Bladewarriors Book 1: Refresh

"I'm sorry you all had to see that."

Ondine brushed the damp strands of her purple hair away from her eyes and behind her ear as her daughter and her daughter's companions slid the chairs out from around the table to join her. The woman wasn't sure the apology was enough to make up for the awkward situation these three strangers had been placed in upon being invited into her home, but it was all she could do.

"See what?"

The mother lifted her eyes as the boy with wild white hair took a seat, asking the question, seemingly oblivious to what had just occurred. The boy blinked, staring back at her intently. He wasn't joking.

"It's fine."

The other boy – the one with fiery hair and bright red eyes – cut in, sighing as he shook his head.

"Not really your fault." The boy added.

"What wasn't her fault?" the spacey teen across the table asked, turning to look at his companion as the man spoke.

"Don't worry about it."

Ondine turned to the girl with green hair as she smiled politely, trying not to reveal how uncomfortable she had been – or possibly even still was. The mother smiled back, thankful for her kind demeanor.

"You shouldn't be sorry for what happened." The girl stated kindly.

"What the heck is everyone talking about?"

Eyes were drawn back to the white haired teen as he interrupted once more, looking as bewildered as ever as he took a bite from a tuna sandwich. Ondine wasn't quite sure where the article of food had suddenly appeared from, but it looked soaking wet, and was dripping on the table.

"Was there something wrong with the food!?" The boy exclaimed suddenly, noticing the purple haired woman staring at the sandwich in his hand. He quickly spit out the bite he had just taken, then stared longingly and what remained in his hand.

"Tell me there wasn't something wrong with the food…" He frowned, looking on the verge of tears. "It was so delicious…"

"You can't seriously be that dense." The girl with braids sighed, shaking her head as she turned away from the boy.

"I'm sorry…"

Ondine barely heard her daughter's whisper as the other teens at the table began to talk amongst themselves – trying to determine how the one boy was thickheaded enough to miss the entire spectacle that had occurred no more than five minutes ago. She turned to her daughter, the girl's head hung low as she wrung her hands in her lap. No rain had touched the girl on their walk to the small tavern they now sat in, but her face was wet nonetheless.

"I'm sorry I lost it…"

The girl still spoke softly, trying to muffle the sounds of her tears as well. The mother smiled, shaking her head as she leaned over and pulled the girl close, embracing her in a strong hug as she ran a hand through the girl's ocean blue hair.

"It's fine." The woman replied calmly. "I couldn't blame you even if I wanted to."

Ondine heard the chatter of the other teens die as she spoke, turning to glance at the three. All of them quickly turned their eyes away, pretending not to be watching the tender mother-daughter moment. She grinned, patting her daughter on the head, and then pulled away from the girl. There was a lot to discuss, and she already knew these four had a lot to accomplish. She couldn't hold them up longer than was necessary.

"Why don't you introduce me to your friends, Myst?"

Myst lifted a hand, wiping away the tears from her eyes and cheeks as she sniffled lightly. The tears she had been struggling to hold back – and failing – were suddenly gone, stolen by her mother's embrace. It never ceased to amaze the girl the power her mother's hugs seemed to have – almost as if the woman possessed magic herself.

"Right." She replied, lifting her head as she smiled weakly, motioning to the others at the table as she continued. "That's Ivy, and Frost, and Flare."

"I'm so sorry to hear about your husband." Frost replied, pity in his voice as – for once – he appeared legitimate and serious. "I'm sure he'll find peace now that he's past."

"No one's dead!" Ivy shouted, appearing increasingly frustrated as she rubbed rapidly at the sides of her head, growling in annoyance. "Don't you ever pay attention!?"

"When it suits me." Frost replied, all pretense of compassion and empathy gone as he shrugged and took another bite of the soggy sandwich still gripped in his hand.

"Sorry," Flare spoke, ignoring the ignorant comments of his companion, "you said you needed to speak with Myst, right? We can give you a moment alone if you'd prefer."

"No." Ondine shook her head, quickly dismissing the concern. "That's not needed. In a way, it involves all of you as well."

