p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="d7adef00d0ed58e3475b5af3c7a2f879"The stairs stopped. Nadia climbed off, closely shadowed by the other Apprentices. She understood that most-no, all-would rather be escaping with their friends and family than be trapped in a dying Wizard Tower./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="79e59672166f7ef12ae3f94bef751267"Nadia wondered what would become of the span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Magykal /spanplace once the span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Darkenesse /spanbroke in. It was not a good thought to harbor./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="5bafe573a444e064badc5ef79f0e29d6"The Wizards were still seated around the table. Nadia waited. Watched and waited./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="be52792827297ff9065d1ef34cf7aef4"Finally, an elderly Ordinary Wizard named Kenza stood. It was her break./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="40051dd5aa6e353217846b0adc15ee6c"Her Apprentice rushed over and offered her a slice of bread while he explained the situation. The old woman's eyes got wonder and wider. She frowned and murmured something to the boy, gesturing to Marcia. Then, she took a sip of water and resumed her post./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="def5eef307dfd8e4d58560e4a4215115""What did she say?" hissed Nadia as the boy returned to her side./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="cc49187ccfaf61955415066e844b7ac5""She says she doesn't think they can leave, but that we'd have to ask Madam Marcia."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="538f5804a6cdc3d6e9928e972b3ef42e"Nadia nodded. As the group looked expectantly at her, she realized it would be up to her to disturb Marcia./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="adbcdcd7d53815525f79c04c43a24dd3"That thought wasn't a good one to harbor, either./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="f3f97f7429077e99ea67c04a610b70e5"She hesitantly tapped the great Wizard's shoulder. Marcia's emerald eyes snapped open and she glared at Nadia./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="431ff647fd887bcdf9f1d8c707c66e71""I need to concentrate!" she snapped. "What do you want?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="5db8768194684bfe8da4974792bedb53""The Ice Tunnels," said Nadia nervously. "They're safe to travel. We're evacuating right now. You guys are the last ones left in the Tower." As an afterthought, she added, "Madam Marcia."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="5c78d3627a29835e4f846d8a737ba69b"Marcia's eyes closed again and she sighed a deep, long, pained sigh. "Oh, child. I wish we could leave. But if we stopped sending span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Magyk /spanto the span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"SafeShield, /spanit would instantly collapse."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="c298a779e2476505ddcae31a449060a1""And kill us all," Nadia finished./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="324f0182b1c8d85d3fc0993ddab3137a""Yes." Marcia sighed again, a sort of giving-up sigh./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="4c6ceea47e0129c0a91e591edbaa4333""Can anyone leave?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="3018e63dfc03898749f90934c9227f0b""Not really. But...just in case...save the books."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="f3a9e303a26cc7858d4caf9cfa724a4d""What?" That hardly seemed like a priority at the moment./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="d721fdb2d1a0d9d84b3172c0d8ade508""If...if we don't make it, then you Apprentices will have to teach yourselves. The books will help. Grab one from every letter of the alphabet. There are wheeled crates in the back. They have handles. Once all are filled, go."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="508dc79576830fba9875947a8e28ab64""We can't leave you!" exclaimed Nadia. She lowered her voice as many Wizards shifted uncomfortably. "We em style="box-sizing: border-box;"can't./em"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="418745a3c45c3c3eb4a81c921b83cde8"Marcia laid a hand on her shoulder and Nadia felt the span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Magykal /spanenergy crackle through her. "Please. I don't have time to argue with you. Go. Take the other Apprentices. We'll manage."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="7800e0cd23c8eb897e140be5bf6e4f73"Nadia stood up straight and tall. "Madam Marcia," she said confidently. "I will go find help. I am going to find Septimus Heap."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="4993a381d175ebdf097d56c8ad481381"Marcia sighed another giving-up sigh and this time did not open her eyes. She was back to sending out all her span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Magyk, /spanto keep this room full of amazing people alive for...what? A few days? Not even?/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="076033c7bb01439ea2e3ca49930defb9"Nadia was suddenly trapped in a bear hug. "Nadia!" Lilian Learen whisper-screamed./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="34c7987e8f4300d7971b087756aed62b""Hey, Lilian. Listen, we have to collect these books, as many as possible." Nadia returned to the group and explained the situation. As she headed for the back, followed by all the other Apprentices, one imposter Apprentice pressed against her side and whispered, "Are you em style="box-sizing: border-box;"really /emgoing to find Septimus Heap?" The name was such a legend that Lilian felt strange talking about him like a real person./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="a863c920c4653cedd857c75c3a4c071d"Nadia nodded. "Yes."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="65a970a64efb8b3f48d0858f67400e2c"Her friend searched her face. "You've changed. I only last saw you about a half day ago but I already feel like you're a different person."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="a5131a54229f6d4c33eb58e10e88bcbb""Someone had to change," murmured Nadia. "Someone had to save us. That person just happened to be me."