Chapter Eleven

The Ball was packed with citizens. Misty was glancing around the room, looking to see if she recognized anyone. It only took her a moment to spot Snorri Snorreleson with Nicko across the room. Snorri's beautiful, white blonde hair fell gracefully down her back and her sapphire eyes shone. Misty sighed. How had Cliff chosen her over Snorri? She was so lucky. Snorri couldn't have been more attractive. Just as this thought was occurring to her, she felt a hand on her back. "Cliff, hey!" she exclaimed.

"You look gorgeous." Cliff said, taking in every bit of Misty's body. 'Stop it,' he told himself, 'I am here to talk with her, not think about her body all night!'

If Misty noticed Cliff was starring at her, she didn't say anything. "Come on," she said eagerly, grabbing him by the hand and leading him into the crowd of people. "Let's go have some fun."

About that time, Marcia Overstrand strode into the room. She looked utterly glamorous. Some of the townsmen, who had never actually seen the ExtraOrdinary Wizard, felt their jaws drop. By Marcia's side was Marcellus, who felt like the luckiest man alive. All of the people in the room parted respectfully to let her pass. Marcellus didn't know what to think about being the center of attention. He had never had so many people looking at him before. It was unnerving. Marcia, on the other hand, was loving every moment of it. There was nothing Marcia liked more than having other people admire her. She knew she looked good.

Eventually, Marcia took her place in the front of the room. Not five minutes after Marcia arrived, Jenna strode in on Beetle's arm. Although the citizens of the Castle bowed before her and honored her, she still didn't seem confident. The more observant people noticed that Jenna was nervous.

Sarah Heap was standing in the back of the room. She didn't really know why she had come. She noticed, with some satisfaction, that Marcia seemed to be interested in a man other than Silas now. 'She's such a whore,' thought Sarah, 'I'd like to teach her a thing or two.' But secretly, Sarah was kind of hoping Silas would show up and they could reconcile their relationship. She waited quietly for Silas to arrive.

Hours passed, and everyone but Jenna was enjoying themselves. Jenna wanted to have a good time, but she was still thinking of Septimus. She was beginning to become really interested in Beetle. His kindness was more than she felt she deserved on most days. But she didn't object to it. She still couldn't believe that he had been so understanding about her pregnancy. Jenna was worried about Septimus, though. She just wanted to know where he was and if he was all right. That wasn't too much to ask, was it? It didn't seem like it.

Nicko was thrilled to have Snorri back. He felt as though everything was going the way it was supposed to now. During the three years they had been apart, Nicko had tried to make himself forget her. But, now, that she was in his arms once more, he vowed never to let her go again, even if she tried to leave.

Marcia had been a very lovely time, when suddenly she thought she caught a smell of something darke. At first, she figured she was imagining things, but the smell was only becoming stronger. "Marcellus," she began, and then remembering that he was an alchemist and not a Wizard, and therefore, couldn't smell darke magyk, she stopped talking.

"What is it?" asked Marcellus, horribly sure that Marcia was going to say that his company hadn't been good enough.

"Marcellus, I know you can't sense this sort of stuff, but I can feel something darke coming from that side of this room." She gestured toward the place where Misty and Cliff were dancing. "There's something funny about that boy." She whispered, glancing at Cliff.

Marcellus knew Marcia didn't get uncomfortable about much. He knew he should listen to her here. "Mad.. I mean Marcia, what do you mean? He seems perfectly fine to me."

"That's what you don't understand! He is sending off darke vibes. I don't know how the other Wizards aren't feeling them."

Just as Marcia was saying these words, the ghost of Alther Mella floated into the room. Marcia couldn't have been happier to see him. "Alther!" she exclaimed, "Do you sense anything darke coming from the boy who's dancing with Jenna's cousin over there?"

Alther nodded his head, but he didn't seem worried. "Actually, Marcia, I have, but it's nothing to worry about. I've determined that they boy just has a darke heritage. He, himself, has never been exposed to darke magyk at all."

"But Alther, he could go crazy! If his parents or grandparents followed…DomDaniel then this boy has the potential to be very dangerous as well."