"All of us?" Ivy questioned, tilting her head to the side slightly as she stared at the woman.

"What's this about?"

Ondine turned, glancing to her daughter as the girl peered into her, as if trying to steal the information from her mind. The woman sighed. Generations had waited for this day, and now it fell to her to relate everything to her daughter, and send the girl to fight in a war where few – if any – would stand by her side.

"Do you remember the night you found the Aqua Saber in your bed?"

Myst shook her head, staring questioningly at the woman. "How did you know that? I never told you…"

"I was the one that put it there, Myst." Ondine cut in, her unwavering eyes leaving no doubt in the validity of her statement. "I was the one who gave you that sword."

"What… what are you talking about?" Myst continued to shake her head, not believing the woman's words even as she stared into those unquestionable eyes.

"For nearly three centuries now," the mother began, taking in a deep breath, "the Mystic Blade of Water – The Aqua Saber – has been owned by one member of our family after the next. I'm not quite sure anymore how we originally came to possess the sword, but I know why we kept it – why we continued to pass it down from one daughter to the next.

"The moment the sword was passed down – the instant the next daughter touched the blade – they all saw a vision. According to what my mother told me, the visions were vague and foggy at first, but over time them have become clearer and more vivid. Each person who touched that sword saw the same thing, including myself. They saw you, Myst."

"Me?" Myst replied incredulously. "That can't be right."

"What was the first vision you had?" Ondine asked calmly, despite the doubt in her daughter's voice. "When you first touched the blade, what did you see?"

"It was—"

Myst stopped, a flash of the first prophecy she had ever seen passing through her mind as she stared at her mother. She closed her mouth, replaying the vision of her fighting The Serpent and her two grunts.

"It was of me." She stated after a moment, unsure she even believed what she was saying.

"It was of you." Ondine repeated, nodding as she smiled proudly. "It was of you standing against The Serpent. And all of us – everyone who held that blade before you – we all knew, instinctively, that the girl we were seeing would be among our descendants. Though I had no idea when my mother passed the saber to me that I was seeing my own daughter."

"Why didn't you say anything?' Myst questioned. "Why didn't you tell me you knew? Why not tell me about the sword and our ancestors and… and everything!"

Ondine gave pause, the proud smile vanishing from her face as she lowered her head in shame.

"Because… because I was weak, Myst."

"What do you mean weak?" The daughter questioned.

"I'm ashamed to admit… that when you first showed me you possessed the ability to use magic… it scared me." The mother turned away, unable to face her daughter's eyes as she continued. "I'd been raised with the prejudice of our realm, and even when it was my own flesh and blood, I wasn't completely able to look past it. For that first week after I learned about it, I'm sure you remember me avoiding you."

Myst didn't confirm the woman's suspicions, but she did turn away as the woman continued.

"Near the end of that week… I went to where I had the Aqua Saber hidden, seeking… some sort of clarity." Ondine gripped tightly at her own arm, staring at the floor as she spoke. "When I pulled the blade out, I don't know what I was hoping for, but what I received was very clear. I saw that same vision again, and I couldn't deny that the girl in it was you. An older, more mature you, but my beautiful little Myst nonetheless. And in that moment, I was able to look beyond your curse, and see your gift.

"At first, I considered telling you right then of your destiny, and giving you the sword, but… I didn't. I realized, when I looked at you sleeping in your bed that night that you weren't ready for that sort of knowledge and pressure, so instead I decided to raise you, and support you, and protect you until you were. Once a week, every night, I would go into your room while you slept, and look at you. Years passed, and you grew into a beautiful girl, and shortly after you turned fifteen, I entered your room, and I just… knew."

"So you slipped beneath my covers…" Myst continued the story, but the rest of the details were audible only in her mind as she stared at the table in front of her.

"Yes." Ondine nodded. "And, by doing so, I inadvertently gave your father even more reason to hate you. So I did my best to protect you from him – from his rage and hatred. I'm just sorry I couldn't shield you from it all."

