Part 26
“The forty-four of you are already a very distinct group due to your cohesiveness and your abilities as warlocks, and it’s our intention to keep you together as a military unit. Your number will be your collective name and title, as it already informally is. We further intend that when your training is more complete, The Forty-Four, Warlock Platoon of Princes and Princesses of Hilia, will be widely known as the most formidable unit of its size in all of The Just Alliance!”
This brought a proud cheer from the forty-four and some of The Volunteers as well, and Six let it go on for a few seconds before he finished. “Now you’d better get your weapons and armor ready and checked. We’ll be finished eating pretty soon.”
“Yes Sir!” Kimran said as he grinned and gave a snappy salute. As he Translocated back to his group, the others couldn’t decide whether he was being sarcastic or not.
When they were finished eating, the Governors gathered beside Mark, went to one knee, and bowed their heads in respect.
“Father,” Six stated as they raised their heads and met his eye, “We’ve been assuming a lot. You still haven’t formally given us permission to take military command of our brothers and sisters, or to name their unit or perform their training as we’ve said. We do most respectfully ask your and Mother’s response to our request.”
“Oh you just go right ahead!” Mark laughed as he ruffled Six’s hair a bit. “I’m so pleased with your results with them that I almost don’t care what you did to get them!”
“If it’s something that we wouldn’t approve of, I’ll happily remain ignorant, I think!” Talia laughed.
“We just let them get to know us some, and let them know all their parents as we know our parents.” Six shrugged with a grin.
“And we made them think we hit them in the face a few times, but we didn’t.” Fire giggled. “Not really. But it was really funny.”
“Ah. Well that doesn’t sound too excessive.” Mark chuckled. “You children run along and play now, be good and stay safe and stay out of trouble.”
“Yes, Father.” The children chorused together, then giggled uncontrollably before Translocating downhill to the lowest lawn.
All of The Forty-Four were ready and waiting, their armor and weapons cleaned, polished, and oiled.
“All right, first things first.” Six announced as the Governors appeared among them. “This is Karz, and he’s one of us. I’m sure you’ve heard of him. Show them what you really look like, Karz.”
Karz assumed his natural dragon form and struck a proud pose on the lawn, and emphasized it with a huge blast of flame.
“Next is the basics, or what are basics for our family, anyway.” Six continued. “Our parents never gave you The Skills of Visinniria or The Healing of Valentia, because you were too hard to control as you were without them. We’ll give them to you now, along with the best combat spells we have that you can use.”
The Governors cast, and The Forty-four reeled for a moment as they assimilated the massive influx of spells. As soon as they’d steadied, Six continued. “After today’s activities each of you will be evaluated, and will receive individualized training to correct your personal weaknesses and to build on your best talents.
“For now we’re all going to the firing range at Focus Mountain to work with what we’ve just given you.”
With that, all forty-eight of them vanished.
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