Alther was becoming exasperated. "Marcia, I've watched him all evening. He's a good lad, I assure you. Don't you trust me?" Marcia was finally beginning to think Alther was right. Alther could tell he was winning. "Now, go have some fun. I think you've bored poor Marcellus enough with your worrying."

"Not at all." Marcellus replied politely.

The second Alther disappeared, Marcia whispered "Come with me." into Marcellus's right ear. He felt his stomach flop. He had a feeling Marcia was taking him to do something rather fun.

Jenna was chatting quietly with Beetle at a small table in the back of the room. She had nearly forgotten all of her concerns about Septimus. Something about being with Beetle made her do that, it was wonderful. Beetle was so genuinely interested in her, fascinated by her really. Normally, Jenna wouldn't like being around a person just because he or she made her feel loved and wanted, but Beetle was an exception. He was thoughtful and kind and was beginning to think that if she had been spending more time with Beetle in the past few months, she might never have begun her affair with Septimus. She almost wished that were the case.

At the same time, Misty and Cliff were dancing. Misty was excited about being this close to him. She didn't trust her voice to talk, she was so happy that she knew she would only stutter like an idiot. Cliff did not seem to mind the silence, however. Misty and Cliff spoke with their eyes that evening and both of their eyes held the same expression: ecstasy.

Meanwhile, Marcia had led Marcellus outside onto the Palace balcony. Finally, they were alone. The balcony offered a perfect view of the city. Marcia broke the silence that had fallen between the two of them. "It's beautiful, isn't it?"

"Yes," agreed Marcellus, "It is indeed." Marcia sat down on a small bench, and Marcellus sat down beside her. Marcia couldn't help but notice how close she and Marcellus were sitting.

Marcellus decided he was ready to make a move. Quickly, he glanced around to see if anyone was looking. When he was truly sure that they were alone, Marcellus placed a short kiss on Marcia's lips.

Marcia didn't look surprised or insulted. In fact, she gave Marcellus a taunting look, as if she was daring him to go on. Needless to say, he did. Marcellus had not had this much fun in years. He had never really recognized how much he had missed romance.

Marcia was enjoying herself as well. This was exactly what she was hoping would happen when she had taken Marcellus out to the balcony with her. They had spent all evening talking, and now she was tired of doing that. While he was kissing her, Marcia felt Marcellus's hands stray to some places that she probably shouldn't have allowed them to go, but tonight, she didn't care. This was a million times better than kissing Silas had been.

Sarah Heap was still waiting for Silas, although now, she was had a bad feeling that he wasn't coming. Maybe he really didn't love her. Sarah was angry at Silas, but she couldn't imagine not being with him. She loved him, even if he no longer had feeling for her.

Sarah was so busy thinking of Silas that she didn't notice that a new guest had entered the Ball room. This guest was a rough looking fellow with long dark hair and beady eyes. Jenna had spotted him, and she knew him at once. "Beetle!" she gasped, grasping his hand. "That's Merrin Meredith!"

Beetle realized that Jenna was right. He remembered Merrin from his days at the Manuscriptorium and he did not have fond memories of him. "What does he think he's doing here?" asked Beetle, obviously disgusted.

Then, Jenna noticed that Merrin wasn't alone. Beside him was a rough looking man who appeared to be twice Merrin's age and size. He was not the kind of man Jenna would want to run into in a dark alley.

Beetle noticed that Jenna seemed afraid, and he put his arm around her. "It's all right, Jenna." He muttered. "I'll take care of this."

But just as Beetle rose, Merrin shouted the words, "That's him! Get him!" at the top of his lungs. Everyone in the room stopped moving. Merrin was pointing his finger directly at Cliff.

"What does he want, Cliff?" asked Misty, frantically.

Cliff didn't answer. He didn't know. Before he could prevent it, the burly man had jumped on him, and they were brawling right in the middle of the floor. People screamed and ran about like chickens with their heads cut off. Misty tried to attack Merrin, but he fought her off.

Suddenly, a thunderflash shot across the room and hit the burly man attacking Cliff directly on his chest. The man fell over, limp as a rag, and all eyes looked to see where the thunderflash had come from.

