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Chapter 6
The morning had come. The new day was beginning. The birds were singing happily and the first beam of sun got into the bedroom through the window and fell on Will's face.
She knitted her brow, stretched and opened her eyes. At first Will didn't understand where she was. It was not her room in Heatherfield; it was a big medieval style bedroom and Will was lying in a big bed with light cloth hanging over it. The girl herself was wearing a long medieval dressing down and the Heart of the Kandrakar was still hanging around her neck.
«Where am I? » she thought a bit nervous and set on the bed. She looked at the little toilet table (sorry, I don't know how it is called in English) and she saw a small piece of paper with the riddle written on it. This reminded her of all that happened the day before. Yeah, she was still in Verona, she had even less time than before to get out of there and she needed to go to the Capulets and meet the girls there.
She hardly could finish her thought when somebody knocked on the door. Will gasped. She didn't expect this and didn't know what to do.
«Lady Eleanor, it's me, Bianca. May I come in? » she heard a woman's voice behind the door.
Will had no point of who that Bianca was and what she needed in her room. «Certainly, come in » she said because this was the first what came to her mind.
The door opened and a young servant girl in red clothes entered the room. She must have been Eleanor's servant.
«Good morning, mademoiselle Eleanor» she said friendly «You are already awaken? »
Will was sitting on the bed holding her blanket. «Uh, yes, already» she said. She tried to find a sensible form of speaking. She had never been a rich earl's daughter from Caplets' camp and she didn't imagine how to behave with servants.
«Your father was in rage yesterday» Bianca continued «That accident worried all the servants in the house» She felt silent for a moment. Bianca took the jar and started to pour the water from it into a bowl. She was standing back to Will. «Do you really love monsieur Mattiolly? » she suddenly asked continuing her work.
The question shocked Will. She didn't expect this and totally didn't know what to say.
«Oh, excuse me, mademoiselle. I am too curious for a servant» Bianca quickly added when she didn't hear anything in response. «Do you wish to get dressed now? »
«Yes, please» Will was glad that that girl changed the theme. She waited that Bianca would leave the room but she was standing where she was and also waited for something. So they both stayed looking at each other with surprise.
«Do you want me to dress you or to make your hair first? » Bianca finally broke the silent. Will stared at her servant as if Bianca was a little lunatic. Then she finally remembered that in Middle Ages all the rich girls were dressed by their own servants. That was new and Will couldn't get used to this easily. Oh, old good Heatherfield! There Will could do everything herself, she had her powers everything! She really missed her mom, her school friends, Matt, Mrs. Lin, even Mr. Hoggles who ate only from her arms. What is happening with them all now? Do they still remember her? And she is protruding here in Verona and doesn't know anything. In Verona, where she is thought to be some kind of Eleanor, where she has no powers, where they all are in danger, where she has crazy parents and she even can't normally see the girls and Caleb (only as a friend, don't think anything! He forever belongs only to Cornelia), who is Montague and her enemy now. What a life! Well, sorry for this little deviation.
«Make hair» Will said and sat in front of her table with a mirror. Bianca stood behind her mistress and through the mirror she saw the Heart of the Kandrakar hanging over her neck. She never saw that jewel before.
«What is it, Lady» she asked «Is this necklace new? »
«Nothing» Will quickly snapped and covered the crystal with her hand.
«Oh, that jewel is not in fashion any more. Let me remove it, maybe I could suggest you something more suitable? » Bianca raised her hand to the crystal.
«No! Don't touch it! » Will yelled as if Bianca was going to murder her or something. The shocked girl jumped back. She didn't expect at all such a reaction from her Lady. That was all very strange; Eleanor never behaved in such a way. And where did that necklace get from? Bianca's head was full of questions.
«Uh, sorry» Will said guiltily. She new that she overdid that. «I didn't want to shout at you, but this necklace is very important for me and I don't want to put it away» she tried to explain.
«Certainly, lady Eleanor, as you wish» Bianca said a little confused and took the comb.
At Rosalina's house
By that time Irma had already woken up and was standing in front of her wardrobe. Her own girl servant was standing nearby. The Water guardian was already a little used to a wealth medieval girl's life during the time of her being in Verona. She was going to choose a dress to wear and she opened the wardrobe.
«Wow! Cool outfits! » she cried as she never seen such a great amount of clothes which all belonged to her.
«Sorry, Lady Rosalina? » the servant asked. Of course she didn't understand modern teenagers slang.
Irma felt confused. She needed to save the situation. «Uh, I mean, very beautiful clothes. I think I'll choose this one» and she pointed at the blue dress, she was wearing the day before.
