Chapter Three

A Gift from the Heart

Completely dressed in full Meridian garb, Cornelia wore fine silks in the color of the royal house, teal, aqua, and white. Her long blond hair braided and adorn with flowers.

"Are we going to the market or a party?" Will asked as she approached.

Cornelia reached out and helped Will up and then Hay-Lin as she said, "Someone here has to keep up our image, boss lady."

Hay-Lin was wearing Earth clothes like Will, but a long light blue summer dress, so it wasn't as out of place as her shorts and tee.

They chatted for a bit about upcoming plans. As Will had been MIA for the last few days, they had already agreed on some group activities. Tomorrow, Elyon was taking them to a private beach island reserved for the royal family. There was a magic demonstration that the Meridian court was holding, and had invited the five Guardians to take part in that. To Will's annoyance, they accepted. There was also a joust coming up, and several parties at neighboring keeps that requested their attendance.

The subject switched to what they were looking forward to finding. Cornelia was interested in some nice jewelry to take home to Lillian and her mom. Hay-Lin wanted something to surprise her grandmothers with, saying she would know it when she saw it. Will had nothing in mind. Maybe something for Irma and Taranee, since they were sitting the trip out? Both girls agreed looking for something for the missing Guardians would be fun.

"Actually, Will, get something for Matt," Cornelia said, blue eyes suddenly serious. "You know him best, after all."

Hay-Lin, seeing the start of an argument, quickly added, "I'm sure we can find something for him and Caleb! You know, all our friends."

Oddly, the heart glowed in agreement.

Will, frowning, let it drop. She didn't need to revisit that topic right now. Thankfully, Raythor and a driver soon arrived, with him sitting up front with the driver. Once on the road, Hay-Lin floated up next to Raythor.

"So, Ray."

"Raythor," he corrected, not looking bothered.

"What'cha buying today?"

"Nothing, my duty is simply to escort and protect you, my lady."

Hay-Lin laughed. "I can call a hurricane in, like, two seconds, Thor."

"Raythor."

"You can relax! Oh! I know! I'mma get you something nice!"

Raythor now looked visibly uncomfortable. "Ah, that's unnecessary."

"Hmm," Cornelia said as she tapped her chin. "I think that's a real challenge, finding Mr. Duty here a gift."

Hay-Lin sat back down. "So that's settled! We're shopping for gifts for everybody today!" Again, the Heart agreed, thriving in their harmony.

Will looked at Raythor, a small smile on his face as he protested, and felt her own heart warm. Everything was so different from when they first started. Everyone seemed happy. Content.

The market was busy, lined on both sides with booths and stalls, all peddling their wares with gusto. People pushed along in the summer heat, bodies covered in sweat and red marks from the sun. There were kids running underfoot, darting between horses' hooves and cartwheels. Large cloth banners hung between buildings, again in the teal, aqua, and white colors of Elyon's kingdom, giving some shade that people crowded under.

"Oh, poor guys, it's so hot," Hay-Lin said. Their cart stopped at the edge of the thickest section. She floated up and raised a hand.

The Heart happily answered, giving Hay-Lin the magic she asked for with no hesitation.

A wind picked up, gentle and sweet. Tipped in a chill from the touch of snow and ice, soothing on their irritated skin. Clouds, white and fluffy, traveled overhead, blocking out the harsher rays of the sun, leaving the market in an agreeable overcast.

The people of the city of Meridian happily welcomed the cool breeze, lifting their heads to the chill.

"Guardian Witch Hay-Lin!" cried the crowd as they spotted the hovering, dark-haired woman.

Calling themselves W.I.T.C.H for so long had caused the people of magic filled worlds to incorporate it into their titles. It felt unnecessary, but there wasn't much they could do to stop it.

"Hi!" Hay-Lin waved, happy to help them feel relieved from the heat.