"Septimus!" yelled Sarah and Jenna in unison. It was true, Septimus had arrived just in time to save Cliff from the burly man. Merrin Meeredith was no longer the stupid, rash boy he had once been and he knew he couldn't fight Septimus. He would have to back off, but that wasn't a problem, he still had quite a few more tricks up his sleeve.

Just as Septimus was preparing another thundeflash to hit him, Merrin whispered these chilling words into Cliff's ear. "I know who you are, and I'll find you. You're a disgrace to DomDaniel's good name. You may be his son, but you are his son in name only. No son of DomDaniel's would be here tonight, I can tell you. Simon Heap may not be DomDaniel's actual heir, but he will be a finer ExtraOrdinary then you ever thought about being. You're a traitor, so you will die with the rest of the traitors." Septimus was just about to hit Merrin with his curse, when Merrin vanished into thin air. This one of the few spells he could master with no problem what so ever.

Some of the people gasped, others wailed. Septimus ran over to Jenna and Beetle, both of whom were thrilled to see him. Cliff was in a daze and Misty was trying to help him off the ground.

"Misty," he murmured, "I never knew my real father. My mother always told me he had died. Just now, that dark looking young man just told me that I'm the child of DomDaniel, one of the most evil darke necromancers of all time."

"It's not true!" Misty declared, "It couldn't be! DomDaniel never had a wife."

"No, but he supposedly had many lovers. My mother knew so many stories about him. I always wondered how she knew them." Cliff winced. "Now I guess I know."

"Don't be ridiculous, Cliff. Are you honestly going to believe it's just because that pipsqueak said it was so?"

Cliff paused for a moment, and then said. "I don't know, Misty, I just don't know. If I am his son, I doubt he ever knew I was alive, otherwise he might have tried to make me his apprentice. I think I am dud though. I can't do magyk. I've never been good at it."

Septimus walked over to Cliff. "Thank you." Cliff said quietly. "Septimus, I want to tell you what this kid just told me."

"You mean Merrin Meredith?" asked Septimus, "Yeah, I was curious to know what he was telling you. I haven't seen him in at least four years."

"He told me.. he said I am DomDaniel's illegitimate son. But I don't know how that could be possible because I am incredibly horrible at magyk. I flunked out of my magyk classes at school." Cliff was hoping Septimus wouldn't try and attack him now that he had admitted this piece of information. But, he was in luck, Septimus didn't seem angry at all.

"I hate to say this, Cliff, but for once, I think Merrin may have been telling the truth. Every time I come around you, I feel a darke presence. But I have also been around you long enough now to know that it was your ancestors doing the darke stuff and not you. I really don't care who's son you are, you're a good guy, Cliff, don't beat yourself up." All of the citizens who had come to the Ball were listening to this conversation. Cliff kept expecting a least one of the townsmen to try and attack him, but no one did. It seemed that anyone who was all right with Septimus was all right with the citizens.

"But Septimus, that's not all this Merrin guy said. He said that there was another guy he was working with and I can't remember his first name but I am positive the last name was Heap. He said that this Heap guy would be twice the ExtraOrdinary Wizard I would ever be. I think he thought I knew who my father was."

"Simon!" exclaimed Septimus. "Cliff, tell me, did Merrin say Simon Heap?"

"That's the name." confirmed Cliff.

Sarah Heap shrieked and her legs gave way. She fell to the floor, but was still conscious. Nicko rushed to her side. "Simon's gone mad!" she screamed. "Oh my baby's gone mad."

As Nicko was comforting Sarah, Septimus took the time to say one last word to Cliff. "Cliff, I have a feeling that things are going to be very difficult for the next few days. If I know Simon like I think I do, he will stop at nothing to finish off anyone who stands in his way to becoming ExtraOrdinary Wizard. In other words, he probably would like to see me, Marcia, and Jenna dead. And unfortunately, now that he knows who you are, he'll probably be trying to kill you too. Be careful, my friend, and always watch your back."

These words sent chills down Cliff's spine, but he responded in a confident voice. "Thank you, Septimus. I will be cautious."