«As you wish, mademoiselle» the servant said. She really found her lady very strange in last time. Rosalina was rather a fashionable girl for those times, but she was never so delighted when she saw her dresses. And she had never spoken in such a strange manner before. What did influence on her so badly?
Irma sighed with relief. The servant girl didn't notice anything. «I must really be careful about what I say» she thought «The manner of my behavior can totally give me out. And I don't need any more problems. Oh, I'm fed up with acting like Rosalina, who never saw and don't know anything about her. How I wish that all would finish! » But that was not going to finish, everything was only beginning. So Irma had nothing more to do just to go and start dressing.
At Catherine's house
Well, and now let's see what was happening with Taranee that morning. Her servant girl helped her to dress and she was going downstairs to have breakfast.
Her mother was already waiting for her. «So, you were at the ball at Capulets' yesterday? »
«Yes, I was» Taranee answered. She was already waiting for some kind of trick.
«So, did you find a good party for you? » Madam asked.
Taranee sighted. «Mother, but why do you want me to get married so early? I'm only 16! And I'm not going to marry anyone! »
Her mother looked at her sadly. «Oh, Catherine, don't be so stubborn. You know it will save us»
Taranee looked at her new mother surprised. She really didn't understand why her instant marriage to a wealthy man will save her and Madam.
«Catherine, don't be a child, you know that your father died fighting with those damned Montages. It was a great loss for everybody; you know that when it happened we started to grow poor. And to have some money you need to find a rich fiancé»
Taranee even felt sorry for her. She new that it was very painful to loose a husband.
«Oh, dear, Catherine's and her mother's life is not as easy as I supposed» the Fire guardian thought «I thought it wasn't so necessary to find a husband for Catherine. But I can't do that, I'm not Catherine, I don't belong here. I hope everything will be all right with them when I get back to Heatherfield»
The lady noticed that her daughter was silent «Sorry, honey» she said guiltily «I didn't want to remind you of everything, but the situation we are in now only let hope it would be better. Come now, Go down and we will have breakfast» Taranee obeyed. She new she mustn't be late to meet the girls.
At Annabelle's house
Hay Lin also had little troubles that morning. She and her new family were going to have breakfast. The Air guardian wasn't used to the fact that the house was full of servants. She couldn't do anything herself. For every kind of activity there was a special servant. The servants helped to wash herself and too dress her and when they set at the table the servants started to bring food and drinks. Hay Lin wanted to bring everything herself, but when she was going to stand from the table, the Earl looked at her a bit angrily. She stayed but she didn't feel very cozy. The servants even poured drinks in the goblets and put the food on the plates themselves. It was new for Hay Lin. At her grandmother's restaurant, where she usually helped as a waitress, she was more used to serving then to being served.
The Lord and the Lady and even Annabelle's younger brother and sister noticed that the girl was confused. Hay Lin tried not to make any mistakes and act like a mare medieval girl, because her miss could ruin everything. She took the fork and tried to remember all the rules of etiquette she knew. But when she tried the meat she forgot about everything and started to eat very fast and uncivilized. All her family was astonished, looking at that scene. Even the servants remarked that Lady Annabelle behaved very strange.
«If you eat too fast you may choke » her mother said trying to stop her daughter to disgrace their kin.
This influenced a little. Hay Lin stopped eating so fast and after swallowing a big piece of meat finally said «Sorry, mother. I didn't want to, but this food is delicious, I've never eating anything like this before »
The members of the family looked at each other with surprise. What is she talking about? Why does she say she never eaten it before, when she eats practically the same every morning and she never remarked it was so delicious before? What happened to their little Annabelle after that day, when she went to the Capulets to visit Juliet?
And Hay Lin was so brought away with all of that, that she completely forgot about where she was and what she mustn't say. «I adore medieval food; it's the most delicious thing I've ever eaten. Though my grandmother also cooks the best. Have you ever tasted sushi? »
Everybody opened their mouths. Did she become mad? What is she talking about? And why is she calling their usual food 'medieval' and why is she talking about her grandmother, who is for a long time in grave?
«Oh my gosh, you stupid head, shut up at once! » Hay Lin ordered to herself when she saw her new parents' reaction. She knew that she was saying total nonsense. She even didn't even know how to cover that all. The only true way was a try of escape. She slowly slipped down her chair and quickly ran to the door.
«I need to see Juliet, Ill spend the rest of the afternoon at hers» she quickly murmured and disappeared behind the door leaving her family alone with the mystery of her sudden change.
