Chương 8: Three women with a common goal

Leah looked at Felicity, confused.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"She saved my life. She's an ally". No answer came. Felicity kept her sword pointed at Xia's throat, her gaze cold and unmoving. No hesitation. Xia, with forced calmness, tried to cover her chest with what remained of her kimono, now reduced to rags.

"I can explain everything" she said, "but I'd appreciate being able to tidy myself up first. Why don't we go to my house and talk over a cup of tea?"

"Why should I grant you that luxury?" Felicity shot back.

"You're not human. I can't trust anything you say". Xia held her gaze.

"I'm only asking you to try. I have no intention of running away or deceiving you". After a long moment, Felicity sheathed her sword.

"I'm keeping that strange sword, though. Understood?" Xia nodded without arguing. After about half an hour of travel, they reached Xia's home: a rather large wooden house isolated in the middle of the forest, surrounded by plants and silence. Xia changed clothes, putting on a black kimono decorated with dark flowers, then returned carrying three cups of steaming green tea. Her eyes fell on Lucas's sword, now resting beside Felicity. Love what you're reading?

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"That", she said, "is a legendary sword. There are seven of them in the world, each with unique powers. An ancient story says that if someone gathers all of them, they can summon a deity capable of granting three wishes". Felicity waited for Xia and Leah to sip their tea. Only then did she cautiously bring the cup to her lips.

"If you really believe a legend like that, you're not as intelligent as you want to seem" she said.

"And you still haven't answered my question. Who the hell are you? And how can you regenerate from mortal wounds?" Xia took another sip of tea before raising her gaze.

"As you said, I'm not human. I'm a witch, though I prefer the term mage". Felicity frowned.

"The witches were exterminated during the Great Hunt one hundred and fifty years ago. How are you still alive?" A faint smile appeared on Xia's face.

"It seems the Kingdom's propaganda worked. No, the Great Hunt didn't wipe us all out. Many mages survived, went into hiding, and had children. The genocide drastically reduced our numbers, but there are still thousands of us". Leah finished her tea and spoke up.

"Let's say the legend of the swords is true. Why do you want to gather them?" Xia lowered her gaze. When she smiled, it was a melancholic smile.

"Two years ago, I lost my son", she said quietly.

"He starved to death during the famine caused by this pointless and senseless war. I want to bring him back to life. It's the only thing I desire".

"I'm truly sorry" Leah murmured.

"You said three wishes", Felicity interrupted. Xia nodded.

"If we helped you with this insane quest", Felicity continued, "would you allow us to use the other two?" Xia looked her straight in the eyes without hesitation.

"Of course. One is enough for me".

"So one would belong to me too?" Leah asked with a hint of excitement.

"One for each of us", Felicity confirmed. The three women looked at one another. They didn't truly trust each other. But now they shared a common goal.