Chapter 7

Finders Keepers

As far as Hay Lin could remember, there was only one time that she had ever gotten in really big trouble with her grandma. It had been many years ago, when Hay Lin was only a child. She had been running through the house, pretending she was flying, when she accidentally knocked a priceless family vase that Yan Lin had brought out to clean. When Yan Lin found the vase on the ground, broken, she fixed Hay Lin with a look of pure sadness and disappointment. It was a look Hay Lin had never forgot, and it was the same look the Yan Lin was using now to stare at the Guardians.

"Let me see if I understand this." Yan Lin said slowly. "You were assigned two missions, and you completed…"

"None." Will said sadly, looking anywhere but at Yan Lin.

"Girls, I am so disappointed." Yan Lin replied.

"I hardly see how it was our fault." Cornelia said, pouting. "Your guy Himerish went native, and the other guy was dead!"

"Hmmm, let me explain." Yan Lin said, seeing the hurt in the eyes of the Guardians. "I am disappointed at the situation, not at you. I, as always, am incredibly proud of all you have accomplished, but the rest of Kandrakar does not feel the same way. I was hoping that success today would put their fears to rest, but now that is not the case."

"Exactly how bad is it?" Taranee asked. "I mean, they wouldn't replace us, would they."

"Actually, they can't do anything. That's the problem." Yan Lin said.

"The problem is they can't punish us?" Irma said, scrunching her face up in confusion. "I wish I had that problem more often."

"Right now, Kandrakar can't do anything. We are a body without a head. We need an Oracle, and based on what you said, Himerish is no longer the man for the job." Yan Lin said.

"So just elect a new one." Cornelia said. "Seemed easy enough last time. Endarno got the job in just a couple weeks."

"The problem is not procedure, it is candidates." Yan Lin explained. "These are… difficult times for the fortress, and no one feels confident enough to take on the role of Oracle. There are many who are qualified and eligible, but refuse to take the position. Such as…"

"You?" Will asked.

"Hey, yeah!" Hay Lin said, cheering up. "Grandma, you were almost Oracle last time the spot was open. Without Endarno, you'd be a shoe-in!"

"I'm afraid I lack your enthusiasm, granddaughter." Yan Lin said with a smile. "With a bit of effort, I believe I could become Oracle, but I no longer wish too. I am not the right person for the job."

"Something tells me only one person is." Will said gloomily.

"You are correct Will. Only one person is fit to lead Kandrakar." Yan Lin replied. "But we have chased him all the way back to Balsilide."

The girls stood in silence for a few moments, remembering their role in Himerish's departure. The silence lasted until Cornelia could no longer hold back the question she had been dying to ask.

"So, about our phones? You know, the ones you took?"

"You would think of that." Irma said, rolling her eyes.

"As I promised, here they are." Yan Lin said, producing the phones from her robe pocket.

"Thanks. Why did you take them?" Will asked.

"With the events on Balsilide, it is likely that the five of you will need to communicate with each other across long distances. So I have taken the liberty of allowing you phones to communicate across worlds. A universal calling plan, if you will. Wherever you are, you will be able to talk to each other using these phones."

"Cool." Cornelia said, inspecting her phone carefully for damage. "But why didn't you just tell us this earlier when you took them?"

"The fortress elders keep secrets for many reasons." Yan Lin said solemnly. "Sometimes for your safety, sometimes for ours, but often, as is the case this time,"

Yan Lin couldn't help but break out in a smile.

"We do it simply because it's fun."

Heatherfield

Though they had been to many different worlds and seen many incredible sights, the girls were convinced that there was no greater sound in the universe then that of the school bell signaling the end of classes. So of course, it was with smiles that all five of them met in the school courtyard.

"I mean, I feel bad, but what were we supposed to do?" Will said, leaning against a nearby tree. "I guess we should have checked in on him in retrospect, but…"

"Hindsight's always 20/20."

"Exactly! Thank you Taranee."

"Besides, what were we going to say?" Cornelia asked. "'Hi Himerish, sorry for getting you fired. Sweet house! Anyways, we've got to go save the universe see you later?'"

"Well, no sense worrying about what you can't change." Irma said.

"What can't you change?" Matt said, approaching the group.

"Oh, just something we did yesterday. It's a long story." Hay Lin said. "It was something you weren't involved in."

"That seems to be becoming a habit." Matt said, glaring at Will.