Next they called to Cornelia, sitting tall with a strong arch to her back. "Guardian Witch Cornelia!" Cornelia smiled, it touching her eyes, as she looked at the crowd, and she flicked her wrist. In an explosion of color, the wind filled with pastel petals, spinning and dancing in the cool breeze, spreading across the market.

Will had tried her best to duck down, falling like a limp noodle onto the seat. What was she going to do, shoot atmospheric electricity at them? But Cornelia pulled her up and hissed in her ear, "Don't do that, you look pathetic."

Why did it matter what she looked like? She just didn't like so much attention on her when she wasn't the one doing anything for them.

"High Witch Wilhelmina!"

Oh, no, not them too!

"Will!" she called to the cheering crowd. "It's just 'Will'"!

Cornelia pulled her over next to her, hand laced in hers, grip gentle, but firm, as she said against the roar of the crowd. "Let them be, boss. Stop sweating the small stuff."

Will gave a stiff wave, thankful for Cornelia, as she was happy to soak up most of the attention by summoning flowers and throwing them to the crowd. The Heart shimmered, fueled by the joy of her companions.

Raythor took control soon, demanding everyone to give them space. Hay-Lin landed, as her dress wasn't a good idea to float over a crowd in, and joined Will and Cornelia as Raythor accompanied them through the market on foot, barking orders at the common folk. Will noticed that, while they all drew attention, many people focused solely on her. To the point she kept hearing whispers of her name and felt her flesh prickle with the lingering stares.

"Maybe I shouldn't have worn shorts today", she reasoned with a self-conscious laugh, hand rubbing her arm. Hay-Lin was looking at a selection of porcelain brooches and only gave a shrug, not paying attention. It was hard, though, to miss the heavy look Cornelia and Raythor shared, eyes loaded, brows pulled together, lips thin. Raythor moved, blocking Will from more of the crowd, and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Ah, Lady Will, if you wish, I can escort you back to the castle? The others can continue shopping."

Will, even in her discomfort, laughed. Raythor really was overprotective today.

"What? No, I'll just change and fly back. I can just shop later," she reasoned. There was so much attention on them, she was feeling overwhelmed. Going to the castle, back to the secluded little part of a certain courtyard, sounded better.

Before they could object, and they definitely started to object, she called on the Heart and she let the magic change her. Well, just her clothes, as physically she was still the same. Will ignored the cheer of the crowd and flew up and over, waving at her friends, then turning a corner.

Will debated just climbing higher into the sky, over the town, but the sudden, powerful pull of the Heart drew her to a new cluster of booth. These booths looked out of place compared to the ones she just visited. Colors not of the royal family, just well-worn cloths that had more earth tones to them. Even the shapes did not match, as they were smaller and looked less sturdy. Will realized it was the traveling magic merchants as, once she landed, several items around the market glowed in responds to the Heart's call.

This area had fewer people, as the items were extremely pricey and not a needed for the average person. The people shopping along the stalls were all very well dressed, like Cornelia, in fine dresses and tunics, servants trailing after them carrying purchase.

At her touch down, most vendors watched her intently, as they clearly knew the significance of the jewel that shimmered at her breast. There was another pull of magic from the Heart and several items scattered around the vendors glittered in response, floating in the air, magic visibly sparking from them. There was a moment of silence before the wealthy people scattered to those items, finding value in the ones that glowed. Excited, the vendors were happy to have several bidding wars happen at once.

Annoyed, Will wondered why the heart call her here. Just to inflate the value of some items that probably just had simple enchantments on it to change hair color or call a light rain?

There was something to her right that caught her eye. In a booth that sold hair accessories of various types. The circlets drew her over. Made of a wide assortment of materials, such as wood, glass, brass, silver, and gold, they all held a unique appeal. One of the gold ones pulsed with magic, glittering in the sunlight, and a young woman near Will shoved her aside and snatched it up. But that wasn't what Will was reaching for.

