Tratie

Mother knows best

"Katie, this needs to stop."

I jerk my head up in shock, interrupting my plant restoration time.

"Mom?"

"Katie, you need to stop throwing yourself into your work."

"You haven't talked to me in years. And now you wanna chat? I'm happy. I'm strong. Shouldn't you be proud?!?"

"I am Katie, I am." She sighed. "But this- this never ending practice times are unhealthy. Try eating cereal and maybe making things right with Travis."

I raise an eyebrow. "I thought you hated him."

"Is rather you dated that-" the disgust was evident in her voice, "boy than throw yourself into your work until you die."

"I'm doing more! I've stopped wasting time thinking about how he feels. He's happy, I'm happy. Problem solved."

Is turning around to leave when my mother's voice stops me. "You'll never be a protector."

I narrow my eyes. "I will. I'm nearly there, the youngest in years."

"Only children of war gods can make it. You're a child of the plant goddess. Just become a gardener."

"I. Am. Going. To. Become. A. Protector." I growl, gritting my teeth.

"The average life of a protector is 25."

"I'm going to follow my dreams."

"I forbid it."

"What?" I ask sharply.

"I forbid you. My children are meant to live long healthy lives. Not spend their time doing a quest for some pathetic 12 year old."

"You can't-"

"Actually, I can. Go find something else to do."

I run to my hideout and scream into my bed when I get the chance.

This was all I wanted.

Protectors got to live in the mortal world. Chiron would IM them when a child under the age of 14 was chosen for a quest. Protectors would go ahead of the kid, killing the worst monsters and making clues more obvious. They saved lives. Protectors received training in all weapon styles, but always specialized. At the age of nineteen, an official ceremony was conducted. I had one more year and I was out of this camp.

But mother just had to say no.

It didn't matter. Official or not, after my nineteenth birthday I was going to run away and complete my goal.