W.I.T.C.H

Chapter 6

The Little Things

Meridian

"So let me see if I understand everything correctly…"

1 Hour Earlier

Caleb looked at the two R.E.G. members standing in front of him and Vathek.

"Oh, you've got to be kidding me."

Vathek and Caleb were kneeling over the body of Mr. Jantique, a Balsilidian diplomat that they had just found dead. He had been killed by a dagger in the back, which Vathek had picked up in order to confirm it as the blade of an assassin. When Vathek realized that the members of the R.E.G. suspected him of the murder, he dropped the knife and backed away from the body.

The two R.E.G. members were the brothers, Hoth and Troth. They had entered the room to find Vathek kneeling over the body with a bloody dagger in his hand. Naturally, they had both drawn their swords.

"Um, we can explain. You see Vathek here…" Caleb began.

"There is nothing to explain." Hoth replied. "You have murdered this man, and now you wish to blame someone else."

"No, no, no we were just…"

Caleb was interrupted by Hoth's lunging sword. He side stepped the attack and drew his own sword.

"Vathek, you want to help me out here?" Caleb said, blocking another attack.

"You are fools!" Vathek said.

"Not helping!" Caleb said, now backed into the corner of the room.

"This blood has dried." Vathek said, pointing to the corpse. "He did not die recently. And notice the smell. It would have taken at least twelve hours for the aroma to be this strong."

"But surely the evidence speaks for itself." Troth said, studying the body. "You were caught red handed. Literally."

"Can we at least agree not to kill each other for the next hour or so?" Caleb said as Hoth slowly got closer and closer.

"They are right, brother." Troth said, putting away his sword. "It is not our place to be executioner. Yet."

Hoth sighed.

"Very well." he said, also sheathing his sword. "We will not kill you for the next hour."

Meridian

1 hour later

"Your hour is up." Hoth said, glaring at Caleb.

"Huh?" Elyon said, giving Caleb a puzzled look.

"Don't worry about it." Caleb said with a sigh.

Elyon shrugged and continued.

"Caleb, Vathek, do you find Hoth and Troth's depiction of the events accurate?"

Caleb looked at Vathek.

"Yes, they seem accurate." Caleb said. "Execpt Vathek didn't kill Mr. Jantique."

"So you admit to him holding the dagger?" Syln said.

"Well, yeah, but that doesn't mean… I mean we didn't…"

Syln smiled as Caleb stumbled through his sentence.

"Look," Elyon said. "The important thing is that we find out what did happen to him. Aldarn?"

"We've had our best men and women analyze the body." Aldarn said, taking out a piece of paper. "All we can tell so far is that he was killed at least twelve hours ago. That would seem to clear Vathek."

Balken laughed and rolled his eyes.

"Something funny?" Raythor asked.

"I'm just not sure we should trust the judgment of anyone who lets you on their Honor Guard, Raythor." Balken said with a smirk.

"I don't really care what your opinion of me is." Raythor said. "But Vathek didn't do this."

"Why do you care, murderer?" Balken replied. "What's one more body to you?"

"Because it's the truth." Raythor replied.

"How would you know? Didn't Vathek work with you during the rebellion? Maybe you're both in on this." Balken said.

"I have worked with him," Raythor said. "And while Vathek is many things, he is also honorable. I've seen Vathek in his darkest moments. I may know him better then anyone here. And I know he didn't murder this man. He couldn't."

"Regardless of Raythor's testimony, Balsilide would have to do their own official investigation." Balsilide's military leader Wilder said.

"Of course." Elyon said. "I hope both of our worlds can work together to solve this murder."

"I've never believed in miracles," Wilder said, standing to leave, "but I suppose there's a first time for everything."

She stood and walked out of the room. The R.E.G. followed. Elyon waved the Honor Guard out until only her and Aldarn remained. As soon as the Honor guard had left, she put her head on her desk. She turned to Aldarn.

"You know, I hate to admit it, but everything was simpler when I would just get captured and let the Guardians do everything."

"Yeah. I miss those days."

Heatherfield

"Irma, how's that cake coming?" Will said into her phone.

Will was lying on her bed, desperately trying to make sure everything was perfect for her mom's fortieth birthday surprise party.

"It's in the oven. Just like the last time you asked." Irma said.

"Right. Sorry Irma."

BOOP

Will switched from Irma's line to Hay Lin's

"How's my dress coming?" Will asked.

"OW!"

"Hay Lin! Are you alright?"

"Let's just say it's a good thing your dress is red." Hay Lin replied, sucking her bleeding finger.

"Sorry. Thanks Hay Lin." Will said.

BOOP

"Taranee, my gift…?"

"Has been ordered and has just left the warehouse." Taranee replied.

BOOP

"Cornelia, how are those invitations looking?" Will asked

"This is still Taranee."

"Oh, sorry Taranee."

BOOP

"Cornelia?"

"Yes?"

"Oh, good." Will said. "How are those invitations looking?"

"They're fine." Cornelia said. "And Will?"

"Yeah?" Will replied.

"Relax." Cornelia said. "We've got this, stop worrying and…"

"Oops, sorry Cornelia, I got another call coming in."

"Fine." Cornelia said with a sigh. "Just promise you'll try to relax. And stop bugging us!"

"I promise." Will replied. "Thanks Cornelia."

BOOP

"Welcome to panic central, how may I help you?"

"Bad timing?" Matt's voice came back through the phone.

"Oh. Hi Matt." Will replied. "Sorry, I'm just stressedbecauseIhavetoplan…"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Will, slow down! I can't understand a word you're saying." Matt said.

Will took a deep breath.

"Sorry, I'm just stressed because I have to plan my mom's fortieth." Will said slowly.

"Yeah, that's actually why I'm calling." Matt said. "I can't make it. The band's got a gig, and those are so rare…"

"Don't worry about it." Will said. "To be honest it's one less mouth to feed."

"Great. I think." Matt replied. "Hey, are you alright Will? You told me about what happened in Kandrakar, so I know you're worried about, well, everything. You sure you're holding up?"

"I'm keeping busy." Will said. "This party's good. It takes my mind off things. And it's nice to be planning something that isn't an attack for once."

"Yeah," Matt replied. "Something where the penalty for failure isn't death."

"You obviously don't know my mom." Will said with a laugh.

"Good point." Matt said. "Just tell me you'll try to have fun at the party."

"Of course. I'm actually really looking forward to it." Will said. "Look, I got to go. Good luck with the band. Knock em' dead!"

"Always do. Bye."

"Bye."

Will put away her phone, laid back on her bed, closed her eyes and smiled. The feel of her sheets on her skin, the spring breeze coming through the window and phone calls with Matt. It was the little things that she enjoyed so much. This was life as it should be. She sat up and glanced over at the Heart, lying on her desk. This was her life, and she wouldn't let anything take it away from her. She hopped out of bed, stretched, and headed out to enjoy her life.