Septimus Heap, Book Six_ Darke - Angie Sage [135]
“Sep! You’re safe! And Uncle Alther! Oh, you’re both safe!” Jenna’s voice was distant in the Darke Fog but there was no mistaking the laughter and relief in it.
Septimus sat propped up against the little brick cone of the top of Dungeon Number One, too tired to do anything but smile. Jenna and Nicko, both swathed in the voluminous witch’s cloak, regarded him with answering smiles. There was nothing anyone needed to say—they were all together again.
But Alther had something to say. “Hmm,” he murmured. “You’ve let the old place get into a bit of a state while I was away.”
Chapter 44
The Wizard Tower
The sick bay Apprentice knocked timidly on the large purple door that guarded Marcia’s rooms. The door was on high alert. It did not recognize Rose so it stayed firmly closed and it was Marcia herself who let Rose in. Rose felt quite overwhelmed to be standing in the ExtraOrdinary Wizard’s rooms and for a moment forgot what she was meant to say.
“Yes?” asked Marcia anxiously.
“Um . . . excuse me, Madam Overstrand, the duty Wizard says that there is nothing more we can do. She respectfully asks to return the patient at your earliest convenience.”
Marcia sighed. She could do without this. “Thank you, Rose. Would you be so kind as to tell the duty Wizard that I shall collect her at the end of my rounds?”
Some minutes later Marcia emerged from her rooms and set off down the stairs, which were now on permanent energy-saving Snail mode. Determined now to keep the Wizards’ spirits up, Marcia breezed through the Wizard Tower like wildfire. To keep the Living SafeShield going in the face of the continuing onslaught of the Darke, she needed every Wizard to concentrate on their Magyk. The frequent flashes of orange light that came through the windows were a constant reminder that the Magykal energy was draining away. Marcia wasn’t sure if the Tower could hold out much longer, and she was afraid that many Wizards felt the same. But she had to make them believe it was possible.
As she went around spreading encouragement, Marcia felt the air begin to buzz with Magyk once more. It was exhilarating, like walking through the aftermath of a storm, with the air fresh and tingling and dusted with faint sparkles of light rain drifting in the breeze. Gone was the gossip, the bickering, and the petty rivalries that always bubbled below the surface of the Wizard Tower—now everyone was working together.
Marcia moved quickly through the Tower. Most Wizards and Apprentices chose to be in a public part of the Tower; few wanted to be alone at such a time. They were scattered about, each focussing on their Magyk in ways that were best for them. Many paced the Great Hall, murmuring quietly, so that a purposeful hum rose up through the Tower. Others sat by a window and stared intently at the indigo and purple lights of the SafeShield, trying not to wince when a flicker of orange disrupted them.
Having made a point of being seen by as many Wizards as possible, Marcia took the stairs to the sick bay. First she slipped into the DisEnchanting Chamber to see Syrah Syara. Marcia stood for a moment saying a silent good-bye—just in case. She knew that Syrah, still deep in DisEnchantment, would not survive for long if the Darke Domaine entered the Tower.
Marcia emerged shakily to find Jillie Djinn waiting for her at the duty Wizard’s desk like a parcel in lost property.
“The duty Wizard sends her apologies but she has just been called to an emergency,” said Rose. She fished out a large ledger from underneath the desk. “Um, Madam Overstrand, would you mind signing for the return of the Chief Hermetic Scribe, please?”
Marcia signed somewhat unenthusiastically for Jillie Djinn.
“Miss Djinn is ready to go now,” Rose said.
“Thank you, Rose. I’ll take her upstairs.”
Stopping on every floor and encouraging Wizards as she went, Marcia made her way slowly back up to the top of the Wizard Tower