Elite Team

Visha was too shocked to say anything. Dhira's amazing skills had left her stupefied. She felt like a kid that had been handed a flame thrower while Dhira was a witch in actual meaning. She shook her head in embarrassment. Dhira felt a little guilty for going that tough on her. Visha was extremely powerful and that had made Dhira overlook the fact that she was still new. People take years to hone their skills and its been just months for Visha.

"You are more powerful than other beginners, but without proper skills this very power could harm your close ones." The butler stared at his Young Miss with his mouth agape. He scoffed at the words 'more powerful'. She destroys his hard work over and over again. She's not just merely powerful, that one was a little demon! He grit his teeth as he cursed at Visha. He was one of the most loyal people to Dhira and was aware that his Mistress had no intentions to let information about her be leaked. So cursing was all he could do for now.

Dhira continued, "The green ones were destroyed in your attack on the red ones. They could've been normal people, or your friends or family."

Visha was shook to the core by Dhira's words. She understood the dangers lack of skill could impose. She decided to train till she could become a master in spells, just like Dhira was. Dhira came forward and took Visha's hand in hers. She took out a something from her pocket and placed it on Visha's palm. It was a platinum ring with a blue sapphire embedded in it. Visha looked up in confusion unable to grasp Dhira's intentions.

"It's an Enhancing Stone. It'll help you regulate your powers."

Visha's eyes lit up as she quickly put it on her ring finger on the right hand. It looked extremely beautiful with its entwined vine like design and small red stones on it around her finger. She went upto the next square and chanted the flame spell once again. This time a few flames shot onto the cutouts. About seven red ones had been lit up out of twelve but not one green cutout was harmed. She looked at Dhira hopefully waiting to be praised. A smile formed on her face as she gave a nod and that made Visha jump up in excitement. She ran to Dhira and hugged her like a little child. Dhira patted on her head before letting go.

"Behave!" Dhira said again in a serious tone and Visha nodded obediently.

***

The team of five started to look for their respective seats on the flight. Visha found the seats and sat down. She was hers was the window one. The other girl came to look at the seat beside her and grit her teeth before she turned to one of the boys. Her tone was full of anger and disgust.

"Ashwin, let's exchange seats." Her displeasure after seeing her companion for the trip seemed absolutely clear. Visha frowned at her offensive words. She had not even met the girl before today, how could she have even offended her. Ashwin had sensed the animosity and instinctively looked towards Visha who seemed to have sensed it too. The girl turned to notice Visha's glare and a sudden chill ran down her spine. There was a certain weight in that gaze that she could never forget. That gaze seemed to have pierced right through her and she started to shake a little. Visha suddenly turned away and glanced out the window. She didn't want to involve herself in useless banter. She was here to do her share of work because she didn't want to end up as a burden on Dhira. Seeing this scene unfold, Ashwin nodded awkwardly and sat down beside her. "Don't be offended. Trisha takes a little time to warm up to new people." he tried to explain his fellow teammate. So her name is Trisha, she thought. Her name was quite similarly pronounce as Visha, with just one phonic alphabet different but she was nothing like her. (When written in Hindi, just one character is different in the two names.)

Trisha went towards the back to sit down beside Shaurya. They were sitting just two rows behind Visha and Ashwin. She looked still displeased seeing Visha tag along and started to complain to Shaurya.

"Why are we taking her? You know this is not some field trip, right? " she was obviously dissatisfied by Visha's presence.

"Miss's orders. You have no right to complain." Shaurya said trying to brush her off but it didn't seem like she took the hint and continued to spew poison.

"Just because she's close to Young Miss, doesn't mean we have to end up with babysitting duties." she said raging on.

"Like I said, you have no right to complain." Shaurya repeated, this time with more pressure in his tone. But Trisha refused to back down as she complained continuously.

"Why do we have to take in a nobody that just showed up at the main house mere months ago? Young Miss shouldn't have abused her powers to shove that newbie upon us."

"Why don't you try saying that to Miss when we get back?" Shaurya glared at her with a brow raised. Trisha froze for a moment and realized that she'd have been thrown into the dungeon for saying that in front of anyone else. Dhira was a great leader but everyone was aware of her temper. She would always reward the obediant but viciously punish those that dared offend her. A terrorstricken Trisha started to sweat profusely trying to think of a way to explain herself.

"What I meant was that we are one of the most elite teams among all the branches of Bhairavis. It isn't fair if a newbie uses their connections to land a place among us, that's all." she then finally sat back in an awkward silence.