~ Chapter 3 ~

Marcellus' Note

"Marcellus … Marcellus ?", whispered Septimus into the candle lit home.

"Do you think he was … killed ?", asked Beetle a trifle unhelpfully.

"I don't think so Beetle! Sometimes I don't know what gets into you"

They climbed into the threshold and started searching around.

"This is strange … it's as though someone abducted him or something", suggested Septimus.

After a fruitless search downstairs they tried the first floor. It was only in the room where a few months before they where discussing Nicko's and Snorri's departure to the House Of Foryx that they discovered something. On the table where Marcellus had burned his sleeves and part of the map, they found a letter.

Dear Apprentice,
I know that you'll find this letter and hope you will know why I left the house early this morning. It was just as I woke up that I discovered a lump under my mattress, thought it was some spring but then I discovered it was a stone, a lapis lazuli one mind. It was very smooth. To my horror I discovered a golden Q etched on the front and a number 22 on the back. Since the last one was 21, and it was yours I thought this was ridiculous or a joke and I should report this to Hotep-Ra. But to my utter horror as I looked out of the window I saw a great barge in the moat. It was the Questing Boat … I thought I had to escape ….

(Now the Writing was beginning to get hasty)

Just a few minutes ago I heared knocking on the door … I know it's the guards … I don't want to let them in … what if they are still Darke ? … oh my they are trying to get in….
Pray, help me apprentice .. Help ME ! … I will - -

But the letter was cut short with some scribbles and a lot of blotches of ink. A candle was tipped and a lot of the letter was spilled with now dry wax making it harder to read the already old calligraphy of Marcellus.

"This is terrible … ", gasped Septimus.

"It's the Queste all over again … ", said Beetle.

"I'm going to find Marcellus", said Septimus while tucking the letter in his robes.

Although Beetle didn't like Alchemists much he reluctantly agreed to go with Septimus.

"The thing is we have to go to that creepy forest again, but this time we'll have to either go there by Magyk or by Spit Fyre, because the Forest way is no longer safe for us … Morwenna will make that sure ..",continued Septimus.

"Listen Sep … I know you want to save Marcellus and all, but this is dangerous … remember the Foryx, the guardian, those Guards and that ancient Apprentice and her bafflings" ?

"Talmar ? Oh … she's not so bad "

"Well she did shove you in the supposedly, Marcia's door … "

"Anyways we must inform Jenna about this", said Septimus.

"You mean Marcellus is missing ?", said Jenna while handing a cup of tea to Aunt Zelda who was talking quietly with Sarah.

"He got the Questing Stone Jen !", exclaimed Septimus.

Aunt Zelda suddenly cut her discussion and gasped.

"That was the reason I came here … I got the stone too … it's number 22", said Aunt Zelda.

"But that is Macellus' stone !", exclaimed Septimus.

"I think there is something utterly suspicious and darke in this", said Aunt Zelda.

"And we are going to stop it … right Septimus … Beetle ?", asked Jenna.

"You're not going anywhere", said Sarah.

"But Mum ….", started Septimus.

"Your mother is right …", said a voice behind them.

Septimus and Beetle looked over their shoulders to find Marcia.

"Hi Marcia", smiled Septimus.

"You're not going anywhere Septimus … this is serious !", said Marcia gravely.

"A white witch and an alchemist on the same queste which is reserved to EOW apprentices … sounds bad to me … "

Aunt Zelda looked pale but Septimus had a suspicion that she knew something. A keeper and an Alchemist he thought … hmm… there was something in the pyramid library mentioning this … and suddenly it hit him …

"Is this a Queste for the Legendary Elixir ?", asked Septimus

Everyone looked shocked.

To be Continued …

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Wiltabone

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