"Not now." Will whispered, looking up at her boyfriend. "Please?"

Matt sighed, but did as Will asked and remained silent. Meanwhile, Hay Lin had spotted Eric leaving the school, and stared mournfully after him.

"Still haven't told him?" Taranee asked, following Hay Lin's gaze.

"No, I just don't know the right time. I'm not even sure there is one." Hay Lin said, turning to Taranee. "Um, Tara?"

"Yeah?"

"You're, you know, okay with me telling Eric? I mean, if it works, and after you and Nigel…"

"If what Nigel and I had was truly special, then we'd still be together." Taranee said. "I would have had to told him sometime, and the same thing would have happened. Same with you and Eric."

"So you're okay with it?" Hay Lin asked.

"Of course. I'm sure it will be fine." Taranee said with a smile.

"Can someone please tell me what they're talking about?" Matt said, frowning at being left out yet again.

"Hay Lin's going to tell Eric about the Guardians." Cornelia explained. "The whole thing's very suspenseful."

"So if first base is kissing," Irma asked, "what does telling him about your secret life as a mystical Guardian count as? Short stop? A Bunt?"

"Ground rule double." Will said with a smile. Suddenly though, she was interrupted.

"Hello Guardians."

The girls went wide-eyed, stunned. This was the schoolyard, and no one was supposed to know about the Guardians. Qucikly, they turned to find a most unexpected visitor.

"That girl from the thing!" Irma blurted. "You know, with the stuff, and the… hair?"

"Orube." Will said, eyeing the newcomer with a mixture of surprise and concern.

"The replacement Guardian? The one we fought against on Kandrakar?" Taranee said.

"The very same." Orube responded.

"What are you doing here?" Will said, inching her hand towards the Heart.

Will was desperate to keep Orube's presence at the school hidden as much as possible, but it was tough. Orube had called them Guardians in a loud voice, as she was wearing the white and purple outfit of a warrior. Not to mention her bright blue hair, covering ears that were more feline then human.

"Do you remember the last thing I said to you on Kandrakar?" Orube asked.

Will thought about it for a moment.

"Ummmm…"

"'I'll get you next time?'" Irma offered.

"No, I… Why would I say that?" Orube asked confused.

"I don't know." Irma admitted. "Seems like a pretty standard post-fight threat for a villain to make."

Much to the girls' surprise, Orube seemed hurt by this comment.

"I am not a villain, and I make no threats." Orube said, head hung low. "Remember after the battle on Kandrakar, when you defeated my… pseudo-Guardians and rescued us from the power of the Engine? I told you that you saved our lives, and I would not forget it. I am true to my word."

"Well, that's great and all, but it doesn't really explain why you're on Earth." Irma said, eyeing Orube suspiciously.

"Because you saved my life," Orube explained patiently, "you now own it."

"We what?"

"Where I come from, debts are always paid." Orube said as if explaining something to a small child. "I owe you my life, and I will pay that debt. I am at your command. Whatever you wish me to do, I will do, or die trying. You are my masters."

The girls looked at each other nervously. No one knew what to say after being presented with such an offer. Will casually scratched her head while eyeing Taranee, the sign that they should begin speaking telepathically.

"Well this is different." Irma thought

"What do we do Will? We can't accept her offer. We can't own a person." Hay Lin replied.

"Just tell her 'thanks, but no thanks', and send her back to whatever world she came from." Taranee added.

"Let's not jump to conclusions here girls. This could be very useful." Will thought.

"What? No, we are not hiring a servant!" Taranee thought.

"Not a servant, but an ally. We wouldn't make her do anything she doesn't want to, but if she's willing to help…" Will replied.

"I'm with Will on this one. Think of how useful it would be to have someone without a civilian life working for us. Er, with us." Cornelia thought.

"This is a slippery slope. You sure you want to start heading down it?" Taranee thought.

"You and Hay Lin are against, and Cornelia and I are for. That leaves Irma as the tie breaker."

All eyes turned to Irma, who looked away.

"Girls, I think I speak for the entire group when I say that I shouldn't be the one making the important decisions."

For Orube and Matt, who could not hear the telepathic conversation, the girls had spent the last few minutes staring at each other silently. Every now and then, a girl would glare at another, or a range of emotions would sweep across the face of one of the girls.

"Do they often do this?" Orube asked Matt.

"More then you might think. I'm Matt by the way." Matt said, raising his hand for Orube to shake.

