AN: Whew! Finally I'm back. It's been such a long time. Sorry, everyone. I've got thousands of reasons but no need to enumerate it all. I'm just glad… Anyway, here goes the third chapter…
Disclaimer: I don't own the series!
Chapter 3: Two Gatherings
Tears were trickling down Jenna's cheeks as she watched her adoptive brother, Septimus Heap, gather his dusty books and carefully place them inside an enormous trunk. Jenna knew that it will be a long time before she will see Septimus again.
"Seal." Septimus muttered. The locks of the trunk tightened and melted into a thick golden band, sealing it. Septimus turned around with a satisfied look on his face and caught sight of Jenna outside his door. A look of concern came to his face as he saw her weeping silently.
"Jenna! Is there something wrong?" He went to her, alarmed.
"Oh Sep, it's nothing." Jenna laughed shakily then sniffed.
But Septimus was stubborn. "Come on, Jen. You can tell me. Did someone hurt you? Or…" Septimus grinned. "Is it heartbreak? Does it concern a stupid boy?"
Jenna laughed suddenly and brushed away her tears. "Oh Sep! How could you say that? Of course it isn't. It's because…because you're leaving. And today is your last day as Marcia's apprentice. Everyone believes that you will Draw out the Questing Stone. But, of course, there's no harm in that now. Remember that before, it was bad luck and whoever Draws it would be sent on a Queste from which they can never return. But now the curse is gone, and it is an honor to Draw the stone. But, Sep… I'm still worried about you! You'll be gone for a long time, and when you come back…maybe you won't be the same. Oh, Sep, take care, will you? And you won't forget me?" Jenna stopped, out of breath.
Septimus looked at Jenna and said, "I've never heard you say something as long as that. You sounded like mum."
They both laughed and hugged each other.
"I'll come back, Jen, and I won't forget you. You are the one who should take care."
• • • • •
The Gathering was not Complete. Someone was not present.
"DomDaniel!" Alther gasped. A few Ordinary Wizards leaped in fright and frantically looked around, while a group of ancient ExtraOrdinary Wizard ghosts looked at Alther in horror.
"What, Alther?" asked Septimus, standing beside Alther.
"The Gathering cannot happen because it is not Complete. DomDaniel is not here."
"Of course it is Complete." A cool, composed voice came from behind them. It was Marcia, and she was rotating down the silver corkscrew spiral stairs on a slow nighttime mode (for a dramatic effect, according to Marcia), as if she was descending from the heavens. She was extravagantly clad in purple silk robes and a velvety coat trimmed with fur. Her purple python shoes gleamed eerily in the light.
"But one ExtraOrdinary Wizard is not here, as you very well know Marcia. DomDaniel has disappeared a long time ago. He simply—I simply don't understand how it happened—disappeared piece by piece." Alther's face momentarily lit up as he savored that unforgettable moment.
"Exactly. But we do have his Two-Faced Ring. DomDaniel had practically worn that his entire life. I believe this is enough to make the Gathering Complete." Marcia walked past Alther and took Septimus's arm. As she passed by, she whispered to Alther, "And I still haven't forgiven you for calling me 'old', Alther."
The old ghost nearly became invisible, surprised and puzzled by what Marcia said. He was still suffering the shock he had earlier as Marcia declared that the Gathering was Complete and the accursed Ring was with her.
Pushing through the crowd, Marcia went back to the foot of the silver stairs, leading Septimus behind her. Septimus muttered to Marcia, "But how did you get that Ring?"
"Oh, I just found it many years ago, right outside. Remember, the night after that terrible Gathering? It was left lying on the marble steps outside the door. Believe me, it is not a mere imitation."
Septimus knew better than not to believe Marcia.
Marcia began to speak. "This Gathering has been Called on the momentous occasion of the Draw for the twenty-first Apprentice Queste," Marcia took a deep breath and said proudly, "My own Apprentice, mind that, Septimus Heap!"
The doors of the Wizard Tower flew open to reveal a small group of Ordinary Wizards around the once dreaded Questing Pot. With utmost concentration, they Lifted up the heavy Pot. It hovered for a few inches then suddenly shook violently. The cause was an Ordinary Wizard who was swishing off an irksome fly. Gasps came from the crowd as the Pot started to fall. Frantic, his companions nudged him and were all able to save the Pot a millimeter from the ground. Marcia sighed with relief. "Well, bring it in!"
The crowd parted to let the procession through. The Pot hovered a good several inches off the ground. Everyone breathlessly watched until they lowered the Pot in the center with a Q on the illuminated circle before Marcia. The Pot shone beautifully in the blue light, the gold bands glowing with a faint purple haze. Septimus began to sweat, even though he knew that nothing terrible would happen. Marcia laid her hand on Septimus's shoulder and smiled encouragingly. "It is time, Septimus, to make the Draw."
Septimus slowly stepped forward, lifted the stopper of the Pot and drew a deep breath. Then he put his trembling hand in.
• • • • •
Jenna now sat at the edge of the landing stage, gazing sadly at the still, dark waters. She had just waved goodbye to Septimus, together with Marcia and her family, as Septimus went aboard the Questing Boat. It was a teary farewell, complete with Sarah Heap howling and sobbing on Silas's chest. Marcia was as calm and composed as ever, but Jenna saw her shoulders shaking when no one was looking.
It was nearing midnight already but Jenna didn't want to leave. She loved the silence of everything around her, even the darkness. High above, the stars twinkled and comforted her. She felt tired and lonely. And she felt dread as she remembered what must happen tomorrow. The Gathering of the Queens. And what it will yield will affect her destiny forever.
