AN: I'm updating this only now…sorry. Busy, busy, busy…:D
Disclaimer: I don't own Septimus Heap!
Chapter 2: Evil Plans
Outside, the storm grew bigger and more menacing. Dark clouds filled the sky, rain threatening to fall down on the ramshackle houses below. Birds crowed and flew and perched on the cobbled roofs and towers.
A lone ghost sat behind a window in the Grateful Turbot Tavern. He could see a terrible storm indeed coming, as the wind howled and rattled the fragile windowpanes. He wished he could feel the wind again, feel his hair ruffled against it. Wistfully smiling to himself, he remembered his days as a young, strong fellow in the Lands of the Long Nights. Ah, the good ol' days, he thought. He longed to be home, with his wife and the daughter he left as an infant. Now he was nothing but a transparent something, an imprint left on earth, forced to roam restlessly without end.
The door suddenly banged opened and outlined in the doorway was a tall, dark figure. The figure was dripping wet, and an unpleasant odor seemed to come from it. A bolt of lightning illuminated the figure suddenly.
The ghost gasped as he saw who was the new customer. He looked very familiar but much, much older. As the figure stepped into the threshold, he saw a pale, sullen face with dark, piercing eyes, a fountain of wet, shoulder-length hair surrounding it.
"Merrin Meredith!" he cried out. The figure stared back. The ghost had Appeared himself—unintentionally.
"I am," the figure called Merrin Meredith answered. He stared with confusion at the strange man in front of him. "Do I know you?"
"Of course! Don't you remember?" he said frustrated. "A few years back. I talked with you for some time."
Merrin only stared back still.
"That was the last time I saw you," the ghost sighed. He was not easily that forgettable, is he? "I'm afraid I had not properly introduced myself before. I am Olaf Snorrelssen."
"You are a ghost!" Merrin exclaimed. The years he had spent in the Badlands did give him some good. He bitterly remembered the failure of his evil plans years back, when he attempted to Darken the Destiny of that boy who is now using the name he once had: Septimus Heap.
"Oh. Of course…obviously…" said Olaf. "So, what business do you have here?"
"I just want to have some dark Turbot special. And a room perhaps." Merrin strode into the room and went straight to the crackling fire. He passed the ghost without another word. As he rubbed his hands and dried himself, an idea suddenly crossed his mind. A wicked idea.
Smiling, he slowly stood up. Now was the time to prove to all that he was not stupid. Not, not stupid. At last, he could finally accomplish his evil plans. He silently went forward and stood in front of the puzzled Olaf. Fixing his gaze on Olaf's own ghostly eyes, he concentrated. He didn't know if it would work, but it was worth trying.
Slowly and piercingly, he Transfixed Olaf Snorrelssen.
• • • • •
Jenna sat on her bed, determinedly trying to read a fat book on the history of the Castle. Unfortunately, she couldn't quite concentrate. She kept remembering the visit she made to Aunt Zelda through the Queen's Way. Aunt Zelda demonstrated some new spells and even allowed her to see the Dragon Boat for a while. When she returned, she stayed a little in the Queen's Room, gazing thoughtfully in the ever-burning fire. All the while, she sensed another presence in the room. Jenna remembered a moment when her hair stood on its end as a cold wind swept around her.
Giving up, she stood up and went out of her room. She roamed around the empty hallways, occasionally greeting a ghost or two passing by. She couldn't help wishing for some company. The Palace was still lonely as ever.
Jenna had now reached the Long Walk. She slowly walked on, thinking and thinking. Nothing but thinking. She turned on a corner and bumped straight into a running Marcia Overstrand.
"Marcia!" Jenna exclaimed happily. She had missed Marcia and the others so much even though she sees them often.
"Oh, Jenna, it's you. I'm so sorry." Marcia looked at Jenna, now a lovely, dark-haired young lady. She met Jenna's violet eyes.
"Are you all right, Marcia? What are you hurrying for?" asked Jenna. Marcia was disheveled, her hair uncombed and her robes crumpled. And her face looked older, realized Jenna.
Marcia hesitated. "Forgive me Jenna, but I have an important meeting to attend. The ghosts of the Queens, actually. And tonight is also Septimus's Gathering. I must hurry!" With that she ran off, her thundering footsteps dying away as she vanished around the corner.
Jenna sighed. Her world is indeed a lonely place to live in.
• • • • •
Olaf felt queer. Very, very queer. Everything seemed to fade away and dissolve, except for Merrin's piercing gaze. That wretched boy, what is he doing now? thought Olaf, completely frightened. Merrin's gaze held him and he found it unsettling. He felt as if he could never control himself again.
Merrin, meanwhile, was enjoying it a lot. It was difficult, but he could manage. At first, he wasn't sure if Transfixing someone, especially a ghost, would work. And now it did. He was immensely proud of himself. Finally, he had done something that did not go wrong at the start.
Only at the start. But what about the rest?
Never mind that, he thought, as if convincing himself. I can do anything!
Now he tried to communicate with Olaf's mind. He concentrated. From now on, you are under my spell. You will obey my every command. You will bow down on me as my servant. I am now your Master!
Olaf's eyes glazed suddenly. A light seemed to die away. His eyes became dull, lifeless, bound on Merrin Meredith as a servant. His mind was not Olaf's anymore. It was under Merrin's control.
Smiling wickedly, Merrin thought of his first plan, concentrating hard on relaying it clearly to Olaf. Plans, plans, evil plans. Yes, he was powerful, maybe even invincible. He concentrated harder.
It was difficult, but he could manage.