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="09510f06dafdb96e052c822292b93de9"The two girls fell silent and began the task of packing up the style="box-sizing: border-box;" /*br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /It was sad, really, how many books were left. So much span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Magyk, /spanso much knowledge...centuries worth, and it was all going to be eaten up by the span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Darkenesse./span/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="b715fca31c927c19b0f9cdbd211ff3b1"It just wasn't fair./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="7312eb788903b1adc522c9d613baa7e2"Each child pulled two wheeled boxes agin behind them, had their packs fit to bursting with books, and even had some zipped inside their coats, and still there were too many left behind./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="f6d299837fae5daf7d63384477a783af"It made Nadia want to cry. But the other children were looking to her. She had to be strong./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="41973cb13457076f9dea70b59c24fc35"The ride down to the base of the Wizard Tower was eerily silent. None of the children felt like talking, and everyone else had left./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="4792291c05b8072332762b566e123d10"Save for a small group of people battling it out to the end./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="bf693d7cd5f2c16623d6e829284d63fa"Nadia remembered her passion-filled words. em style="box-sizing: border-box;"I will go get help. I am going to find Septimus Heap./em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="160633ddde52add95a9f28a7bc216e39"Could she? Could she live up to Julius' expectations and save everyone? She knew that if she failed, the rest of her life would be a run from ghosts, from the knowledge that she had failed everyone./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="63e2058fffe81949343ae5abb049aba1"She made sure everyone got through the Ice Tunnels. They moved swiftly and got to the exit in record time./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="50e7fcc590a5414a44b6b97f167f394d"They emerged upon a happy scene. People laughed and screamed. Small children, only five or less, looked wonderingly at the world around them, squinting at the sun until their eyes streamed./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="1464d9dcf2f02e7ce594b02c04aaf7d3"The Apprentices ran to their respective families. Lilian squeezed her friend's shoulder and ran off to find her parents and little brother./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="bf31ef6663ba54794e0381e46a12a16a"Nadia saw her mom, standing a ways away from everyone, looking silently out to sea. Tears trickled slowly down her cheeks./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="6556da09da661ea9f95847ed53afb08f"Without saying a word, Nadia wrapped an arm around her waist and laid her head against her mother's shoulder. Her mother put her arm around Nadia's shoulders./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="8a37287133deddf134c6614a511e6871"They stood like that for a while, staring at the gently lapping waves./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="f07cd6ea37764af3046f7cba7c9835c0"And Nadia knew, no matter what horrors she had to face in the future, she was completely happy right at that moment./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="79e59672166f7ef12ae3f94bef751267"Nadia wondered what would become of the span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Magykal /spanplace once the span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Darkenesse /spanbroke in. It was not a good thought to harbor./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="5bafe573a444e064badc5ef79f0e29d6"The Wizards were still seated around the table. Nadia waited. Watched and waited./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="be52792827297ff9065d1ef34cf7aef4"Finally, an elderly Ordinary Wizard named Kenza stood. It was her break./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="40051dd5aa6e353217846b0adc15ee6c"Her Apprentice rushed over and offered her a slice of bread while he explained the situation. The old woman's eyes got wonder and wider. She frowned and murmured something to the boy, gesturing to Marcia. Then, she took a sip of water and resumed her post./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="def5eef307dfd8e4d58560e4a4215115""What did she say?" hissed Nadia as the boy returned to her side./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="cc49187ccfaf61955415066e844b7ac5""She says she doesn't think they can leave, but that we'd have to ask Madam Marcia."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="538f5804a6cdc3d6e9928e972b3ef42e"Nadia nodded. As the group looked expectantly at her, she realized it would be up to her to disturb Marcia./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="adbcdcd7d53815525f79c04c43a24dd3"That thought wasn't a good one to harbor, either./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="f3f97f7429077e99ea67c04a610b70e5"She hesitantly tapped the great Wizard's shoulder. Marcia's emerald eyes snapped open and she glared at Nadia./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="431ff647fd887bcdf9f1d8c707c66e71""I need to concentrate!" she snapped. "What do you want?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="5db8768194684bfe8da4974792bedb53""The Ice Tunnels," said Nadia nervously. "They're safe to travel. We're evacuating right now. You guys are the last ones left in the Tower." As an afterthought, she added, "Madam Marcia."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="5c78d3627a29835e4f846d8a737ba69b"Marcia's eyes closed again and she sighed a deep, long, pained sigh. "Oh, child. I wish we could leave. But if we stopped sending span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Magyk /spanto the span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"SafeShield, /spanit would instantly collapse."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="c298a779e2476505ddcae31a449060a1""And kill us all," Nadia finished./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="324f0182b1c8d85d3fc0993ddab3137a""Yes." Marcia sighed again, a sort of giving-up sigh./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="4c6ceea47e0129c0a91e591edbaa4333""Can anyone leave?