The woman poured them a cup of jasmine tea "it's not much" she said but it helps with the nerves she added.
Thank you, ma" Adele smiled
Emilia sat across the room watching the drama displaying to her still wondering what brought the two sisters.
"So" Emilia's mother began trying to lift the mood, " how is school these days? I heard the council is making new subjects into the curriculum? Mara gave a nod "yes ma. They are but we haven't heard any news of what the subject entails or what the subject is.
"Your house", Adele said gently, pretending to sound casual, " it looks very old." "Yes my love" the woman replied smiling, "it belongs to someone long before us, my grandma took over after the council's cleansing. Adele tilted her head, "Cleansing?
"Old times," she said quickly, then smiled "aren't you too young for this type of digging?. But mama I thought that word cleansing is what happened to heretics. Her mother shot her a warning look, "Emilia"
Adele felt the tension. No worries mummy, we aren't trying to dig anything we haven't heard about that word before that's why we were surprised. "Don't worry my dear sorry for the bad mood" Emilia's mother apologized.
"Adele" mara whispered "look" Adele followed her gaze and widened her eyes a little, she saw faint carving like patterns almost hidden by paints, they looked like symbols she saw in the house of those heretics killed in the books she saw in the library. If this painting is here that means Adele staring at Mara this really wasn't just another fragment, this was the first roof of the Wars of voices.
The sun was going down and Adele and Mara needed to reach their house before the guards started patrolling. They exchanged pleasantries, then went home.
Back in Mara's house they sat together close to the window enjoying the evening breeze.
"I don't think Emilia trusts us", Adele murmured.
" We'll make her," Mara replied. We have to, she is our only key to that house, we need her more than anything. But those symbols, Mara, are faint. How are we going to find what it is all about? Adele asked, feeling down about everything. Hey Adele we've gone so far to feel dejected or disappointed we just have to find a way, okay Mara encouraged her by putting her forehead in Adele's head. Okay Mara I'll try my best but for now we need to sleep because we have a friend mission tomorrow. Alright then
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~✨~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Adele, where is your shoe? Mara's voice echoed from the sitting room. Adele was on her knees, head half way under the bed. " I swear I brought it here when I moved in.
" Are you sure you didn't leave it in the laundry room" Adele popped her head out her hair all over her face, " why would my shoe be in the laundry room?
Mara folded her arms. The same way your book was in the fridge last week.
That was one time Adele answered
" Always one time," Mara muttered while marching into the laundry room. She came out shortly shouting Adele, guess what I found?
My shoe Adele asked
"No," Mara said with a raised eyebrow, "what exactly do you do when I'm not watching you? Adele groaned " Fine, fine maybe I left it there when I went to fetch water. Mara sighed and backed her bag. " You know I think your shoes have a secret life, maybe a wife and two children. That's why he sneaks at night to join other missing items. Adele laughed and her eyes went to the back of the door where her shoe sat comfortably without trouble "oooh she exclaimed, have found it and told you it wasn't on the laundry". Your impossible, Mara groaned.
And yet you love me Adele said grinning
Mara rolled her eyes "let's go before your shoe changes his mind again."
By the time Adele and Mara reached the school gates, the morning bell had already been played. They hurriedly walk through the school courtyard trying not to draw attention from the students and teacher. Fortunately for them, the council carriage has done it, taking everyone's attention.
Mara leaned forward, why is the council's carriage here?
Maybe to remind us to be loyal and silent, Adele shrugged. Or how easy our head can roll from how bodies Mara muttered under her breath.
Close to the door a young man, tall, dressed in dark blue uniform like the one they are on but with a golden emblem stitched at the collar. He looks more reserved and composed than most of the boys here, even more composed than the male teachers.
Who is Mr perfection standing over there? She whispered.
Mara swallowed, "That's Emmanuel, the middle councilman's son."
Ooh that wizard that carried out the execution right? Her eyes beaming with hatred. Yeah he's the one. Mara answered
Doesn't he look out of place? Adele murmured. Everyone who comes from the council always looks out of place. Mara replied quietly.
Immediately Emmanuel entered the hallway, the tension he brought reduced while everyone went into their various classes.
Mara nudged Adele with a small grin staring at Emilia who was sitting at the back seat close to the window. Mission begins, she muttered.
Adele straightened her uniform and walked up to Emilia. " Hey Emilia, mind if we join you? The other seats seem… occupied" Adele asked, smiling politely.
Emilia hesitated for a moment but nodded " sure".
Mara dropped into the seat beside Adele, slipping her hands into her bag pretending to look for something " We were just discussing about the assignment on ancient laws" she stated. And it looks confusing and you know stressful" she added looking depressed.
Emilia curious eyes beamed, yeah you're right it is actually confusing she admitted like some part of history is missing or hidden.
Adele leaned forward lowering her tone, maybe they were burnt or even missing. There was an awkward silence before Mara hit her. Heyy you are spoiling the mood, don't you think anything burnt from history is not meant to be why it is burnt or considered forbidden, Mara said, acting serious.
Adele laughed it out yeah you're right. Hmm but it is still confusing why they burned the book. How are we going to know what's forbidden if the book that contains the forbidden words is burnt? Emilia asked, Adele and Mara looked at themselves.
"Let's forget this topic Before someone misinterprets our words and reports us to the council, " Adele added, changing the topic.
And before I forget I'm so sorry the way I treated you guys yesterday, I wasn't used to friendly visits. Hey no worries we totally understand Mara added what about we become friends holding out her hands for hand shake, Emilia hesitated for a while but took it with a smile saying friends