Chapter 3
England
So we sailed to London. There we were welcomed by the leaders of the English, French, Belgium, Danish and German people. What happened after that I do not remember. I was probably too tired to stand on my own feet. The next I know was that I awoke in huge bed with a real mattress and a real feather pillow.
When the message had came that manuscript was real and that I had to translate it completely, we were stunned. I still could not belief that there was actually a good chance that the manuscript was real. Perhaps the other stuff I has found was also real. Oh, if just. Then I remembered a line from my French teacher: If if if If Paris fitted in a bottle, it would not be a big city. Yeah, If is a great word.
~~~~*~~~~*~~~~*~~~~
A small knock on the door, a voice asking 'Have you awoken yet?' and Mariona's head popped out of the bathroom to see whom it was. A tall blond man stood in the doorway. The pair of eyes that stared at her was as blue as the Mediterranean and he looked a bite surprised, he probably did not expect her to be awake so early.
'Yes, what is there?' she asked with her most innocent voice and a radiant smile. Now she had a better look at him she saw he was no older then she was. Perhaps no more than two years what would make him 21.
'I wondered if there was anything you need. Breakfast perhaps or clean clothing.' The last part of the sentence got lost in a yell of happiness. It came from down the hall on which Mariona's chamber was situated. Mariona and the man ran to the room where the scream had come from. In it, was Rosanne standing in front of big walk inn closet, with all kinds of clothing. Jumping around, completely happy at the sight of so much clothes, Rosanne danced into the closet and looked around like a child in a toyshop, with a cart blanche to shop.
'Happy?' another man came into Mariona's view; she had not noticed him before when she had ran into the room. He looked like her early knight, only younger. Both man grinned and looked at the blond girl who ran from rack to rack and back to see what was there to wear.
Mariona shook her head. Rosanne and clothing, the one thing that was inseparable and a love that would last a lifetime. She grinned too when she saw Rosanne's smile when she picked out a lovely white blouse and handed it to Mariona. ' Here,' she said ' I am going to pick out your clothes for the big meeting.' And ran back into the closet to find some more things.
' Meeting?' Mariona looked questioning to the man standing beside her. He looked familiar to her, but she could not find out why.
'Yes, that was the other thing I came to tell before you got dressed. After breakfast, the leaders are coming together to decide what our next move should be. With you being the leader of the Dutch, I..' he could not finish his sentence again, because Mariona stopped him.
'Me?! The leader of the Dutch? Who told you that?'
'We did.' came from behind her and out of the closet. Mariona turned and saw Jasper and Alex. ' You are the best in talking about it and you have organised everything we have done so far, so we thought or better we assumed that you are our leader.' explained Alex.
Rosanne came out off the closet again, carrying a busload of clothing and dragged a stunned Mariona behind a changing screen on the right side of the room. From behind the screen they heard Mariona voice 'Ok, but let's say I agree with being the leader and stuff, who is going to explain to the rest. I mean, you know me but the rest only knows me by face and appearance. This isn't democratic you know.' In the mean time, she tried to co- operate with Rosanne, who was trying to get Mariona out of her battle clothes. The once white blouse and the jeans with the ivory flowers under it were covered in Miranda's blood. Two days ago, when Mariona had taken a dive in the Maas, Rosanna didn't have anything to give to Mariona to wear, so Jasper and she had rolled her up in plaids to prevent Mariona from freezing to dead.
'We thought you might say that and so we asked around and they all agreed having you as their leader.'
Mariona took a deep and sharp breath; Rosanne had accidentally touched her old wound on her left thigh. 'Sorry' she mumbled trying to hurt Mariona as less as possible. It was the first serious wound anyone of the early group had had. It was poisoned and it was only thanks to God and Mariona's stubborn character that she had not died. 'If you don't belief them, ask William and Harry they went with them yesterday to ask the rest.' Rosanne added and stepped to look at Mariona who was dressed and whose hair was done properly. Wearing a white blouse and a white pair of trousers, her blond hair up in a complicated manner Mariona looked like a little angel without wings.
' Are you two William and Harry?' Mariona had come from behind the changing screen and pointed to the two unnamed man. Alex and Jasper grinned; they had not seen Mariona looking so happily surprised since the virus.
The two nodded and the youngest made a playful bow. ' Sir Harry, here to serve you my Lady of Rotterdam. And this here is my brother, leader of the English and head of the royal household of England, or what is left of it, Sir William of Windsor.'
