A Terrible Villain And Their Destiny

Bryson Coldwater laid on a grassy field staring absentmindedly up at the clouds. Right now he felt at peace more than he had ever had in his life. Lila Frost stood nearby, simply waiting for Bryson to move.

After the tournament and Kristel was now a fully fledged squire for the Coldwaters and the fight had been settled things did not get easier for Bryson. Sure, there were a few days of relaxation as Gilles left to become an adventurer, but that was temporary.

Gilles and Bryson at least begrudgingly respected each other after the tournament with Gilles leaving Bryson his yeti fur jacket. Gilles didn’t seem upset over losing to Bryson, but Bryson also never heard from Bodger again afterwards. Bryson chose not to pursue information related to the fate of Bodger. Their goodbyes were respectful enough and Gilles seemed to acknowledge Kristel’s abilities. Though he made sure to let her know her position with a few threats.

Bryson was impressed by how quickly Gilles was willing to let this event go, perhaps the call to adventure was the medicine that sedated Gilles anger. Nevertheless, Gilles left home to become a famed adventurer with a guild of his very own; he aimed to make the Coldwaters proud. But with Gilles gone, the only son of the Coldwaters left at home was Bryson and that meant a lot more responsibility, plus he was turning thirteen soon.

Bryson had just finished a day of what his parents liked to call nobleman work. Bryson preferred the term systematic torture. He had to study history and science in the morning before having to practice sword fighting. After that were magic lessons, which were then followed by wrestling, then economics, and finally skating practice. He woke up at seven, and now it was four. He had gone through all that in nine hours.

Bryson now at least had time to himself and he wanted to use that time to simply stare at the sky until he wanted to do something else. Lila had no problem with this as it made her job rather easy, watching him until he did something other than the nothing he was doing right now.

The sound of horse hooves interrupted Bryson’s moment of tranquillity and instinctively Bryson knew it was Sable without even turning his head. He knew this for two reasons. One was that Sable had recently been given more horseback training, as their mother felt that it was only appropriate for her to improve her riding skills. Also it was unlikely someone would be allowed to gallop a horse in these fields unless they were a Coldwater. The second reason was that he could sense her approaching.

It was weird, but it seemed that his powers had indeed improved and he was now not only able to sense magic better, but he was starting to be able to differentiate between certain mana types. Such as living or inanimate and the patterns of certain people he was close to or known for a lengthy amount of time.

“Bryson wake up.” Sable said as her shadow loomed over Bryson’s vacant stare upwards.

“I am awake.” Bryson replied.

“Then snap back to reality. Viola is calling.” Sable said as she dismounted the horse.

“What?” Bryson said getting up to his feet as Sable held out her Communicator and on the screen Viola was seen on the other end.

“What is it and why am I getting involved?” Bryson asked looking at the Communicator.

“Hello to you to BryBry.” Viola said with a grin.

“Shut up.”

“You’re cute when you act tough.” Viola teased before changing subjects, "Anyways, I think I have some information that you two will probably need.”

“What do you mean by need?” Bryson said getting a bad feeling about things.

“I’ve been talking to Mother and she’s mentioned how both she and Father want the two of you to complete a grand quest for your thirteenth birthday.” Viola said looking troubled.

“Why?” Sable asked clearly looking unhappy, “Can’t we just have a normal birthday?”

“Mother said they want a big memorable thirteenth. Not sure why, but they thought it was appropriate.” Viola said with a helpless shrug.

“Okay, so what do we need to do?” Bryson asked.

“You need to go into a contaminated zone.”

Both Bryson and Sable stared at Viola through the screen in silence. They then glanced at each other before leaning close to the screen.

“What?” They said in unison.

“It’s worse than that.” Viola said reluctantly.

“How can it be worse than that?” Sable exclaimed.

“You need to retrieve an ancient artifact from a ruined city.”

“Of course we do.” Sable said bitterly.

“Also the artifact is linked to some demonic magic.” Viola said the last part quietly.

“Oh. That is worse.” Bryson said very little enthusiasm.

“Has Mother gone insane?” Sable asked politely.

“Okay, so maybe I laid it on a bit thick. She mentioned that you two would be getting support. Besides this area has been scouted out before and so I think you two won’t be in too much danger.” Viola said quickly trying to reassure them.

“You think?” Bryson said.

"Well, I don’t know much about the place you're going. Mother wanted to tell you that part. She just said I was allowed to warn you about this before she tells you tomorrow.” Viola said.

“Is this all really necessary?” Bryson asked.

“Mother thinks so and there’s no convincing her otherwise.”

“What sort of support?” Sable asked.

“I can tell you that Bryson will get to have that girl with him. The older one who does medicine, Florence right? You will get to choose whatever is available.”

“What does that mean?” Sable said looking confused.

“Wait you said whatever is available not whoever right?” Bryson asked.

“Yes.” Viola said with a nod.

“So can you just use The Omen?” Bryson said looking at Sable.

“Huh.” Sable pondered for a second, “That would make sense.”

“Still a four-man team is all we get?” Bryson asked, “Isn’t that pretty ill-equipped?”

“Take that up with Mother.” Viola said with a shrug.

“Ridiculous.” Bryson muttered.

“Hey as long as you two use your heads you’ll be fine. Don’t forget Mother doesn’t want to see you two dead.” Viola reminded them.

“Yes we know.” Sable said with a sigh.

“Just stay safe out there and I’ll give you a proper happy birthday when you actually turn thirteen.” Viola said earnestly.

“If we survive that is.” Bryson quipped.

“Don’t talk like that. Good luck you two.” Viola said.

“Wait, is there anymore info you have about these stupid ruins?” Bryson asked before she hung up.

“Sorry BryBry. You’ll have to figure that one out by yourselves.” She said with a grin and a wink before hanging up.

“Unbelievable.” Sable muttered as she put the Communicator away.

“Great.” Bryson said with a groan, “More studying.”

***

“So would my two lovely children report to me what they have found regarding their research?” Duchess Coldwater said sweetly as they sat at the breakfast table the next morning. Their father had already left and now left the remaining Coldwater family to discuss their matters.

Sable looked to Bryson for him to start explaining. Clearing his throat, Bryson began to speak, “Viola told us that you want us to enter a contaminated city to retrieve some sort of demonic item?”

“Very good. I did indeed request this from you two.” Duchess Coldwater said nodding her head approvingly, “Now what else have you learned?”

“We also figure out that the item is related to some type of demon and of the activity in that area.” Bryson continued.

“Why do we have to do this exactly Mother? Isn’t this a bit much?” Sable asked.

“Dear, I made sure that this mission wouldn’t be too dangerous and that you two could handle it. But if I am wrong and something gets out of hand. Run. Immediately.” Duchess Coldwater said seriously, “Otherwise you need to complete this task. As the two youngest in the family it is important that you two can do this. Especially together.”

“Why?” Sable asked.

“That’s a secret.” Duchess Coldwater said with a sly grin, “Now, have you figured out who your fourth member is?”

“We choose The Omen.” Sable said after a moment of frustration from the lack of answers.

“Very clever.” Duchess Coldwater said nodding her head with approval, “I will also be adding a fifth member to your party. The little pixie Coni. She will prove useful as a scout.” She added.

“So when are we supposed to leave?” Bryson asked.

“Right now.” She said with a smile.

There was a pause as both Sable and Bryson stared at their mother dumbfoundedly.

“What?” They said in unison.

“Not to worry, I have had all the supplies you will need preprepared already. Off you go now.” She said beckoning them to leave, but then she decided to add, “The artifact might have something dangerous hidden with it. So please, be careful. Don’t take it and make me proud you two.” She said with a loving smile.