Moon Kingdom: Fair Warning

O Wateress

     "You know, as far as I know I was the only survivor from Luna." Bree sighed, "I was able to fly away; I feel like a coward now."
     "Do you really think you could have stopped them?" Athena asked, "One crow or one girl against the beasts that destroyed your entire village?"
      "You're right, of course." Bree admitted, "Yet I still feel guilty."
     After the two young women finished eating, they continued on their way. Athena was silent as she tried to focus on getting to the centre of the kingdom. Once they were there, hopefully it wouldn't take long to get an audience with the King. Marama's king was rumoured to be a good humoured man, but      Athena had never heard of him doing anything for the outskirts of his city. Still, he had to be warned; eventually the threat would directly affect him as well.
     "This is amazing!" Bree gasped suddenly.
     They had arrived at the Marama Square- a sparkling, clean area bordered with various shops. They were selling things that were bright, colouring, and dazzling. The air was fresh and clean, scented with the fragrance of the large silver flowers that bloomed in the garden that grew before them.
     "Have you been here before?" Bree turned to Athena and asked.
     "Actually, no." Athena admitted. She also had to admit that she was impressed. Unlike the market they had gotten their food in, this place was calm, clear, and serene.
     "How much farther?" Bree asked, spinning around with her skirt twirling in the created breeze.
     "Not much." Athena said, "We're actually very close, but it's too late in the day to get an audience with the king."
     "Oh." Bree stopped spinning. She looked dizzy as she swayed and stumbled on the cobblestone.
     "We'll get in early tomorrow." Athena explained, "We just need to find a place to stay overnight."
     The sun was starting to go down; an orange glow backlit the shops in the square. Athena breathed in the floral scented air and sighed. Now she just needed to find the place she had only heard about but never been to. It was a monastery of priestesses that her mother had told her about. She knew it's approximate location and that it would take in travellers for a night or two.
     Tired and hungry, the women left the square and headed northeast down a narrow alley. The last hour of sunlight was barely visible between the high outer walls of the buildings. Athena led Bree silently through until they reached a small courtyard.
     "Where are we?" Bree's question broke the silence.
     Before Athena had the chance to explain, a short, dark-haired woman approached them. She seemed to have come out of nowhere. The woman was dressed in wide, dark blue pants, and a matching blue jacket. She wore a silver pendant on a leather necklace that was engraved with a flowery mandala.
     Bree gasped when she appeared. At first, Athena assumed it was just the shock of suddenly seeing another person. However, it became obvious by studying the expression of the strange woman that they knew each other.
     "How did you get here?" Bree asked, in an almost accusing tone.
     "I could ask the same of you." The woman responded calmly.
     Defiantly, Bree thrust forward her right hand and showed the onyx ring she wore. The round gem on it seemed flat in the twilight of the day. Athena watched as the woman inspected it carefully.                         Eventually, in response, the woman showed off the ring she wore on her own hand. The stone was blue lace agate and looked fairly similar to Athena's own lapis lazuli.

     "Who is this?" The woman asked, gesturing to Athena.

     "I'm Athena." She responded, "Who are you?"

     The woman chuckled, "O. I am a Wateress from Luna, which is how Bree and I know each other."
      "We don't really know each other." Bree clarified, "Not well, at least."
     "Wait, so there are more survivors from Luna?" Athena asked, a slight smile starting on her face.
     "Not sure." O responded. "You see, my ring allows me the ability to transport to safety. I am unsure before using this power where I will end up. I am even less sure if anyone else was able to use their ring to the same effect- like Bree here, who I didn't even know had a ring!"
     "I didn't teleport." Bree stated, "I turned into a hooded crow and I flew away. I haven't had this ring for very long."
     "Where did you get it?" O asked, but Bree didn't answer.
     Athena gazed up at the dark sky. She felt certain she was at the right place to stay the night- the building before them must be the monastery she had heard of. Even though there was a lot of tension between her two companions, she decided to ask about staying the night.
     "I've heard travelers can stay the night here." Athena said, "Is there any room available?"
     O smiled and nodded. She gestured for them to follow her and then led them inside. Athena and Bree followed close behind, eager to get out of the dark courtyard and rest.
     "This is actually a Spiritess monastery- quite different from the one back in Luna." O explained as the entered down a narrow hallway. "When I arrived here they were very welcoming and allowed me to stay. It will actually be very interesting to me to see what they have to say about the two of you!"
     "Why would that be interesting?" Athena asked.
     O turned to face her, stopping the progress abruptly, "The women who are able to use the power of the rings almost always end up living in a monastery. It is where they develop their skills and use them for good. Assuming you can both use your rings, the women here will insist you be tested to discover your elemental connection. They will not make you join them or any others, but they will encourage it greatly."

[note: the concept of the Wateress/Spiritess/etc. was inspired by http://www.thefifthelementlife.com/  which is also where I took the concept of elemental mandalas. Though I was already using priestesses and magical jewelry this website has provided further inspiration and plot development. they are in no way affiliated with this story.]