Rosanne's jaw dropped as she heard she was in the presence of real royalty. William on the other hand gave Harry a dirty look and looked at Mariona to see her reaction. She did not look surprised as a minute before and he then realised she had already known his identity.
'Why, thank you, Sir Harry,' she replied in the same theatrical way as Harry ' but please don't say Lady of Rotterdam for that is only a title. I insist you call me Mariona, for we will have a long way ahead of us of working together in order to defend the enemy we have in common.' Then her eyes locked with those of William's. 'If I recall correctly you also hate titles as much as I do. So I assume it is just William, William?'
William cleared out his throat 'Yes, and may I ask you all to follow me. Breakfast has just been prepared.' Everyone followed him.
Mariona walked next to Alex. 'Where is Miranda?'
'She is taken care off in the hospital wing.' answered Harry walking in front of the two. 'Do not worry,' seeing Mariona expression 'we have some nurses in training there. The best of the best.'
'Where is the hospital wing?'
'You see the hall on your left down there?' He now walked next to her guiding the eyes to the great hall she saw downstairs. 'If you turn left there, you walk strait into the hospital wing. Ask the nurse where your friend lays. She knows.'
They walked off the broad stairs then took a turn to the right and entered a big room with gigantic table. Around the table were more than fifty chairs and all most every seat was taken expect the five on the head end of the table. The people who already sat there looked at the newcomers, stood up, and applauded. William looked over his shoulder to see how Mariona reacted. She did not seen to know it was of her, because she looked the same stoic look as that morning when he had entered her room.
They sat and food was brought in by a group of people wearing the same clothing. Harry, who sat between Rosanne and Mariona, explained that every day one of the groups the country's that stayed here, made breakfast. Today it was Belgium's turn. Big waffles and huge cups of hot chocolate were set in front of them by a dark headed smiling young girl, about 14 years old. Her smile grew as she stood in front of William. Polity he smiled back. The girl walked away and it looked like she floated, walking on pink clouds.
William made quit the impression thought Mariona. She had noticed all the smiles and big eyes that were given to him by many girls on their way to the dinning room. 'So, this meeting,' Mariona started to talk to William, while Harry was having conversation with Rosanne about the waffles 'when does it start and what is it all about?'
William drank his warm chocolate and said ' The manuscript you found. Was it the only thing that was in the box?' ignoring her questions.
Mariona studied his features. Smart guy, she thought. ' That's not of your concern.' She replied cold.
'If it means that those things could save this world and my people it is my concern.' He stated back with a slight undertone of anger.
Mariona kept studying his features. It seems he wore a mask, just as she did. The man in next to her was as challenging to her as he was dangerous. At least she thought him to be. She only knew him for less then an hour. Judging people so quickly was against her nature. But if he wanted to know about the other things in the box, he had to be judged worthy of her thrust and for that she had to get to know him better. 'If it is for your and my people's concern and well being then I will tell you.'
Now it was William turn to study her features. An ice queen, not to be touched by something warm or else she would melt. He doubted if she was ever touched by something like that, until he had seen the expression on her face when Harry told her about her friend. Just like me he thought, only the warmth of friendship and family could touch her and not destroy her. After from her passionate statement for her people, he knew she considered her people as her family. No wonder they had made her leader. 'Alright then,' he said and rose from the table 'the meeting starts within fifteen minutes. This a five minute walk to the library were the others await our presence.'
She rose too and followed him. Walking behind him, she quickly looked in the hospital wing where she heard a familiar laugh. Miranda was sitting in bed, joking with Alex and Jasper. Mariona smiled. She will be ok she thought and followed William.
~~~~*~~~~*~~~~*~~~~
The box. Back then William did not know what was in it. Only a few others and I knew. But that were only people I trusted completely. For it wasn't anything what lay in there. Three precious things, so precious I kept them on me always. Even when I was sleeping. Two of them I hid in my secret pocket, which was a band strapped to my left thigh near the wound. Only once, I had had to take it off. It was when the arrow had hit me in thigh. Ever since then, the band was there to keep the wound closed, because if I took off it started bleeding again. The third thing was so plain, everyone could see it, only a few knew it is true identity. Now He was back, it also had its powers back. And by night, all three objects glimmered in the light Orion, as if they already knew what was going to happen to them.
