A Gift

---Katherine---

My hand found a smooth handle, and instinctively my fingers curled around it. I yanked the object out of the air as I spun through the air like a graceful ballerina and landed on my feet. The grip fit my hand perfectly, and the weight in my hand felt just right. It was a familiar and soothing weight. It was just like how I felt when I hold my sword. So that means I'm holding—

"A sword?" I exclaimed in surprise.

"A sword?" my friends echoed my surprise. Cautiously, they stood up and backed away from Madeline, drawing near me. I pulled the sword out from its scabbard and inspected it carefully, turning it around and around in my hand.

The leather grip was worn smooth by use, but fitted into my hand so perfectly it seemed like it was custom designed for me. My finger traced over the intricate carvings on the hilt that gleamed silver. A single gemstone decorated the rainguard—a translucent jewel that changed color right before my eyes. The double-edged blade was just the right width and length, and just the right weight in my hands. The blade was polished smooth and gleamed when it caught the sunlight. I could see my reflection in the smooth blade.

"Wow. It's beautiful," I breathed. I looked up at Madeline, who watched me carefully. "Who's it for?"

"You," Madeline answered, stepping forward.

"Me?" I was shocked. "Why me? Why didn't you just give it to me instead of throwing it up in the air?"

"Oh, I didn't know it was for you specifically," Madeline explained. "I only knew it was meant for one of the seven. So I gave you all a small test. I blasted you guys with magic and then threw the sword up in the air. Whoever succeeded in getting the sword is the person meant for it."

"So if it's not you, you wouldn't be able to get the sword," Rachel said slowly.

"It wouldn't be right for you," Madeline corrected. "Let's test that. Katherine, give the sword to someone else."

I handed my sword to Aaron, hilt first. We all watched as he hefted it in his hands. "It's too…" His brow furrowed. "I think it's a bit light for me. I also feel like it is alive, and resisting me."

He handed it to Indigo. "It's too heavy," she said. "And yeah, I think it's resisting me too."

They passed the sword around. Lucian thought that the hilt was too short. Jason said the blade was too long. Ashley felt that the grip didn't fit her hand. Rachel considered the blade too wide. They all said the sword was resisting them.

The sword came back to me. The moment my hand firmly grasped the hilt I felt a hum of power. "It's alive?" I asked.

"Well, it's not alive like you and me, but it's not dead like a rock," Madeline said. "It's magic." She pointed at the gemstone. "That, I was told, is one of the last pieces of pure rosestone."

The gem turned red, as red as the roses that grew around the Academy. I looked at my friends in confusion. "What's rosestone?" I asked. "I never heard of it."

"Oh! I think I read about it before," Ashley said excitedly. "It's the signature gemstone of Crystallea that was rumored to have formed at the beginning of time. There used to be a lot, but now very, very few pieces remain. It is very sensitive to magic, and rosestone itself was said to be able to contain magical powers."

"Very good," Madeline said, smiling. "The rosestone can sense your emotions and change according to your intentions with the sword. It contains magic and powers that even I do not know of. Use it wisely, Katherine, and perhaps you will unlock all the secrets the rosestone contains."

In my hand, the hilt felt pleasantly warm. I noticed that the rosestone had changed to a crystal blue color, reflecting my immense curiosity and wonder. Its scabbard contained a strap for me to sling across my back. I realized happily that with my original sword, I can now carry two swords in an X on my back like I'd always wanted to. It was my vision of a warrior, an independent person capable of fending for herself. Getting this sword, this magical weapon with a piece of the legendary rosestone, was beyond my wildest dreams.

"Thank you, Madeline," I said sincerely. "I promise to take good care of it."

Madeline looked pleased. "No need to thank me. By the way, the sword has a name."

"What is it?" I asked.

"Guess." Madeline smiled mischievously. "I'm going to see if you can figure it out."

I looked down at the sword, the rosestone now a deep sapphire blue. I peered carefully at the engravings on the hilt and scabbard for any clues to its name. Nothing stood out, just endless silver swirls and arches, until a string of small symbols near the crossguard caught my eye. I've seen those symbols when I studied runes with Ashley. I tried to decipher their meaning. Vengeance against evil. Hmm…

"Justice? Vengeance?" I wondered aloud. "Retribution?"

As if in reply, the rosestone gave off a burst of light and turned transparent.

"Good job, Katherine," Madeline looked so proud.

"It's a nice name," I murmured. "Revenge and justice. I love it." I wasn't sure how I could tell, but the sword seemed pleased.

"Well, children, that's all the help I can give you." Madeline drew up her cloak. "I should be on my way. These citizens are going to awaken soon." She turned to the door, and then paused.

"Actually, I can escort you seven safely out of Hamberg, with that evil smoke lurking around and all." Madeline turned back towards us. "How about that?"

"What about the townspeople? They're defenseless against the evil smoke," Indigo said worriedly. "We can't just leave them."

"No, no, they'll be fine. I will return and help them after I get you seven out," Madeline reassured Indigo. "Don't worry, child. You can't save everyone by yourselves."

"Alright then." Indigo heaved a small sigh. "What should we do now?"

"Grab your things, quick," Madeline instructed. We all clambered upstairs packed up quickly—not that there were many things to pack up. I slipped my old sword behind my back so that it formed an X with Retribution. The weight was so comforting; I can't believe I ever went about any other way.

When we all assembled downstairs again, Madeline delivered a devastating piece of news: "You will all have to leave your horses, I'm afraid,"

"What?!" I exclaimed. "I can't just leave Legacy here!"

"But my Willow—!" Indigo protested.

"And my Rex—!" Lucian complained. Madeline held up her hands.

"Children, calm down, please. After I escort you all out I will be back to Hamberg. I promise to lead all of your horses safely back to the Academy, along with word to your parents about how you guys are all faring. I will make sure they are all taken care of, okay?" Madeline promised.

We looked at each other. "Alright then," I said reluctantly. None of us wanted to have to proceed on foot, but if Madeline insisted, then there was nothing we could do.

"Alright children. Huddle and join hands." Madeline ordered. We formed a circle around her, holding each other's hands. I had Aaron on my right and Ashley on my left. He squeezed my hand reassuringly, and I squeezed back.

"Everything will be alright," he said. I smiled.

"I sure hope so," I replied, just as Madeline began her spell. There was a burst of light, and we disappeared.

When the first civilians came to, they had no idea why they were lying on the floor. The center of the room was empty. The only trace of other presences here was a piece of long black thread, having fallen off a sorceress dress.