"Did you know?" Myst clenched her fists as she asked the question, not daring to raise her eyes to look at the woman. "Did you know that Calder had told The Serpent about me?"

"Yes." The woman responded quickly, not bothering to hide the fact. "He told me what he planned to do, and I let him. But it wasn't because I wanted any harm to come to you! It was because…"

"Because she had to face The Serpent."

Myst and Ondine both turned, looking up and over at the three other teenagers they had both forgotten were there as – surprisingly – Frost interrupted their conversation, seeming to be hanging on their every word.

"Yes." Ondine answered with a nod. "But that doesn't forgive all the pain and suffering I've caused you, Myst. I would understand completely if you hated me."

"Hate you?" Myst repeated the words in utter disbelief. "How could I hate you? I'm not even sure I'd be here without you. I just wish I could do more than thank you, mom… for everything."

"Myst…" Ondine smiled, tears welling in her eyes as she stared at her daughter, unsure how to express everything she felt – the joy and pride, and the love.

"Not to ruin the super gushy, touchy-feely moment that's about to happen," Frost blurted out, "but when do we get to the part that involves me?"

"Smooth, Frost." Flare sighed, shaking his head. "Subtle and considerate, as always."

"I suppose it doesn't." Ondine laughed gently, the moment gone as her and Myst turned toward the white-haired fool. "That was all really just for Myst, I guess."

"What!?" Frost exclaimed, alarmed by the revelation. "I paid attention to all that for nothing!?"

"Do you ever think about what you say?" Ivy questioned, staring at the boy incredulously. "Or is your mouth kind of like a spout with no plug?"

"…I'm hungry." Frost replied suddenly, reaching down to pull a disintegrated mound of soggy sandwich from his pocket. "Still good, right?"

Flare sighed, laughing a little at the fool's oblivious nature as – without waiting for a response – the boy shoved the dripping mush into his mouth. It wasn't long before that mush found its way to the floor, though.

"Anyway," Flare stated, trying to move away from the Arctican's antics, "you said you wanted us to take you to Sentinel Bay? Or something like that?"

Ondine nodded. "I have a sister who lives there. I know it's a lot to ask of you, but—"

"It's fine." Flare waved away the woman's concerns. "Not like we're really sure where we need to be going anyway."

"That's true…" Myst nodded, sighing a moment to herself. "I wish I had some clue where The Serpent dwelled."

"Why don't you just ask one of the priests?"

The four teens turned to the mother as she made her suggestion, eyeing her interestedly.

"At the very least, one of them should know."

"I didn't even think of that." Myst grinned.

"Who are the priests?" Flare questioned.

Myst couldn't help but give the redhead a stupefied look as he asked the question, her mind taking a moment to process the fact that he – and Ivy and Frost – probably wouldn't have any clue who The Three Priests were. She wiped the look from her face as she laughed at herself. If the three of them had been from the Realm of Water, there'd have been no excuse for the question.

"The Three Priests," Myst answered, smiling as she raised her head, "are sort of like the leaders of our realm. They protect the people, punish the wicked, and carry out orders from and bargain with The Serpent."

"And they should know where The Serpent hides?" Ivy questioned, smiling at the thought of their first lead.

"At the very least, The Blue Priest should know." Ondine answered, nodding. "But the others may have some clue as well."

"So where is this Blue Priest?" Flare questioned, suddenly anxious to get moving now that they had a direction to head.

Ondine and Myst looked to each other, but were both silent when the question was asked. The bearer of the Aqua Saber frowned.

"We're not sure." She answered, turning back to face her new friends.

"The Blue Priest travels a lot – carrying out The Serpent's will." Ondine added.

"Great, so we're back to square one, then?" Frost responded, sighing deeply as he poked at the mush that was once a sandwich, wishing it would revert to its previous form.

"Not entirely." Ondine replied, shaking her head. "We might not know where The Blue Priest is, but I do at least know of someone who would know. And I do know where they are."

"Who's that?" Ivy questioned, leaning forward slightly as she hoped they weren't in for another disappointing lead.