At the back, stacked under some old cheap wooden ones, was something black. It was smooth as she picked it up, cold and oddly heavy for something so small. The etching on it very detailed, but hard to see on its black surface without angling it in the sunlight. There was not a trace of magic in it, and she wasn't even sure it would be suitable to use as a magic charm, as she did not know what stone it was. Onyx, maybe?

A gift.

Startled at the thought, Will touched the Heart. It reached out, every so often, fleeting thoughts and emotions, but never something that clear.

A gift for who?

"Ah, sorry, My Lady!" The woman, who had snatched the magic circlet, looked embarrassed as she realized who Will was. "Here!" the noblewoman, around Will's age with tan skin and straight black hair, said while handing the magic one out to her.

Will shook her head. "No, it's okay. I think I'm going to get this one," she said, holding up the black one.

The woman still looked flustered and offered with sincerity, "Well, please let me purchase that for you, High Witch Wilhelmina!"

Oh, no.

"It's 'Will'. And, no, it's okay," she assured again. "I can buy it." Elyon had given them more gold than needed to spend on their vacation, as they always funded what she needed when she came to Earth for supplies. Cornelia was often footing the bill for her best friend's need, but the other four helped when needed, something Elyon was grateful for.

"Nonsense!" An older woman pushed the younger one aside. Hair and skin matching enough they clearly held relations. And the way the younger moved back, with her head lowered, showed the power dynamic between the two. "My silly daughter here acted out of turn! Save that pocket change the queen tossed at you and let the Moondalls pay tribute, as one should." The woman snapped her finger, eyes narrowing at the vendor, voice hard. "Wrap it all up for Lady Wilhelmina."

The man had no objections as he collected all the circlets, eager for the sale.

"Will. And what? No-"

"Now, with that settled, let me properly introduce myself. I am Duchess Eulalia. I had hoped to meet you before the one of the more formal events. Those can be so stiff. Hard to get a feel for how people are… truly like."

"Thank you, but you really- "

"And, I must say, you are more modest than your reputation colors you to be. I expected someone more homely with the grand tales told of your physical prowess and tactical mind."

"What does that mean-"

"My goodness, you have a brilliant shade a red hair, one I have not seen since the late Queen Weira, rest her soul. And such a fair complexion. Magic does wonders for the vitality of youth. I hear the prince looks not a day over twenty and draws the eyes of many young suitors, as I am sure you do."

"I think maybe I should go-!"

"Yes, let us take a walk! Marvelous idea! The weather is so much more agreeable. Something we are to thank you for, no?"

"Actually, Hay-Lin-"

"Whose magic is bestowed by you, my ladyship. All their deeds are thanks to your strength. Why, look at how scattered the previous Guardians were with a weak Light like Lady Cassidy, and a black Light like Nerissa. Meridian owes you much, Light of Infinity."

What the flying fuck was happening? And why was that bone chilling? She had to get the hell away before she lost her cool. Poor Cassidy was living her second chance at life on Earth with her family. It wasn't her fault Nerissa turned on them.

The vendor finished wrapped the circlets up in a wooden box and handed it to Will as the Duchess's servant paid with a fist full of gold coins. Feeling trapped, Will forced a manic laugh, clutching the box.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, but I really have to go! You know, fighting evil and all that stuff."

The older woman just smiled and said, "Of course, the work of the High Witch is never done, I imagine. How about we come round after the week? My daughter has been dying to see the castle. Queen Elyon has not had an open court yet. Simply criminal in my humble opinion, my ladyship."

Confused, Will just nodded. "Sure! Whatever, I just have to go." And she flew away, not sure why the people of Meridian seemed more obsessive over the Guardians. It had been years since they actively did anything to benefit the people beyond a cool breeze and some flowers.

Feeling uneasy, Will glanced back at Duchess Eulalia, who was watching her in return. Will sped up, clearing some roofs and leaving her sight.

Seriously, what the hell was that about?

Also, what was she going to do with all these headpieces?