Disclaimer: I do own W.I.T.C.H and Rurouni Kenshin. But only in idle daydreams. If I did own W.I.T.C.H do you think I'd be writing W.I.T.C.H fanfics?
The voyage was a smooth one. As the captain and Peter had promised, the XV-Dragon was fast. During the journey, Will arranged for the six of them to plan what to do when they got there. Despite the fact that it seemed the obvious thing to do, the others hadn't actually thought of it. Or rather, no one had thought to share their preparations.
"Zamballa" Taranee began "Is one of the most heavily forested areas in the world. It is populated by three sentient species" she paused to look at the others. "The Entarens, who are more often known as the tree people, have a symbiotic relationship with the land. They can't live anywhere else. The stone, it is claimed, is supposed to be the heart of the great Entaren queen, Queen Kadma."
"By the doubt in your voice, I'm guessing that you don't believe it. Or all of it at least." Said Will. Taranee looked at her.
"Correct. I was researching Perrin legends and I encountered a little known story about the stone. It claims that sorcerers from the three races of Zamballa met in a sacred grove. They formed a stone that would unify the three races, provide peace and stability to Zamballa instead of the constant fighting that had gone before."
"And you think that's what the Stone is. Some kind of peace symbol?" Will asked.
"Not quite. Perrin magic differs from humans in that a symbol and perception of what that symbol stands for is extremely important. For the Perrin, the amount of belief in the stones power and what it stands for effects how powerful it really is." Answered Cornelia. The others turned to look at her.
"What? Most nobles learn a little bit about magic. I didn't have the aptitude for it, but Princess Elyon is my best friend and I used to help her with the theory side."
"Wait, you knew Princess Elyon?" Irma asked in a surprised voice. "I mean she actually talked to a mere swordmaster like you?"
Cornelia glared. "Two things ok. Firstly, Elyon isn't a snob. She likes people treating her like an equal. Which isn't easy when you're royalty. Secondly, I am a member of the nobility. My family is at court regularly so I've had plenty of opportunity. I was the only child there who didn't treat Elyon like she was some kind of god."
"So what's she like?" asked Will, forestalling another argument.
"She's gentle. Really gentle. She's got a heart of gold and she's a good listener. She's always been there for me and I her. And believe me when I say that I'm going to make this Nerissa person regret taking Ellie." The expression on her face left them in no doubt that she meant it.
"I've met Nerissa. She killed my sensei, the only person to act like a mother to me and she gave me this scar" Will pointed to the cross-shaped scar on her cheek. "I am the one who will make her pay." She finished in a cold voice.
After that there was silence in the cabin. One by one they left the room, leaving Will and Taranee alone.
"Will, you ok?" Taranee asked in a concerned voice. Will shook herself.
"I'll be fine." She replied. "I'm just a little worried about facing Susan's killer. But she will pay, that much is certain."
"Careful Will. You don't want to become like her." Taranee warned.
"How dare you! I'm nothing like her and I never will be!" Will yelled at her and she pushed Taranee out. Taranee sighed and pushed her glasses up. Taranee knew that her friend needed to be carefully watched. Losing Will was something she didn't want to see.
000000000000000000000
Less than a day later, they pulled into the main port of Zamballa. Before they left, the captain gave Will a piece of paper with a list of instructions from the Oracle about how to meet his contact. Will was still avoiding Taranee, still angry about her friends warning. Part of her knew Taranee was right, but another part seethed that anyone could see any resemblance between them.
Meeting the others down at the dockside, Will passed on the Oracles instructions.
"We're supposed to be meeting someone called Tibor here. He's supposed to be an old man with a long beard."
"Less of the old, if you don't mind." Said a cheerful voice behind her. They turned to face a man matching that description down to a T. "Tibor Clause at your service." He added with an exaggerated bow.
Will extended a hand. "A fine day for fishing isn't it?"
"Especially for Haddock" Tibor replied without missing a beat. They shook hands.
"What was that all about?" Irma whispered to Hay Lin.
"Exchanging code phrases to confirm each others identity." Hay Lin whispered back.
"This way, if you please" Said Tibor. They followed him out of the town and up the mountain, to a small hut on the side of the mountain. As they entered, he pushed the mountain facing side of the hut to reveal a tunnel leading into the mountain.
"The Perrin are a very secretive people" he explained. "They're not fond of strangers, so be careful"
As they followed him down, they were all thinking the same thing. Who would choose to live in a mountain? A question that was about to be abruptly answered.