W.I.T.C.H
Chapter 3
The Whole Truth, and Nothing But the Truth
Kandrakar
"Would someone please tell me what's going on?" Will stood and shouted.
Endarno and the Oracle still stood in the center of the council room, accompanied by Minnio. Despite Minnio announcement that they would now begin, Will refused to do anything until she exactly what was beginning.
The eyes of everyone in the room, fell upon her. At this point, she didn't really care.
"I would like nothing better then to explain everything that has happened over the past few weeks." Endarno said sympathetically. "But unfortunately, it is imperative that this be done as soon as possible."
Will sat down, still fuming at the lack of answers.
"Could you at least tell us what 'this' is?" Cornelia asked, picking up where her friend left off.
"We realize that Kandrakar has gone through some tough times lately." Taranee said, "But understand that we too have suffered recently, and if we knew some more information, we might be able to make things better for us, as well as Kandrakar."
Endarno smiled.
"You speak with a wisdom well beyond your years, Taranee." he said, causing Taranee to blush. "All of you deserve an explanation, but I can only tell you now is that you will get one. Later."
Cornelia noticed the Oracle open his mouth, but then thought better of whatever he was going to say, and remained silent. Cornelia frowned.
"Surely the Oracle can give us some information…" she said.
"Actually," Endarno said, interrupting Cornelia, "the Oracle is the reason that you are here."
"No surprise there." Irma said. Will couldn't be sure, but she thought she saw Endarno smile when he heard this. If he did, it was only briefly.
"Tell me, Will, what are your opinions of the Oracle?"
"The Oracle?" Will asked, surprised.
"Yes. You've had a lot of experience with him." Endarno said. "Kandrakar would be very interested in your view of his work, Will."
Will looked at the Oracle, but nothing on his face gave her any indication as to what was going on.
"W.I.T.C.H has no official leader." Will said. "I wouldn't feel confortable speaking on behalf of my fellow Guardians."
"That's very noble of you." Endarno said. "Please, feel free."
"Thanks Will." Cornelia said telepathically as the rest of the girls slowly stood.
"I'm just trying to buy us some time. I didn't think he'd actually go for it." Will thought back. "I don't really know what to say."
"What do you want to say?" Irma asked.
"Well," Will thought, "The oracle has never been outwardly mean to us, but he's made so many mistakes."
"Nerissa."
"Exactly. And don't forget that he allowed himself to be imprisoned by Nerissa as well."
"And where was he when you were captured, Will? We could have rescued you right away if the Oracle had told us where you were earilier."
"I know, I agree. But I just feel like there's something we don't understand."
"What's there to understand? We don't like the Oracle. And that's the truth."
"I agree."
"Me too."
"Will, My grandma always said that if you don't know what to say, just tell the truth."
"Your grandmother is a very smart woman, Hay Lin." Endarno said.
"Thank you." Hay Lin replied. She paused for a second. "Wait a minute…"
"How did you know what we were talking about?" Taranee asked Endarno.
"Were you eavesdropping?" Irma added.
"Not eavesdropping, exactly." Endarno said. "Kandrakar believes that there should be no secrets inside the fortress walls. Because of this, any telepathic conversations are heard aloud throughout the fortress."
"You could have told us before we…" Will began.
"I could have." Endarno said. "But it is important that your opinions are as candid as possible. Besides, would any of you now like to change what your statements?"
The girls thought about this for a moment.
"No." Will said. "I'm sorry Oracle, but what we thought, what you heard, that is how we truly feel."
"Very well." Endarno said. "Let the council judge accordingly."
Meridian
Vathek, Julian and Walli sat in the mess hall, eating their meals. They had been busy ever since Dee's attack, and were grateful for the rare rest. Without Elyon's powers, repairs were going slower then expected. Tomorrow's meeting with Balsilide was also hanging over their heads.
"So, Walli," Julian said, "It seems that you're sticking with us a bit longer."
"Yes." Walli said, poking at his food. "I think I can do more good here then at my village. Besides, I think I like it here. It's… fun."
"C'mon!" Vathek said with a smile, "We all know the real reason you're still here. She's 5' 6", has brown hair…"
"I have no idea what you're talking about." Walli said, staring at his food.
Walli blushed and Vathek started to laugh, but abruptly stopped when Raythor entered the room.
Vathek glared at Raythor, who quietly got his food, and sat down at the table next to the others. Vathek continued to stare at Raythor as he ate his meal. Neither said anything for what seemed like an eternity. Finally, Raythor broke the silence.
"If you have something to say to me, Vathek, then say it." he said, without looking up from his meal.
"Why are you here?" Vathek asked, continuing his unblinking stare.
"You mean the mess hall?" Raythor replied. "Well, it's raining outside, and I couldn't have lunch in the market, so I decided to eat in…"
"Don't play dumb with me!" Vathek shouted, standing up, "You know very well what I'm talking about!"
"I'm afraid I don't, Vathek, so you'll have to explain it to me." Raythor said calmly,
"Why are you here?" Vathek repeated more loudly. "Why are you in this castle? Why are you on this team?"
"Ah. If that's what you're confused about," Raythor replied, "I suggest you ask Caleb. He's the one who asked me to stay."
"Then what have you done to Caleb?" Vathek said, pounding his fist against Raythor's table. "Are you controlling him? Did you find the Horn of Hypnos again perhaps?"
"My, my, Vathek. So quick to question Caleb's judgement." Raythor replied in a steady voice. "Trouble in paradise?"
"How dare you question my…"
"ENOUGH!"
Both men turned sharply to face Elyon standing in the doorway, eyes blazing.
"You want to know why he's here, Vathek?" Elyon said striding up to the big warrior, "He's here because he's one of Meridian's finest."
"He is not…" Vathek began.
"That's Caleb's call, not yours." Elyon said. "And I for one, trust Caleb's judgement."
Elyon caught Raythor smiling and shot him a fierce glare.
"As for you," She said, bearing down on Raythor, "don't think I've forgotten all that you've done under Phobos. You hurt a lot of innocent people, and your name isn't even close to being clean."
She took a step back and faced both of them.
"Now, I expect both of you to get back to work, and I don't want any more trouble between either of you. Understand?"
"Yes ma'am." Raythor said, then headed for the door. Elyon turned to Vathek.
"Understand?"
"Yes ma'am." Vathek said, and headed for the opposite door.
Elyon sighed, and then spotted Walli and Julian sitting at the table behind her.
"Well? Don't you two have anything better to do?"
Walli and Julian jumped up from the table, and quickly rushed out of the room. After they had gone, Elyon sat down at the table and took a deep breath.
"I hope you know what you're doing, Caleb."
Then she got up, and headed outside to work.
Kandrakar
Will followed Endarno's gaze skyward, and looked up at the container high above the council room. As she watched, it began to change colors. While before it had had a grey appearance, it was now turning darker and darker. Will didn't understand. Everything was happening too fast. She didn't know what to say or what to do. She just wanted to go home. The container continued to shift from grey to darker and darker shades, until eventually only a few drops of white stood out in the black container.
"It's settled then." Endarno said, looking back at the elders. Once again, Will thought she caught a glimpse of a smile.
"The council of Elders has made their decision." Minnio said. "And it is this: As of now, the Oracle is stripped of his tittle, and will no longer be ruler of Kandrakar. Thank you for your time."