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="3018e63dfc03898749f90934c9227f0b""Not really. But...just in case...save the books."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="f3a9e303a26cc7858d4caf9cfa724a4d""What?" That hardly seemed like a priority at the moment./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="d721fdb2d1a0d9d84b3172c0d8ade508""If...if we don't make it, then you Apprentices will have to teach yourselves. The books will help. Grab one from every letter of the alphabet. There are wheeled crates in the back. They have handles. Once all are filled, go."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="508dc79576830fba9875947a8e28ab64""We can't leave you!" exclaimed Nadia. She lowered her voice as many Wizards shifted uncomfortably. "We em style="box-sizing: border-box;"can't./em"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="418745a3c45c3c3eb4a81c921b83cde8"Marcia laid a hand on her shoulder and Nadia felt the span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Magykal /spanenergy crackle through her. "Please. I don't have time to argue with you. Go. Take the other Apprentices. We'll manage."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="7800e0cd23c8eb897e140be5bf6e4f73"Nadia stood up straight and tall. "Madam Marcia," she said confidently. "I will go find help. I am going to find Septimus Heap."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="4993a381d175ebdf097d56c8ad481381"Marcia sighed another giving-up sigh and this time did not open her eyes. She was back to sending out all her span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Magyk, /spanto keep this room full of amazing people alive for...what? A few days? Not even?/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="076033c7bb01439ea2e3ca49930defb9"Nadia was suddenly trapped in a bear hug. "Nadia!" Lilian Learen whisper-screamed./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="34c7987e8f4300d7971b087756aed62b""Hey, Lilian. Listen, we have to collect these books, as many as possible." Nadia returned to the group and explained the situation. As she headed for the back, followed by all the other Apprentices, one imposter Apprentice pressed against her side and whispered, "Are you em style="box-sizing: border-box;"really /emgoing to find Septimus Heap?" The name was such a legend that Lilian felt strange talking about him like a real person./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="a863c920c4653cedd857c75c3a4c071d"Nadia nodded. "Yes."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="65a970a64efb8b3f48d0858f67400e2c"Her friend searched her face. "You've changed. I only last saw you about a half day ago but I already feel like you're a different person."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="a5131a54229f6d4c33eb58e10e88bcbb""Someone had to change," murmured Nadia. "Someone had to save us. That person just happened to be me."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="09510f06dafdb96e052c822292b93de9"The two girls fell silent and began the task of packing up the style="box-sizing: border-box;" /*br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /It was sad, really, how many books were left. So much span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Magyk, /spanso much knowledge...centuries worth, and it was all going to be eaten up by the span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Darkenesse./span/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="b715fca31c927c19b0f9cdbd211ff3b1"It just wasn't fair./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="7312eb788903b1adc522c9d613baa7e2"Each child pulled two wheeled boxes agin behind them, had their packs fit to bursting with books, and even had some zipped inside their coats, and still there were too many left behind./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="f6d299837fae5daf7d63384477a783af"It made Nadia want to cry. But the other children were looking to her. She had to be strong./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="41973cb13457076f9dea70b59c24fc35"The ride down to the base of the Wizard Tower was eerily silent. None of the children felt like talking, and everyone else had left./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="4792291c05b8072332762b566e123d10"Save for a small group of people battling it out to the end./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="bf693d7cd5f2c16623d6e829284d63fa"Nadia remembered her passion-filled words. em style="box-sizing: border-box;"I will go get help. I am going to find Septimus Heap./em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="160633ddde52add95a9f28a7bc216e39"Could she? Could she live up to Julius' expectations and save everyone? She knew that if she failed, the rest of her life would be a run from ghosts, from the knowledge that she had failed everyone./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="63e2058fffe81949343ae5abb049aba1"She made sure everyone got through the Ice Tunnels. They moved swiftly and got to the exit in record time./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="50e7fcc590a5414a44b6b97f167f394d"They emerged upon a happy scene. People laughed and screamed. Small children, only five or less, looked wonderingly at the world around them, squinting at the sun until their eyes streamed./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="1464d9dcf2f02e7ce594b02c04aaf7d3"The Apprentices ran to their respective families. Lilian squeezed her friend's shoulder and ran off to find her parents and little brother./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="bf31ef6663ba54794e0381e46a12a16a"Nadia saw her mom, standing a ways away from everyone, looking silently out to sea. Tears trickled slowly down her cheeks./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="6556da09da661ea9f95847ed53afb08f"Without saying a word, Nadia wrapped an arm around her waist and laid her head against her mother's shoulder. Her mother put her arm around Nadia's shoulders./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="8a37287133deddf134c6614a511e6871"They stood like that for a while, staring at the gently lapping waves./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" data-p-id="f07cd6ea37764af3046f7cba7c9835c0"And Nadia knew, no matter what horrors she had to face in the future, she was completely happy right at that moment./p