"I am Orube. It is a pleasure to meet you. Why are you presenting me with your hand?"

"Oh, this?" Matt said, becoming very aware of his hand. "It's a Earth thing. You shake it and… you know what never mind. Hey, what's with the whole 'masters' thing? You really think you owe them your life?"

"Yes." Orube said bluntly. "You were not there, so you don't understand."

Matt gritted his teeth, but said nothing.

"Only by giving the Guardians my life in servitude can I ever hope to truly have dignity."

"How ironic." Matt said. "Well, I hate to break it to you and your dignity, but I know these girls pretty well, and they'll never accept your offer."

"We accept your offer." Will said, breaking the telepathic connection.

"Well, clearly I know nothing." Matt said, shoulders slumped in defeat.

"Thank you my masters." Orube said. "I hope to prove a worthy servant."

"No, no, no. No 'masters', no 'servant'." Will said clearly.

"You're not our property, and you never will be." Taranee said fiercely. "But you are welcome to be our friend. And there are some favors you could do for us."

"What ever you require, I shall do." Orube replied.

"Uh, I'm not to sure I'm comfortable with this." Matt said quickly.

"You're not the only one." Taranee replied, eyeing Will.

"She can do the Guardian stuff and we can have more time for social activities. Like spending time with you and mom." Will explained.

"I didn't say I was against it. I'm just not comfortable with it." Matt said, folding his arms.

"I for one am glad you have taken me up on my offer." Orube said, stepping up in front of Will. "Tell me mas… Guardian, what would you have me do?"

"Well, first of all, stop calling us Guardians out loud. Kind of ruins the whole secret identity thing." Will said. "I'm Will. This is Irma, Taranee, Cornelia and Hay Lin."

"I am aware of all of your names." Orube said, beginning to glare at Will. "Now, my task?"

"Oh, uh, right." Will stammered. "We are looking for the Heart of Balsilide. All we know is that it is somewhere on, um,"

"Balsilide?"

"Yeah, but I was trying to figure out a way to make it sound less dumb." Will said with a smile. "Anyways, we'd like to be looking for it 24/7, but we have this annoying little thing called life."

"Yeah, I hate how that's always getting in the way." Irma added.

"But if you, Orube, could stakeout Balsilide, then at least someone would be looking for the Heart at all times."

"I see." Orube said. "And when you say 'steak' out, are you referring to the pointy stick of the cooked meat?"

"Uh… neither." Will said, slightly stunned.

"Although I am curious what you would do if we said the cooked meat." Irma said.

"Just go to Balsilide, look around, and see if anyone has seen a jewel like that looks like a Heart. Okay?" Taranee said.

"Very well. I shall serve you well, Guardians." Orube said.

Will sighed and glanced at her friends. Their faces made it quite clear that none of them were comfortable with this course of action. She had done a good job of convincing them it was the right thing to do. Now if only she could convince herself.

Balsilide

Kabina ran down the ally as quick as her little feet would carry her. The small girl with short black hair ducked under carts and narrowly avoided an older man stumbling out of the local pub. She didn't stop to apologize, instead continuing to sprint down the muddy path. With great enthusiasm, she shoved open the door to her house, which gave way with a mighty groan.

"Mother! Mother! Look what I found!" she said, holding up a strange object.

Her mother, and her older sister Selna, turned to look at Kabina. In her hand, Kabina held a small, purple jewel, unlike any they had ever seen. The inside of the jewel was cloudy, but Selna could have sworn she saw sparks in the jewel as Kabina rubbed it.

"Found, right? Not stolen?" their mother said, eyeing Kabina suspiciously.

"Found. Honest!" Kabina said, looking hurt.

"You got luck squirt." Selna said, rubbing her younger sisters head affectionately. "That jewel's going to look great around you neck."

"Actually, I want you to have it." Kabina said, handing the jewel to her sister. "It will make you look even more beautiful!"

Selna knew for a fact she was not beautiful, but 16 years of living in the slums of Balsilide had taught her never to reject a gift. With a smile, she took the jewel from her younger sister, and placed it around her neck, tucking the thin line of string under her long, black hair.

"Aw, thanks Kabina." She said, eyeing the jewel. "It really is beautiful."

The three women were so busy admiring the jewel that none of them had noticed a shadow slip under the door a minute earlier, just as none of them noticed it leave the same way. If they had seen it, they would have noticed it laughing as it faded away into the night.