Septimus Heap, Book One_ Magyk - Angie Sage [74]
“Neither have you, Silas Heap. I see you’ve still got your crazy straw hair and those lovely deep-green eyes. What can I do for you? I have waited a long time to repay your favor. A Wendron Witch never forgets.”
Silas felt very nervous. He wasn’t sure why, but it was something to do with Morwenna looming up close to him. He hoped he’d done the right thing by meeting her.
“I, er…You remember my eldest son, Simon?”
“Well, Silas, I remember you had a baby boy called Simon. You told me all about him while I was DeFrosting. He was having trouble with his teeth I remember. And you were not getting much sleep. How are his teeth now?”
“Teeth? Oh, fine, as far as I know. He’s eighteen years old now, Morwenna. And two nights ago he disappeared in the Forest.”
“Ah. That’s not good. There are Things abroad in the Forest now. Things have come out of the Castle. Things we have not seen before. It is not good for a boy to be out among them. Nor a Wizard, Silas Heap.” Morwenna placed her hand on Silas’s arm. He jumped.
Morwenna lowered her voice to a husky whisper. “We witches are sensitive, Silas.”
Silas managed nothing more than a small squeak in reply. Morwenna really was quite overpowering. He had forgotten how Forceful a real grown-up Wendron Witch actually was.
“We know that a terrible Darkenesse has come into the hub of the Castle. Into the Wizard Tower no less. It may have Taken your boy.”
“I had hoped you might have seen him,” said Silas dismally.
“No,” said Morwenna. “But I will look out for him. If I find him, I will return him to you safe, have no fear.”
“Thank you, Morwenna,” said Silas gratefully.
“It is nothing, Silas, compared with what you did for me. I am very grateful to be here to help you. If I can.”
“If—if you have any news, you can find us at Galen’s tree house. I am staying there with Sarah and the boys.”
“You have more boys?”
“Er, yes. Five more. We had seven altogether, but…”
“Seven. A gift. A seventh son of the seventh son. Magykal indeed.”
“He died.”
“Ah. I am sorry, Silas. A great loss. To us all. We could do with him now.”
“Yes.”
“I will leave you for now, Silas. I will take the tree house and all who are in her under our protection, for what it may be worth with the encroaching Darkenesse. And tomorrow, all in the tree house are invited to join us for our MidWinter Feast.”
Silas was touched.
“Thank you, Morwenna. That is very kind.”
“Until the next time, Silas. I bid you good speed and a joyful Feast Day tomorrow.” With that the Wendron Witch disappeared back into the Forest, leaving Silas standing alone under the tall elm tree.
“Good-bye, Morwenna,” he whispered into the darkness and hurried off through the snow, back to the tree house where Sarah and Galen were waiting to hear what had happened.
By the next morning Silas had decided that Morwenna was right. Simon must have been Taken into the Castle. Something told him that Simon was there.
Sarah was not convinced.
“I don’t see why you are taking so much notice of that witch, Silas. It’s not as though she knows anything for sure. Suppose Simon’s in the Forest and you end up being Taken. What then?”
But Silas would not be swayed. He Changed his robes to the short gray hooded tunic of a worker, said good-bye to Sarah and the boys and climbed down from the tree house. The smell of cooking from the Wendron Witches’ MidWinter Feast almost persuaded Silas to stay, but he resolutely set off in search of Simon.
“Silas!” Sally called after him as he reached the Forest floor. “Catch!”
Sally threw down the KeepSafe Marcia had given her.
Silas caught it. “Thank you, Sally.”
Sarah watched as Silas pulled his hood down over his eyes and set off through the Forest toward the Castle, his parting words thrown over his shoulder, “Don’t worry. I’ll be back