The dark clouds rolled in the sky as a young boy ran through the streets of the Castle. He wore a tight jacket and his hood was up. It rained hard on the boy as he sped through alleys and narrow roads. Few people were out and about the Castle that night and those who were scratched their heads at the quick figure who came by their way.
The young man stopped at a corner of a street. He was almost close. Quickly he crossed the road and entered a small house that was smudged between two other shops. The door to the house shut behind him and the boy took off his hood, revealing his messy hair and bright green eyes. He looked around the room he was in. He held back a sneeze as he took in how small and dusty the room was. A man walked down the stairs in the room and looked at the boy.
"Ah," the man said. "You've made it."
The boy smiled. "I told you I would, Marcellus."
Marcellus smiled back. "Thank you, Apprentice. I don't think I can do what I need to without you."
The Apprentice's smile turned into a frown of concern. "What is it exactly that you need me for?"
Marcellus looked at the boy. He gestured with his finger that he follow him and said, "Come with me, Septimus."
Marcellus walked out of the room and into another. Septimus followed obediently down into Marcellus' basement. The basement was no better than the upstairs room. It was musty and did not feel at all safe. But Septimus knew Marcellus well. He trusted the old man and knew he would die for Septimus. Septimus quietly looked down and followed the Alchemist deeper into his basement.
Marcellus finally stopped walking at an old table. He lit up a candle so Septimus could see what was on the table. He saw there were numerous parchments and scrolls. Septimus looked down at them. They were covered in archaic symbols, but some also showed maps and schematics of different architectural projects. One even showed how to build what looked like different weapons.
"What is all this?" Septimus asked looking up at Marcellus.
"This," Marcellus said, holding up the paper in front of Septimus' face so he could see. "Is all part of one thing."
Septimus looked at the way Marcellus held the papers. Slowly and bit by bit Septimus saw what Marcellus did.
On the paper was a carefully drawn schematic of a large figure. It was cylindrical in shape with what appeared to be a large pole extending from its body.
"Is this," Septimus began slowly. "A weapon?"
Marcellus slowly nodded back, putting down the parchments.
"I believe someone maybe using this to attack the Castle," he told Septimus.
Septimus' eyes widened. "We need to tell the Queen."
Marcellhs rolled up the parchments and shook his head. "No."
Septimus looked at him, aghast. "What? What do you mean no, Marcellus?"
Marcellus looked at Septimus and saw his eyes brighten as his anger flared up. The Alchemist stared back at the Wizard.
"The Queen cannot know about this, much less the people of the Castle." Marcellus said, steely.
"No, Marcellus," Septimus began now angry. "The people have a right to know and so does Jenna. We need to know who-"
"Who what?" Marcellus interrupted him. "They'll look for who and they'll suspect the wrong person and an innocent man could be killed."
Septimus looked up at him. He looked into his eyes and saw something different; he knew something.
Suddenly he realized what Marcellus was suggesting.
"You think they'll come after Simon." Septimus said.
Marcellus stared blankly before responding. "Yes."
A sudden silence entered the room. Septimus finally pieced together what Marcellus had been thinking about and the consequences of what he found.
"Where is he now?" Septimus asked slowly.
Marcellus looked sulkily up at his young apprentice. "Out of the Castle. He's not safe here anymore. If they find out about this weapon, th-they'll come for him." His voice nearly broke saying this. A tear welled up in his eye.
Septimus looked at the poor old man. He seemed broken and lost. Septimus took a deep breath before speaking.
"What is it you need me to do?" Septimus asked him.
Marcellus looked back up at him. He cleared his throat before speaking. "Find this weapon. And destroy it before anyone finds out."
"Are you sure you want to keep this a secret?" Septimus asked.
Marcellus nodded quickly. "I'm sure."
Septimus looked at all that surrounded him and sighed. "I guess I'm on my own then. Typical."
Marcellus cocked his head and a smile nearly etched onto his face. This was an improvement.
"Did you think I would've risked you going alone on this type of mission?" Marcellus asked.
Septimus looked curiously at him. "Is there someone else you had in mind?"
Marcellus smiled at Septimus walked past him and to a door behind him. Marcellus looked back at Septimus and smiled cunningly. "You always need a little Darke when using Magyk."
Marcellus opened the door to reveal an even mustier room with only just a table, a sink, and a bed. And on that bed lay a small figure.
"Who is that?" Septimus asked, now feeling spooked.
Marcellus smiled back at him before shoving the body.
"Wake up. It's time." The Alchemist told the body.
The body suddenly woke up and looked at his surroundings. He turned and saw Septimus standing in the doorway. His dark eyes met Septimus' green eyes. The boy smiled, causing familiar shivers to run down Septimus' spine.
The boy grinned, showing off his full set of teeth. "Remember me?"
Septimus wished he didn't.
"Hello, Merrin."