At Juliet's house
Cornelia already got up and now was having breakfast. She didn't have any problems and didn't do any mistakes. She was well prepared for that and she acted perfectly. She was again wearing the Heart of the Ocean because she had a strange feeling that it will be useful for her one day. Cornelia was sitting at the table having breakfast with Lord and Lady Capulet. The nurse was also sitting at the table. The dumb servant girl was pouring valuable vine in Monsieur Capulet's goblet. The Earth guardian fell in thoughts and stopped eating. She was thinking about everything happened in the last time. About how they got to Verona and why Phoboes needed that, about the girls and the riddle Mrs. Lin sent to them with Blunk. What could it mean? She thought of the last night on the ball and then at the garden. She thought about Caleb. What could happen if they were not interrupted that evening? Maybe something really important? More important for her that anything in the world? She will never find this out now. And what if they won't have enough time to get out of Verona before the day of the duel between Tybalt and Mercutio? What if they won't be able to return the power of the Heart of the Kandrakar, what if their guardian team will be ruined and Phoboes takes the power over Meridian or the whole world? What if the Capulets marry her on Paris by force? What will she do then? How could she live without Caleb? Why does she need to suffer so much? Why? Pourquoi? There were so many questions and answers for them.
Earl and Madam Capulet noticed that their daughter stopped eating. «Juliet, why did you stop eating? Did anything happen? » Madame Capulet asked worrying.
Cornelia's thoughts were interrupted «Uh, nothing» Corny put a piece of meat in her mouth.
The nurse looked worried. She knew everything about Juliet and it seemed that her girl was rather strange in the last two days. There were some reasons for the Nurse to worry. First, yesterday the girl said that she was not Juliet and other nonsense like that; at the ball she didn't pay much attention to Lord Paris and she, the Nurse, found her standing with Romeo Montague in the garden; when the ball was over, the Nurse found out that Juliet was too delighted that evening and her eyes were shining brighter than usual; and now she was thinking about something all the time. Of course, it doesn't prove anything but for the nurse, who knew Juliet from the time she was born, it was time to start worrying. Her heart was giving her alarming signals and she didn't know the reason of it.
The blond raised her head at her new parents and thought that it was the best moment to ask them what she needed to ask. «Uh, mother, father» she started carefully «I never asked you before our family library before? »
Earl Capulet put his goblet on the table and looked t his daughter with surprise. Questions of that kind were not usual for the mere girl of those times. His wife was also very surprised.
«Our family library? » Lord Capulet asked again to make sure that he didn't mishear.
«Yes, we do have one, right? » Corny quickly said.
«Of course we have, but dear, » Madame Capulet said «why are you asking about that? »
Cornelia didn't hesitate for any moment. She knew that she will be asked this question and she already prepared the suitable answer. «I thought, if I belong to the Capulet clan, I need to know the history of my ancestors» she said unshakably «is there anything bad in this? » she added.
Both Lord and Lady Capulet (and the Nurse and all the servants in the room in addition) were surprised with her answer. Where else will you find a young wealthy girl who wants to read the history of her clan?
The Earl was a little confused with Cornelia's straight answer. «Of course, there is nothing bad in this» he said unconfidently «If you really wish to find it, Capulet family library is few steps from the old cathedral » he said.
Corny got the information she needed and she quickly stood up. «Thank you father, thank you, mother» she said politely and made a reverence «With your permission I'll spend the day there reading »
She was ready to go away but Lady Capulet stopped her «Wait for your nurse, Juliet» she said.
Cornelia stopped straight where she was standing «The nurse? » she asked again. That could spoil all her plans. She needed to go alone with the girls and nurse couldn't be in the library.
«Does nurse really needs to follow me? » she asked looking at her parents. The Nurse was astonished. She always followed Juliet in the streets anywhere she went and Juliet never complained about it before. Cornelia saw that she could hurt her nurse's feelings and quickly added «I mean, I don't want to bother my nurse, the library is not very far, I could get there on my own»
«But Juliet » Lord Capulet said «It is very dangerous for a young girl to walk alone in the streets. The streets of Verona are full of those Montages, and they the cruelest dogs, they can do anything to you» his face started to get angrier as he talked about his sworn enemies.
«By I wont be alone» Cornelia tried to justify «I will come with the girls It is not dangerous with them»
Lord Capulet didn't know what to decide «All right, daughter» he finally said «If you are sure you will be safe you can go»
«Oh, thank you, thank you! » Cornelia's face lit with joy. She quickly made one more reverence and disappeared behind the door. Lord and Lady Capulet looked at each other. That was all strange about Juliet's idea of the library. But soon they both stopped worrying as they had many chores to do. The Earl went on his personal affairs in the town and Madame Capulet started to think of her daughter's future engagement to Paris. She liked this pleasant young man and wanted to become related with him.
The Earth guardian was waiting for her girlfriends outside the house. Now when she knew where was Capulets' family library was, they needed to search for the magic book as the riddle said. She started to become impatient when Hay Lin, Irma and Taranee arrived.
