Disclaimer: Guess what? I don't own it.

Author's Note: Thanks to all who reviewed and read. It means a lot. Ok, things start moving fast in this chapter. Get ready. I hope you all enjoy this. For the record, I am getting ready to have some of these characters do some really wacky stuff, the kind of thing they most likely wouldn't do in the novels. But I'm only doing it to shake things up a little bit. This is just for fun. They're still in character, I try to be good about that, but they are going to do some really unusual things.

Beware of those who seem innocent-Lydia

I'm hating what she's wearing, cause all the men keep staring, can't wait until they get what they deserve-Nickelback

Never trust a man with two first names-anonymous (The next two chapters explain all of these quotes.)

Chapter Two

When Septimus arrived at Aunt Zelda's he could tell something was wrong. He couldn't put his finger on what was the matter, he just knew that something was up. Against his better judgment, Septimus knocked on Zelda's door anyway. To his immense relief, Zelda answered the door on the first knock. "Hello, Septimus, dear! I wasn't expecting you. Come in we're still eating supper. I'm actually quite glad you stopped by, I could use your help with something." Septimus tried to calm himself, but his pulse was racing. Yet, he still didn't know why. He was sensing an evil presence in his Aunt's home. But what kind of treachery could possibly being going on at Zelda's? Zelda was hardly a dangerous person and Septimus didn't think the twins were either. Septimus shook himself to get rid of his feeling of paranoia. Marcia had always taught him not pay attention to those types of feelings, but Septimus was sure he was imagining things. After all, what sort of darkeness could possibly be occurring at Zelda's? But when Septimus entered Zelda's kitchen, he knew.

There, in the middle of the kitchen, sat Morwenna Mould, the witch mother of the Wendron Witches who resided in the Forest. Septimus had always had mixed feelings about these witches. He knew his brothers in the Forest had taken a liking to them, but Marcia had always claimed that they were not to be trusted. Then thirteen years earlier, when Septimus had had to go on a perilous queste, Morwenna had tried to kidnap Jenna and make her into a Wendron. That had caused Septimus to lose any of the respect he had still held for the witches. So needless to say, he wasn't particularly friendly with Morwenna when he saw her. "What the hell are you doing here?" he demanded.

Morwenna laughed. Instead of responding to Septimus's question, she turned to Zelda and said, "You were right Zelda, he has got his father's temper."

Septimus was growing impatient. "Aunt Zelda, what's going on? What's Morwenna doing here?"

"Septimus," began Zelda, a little tentatively, "This is why I'm glad you stopped by today. See, Morwenna stopped by to tell me about something that is bothering her very much. She knew I was your Aunt so she actually wanted me to contact you so she could express her concerns."

Septimus was still confused. "What concerns, Aunt Zelda? I didn't even know you knew Morwenna, not personally anyway. What could you two possibly have to talk about?"

"Well, Septimus, dear-" began Aunt Zelda, but she was cut off by Morwenna.

"All we want is for us witches to get the rights we deserve. We want to come and live in the Castle alongside of you and your people. We would be no bother. My ladies and I are tired of living as outcasts in the Forest. Can you even remember the last witch who lived within the Castle walls?" Septimus had to admit that he did not. "Exactly." continued Morwenna, "You see, Septimus, we have every right to live in the city as you Wizards do, and yet somehow, you've ended up in charge of everything. Don't you think you could show my people a little respect? You're a compassionate person." Morwenna was begging now.

Septimus was bewildered. Why did Morwenna want to live in the Castle? The Wendrons had always lived in the Forest and accepted that lifestyle. What would be the point of changing now? Septimus knew Wendrons were big on tradition and he was shocked that Morwenna wanted such a dramatic change.

Morwenna interrupted Septimus's thoughts. "Your Aunt supports my request as well." Septimus looked toward Aunt Zelda, as if trying to find out whether or not Morwenna was telling the truth. Zelda met Septimus's gaze and she was honest with him.

"Septimus, I do think witches should get more rights. I am one after all. Surely, you can understand that."

Septimus nodded, trying to take this all in. Aunt Zelda was supporting Morwenna Mould? The witches wanted to move into the Castle? He turned to Morwenna and asked, "With all due respect, Morwenna, I am very curious to know why you and your coven of witches are suddenly interested in living in my city. The witches have always lived in the Forest."

Morwenna blushed, offended. "First of all, Septimus Heap, the Castle is not your city. Just because you are the ExtraOrdinary Wizard doesn't mean you are in charge of everyone in the city. Secondly, it is not you business why we want to live in the Castle, you are not a witch, you wouldn't understand."

Septimus was starting to get annoyed by Morwenna's attitude."It may not be my city, but I do have a large say in what goes on there and Morwenna, I do not believe you and your coven should even set a foot in the Castle. If you want me to be frank about it, I will. I do not trust you. My mentor did not trust your people, nor did her mentor. Your kind causes problems and doubtlessly, you would continue to cause destruction in the Castle if you were to live there. I'm sorry, I cannot agree to your request."

Morwenna was outraged. Even Zelda was a bit surprised. She had expected Septimus to be a bit more opened minded than that. But then again, Septimus usually had a reason for doing the things he did, and Zelda had no doubt that he had a reason for rejecting Morwenna's request.

Morwenna was heading toward the door, spluttering with rage. "No matter what you will or will not allow, Septimus Heap, my ladies and I will enter your city. We will be given the rights we deserve. And because you so rudely refused to give them to us, your people will suffer. You will learn the true power of the witch coven. Now, I am going to ask you a last time, will you allow us to enter your city?"

