Disclaimer: Don't own, never have owned, never will own
Author Note: This is basically the end of chapter 13, but I guess it can stand on his own. Sep is really a jerk, but he is slightly better in this chapter. Tell me what you think!
Chapter 14
Snorri Snorrelson tried very hard not to burst into tears as Septimus swept away. She chased after him and ended up in the midst of Camp Heap with three confused boys staring at her. She'd never met the Forest Heaps before, not even once with Nicko, but she knew a lot about them, perhaps more than she ought to know.
"Who's this Sep?" asked one of the twins suddenly; only breaking the silence because he was sure this strange Northern girl was something to do with this little brother.
Septimus blanked him entirely, sitting next to the small campfire and staring into the flames intensely. Snorri turned to the elder Heaps for help.
"My name is Snorri Snorrelson. I know your brother Nicko very well. We were, indeed, trapped in the past together. I have come to take Septimus back to the Castle. Nicko is in trouble."
An older and taller Heap brother walked into the camp, a string of fish dangling over his shoulder and a fishing rod grasped in his hand. He had an air of authority over the younger boys that even Snorri noticed.
"Nicko is in trouble? What kind of trouble?" he asked his voice gruff and agitated.
"He is badly wounded. Septimus must heal him."
"Why not, Sep?"
"Get stuffed, Sam. I'm not going back."
"Not even for Nik?"
"Not even for Nik."
"You know, Sep, you're a right pain in the arse," Sam continued swiftly. "You're gonna let Nicko die, your own brother. Even Simon would save Nicko if he could."
"Good thing I'm not Simon then. Get Simon to save Nik for all I care…"
"You should care!" shouted Jojo Heap. "We don't want Nik to die! Do you want him to die?"
"No."
"Then get your butt back to the Castle."
Snorri looked at the Heap boys approvingly. She knew why Nicko was so fond of them.
"Who's there?" one of the twins called into the clearing slightly beyond the camp.
"Jenna," the sweet voice replied.
Sep looked up suddenly, amazed that Jenna herself had turned up to get him.
"What, have you come for Sep too, or is this a social-call?"
"Sep, I'm afraid. Sorry guys."
Jenna walked into the camp silently. Sep had always loved the way that she managed to walk with such grace.
"Nobody's had any luck so far, Jen," said a twin.
"It's alright, Edd. Marcia doesn't think Nik's gonna make it…"
"What?!" shouted almost all of the Heap boys at once. All except Sam.
"What's wrong with him?" asked Sam.
"He's cut with something, and there's magyk on him too. Marcia and Marcellus can't do anything. Marcellus can't do magyk and Marcia can't do physik… Unfortunately, Sep is the only person who can do both."
Sep spoke slowly, there was sadness in the undercurrents of his voice. "I don't want to go back Jen."
Jenna walked over to him carefully and sat next to him. Snorri remained standing on the opposite side of the camp.
"I know Sep, it's a lot to take in. I understand. Come back and save Nik, and then you can stay here as long as you want."
"It's not that easy. So far I've had seven people try to get me to go back. Well, six humans and one cat. I don't want Nicko to die, but I don't want to go back to the Castle. I don't think I can go back to the Castle. I'm such a jerk."
"No you aren't," Jenna reassured him. "You must be so confused… I was confused when I found out I was the Princess. If you can't do this for Nik, can you do this for me?"
Sep thought very carefully about her suggestion, he was sure that he wanted to do it, but he just couldn't bring himself to say yes. He didn't feel he could refuse Jenna though, that was the problem.
"Please Sep. Come back just for today."
Unwillingly Sep nodded slowly, he felt he had calmed down enough to go back into the Castle, but he didn't feel he could face all the staring people.
"Thank you Sep. I really appreciate this, you know…"
"It's not exactly as if I have a choice. I can't let Nicko die."