Consorts, Jenna snorted. So stupid. Jenna curled up on the landing stage. After a last look at the stars, she shivered then fell into a deep sleep.
• • • • •
It was a bright morning. Jenna wondered why the day couldn't just be gloomy, like her mood today. Was it making fun of her?
"Jenna, hurry up! It's nearly 7: 49! We don't want to make the Queens waiting!" Marcia was running, pulling the dazed Jenna behind her.
"I'm cold, and the sun is bright," Jenna muttered sleepily as Marcia almost dragged her on the stone floor. Marcia stopped and looked at Jenna. "Here," Marcia said as she Made a cloak from thin air and wrapped it around Jenna. Jenna yawned. "Oh Jenna, wake up! You're in such a terrible state. You're meeting the ghost of former queens and so act like a princess that would soon be a queen!"
"I'm trying, Marcia!" Jenna was now wide awake. She marched ahead of Marcia and stopped before a huge door made entirely of gold. "Please, Marcia. You must understand how I'm feeling. Everything's just going and coming so fast. It's like I'm in an endless storm."
Before Marcia could say another word, the door suddenly swung open. Jenna forgot her bitterness as she entered the room, Marcia behind her. The room was dark, lit only by candles that flickered and danced against the marble floor. Thick, velvet curtains covered the windows. As they stood gazing around, the door swung shut. Metal bolts leaped out and sealed it, trapping them in. Jenna drew closer to Marcia. She didn't like the gloomy atmosphere of the room. And the cold! It was freezing. It seemed as if the room alone was made of ice.
"The Queenling is late," said a voice from the shadows, sending shivers down Jenna's spine. Only then did Marcia and Jenna notice the shadows of a crowd assembled in the center. They heard a snap that bounced around the walls and suddenly, a magnificent chandelier lighted up above and the candles were extinguished. Jenna gasped. A crowd of ghosts, most of them ancient and nearly invisible, were seated on golden armchairs that bore elaborate carvings. Their attire seemed to have come from different times, but all were elegant and puffy and bejeweled and royal. Most of their faces were wrinkled but austere, fierce, powerful. Jenna shivered again and was conscious of her red tunic that seemed so plain compared to theirs.
"Welcome, Queenling. We hath been waiting for thee." A beautiful woman stood from the very center and went forward. She was nearly invisible and it was as if a slight wind could suddenly make her fly away. "I am the first queen of the Castle, fair maiden," she said to Jenna. She said her name, a name so long and intricate that it left Jenna speechless and colder still.
A high-pitched voice came from the other side of the room. "Pardon, thy Majesty, but will thee not reprimand our Most honored guests for their tardiness? It is a minute past the Appointed Time."
"Dear Luella, of course considerations must be made," said the queen. She smiled a motherly smile at Jenna then looked at Marcia. "Ah, the ExtraOrdinary Wizard! An honor, yes, yes. I do grow impatient and worried that you would not Come at all. Ah, but I didst scold myself. Why would you not bring the queenling when we hath all been fated to be in this room this very Hour?" The queen paused and seemed to be lost in thought. Then she exclaimed. "But let us tarry no more!"
The Queen turned to the crowd and began, "My deare descendants, forgive me if I hath kept all of you waiting. But we hath not waited in vain! For here is the Queenling." She indicated Jenna beside her, a wide smile on her faded face. Then she turned back to her audience.
"We are all here for the Gathering of the Queens, in the occasion of choosing the beloved of our dear queenling, Princess Jenna."
The queen continued speaking with her odd accent that reminded Jenna of something that happened to Septimus a long time ago. Soon, she was lost in her thoughts. Then she felt Marcia standing still and rigid, as if listening to something.
"What is it, Marcia?" Jenna asked.
"I feel a Darknesse in this room. Stay close to me, Jenna."
"A Darknesse? One of the ghosts?"
"I'm not sure. But I'm certain there is something here. Hush, I'm concentrating…"
They stood silently. Jenna fearfully looked around and once or twice, she thought she saw a shadow flitting around the room. She shook her head, certain that it was merely her imagination.
Their silence was suddenly broken by the queen saying in a loud voice, "Bring in the Wisping Pot!"
Ghosts of page boys suddenly floated out of the stone walls. The temperature dropped several more degrees as more and more silvery boys floated in. They formed a tight circle in the middle of the room. Then everyone fell silent. A page boy entered, a small glass pot in his arms. He stood in the very center, head high and back straight.
The queen spoke again. "It is time for Princess Jenna to make the Draw."
Jenna's insides turned to ice. She had almost forgotten what everything was all about. Now she couldn't face it. Dread and terror filled every part of her.
"Jenna, are you all right?" Marcia asked beside her.
"I can't do this, Marcia."
"You can. I know you can, princess." She gave Jenna a gentle shove.
Jenna slowly moved forward to the waiting queen. Each step seemed a long time to make. Finally, she was in front of the Pot.
The Wisping Pot was as beautiful as the Questing Pot. It was made entirely of glass, except for the golden stopper on top. But Jenna couldn't see what was inside. Swirling colors flashed on the surface, glowing and emitting streaks of dancing light, hiding the unknown inside.
Jenna lifted the stopper and took a deep breath. The queen beside her smiled encouragingly. Jenna knew that her future depended on her Draw. As she lowered her hand, she suddenly felt a cold wind swept her. A shadow moved in a corner.
"We are waiting, princess."
Jenna pulled out a stone. It was cold, and she felt colder than ever as she saw the golden words carved on it.
Merrin Meredith.
Then everything was exchanged for darkness.