Aunt Zelda intervened. "Septimus, say yes. What harm could it do? At least if you let the witches into the Castle, no one will be hurt."

"Aunt Zelda, I don't think saying yes will keep the witches from harming people. I don't trust Morwenna. Marcia wouldn't have given in and I won't either."

"Oh Septimus, why is everything Marcia? You need to stop comparing yourself to her. Make your own choice, don't just make one because it's something she would have done."

Septimus ignored Zelda's advice. He addressed the Wendron Witch Mother again. "Morwenna, my answer is the same as it was before. I will not allow you to enter the Castle."

Morwenna scowled at him and hissed. "You've just condemned your people Septimus. I hope you're pleased without yourself." With that, Morwenna left without saying another word. Septimus knew he had made the right decision by not allowing Morwenna into the Castle, but he was nervous. He hoped she was bluffing about coming to cause his people pain. Surely a group of witches wouldn't chose to take on such a huge group of Wizards. Besides, a few of Septimus's brothers lived in the Forest and Septimus was certain that they wouldn't want the witches to go and attack the Castle. Maybe they could say something. Septimus could tell Zelda was worried, but when the twins came downstairs to talk to her, she forced a smile on her face and Septimus was left to his own thoughts.

If he hadn't been so preoccupied by his thoughts of Morwenna, he would have remembered that this was the first place he and Jenna had ever made love. Luckily for Septimus, he was too stressed think too much about it.

Nicko was fishing in a stream not far from his home with his son, Theo. Theo was becoming quite the little fisherman and fishing was something that Theo and Nicko always did together. It was their time to be together. Snorri called it their "man time," a term which had always made Nicko snicker. But this particular fishing trip was different from the others. Theo decided he wanted to fishing down the stream a little further than usual. Nicko let him do it. Theo was used to the stream and he wasn't likely to get hurt just walking a little ways farther than he usually did. Not five minutes after Theo had walked away, Nicko heard a piercing shriek coming from his young son.

"Theo!" he exclaimed, "Hey, Theo, what is it?" Nicko ran over to his child, praying he wasn't hurt. When he reached the spot where Theo was standing, he noticed that his son was as white as a sheet. "What is it?" asked again. Theo pointed his finger at the stream. He seemed paralyzed with fear.

Nicko couldn't help but wonder what could possibly be so horrible. But when he peered over the edge of the stream, he knew. Lying there, in the shallow water, were the remains of Sam Heap and one of the twins, Edd or Erik, Nicko wasn't sure. Nicko fought the sudden overwhelming urge to vomit. His head was spinning. There were his brothers, dead in a ditch. Who would do a thing like that? Nicko couldn't help but wonder if the darke stranger he had sworn he had seen a few days ago might have been involved. At first, Nicko's mind was frozen. He didn't know what to do. Then after a moment, he knew that he would have to return to Snorri and tell her what had happened. Nicko could only imagine what Sarah and Jenna's reactions to this news would be. Especially Sarah. Sarah had finally found happiness with Terry Tarsal, her husband of a year and Nicko knew this news would destroy her new found sense of peace. This wasn't going to be easy. But Nicko knew he had to be strong for Theo. "Come on," he whispered, hoarsely. "Come on, Bud. Let's go get Mum." He took Theo into his muscular arms. He could feel the little boy shaking against him. More than anything, Nicko wished his son had not had to see that. He returned to his home feeling hollow. His brothers were dead. What was going on?

Meanwhile, in one of the finer Castle restaurants, Marcellus and Marcia were having dinner together. They did these at least once a month. They would leave their children with a sitter of some sort and they would go and have a romantic evening. However, this evening was different. The first thing Marcellus noticed was that Marcia's outfit was rather provocative, more so than usual. When Marcellus asked why she was so "dressed up, " Marcia had insisted that she wasn't dressed up at all and asked Marcellus why he was being ridiculous. So all evening, Marcellus had had to watch men stare at his wife and it was driving him insane. Marcia pretended not to notice, but Marcellus knew she had. On their way out of the restaurant, Marcellus saw a large, burly man reach down to slap Marcia's ass. That was the final straw. Marcellus struck the man with a punch, which caught him off guard. Normally, Marcellus would have lost to a man the size of the burly man, but in this case, Marcellus's anger was stronger than the other man was. All of his anxiety which had built up over the last few weeks, left him as he attacked this man. The restaurant manager, who prided himself on running a happy café, was mortified. He came out and asked Marcellus to leave immediately. Once they had gone, Marcia was furious. She spent the rest of the night going on and on about how stupid he had made her look. Marcellus didn't really care. He was proud of what he had done. He doubted that anyone who had witnessed him punching that burly man would ever consider touching Marcia again. The whole Castle would know he meant business from now on.

At the same time, Jenna was horrified. Her daughter, Delilah, was nowhere to be found. Jenna had laid the baby Princess in her nursery where she always placed her and now there was no sign of her. It was like she had vanished. Jenna was heartbroken and angry. She was determined to get her daughter back. She couldn't imagine who had taken her, but she was pretty sure it had something to do with the prowler from the Palace Gardens. Jenna didn't know how, but she was going to rescue her daughter, no matter what it took. She would show them that no one could kidnap her family members and get away with it. Unfortunately, Jenna didn't realize that she was in just as much danger as her daughter and if she didn't watch her back, she might end up with the same fate that had befallen her mother Cerys. Jenna was going to need some real luck to get her out of some of the situations she was getting ready to face. She was at the beginning of a very long journey.