The bell rang the last time signifying the close of classes. Adele and Mara went to the library, do you think we saw any books that will help us? Mr Cranfield already said that the books were burnt years ago before we were even born. Yes Adele but how did my hands reach that burnt paper I gave to you? Mara cut in I agree they burned a reasonable amount of the books but you know ashes fly, Adele so I'm sure that they are hidden somewhere either torn, burnt one side but either way still present in this community. We just have to look for it in the least expected place.
They entered the library and sorted out books, books about the war, how it started, before the wars, books containing those people executed because of the war and also executed for committing heresy as the council put it. Adele started making patterns and sought out maps of people living in the community. "These people," she whispered, pointing at the names she found, they are accused of almost the same crime heresy and acquiring of forbidden objects, crimes the council said they committed just like your mum and mine.
Mara leaned closer. "So… what"
Adele slowly traced the location with her finger explaining to Mara, "If you look at the houses of the executed and trace it together like connecting an imaginary line it leads to the place, this particular house. Look at the map". She brought the map and showed mara the addresses of the accused and traced it to a particular place – This place doesn't belong to the council or any of the accused people. "WOW" Adele impressive, really; Mara exclaimed surprised. They actually form a "V" with this building in the middle so I'm guessing the owner is alive or maybe died of old age but her children will still be alive. Yes Mara.
Which definitely means the council eyes is not on her and under her house they stared at each other eyes widen possess "The fragments of Lila Thane"
Mara breath caught but we need to be very careful the council might be useless but they are still very careful, they have their guards patrolling the streets like watch dogs any wrong step and we are over like dead.
Mara bit her lips looking at the map they just made. "Do you know who owns the house?
"No" Adele admitted scribbling the houses of the accused and the house that protects the fragment of Lila Thane in a piece of paper. Then she stood up. If we are going to find the house, we are going to do it in the afternoon to avoid suspicion. Okay Adele we need to start going late, okay.
Adele kept the paper in the middle of her bags, closed the bag and they left the library. You are staying with me right? Mara asked. Yeah my father drove me away because to him I'm cursed with my mother heresy he doesn't want it to touch his son. That's bad for a father, Mara replied, ooh don't worry about him. I never liked him so it is for the best and it will give me enough time to plot my revenge, after all he was there when they beheaded his wife. Anyways that's story for another day I want to sleep well since we've started in a right track and I don't want us to be down by past events yeah you're right mara said eyes beaming with confidence I laughed at her anyone that sees you will think we are going to become the next wonder woman and super girl. She hit me playfully on my shoulder. Aren't we saving the community again? She asked playfully that's your job, mine is to seek revenge I told her. Okay anyways is all leading to the same thing saving the community.
Adele woke a little early in the morning, she stared at the sunrise, the beautiful paint of gold filled the room she said her morning prayer.
"Wake up sleepy head" Adele woke her best friend up. "Good morning", Mara said, still feeling sleepy rubbing her eyes to accommodate the sun's intensity, you look like you didn't get any rest.
Adele smiled faintly, "Nightmares have a hand in that".
Mara paused, staring at her for a second, then got up and tied her hair. Come on, we have a huge day ahead of us.
Adele sucked in the little air around her, went to her bag and brought out the paper so we just need to go to this location, don't you think it is too early for it? Adele asked Mara. What's the time? Mara asked at 7:45am" She replied, " So is 1pm okay for you? Mara asked "yes ma'am" that sounds weird coming from you Adele mara said smiling, "What saying yes only was weird for me" Adele said shrugging her shoulders. So you just needed to add ma'am to it didn't you? Mara asked Adele smirked resting her head on the bed
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Later that day, Mara adjusted her shawl and they left the house walking down the narrow road that led out of the square.
"You're sure this is the house?" Mara asked, glancing at the paper Adele is holding.
Yes ma'am Adele said, if you trace the marks of the three dead women this is the "X" mark.
But we don't know who is staying here. Mara frowned.
" Exactly". That's why we are paying a friendly visit. We can't go looking like a thief or a heretic to them can we? Adele asked, staring at the Little hut still a little far from where they were.
When they reached the hut, there was no sign of anything strange or forbidden, she exchanged a glance with mara before knocking. The door opened after a few knocks, a girl at the same age group with them came out standing in the doorway looking confused.
"Emilia" Mara blurted out,
The girl frowned a little "What are you guys doing here?"
Adele recovered from the shock quickly, forcing a small smile. "We were just… you know visiting. We realized we've not seen each other apart from school and festivals so we thought why not start now? Emilia's eyes narrowed. You came here all the way from your house just to visit me"?
"Yes", Adele replied smoothly even though her heart was racing. "We were just walking around and thought why not say hello.
How do you know my house? Emilia asked again. "Emilia, who is there?" A woman's voice called from inside.
A woman in her late 40's came out, wiping her hands on her apron. She froze after a few seconds after she recognized the two young faces at her doorway.
" Oh.. you girls",she said quietly. " You are the girls who lost their mothers"
"Yes ma'am" they both chorused in unison
The woman sighed so sorry for your loss, please come in. They entered the house Adele eyes wandering across the room for any suspicious objects or letters but the house was too modest to give a clue if that wasn't also a clue cause for a house to look so ordinary means there is something hidden somewhere, somewhere where the eyes can't meet. Mara came closer and whispered under her breath so the map led us straight to Emilia's house? Adele nodded. There is something hidden here but the question is what is it?