Septimus Heap, Book One_ Magyk - Angie Sage [19]
“Mmm, very nice, poppet,” said Silas, still fishing around in his pockets. “Now where did I put it? I know I brought it with me…”
“Do you like my socks, Nicko?”
“Very purple,” said Nicko. “I’m frozen.”
Jenna led Nicko to the fire. She pointed at the sentry boy. “We’re waiting for him to wake up. He got frozen in the snow, and Marcia rescued him. She made him breathe again.”
Nicko whistled, impressed. “Hey,” he said, “I reckon he’s waking up now.” The sentry boy had opened his eyes and was staring at Jenna and Nicko. He looked terrified. Jenna stroked his shaven head. It was bristly and still a little cold.
“You’re safe now,” she told him. “You’re with us. I’m Jenna, and this is Nicko. What’s your name?”
“Boy 412,” mumbled the sentry.
“Boy Four One Two…?” Jenna repeated, puzzled. “But that’s a number. No one has a number for a name.”
The boy just stared at Jenna. Then he closed his eyes again and went back to sleep.
“That’s weird,” said Nicko. “Dad told me they only had numbers in the Young Army. There were two of them outside just now but he made them think we were Guards. And he remembered the password from years ago.”
“Good old Dad. Except,” she said thoughtfully, “I suppose he’s not my dad. And you’re not my brother…”
“Don’t be daft. ’Course we are,” said Nicko gruffly. “Nothing can change that. Silly Princess.”
“Yes, I suppose,” said Jenna.
“Yes, of course,” said Nicko.
Silas had overheard the conversation. “I’ll always be your dad, and Mum will always be your mum. It’s just you have a first mum as well.”
“Was she really a Queen?” asked Jenna.
“Yes. The Queen. Our Queen. Before we had these Custodians here.” Silas looked thoughtful and then his expression cleared as he remembered something and took off his thick woolen hat. There it was, in his hat pocket. Of course.
“Found it!” Silas said triumphantly. “Your birthday present. Happy birthday, poppet.” He gave Jenna the present she had left behind.
It was small and surprisingly heavy for its size. Jenna tore off the colored paper and held a little blue drawstring bag in her hand. She carefully pulled open the strings, holding her breath with excitement.
“Oh,” she said, not able to keep the disappointment out of her voice. “It’s a pebble. But it’s a really nice pebble, Dad. Thanks.” She picked out the smooth gray stone and put it in the palm of her hand.
Silas lifted Jenna onto his lap. “It’s not a pebble. It’s a pet rock,” he explained. “Try tickling it under its chin.”
Jenna wasn’t quite sure which end its chin was, but she tickled the rock anyway. Slowly the pebble opened its little black eyes and looked at her, then it stretched out four stumpy legs, stood up and walked around her hand.
“Oh, Dad, it’s brilliant,” gasped Jenna.
“We thought you’d like it. I got the spell from the Roving Rocks Shop. Don’t feed it too much though, otherwise it will get very heavy and lazy. And it needs a walk every day too.”
“I’ll call it Petroc,” said Jenna. “Petroc Trelawney.”
Petroc Trelawney looked as pleased as a pebble can look, which was pretty much the same as he had looked before. He drew in his legs, closed his eyes and settled back down to sleep. Jenna put him in her pocket to keep him warm.
Meanwhile Maxie was busy chewing the wrapping paper and dribbling down Nicko’s neck.
“Hey, get off, you dribble-bucket! Go on, lie down,” said Nicko, trying to push Maxie onto the floor. But the wolfhound wouldn’t lie down. He was staring at a large picture on the wall of Marcia in her Apprenticeship Graduation gown.
Maxie began to whine softly.
Nicko patted Maxie. “Scary picture, hey?” he whispered to the dog who wagged his tail halfheartedly and then yelped as Alther Mella appeared through the picture. Maxie had never got used to Alther’s appearances.
Maxie whimpered and burrowed his head under the blanket that covered Boy 412. His cold wet nose woke the boy up with a start. Boy 412 sat bolt upright and stared around him like a frightened rabbit. He didn’t like what he saw. In fact, it was his worst nightmare.
Any minute now the Young Army Commander