«Sorry, are we late? » the Water guardian asked.
«No, but where is Will? We can't go without her and we really need to hurry» Corny replied.
Soon the girls saw Will running towards them. She was holding the flap of her long dress but it was still very hard to run fast.
«Oh, that long dresses! » she said as soon as she came to the other girls. «It's so uncomfortable! Why they haven't yet invented shorts and sport tops in the Middle Ages! » she murmured.
All the girls looked at her with big eyes as if Will was not a girl but a horrible monster. «Oh, my gosh! » Irma whispered looking at the guardians' leader.
«What? » Will couldn't understand her friends' reaction.
«Uh, Will » Cornelia tried to explain «Don't take offence, but… did ya look in the mirror today? »
«Yes, is anything wrong with my appearance? » Will still couldn't understand.
«I can't describe that; you'd better look in the water in the fountain » Hay Lin advised.
Will came nearer to a beautiful medieval style stone fountain, which was in Capulets' garden, and looked at her reflection in the water. She suddenly shrieked and jumped back. «Oh, heavens, is that really me? » she said breathing deeply. On her head was something that can't be described. Her servant made Will such a hair-do that looked more than strange. On her head were tons of short plaits and tails that the whole view was horrible. Will had short red hair and because of that, Bianca had great difficulties in making her a medieval high hair style. She never worked with such 'material' and she did her best to have a good result. Maybe, in point of view of medieval Verona citizens it looked a kind of normal, for the girls from ХХI century it looked very ridiculous. Will quickly dismissed her hair.
«Now normal? » she asked the other guardians. The girls nodded and Will sighted with relief. She was glad that none of her friends from Heatherfield saw her in such a look.
«Come on, guys, we need to hurry» Cornelia said «I found out everything we need. Let's go to the library and search for that book» And the five girls set off to the library.
A lot of hours later
A lot of time passed and the girls were still at the Capulets' family library. They were exhausted with searching but there was no result. The library had millions and billions of books and the girls looked through most of them but with no success.
Cornelia was carrying a big pile of books. She heavily put them on the table and started to look through each one. Irma was searching in the other end of the library. Will took a very thick book in leather binding from the shelf. It was all covered in dust. The guardian blew the dust off… straight to Hay Lin's face. The Air guardian coughed. «Sorry» Will smiled with sympathy. Taranee unroll a big scroll and other its end fell to Will's feet.
«Again nothing» the Fire guardian sighed looking through the scroll.
«I can't believe that! » Will shook her shoulders «We have been sitting here for hours, we looked through hundreds of books and didn't find anything except tons of Capulets' history»
«And we don't even know what we are looking for» Cornelia said closing next in turn book «The enigma says everything very abstractly and we can't be sure in anything. And check out the fact we don't practically have any time left»
«Yeah, that's a very difficult situation» Hay Lin sighted «I know I'm an optimist but even I say that this all is hopeless»
«Oh, dear, Hay Lin is right» Will said «We really have very little chances to get out of here before tomorrow. And you guys only imagine what can happen if we are late! Caleb will be sent out of Verona if he kills Tybalt, the Heart of the Kandrakar's power will be blocked, we won't be able to transform any more and without guardians powers Phoboes will rule Meridian! That's terrible! »
«And me? » Cornelia said loudly. Her voice was trembling. «Did you think what will happen to me, Will? Everything is already decided for me. Those Capulets will marry me on that Paris, who I don't even know! All my life will be ruined, why I deserve such a miserable destiny? » Everybody understood that she was first of all worrying about her separation with Caleb though she didn't say about it.
«Cornelia, don't think I didn't care about your future » Will tried to justify «You're one of my best friends and I don't want you to be unhappy. It's all very hard for all of us; we understand you and we all try for this not to happen»
«She is right, we mustn't loose hope at any situation» Taranee said.
«Hey, anybody saw Irma? » Hay Lin finally noticed that the Water guardian was not there.
«That's all right, she at that shelf» Cornelia calmed her friend.
Irma was really nearby searching for something she was not sure in herself. She came nearer to one of the shelves and examined it in details.
«Hey, that's strange» she thought «All the volumes on this shelf look similar: they are large-sized, thick, in red cover. All, except one small blue-covered book. What is it doing here? It seems like it was put here on purpose. Maybe it's the one we are looking for? » with these thoughts Irma pulled out that book.
As soon as she did that, everybody heard a loud grating. The four other girls looked at the opposite wall and opened their mouths in surprise…
All right, guys, sorry that I updated so late, I practically don't have any time to write and this is the shortest that I could make this chapter. And sorry I finished on a hanging place, that's the way I can intrigue you and keep ya reading my story. Anyway, please review.