So we sailed to London. There we were welcomed by the leaders of the English, French, Belgium, Danish and German people. What happened after that I do not remember. I was probably too tired to stand on my own feet. The next I know was that I awoke in huge bed with a real mattress and a real feather pillow.
When the message had came that manuscript was real and that I had to translate it completely, we were stunned. I still could not belief that there was actually a good chance that the manuscript was real. Perhaps the other stuff I has found was also real. Oh, if just. Then I remembered a line from my French teacher: If if if If Paris fitted in a bottle, it would not be a big city. Yeah, If is a great word.
~~~~*~~~~*~~~~*~~~~
A small knock on the door, a voice asking 'Have you awoken yet?' and Mariona's head popped out of the bathroom to see whom it was. A tall blond man stood in the doorway. The pair of eyes that stared at her was as blue as the Mediterranean and he looked a bite surprised, he probably did not expect her to be awake so early.
'Yes, what is there?' she asked with her most innocent voice and a radiant smile. Now she had a better look at him she saw he was no older then she was. Perhaps no more than two years what would make him 21.
'I wondered if there was anything you need. Breakfast perhaps or clean clothing.' The last part of the sentence got lost in a yell of happiness. It came from down the hall on which Mariona's chamber was situated. Mariona and the man ran to the room where the scream had come from. In it, was Rosanne standing in front of big walk inn closet, with all kinds of clothing. Jumping around, completely happy at the sight of so much clothes, Rosanne danced into the closet and looked around like a child in a toyshop, with a cart blanche to shop.
'Happy?' another man came into Mariona's view; she had not noticed him before when she had ran into the room. He looked like her early knight, only younger. Both man grinned and looked at the blond girl who ran from rack to rack and back to see what was there to wear.
Mariona shook her head. Rosanne and clothing, the one thing that was inseparable and a love that would last a lifetime. She grinned too when she saw Rosanne's smile when she picked out a lovely white blouse and handed it to Mariona. ' Here,' she said ' I am going to pick out your clothes for the big meeting.' And ran back into the closet to find some more things.
' Meeting?' Mariona looked questioning to the man standing beside her. He looked familiar to her, but she could not find out why.
'Yes, that was the other thing I came to tell before you got dressed. After breakfast, the leaders are coming together to decide what our next move should be. With you being the leader of the Dutch, I..' he could not finish his sentence again, because Mariona stopped him.
'Me?! The leader of the Dutch? Who told you that?'
'We did.' came from behind her and out of the closet. Mariona turned and saw Jasper and Alex. ' You are the best in talking about it and you have organised everything we have done so far, so we thought or better we assumed that you are our leader.' explained Alex.
Rosanne came out off the closet again, carrying a busload of clothing and dragged a stunned Mariona behind a changing screen on the right side of the room. From behind the screen they heard Mariona voice 'Ok, but let's say I agree with being the leader and stuff, who is going to explain to the rest. I mean, you know me but the rest only knows me by face and appearance. This isn't democratic you know.' In the mean time, she tried to co- operate with Rosanne, who was trying to get Mariona out of her battle clothes. The once white blouse and the jeans with the ivory flowers under it were covered in Miranda's blood. Two days ago, when Mariona had taken a dive in the Maas, Rosanna didn't have anything to give to Mariona to wear, so Jasper and she had rolled her up in plaids to prevent Mariona from freezing to dead.
'We thought you might say that and so we asked around and they all agreed having you as their leader.'
Mariona took a deep and sharp breath; Rosanne had accidentally touched her old wound on her left thigh. 'Sorry' she mumbled trying to hurt Mariona as less as possible. It was the first serious wound anyone of the early group had had. It was poisoned and it was only thanks to God and Mariona's stubborn character that she had not died. 'If you don't belief them, ask William and Harry they went with them yesterday to ask the rest.' Rosanne added and stepped to look at Mariona who was dressed and whose hair was done properly. Wearing a white blouse and a white pair of trousers, her blond hair up in a complicated manner Mariona looked like a little angel without wings.
' Are you two William and Harry?' Mariona had come from behind the changing screen and pointed to the two unnamed man. Alex and Jasper grinned; they had not seen Mariona looking so happily surprised since the virus.
The two nodded and the youngest made a playful bow. ' Sir Harry, here to serve you my Lady of Rotterdam. And this here is my brother, leader of the English and head of the royal household of England, or what is left of it, Sir William of Windsor.'