"The White Priest." Myst answered, grinning as the thought occurred to her as well. "He should have at least some clue where the other two priests are!"

"I like the sound of this White Priest, guy." Frost smiled, inwardly picturing someone who looked roughly like himself, only in fancy robes. "Where's he at?"

"Well, you're all in luck there." Ondine replied, still smiling. "He makes his home in the same place I'm asking you to take me."

"Sentinel Boy." Flare grinned, pushing back his chair as he stood up. "What are we waiting for then!? Let's get moving."

"Wait!" Myst called out, turning a moment to look at her mother before she lowered her head toward the table again. "Are… are you guys sure about this? About traveling together?"

"I don't think we really have a choice in the matter." Ivy replied, shaking her head. "Besides, if we're going to take on The Serpent, better we all be together, right? Strength in numbers?"

"That's not what I mean." Myst stated forcefully as she shook her head.

"Well what then?" The redhead of the group asked, staring down at her inquisitively.

"I mean… are you sure you want to travel with me?" Myst paused, raising her head to look her three companions in the face. "Are you sure you want to travel with a witch?"

Myst lowered her head again, wishing she could go back to twenty minutes before, when these people hadn't yet seen her power.

"I can understand if you don't want to be around someone like me, and I wish I could be normal… and I'm sorry I didn't mention it earlier."

"Enough with the apologies!"

Myst raised her head, staring to the white-headed fool as he let out an exasperated groan.

"By the gods, you people are sorry a lot." The boy moaned, shaking his head. "Besides, why the hell wouldn't we want to travel with you!? You're a freaking witch! That's just awesome!"

Myst stared at the boy in disbelief, feeling as if she had to have heard him wrong. It was… awesome?

"For once I agree with the pervert." Ivy nodded, voicing her opinion as well. "I think it's amazing! I'd always wished I could have been so lucky."

"I… don't understand." Myst replied, shaking her head, befuddled.

"Well, we don't understand either." Flare countered, giving her the same look she was giving them. "Why would you want to be normal?"

Myst wasn't even sure where to begin as she stared at these three, looking at the sincere confusion they carried on their faces in regards to her apology. Was there something she was missing? Or was it them that was missing something? Had they not heard her right? It didn't make sense.

"In the Water Realm," Myst turned her befuddled expression to the woman beside her as Ondine began to explain, "witches are considered cursed – bringers of pain and death… is it not the same for all of you?"

"First off," Flare shot back quickly, "let's stop using the term 'witch'. I don't care for that word – too many negative connotations."

Myst turned her gaze to the fiery man as he smiled at her.

"Secondly, you water people have got it all wrong."

"In the Plant Realm," Ivy spoke up, drawing the group's attention, "people who use magic aren't feared. They're revered. They can heal wounds, and save lives. Being a magic user is like being famous! Everyone loves you, even if you're a complete ass!"

"Back in my home town," Frost stated, leaning back in his chair, "I never actually met a person who could use magic, but I had heard stories. And none of them were bad. They were always epic, and crazy! People who can use magic are heroes, not curses."

"I actually have a friend I've known for as long as I can remember who uses magic." Flare stated, grinning as he stared at Myst. "She's not a 'witch'. She's a mage, and in Char, every one of us is proud of her, and thank the gods that she's around. I'm not sure what I'd do without her.

"So if you think any of us care if you can use magic, well… we do!" Flare grinned. "But not because mages are a curse. It's because they're a blessing."

Myst smiled, lowering her eyes as she quickly wiped a hand across them, trying to loose the tears that were welling there. She didn't even know what to say to these people – she had never had anyone so openly embrace her power. They even welcomed it!

The nymph took in a deep breath as she stood, raising an exuberant grin to the group as she nodded.

"Let's go then." She stated with one of the biggest smiles she had worn in nearly a decade.

"Right."

The redhead smiled back at her, nodding as well as they all stood. The look of these people – their attitude; as Myst took it all in, she suddenly felt much more confident in their journey. Even if it ended in disaster, she could now say she was glad to have been a part of it.