to come out of a fairytale. The second I noticed the councillors, with their jewel encrusted circlets and capes clasped with precious stones, I knew I had to curtsy. I tried to use the ballet that I learned all through elementary school to use, and gave my most elegant curtsy, but somehow I almost fell on the way back up, I guess that means I'm more closely related to Sophie than I thought. I panicked as I noticed that there were not three, as the book suggested, but four. What was the reason for this? Would they see me as a threat? Right as I opened my mouth to ask why, the elf closest to me, with rosy cheeks and long golden ringlets, spoke up. “My name is Oralie, and I am an empath, I'm here to monitor your emotions for this test. This here is Councillor Emery,” she motioned across the table to a dark skinned man with sapphire blue eyes, “and he will monitor your thoughts throughout the test if needed” she continued, I wondered if my mind was impenetrable like Sophie's. “This is Councillor Terik,” she motioned to the man next to Emery. Councillor Terik had wavy brown hair and cobalt blue eyes, a silver cane by his side to help him walk with his prosthetic leg. “As a descryer,”  Oralie continued, he will sense your potential at the end of your test.” Finally, Oralie turned to her side and introduced Councillor Bronte. His slightly amused smile made me remember what I was here for. “We thought it would be a good idea to add Councillor Terik to the judging panel, so that he can descrey you before we vote whether or not you attend Foxfire.” I had to remind myself to breath. I grounded my feet on the floor and took a sip of water from the cup in front of me. “At this time” announced Oralie, “only councillors, Sophie,and Mr. Forkle may stay in this room for the test.”

“I was nervous.” That was a big understatement. I was shaking, and hardly remembered to breath until a voice popped into my head. I never heard that voice before, and as I turned around, I saw Sophie smiling. You got this Charlotte, trust your instincts, I think that Bronte is the only one you should be worried about. I smiled back to her. I was happy to have someone else who went through something similar on my side.

“To begin this test,” explained councillor Oralie, “you must perform a common elvin skill that all elves have, telekinesis.” I looked around for help, I never did this before, and was confused where to start. “It's ok, Charlotte, you got it!” I heard Sophie say as I pleased for help with my eyes ”It should work as second nature, just imagine, like, extending your arms, y'know” I nodded and closed my eyes. Ever since I was little, once in a while I would pretend that I could lift things with my mind. I always felt silly doing it, it was something from books, and movies, but nevertheless, I tried. So I opened my eyes with renewed energy, and tried to lift the table with my mind. I didn't even move my hand, and yet, the grand table, plates and China still sitting in their place, sturdily floating in the tense air. At my accomplishment, Mr. Forkle and Sophie began to clap and cheer, joined by all but one of the councillors. My body ridged, I stretched my peripheral vision, until I caught a glimpse of Bronte. He wasn't scowling like he was before, but in order to get him to vote for me, I had to impress him. So keeping my gut energy holding the table in the air, I extended my arm to the flower vases that rested on a ledge encompassing the room. Scraping together more energy than I ever thought I had, and shakily lifted the vases of the ledge. It took three seconds for my hold to falter. I remembered Sophie's catastrophic release of the table during her test, so I carefully lowered everything I was holding up, finally releasing an inch off the ground. Once the small thump echoed through the room, the same previous group broke into a cheer, and as I turned my head to Bronte, I saw a thin smile on his lips. As soon as he noticed that I had seen the smile he explained, “That was acceptable for a first demonstration of telekinesis.” Snickers and scoffs filled the room, I'm guessing that means that the other councillors approved of my demonstration.