Rosanne's jaw dropped as she heard she was in the presence of real royalty. William on the other hand gave Harry a dirty look and looked at Mariona to see her reaction. She did not look surprised as a minute before and he then realised she had already known his identity.
'Why, thank you, Sir Harry,' she replied in the same theatrical way as Harry ' but please don't say Lady of Rotterdam for that is only a title. I insist you call me Mariona, for we will have a long way ahead of us of working together in order to defend the enemy we have in common.' Then her eyes locked with those of William's. 'If I recall correctly you also hate titles as much as I do. So I assume it is just William, William?'
William cleared out his throat 'Yes, and may I ask you all to follow me. Breakfast has just been prepared.' Everyone followed him.
Mariona walked next to Alex. 'Where is Miranda?'
'She is taken care off in the hospital wing.' answered Harry walking in front of the two. 'Do not worry,' seeing Mariona expression 'we have some nurses in training there. The best of the best.'
'Where is the hospital wing?'
'You see the hall on your left down there?' He now walked next to her guiding the eyes to the great hall she saw downstairs. 'If you turn left there, you walk strait into the hospital wing. Ask the nurse where your friend lays. She knows.'
They walked off the broad stairs then took a turn to the right and entered a big room with gigantic table. Around the table were more than fifty chairs and all most every seat was taken expect the five on the head end of the table. The people who already sat there looked at the newcomers, stood up, and applauded. William looked over his shoulder to see how Mariona reacted. She did not seen to know it was of her, because she looked the same stoic look as that morning when he had entered her room.
They sat and food was brought in by a group of people wearing the same clothing. Harry, who sat between Rosanne and Mariona, explained that every day one of the groups the country's that stayed here, made breakfast. Today it was Belgium's turn. Big waffles and huge cups of hot chocolate were set in front of them by a dark headed smiling young girl, about 14 years old. Her smile grew as she stood in front of William. Polity he smiled back. The girl walked away and it looked like she floated, walking on pink clouds.
William made quit the impression thought Mariona. She had noticed all the smiles and big eyes that were given to him by many girls on their way to the dinning room. 'So, this meeting,' Mariona started to talk to William, while Harry was having conversation with Rosanne about the waffles 'when does it start and what is it all about?'
William drank his warm chocolate and said ' The manuscript you found. Was it the only thing that was in the box?' ignoring her questions.
Mariona studied his features. Smart guy, she thought. ' That's not of your concern.' She replied cold.
'If it means that those things could save this world and my people it is my concern.' He stated back with a slight undertone of anger.
Mariona kept studying his features. It seems he wore a mask, just as she did. The man in next to her was as challenging to her as he was dangerous. At least she thought him to be. She only knew him for less then an hour. Judging people so quickly was against her nature. But if he wanted to know about the other things in the box, he had to be judged worthy of her thrust and for that she had to get to know him better. 'If it is for your and my people's concern and well being then I will tell you.'
Now it was William turn to study her features. An ice queen, not to be touched by something warm or else she would melt. He doubted if she was ever touched by something like that, until he had seen the expression on her face when Harry told her about her friend. Just like me he thought, only the warmth of friendship and family could touch her and not destroy her. After from her passionate statement for her people, he knew she considered her people as her family. No wonder they had made her leader. 'Alright then,' he said and rose from the table 'the meeting starts within fifteen minutes. This a five minute walk to the library were the others await our presence.'
She rose too and followed him. Walking behind him, she quickly looked in the hospital wing where she heard a familiar laugh. Miranda was sitting in bed, joking with Alex and Jasper. Mariona smiled. She will be ok she thought and followed William.
~~~~*~~~~*~~~~*~~~~
The box. Back then William did not know what was in it. Only a few others and I knew. But that were only people I trusted completely. For it wasn't anything what lay in there. Three precious things, so precious I kept them on me always. Even when I was sleeping. Two of them I hid in my secret pocket, which was a band strapped to my left thigh near the wound. Only once, I had had to take it off. It was when the arrow had hit me in thigh. Ever since then, the band was there to keep the wound closed, because if I took off it started bleeding again. The third thing was so plain, everyone could see it, only a few knew it is true identity. Now He was back, it also had its powers back. And by night, all three objects glimmered in the light Orion, as if they already knew what was going to happen to them.
