Chapter Two:
*Disclaimer: I do not own any original Septimus Heap characters. (Which is probably a good thing.)
Symphony LeCloud was late. As usual, one might have said if they were not afraid of the consequences. For her, time stood still. She would arrive when she wanted, and that was perfectly acceptable. Or else.
As per the request of the witch mother, who was in dire need of a potion, she was being sent to the Keeper's cottage way off in the Marram Marshes. Symphony didn't mind going to the small cottage, as she did quite often, but it was the Marsh itself she didn't quite like. Mostly, it was the fact that she had to take a boat there. Symphony and boats did not agree, but to avoid suspicion in case Zelda Heap had any visitors she might possibly have, she was stuck taking a boat.
Symphony stepped out of the coven house and her boot crunched under fresh snow. She turned around, and waved at a figure in the window. Symphony belonged to a witch coven, a rather hidden one tucked into the Forest. It doubled as both an orphanage for girls, which was it's main function, but also as a witch coven for those girls who would in reality, never be adopted. But having the unwanted join a witch coven rather than keep their hopes of finding a family up forever was in fact a nicer way of telling them they would never find anyone. Symphony was one of them.
But on the contrary, Symphony found nothing tragic about it. She was better off alone, and that was something that she not only told herself but that others believed as well. It was for the better, actually.
She walked deeper into the Forest, running her hand along trees as she went. The carnivorous ones were her favorite. She found them quite attractive, except for the whole scent of rotting flesh and the occasional bones tucked into their notches. She admired them because they were unique, not only in appearance, but in action as well. However, she could think of a lot more efficient ways to kill someone rather than sacrificing them to a carnivorous plant. That to her was a cowardly way to end someone's life, and Symphony was no coward.
After about an hour and a half of running (and the occasional hovering), she had made it to the small dock, where a black canoe was awaiting her. She tossed her bag into the back, and clambered in with much difficulty. Water sloshed over the side as she flailed about, trying to not only stow her bag and keep the torch from going out, but put the hood on her cloak up as well. She was not one for multitasking. She pulled the hood tight, and huffed to herself as she settled onto the warped bench. Grabbing the oars, she propelled her self forth to the cottage.
It was silent. The oars barley made a sound, and she could hear the faint splish-splashing of water creatures somewhere in the distance. So, Symphony did what she did best, and that was to sing. Her voice was soprano and delicate, but terribly haunting. It carried across the water, to even the far reaches of the marshes. She knew it too. She smirked as she continued her frightening song. She had maybe a half-hours row until she reached the cottage. And it would not go wasted.
ooOoOoOoo
"What is that sound? It's driving me crazy." Septimus said as he climbed up from a chair in Aunt Zelda's sitting room, putting down his latest read. So far the book had really lacked in information, and Septimus later discovered it had been written by an old coot who had gone crazy believing the 'angels of death were after him'. No one believed him.
"Yeah, what is that?" Jenna echoed and went to join Septimus at the window sill. It was hard to make anything out, as the snow was coming down, blanketing everything in it's path. There was flickering light, fire even, that was steadily making its way towards the cottage.
"Do you reckon it's Marsh Fire?"
"In this weather? Likely not. And it doesn't make that sort of sound."
Aunt Zelda too had abandoned her spot and joined the two at the window.
"It's Symphony."
"Symphony?"
"She's one of those witches down in the forest."
"From the Forest Coven?"
"No. The other one." Zelda said, opening the door. Septimus and Jenna shot each other glances. They both knew she meant the orphanage, but was too nice to say anything.
The canoe had been docked, and a black cloaked figure was making its way up the path towards the door. Once inside, it shook itself out and slowly removed its cloak. It was indeed a girl. A beautiful one at that.
"I'm here on behalf of the witch mother. She needs a potion. . . ?" The girl said, her voice soft like velvet. She removed a slip of paper from her cloak pocket and showed it to Zelda.
"Oh yes. This way." She ushered Symphony in the direction of the cupboard, Aunt Zelda's tent dress swishing as she moved. Symphony's dress was long and white, with black and blue designs along the borders. The white was the color of her skin, he noted. And her eyes.
Her eyes had to be her most striking feature, he decided. When she had made eye contact with him, he had shuddered (although he hoped not visibly,) as the purple-ness of them saw straight through into his soul. Soul would be a good way to describe the feeling, he thought, as he listened to the sounds of the two rummaging away in the potion cabinet.
She had prominent limbal rings, black as well . . . blackness. Maybe that was what made them so beautiful. He had done a small study into optics as part of his Exams, but never really paid much attention. Oh how he wished he had. Maybe listening to Marcia ramble on about eyeballs would have paid off. Septimus could clearly picture her saying 'I told you so' and them rambling on about the benefits of listening.
ooOoo
Symphony had long finished digging through the cupboard with Aunt Zelda and was now seated directly across from Septimus as they ate dinner. Jenna was next to him on his left, and was clearly not enjoying her cabbage sandwich. And neither was Symphony he noticed, as hers was practically untouched. She had been looking at him all through dinner and it had unnerved him to a certain extent, so Septimus had decided to give his undivided attention to his sandwich. It was a fool proof plan, he had thought that is, until he had ran out of sandwiches. Now he had to endure her scarily captivating stares at the painfully silent table. Aunt Zelda had tried to make conversation, but Jenna had just scowled into her food, Septimus stuffed his face with sandwiches, and Symphony just sat there. It had been a terribly awkward meal, and he was relieved that it was finally coming to a close. Aunt Zelda, just to busy herself, had gathered the dishes and refused anybody's help, and locked herself in the kitchen. Jenna tried to read a book, but instead ended up staring out the window. Symphony was just sitting on the floor in front of the fire. And Septimus decided he was going to talk to her.
He sat next to her on the living room floor, and said nothing.
"So, I heard you are from the castle?" She said, phrasing it more like a question. She had turned away from the fire to look at him.
"Yes, I am. Are you?"
"From the castle?" She laughed. "No. I'm from the coven in the forest."
She definitely wasn't from the Forest Coven, and her clothes showed that. The only other 'coven' in the forest was the orphanage. So that must mean. . .
"I know what you're thinking." She said, interrupting his thoughts. Septimus looked at her, unsure of what to say or do now.
"And the answer is yes." She said again.
"I'm sorry." He said quietly.
"Don't be! There is nothing to be sorry about. Nothing." She said, almost snapping and then turned back around.
"What is it like at the castle?" She asked.
"It's great!" Septimus said, eager to change the subject. He then started rambling on about various parts of castle life, the Ramblings, and even talked about his position as Senior ExtraOrdinary Wizard Apprentice all while Symphony listened with rapt attention.
When Symphony heard the bit about Septimus being the ExtraOrdinary Apprentice, she almost jumped. It was too perfect. He had just finished talking about said position when she practically blurted;
"Can you take me there?" Which was odd because Symphony never just blurts out, she always tries to remain poised. But in this situation she could hardly contain herself. She had to go to the castle. Had to.
Septimus was quite taken aback by her statement and didn't know quite how to respond.
"W-well I guess. . ." He stammered. "I'm leaving here tomorrow; I can come by and get you on our way to the castle."
"That would be absolutely lovely." She said. Symphony then stood up, grabbed her basket she had brought with her, and made her way to the door.
"I have to go. I'll see you tomorrow?" She said. Septimus nodded. He watched as she slipped out the door and disappeared into the darkness.
