The Ambassador

Ch. 2: A Protectors Staff

(Y/n) stared at the tall Maple tree in her Grandmother's back yard. It was tall and very much alive, but the words of Mia still didn't make sense.

"So you literally grew this tree for me?"

"Yes," Mia swung herself slowly on the bench swing.

"And you want me," She pointed to herself, "To break a branch off there and carve it up to make a walking stick."

"To make your staff, as your mother did, as I did." She rubbed the softwood on her hands. It held intricate designs within it that looked as though a professional had carved it.

(Y/n) was no professional.

"Can't I buy like — one they have in stores? Walmart should have some."

Mia shook her head and stood up slowly, "(Y/n), if the wood isn't carved by the Protector then it won't be useful."

"You use Mom's staff and it works!" She argued.

"When you get to my age you don't really need a staff at all." Mia stomped the bottom of her stick on the ground releasing small wispy flickers of gold. "Only for walkin' at this point."

(Y/n) gave in to her grandmother's request. The "Protector" thing wasn't something she was into nor wanted to do at this point, but Mia was special which meant she got what she wanted.

After many failed attempts to break off a branch from the tree one fell from (Y/n) forcing herself against it.

Mia presented her with old tools that were passed down with each generation. "Use these tools to carve your staff. Remember what's on there shows the demons who you are and also channels the power within you."

A smirk formed on (Y/n)'s face, "So what, throw on a few skulls and crossbones. That'll scare them away right?"

"Take this serious, (Y/n). You too will pass this on to your daughter one day."

"And how do you know I'll get married and even have a daughter," She picked up the tools observing each one.

"It is within our blood. There will be another after you. You cannot let the Protectors die out. There are few of us left in this world."

As Mia's tone hardened (Y/n) became more serious. This was Mia's entire life as far as she knew. Alongside (Y/n) her grandmother began to knit and they spent the time together laughing and talking about the past. It brought (Y/n) out of the darkness she'd been in since the passing of her father. Within a few hours, she had completed her staff.

In all the wood came to her shoulders. (Y/n) decided to leave the opened prongs on the top of the staff for hanging items off of just like her grandmothers had. Small parts bent and stuck out awkwardly but the wood was not all one straight piece. A carved spiral led down to the bottom completing the piece of wood.

"What do you think Mia?"

"I think it's missing something." She pondered in thought and began to search through her old boxes that (Y/n) assumed to be filled with nonsense.

"Aha!" The old woman called out pulling herself out of a box.

In her hands was a beaded string.

"I knew I kept this here."

"What are those? Reminds me of the macaroni necklaces I used to make you."

Mia brought the beaded string over to her," I loved your projects but this is much better dear. They're protection beads."

She began to tie them to her staff, making sure they would not fall off.

"Protection beads, eh? For all those Shadows out there that are DEFINITELY trying to kill us?" (Y/n) joked again, this time earning a whap from Mia. "Ouch!"