Septimus didn't answer him, his mind was already on other things. "Speaking of Marcia, has anyone seen her? I want to know if she is all right."

At first, no one responded to Septimus's question. At last, Jenna said "She came here with Marcellus and they wandered off about forty-five minutes ago, no one has seen them since, Sep."

Septimus didn't like the sound of that, but he wasn't all that worried. If there was one person who could finish off Simon Heap in a heartbeat, it was Marcia. But all the same, Septimus wanted to see his tutor.

All the way across the Palace on the balcony, Marcia was still with Marcellus. They had been sharing the best evening Marcia had had in a very long time. Marcellus was busy telling her about his life and all the different people he had met over five hundred years and Marcia was listening with avid interest. Suddenly, a loud thumping noise interrupted Marcellus in mid sentence. Marcia looked up just in time to see a huge object come falling from the roof at a very fast speed. She and Marcellus dodged it just in time. When the object hit the floor of the balcony, a red substance oozed out of it.

At first glance, it appeared to be a bunch of blankets all strung together, but on second glance, Marcia saw that the blankets were covering something. Tentatively, Marcia pulled back the first blanket. As she did, she realized what the object was. Marcia was not usually one who showed emotion, but here, in front of Marcellus, she didn't care. After pulling back the blankets, she burst into sobs, clutching the blanket against her bosom as she did so. Marcellus peered over her shoulder to see what the object was.

"Marcia, what's-" he stopped short. There, lying in Marcia's arms, were the remains of Silas Heap. His head had been bashed in with a club and his blood was covering Marcia's cloak. She tried to cover his face to keep Marcellus from having to see the grotesque sight, but it was too late. Marcellus remained composed though, and even threw his arms around Marcia, gently kissing her head to comfort her.

As Marcia was clutching Silas body, all of her memories of their young love came back to her. She felt grief stricken and angry. She wanted the chance to finish off whoever had done this to Silas. She couldn't understand who would do such a thing. It was just horrifying.

While Marcia was thinking of Silas, Marcellus noticed something that fell out from one of the folds of the blanket. Carefully, he picked it up. To his dismay, he recognized it was an anonymous note addressed to Marcia. It was scribbly hand writing and Marcellus had to squint to make it out. When he finally did manage to make out the word on the page, he almost wished he hadn't. It was a simple sentence. : "Madam Marcia, sweetheart, you're next." was all it said. Marcellus put in his pocket. It was probably not the best thing to show Marcia just now.

Marcellus had been so distracted by the note, that hadn't noticed that Marcia was no longer looking down at Silas. Instead, she was casting her glance in the direction of the Ramblings, which were clearly visible from the Palace Balcony. Marcellus followed her gaze, and was shocked by what he saw.

"My God! Marcia, the Ramblings…they're on fire!" It was true, the Ramblings were covered in flames and smoke and people's screams could be heard all over the Castle. Marcia didn't know who was doing this, but she knew why. The people of the Ramblings were poor and didn't have nice clothing, so they didn't often go to Balls. Whoever did this probably knew they could harm more people by setting the Ramblings ablaze then they could if they set anywhere else on fire. Practically everyone else in the Castle was at the Ball.

"We have to stop this now!" Marcia shouted, her voice becoming a little hysterical. "People are dying! I've got to go warn everyone back at the Ball and hopefully, I can get a group of Wizards to help me put that fire out."

"I'll go with you." Marcellus declared. He hated the idea of Marcia having to go into that mess alone. If she was going, she wasn't going without him.

"No, Marcellus, it's too dangerous. You're not a Wizard, you could be hurt."

"Marcia, I am not willing to risk losing you. Now, let's go, we don't have time to waste." If it had been a happier moment, Marcia would have laughed. Marcellus was every bit as stubborn as she was. Marcia cast one last glance in the direction of Silas's body, still overcome but what had happened. She mentally vowed to bring whoever had done this to Silas to justice. She knew it wouldn't be an easy task to save the Castle, but she was going to try, even if it meant she was going to die in the process. She owed it to the citizens to give it her best shot.