“Apologies again.” He bowed me through the door before closing me into the room, quite alone.
I turned to face the room I had been left in. It was just as pretty as the room before it, though this one was lined with hundreds of burnt down candles, and a thick layer of dust upon everything. Before I had time to completely observe my surroundings, I realised that I was not alone.
The distinct sound of a male clearing their throat reached my ears, startling me.
“Oh!” I exclaimed. At the opposite end of the room, another elderly man waited behind a polished wooden desk. Waiting for me to approach him and get the damned analysis out of the way.
I hurried forwards, stoping a meter from the table. I stood rather quietly, licking my lips nervously, “Sorry, I didn’t see you.”
“Nor I, you. Though I knew you were here.” The old man smiled, not looking at me. I observed him closely, and saw that his eyes seemed to have a white film covering the pupils. It was another second before I realised that this man was completely blind. I shifted the weight on my feet nervously.
“So you wish to make residency here in Frost Arch, do you?” The blind man continued.
“Yes Sir.”
“Please. Call me Lester. Lester Elwood. Official Power Seer for the city of Frost Arch.”
I nodded, before I realised that he couldn’t actually see the notion. “Oh … I’m Avalon, Mister Elwood. Residency here was the plan, though I’m not exactly sure what a Power Seer is, and what they’re meant to do.”
“You don’t know what a Power Seer is?”
“No sir.”
“Ah. It is my gift, Miss Avalon. I have the Power to know, and understand a Mage’s Power, simply by touching them. Not only that, but I also know what level that Power is on. This is why Frost Arch needs a Power Seer. There are some Mages who’s Powers are not welcome here, and some Mages whose Power level is too great for them to control.”
“What do you do if someone has a really strong Power?”
“Ah. We do not allow threats to our city make residency here.”
I nodded again, forgetting that Lester Elwood wouldn’t see it.
“Are you familiar with our laws, Miss Avalon?” Lester Elwood continued.
“No Sir. I assumed they would be the same as any other law that governs this world.”
He smiled, “To your left there is a scroll of parchment hanging from the wall. Perhaps it would be best if you read the laws of Frost Arch before you decide to live here.”
I looked to my left obediently, and made my way over to the decrepit parchment that hung there behind a class case. I gazed up at the faded lettering that read:
Frost Arch
Law
Law 1: It is law of Frost Arch that once a child turns ‘the age of Insight’ [Ten years old] that they are to be presented to the Official Power-Seer for Power analysis. Every child must be recorded. All new comers to Frosts Arch that are over the ‘Age of Insight’ must also be recorded by the Official Frost Arch Power Seer.
Law 2: It is law of Frost Arch that every child should present themselves to the Official Power Seer once a year if between the ages of ten and eighteen, [The age of full Power-Development], to update recordings if necessary.
Law 3: It is law of Frost Arch that Mistress Elvira Frost may, at any given time, have access to the Power Records made by the Official Power-Seer.
Law 4: It is law of Frost Arch that citizens who pose a possible threat to the way of life [designed by Mistress Elvira Frost] may be banished from Frost Arch. Death Penalty may apply to those who directly challenge Mistress Elvira Frost’s Authority.
Law 5: It is law of Frost Arch that any Citizen with a Power-Level of Eight or higher are to submit themselves to the Official Power-Seer [regardless of age] every year for Power Stability Checkups. If it is found that a person is unable to control their Special Ability, this may result in banishing.
Law 6: Mistress Elvira Frost may excuse certain citizens of the compulsory Power Stability Checkups.
Law 7: It is law of Frost Arch that any citizen who fails to comply with the aforementioned Laws are submitted for questioning to an Official Frost Arch Psychic, appointed by Mistress Elvira Frost.
Law 8: Any traitors to Mistress Elvira Frost and her authority as Frost Arch Governor are to be imprisoned immediately.
I didn’t know who this Mistress Elvira Frost was, but by the sound of this document, it was quite obvious that she was not someone to mess with. She was obviously the founder of Frost Arch, as it was so named after her.
I made my way back to the blind Power Seer.
“So I guess I have to be analysed for recording then, don’t I?”