Chapter Three:

" Princess? What Princess?"

Merrin and the girl were out of the Badlands in no time.

"Never." Merrin said feeling sick. "Never…take me on one of your crazy trips again."

"Oh, deal with it!" the girl spat and jumped off the horse.

The two were off to Wizard Way where they were greeted by the fresh smell of pie and meats, breads, and wine, and so many sweet treats, and fish, of course!

"I'm starving." the girl said.

"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go steal some." Merrin began to walk away till the girl grabbed his coal-like cloak.

"Idiot! This is what money is for!" the girl hissed.

They both walked onto the pathway. It was hard and beautiful to look at. It had history written all over it.

"Hold my hand." the girl commanded as she slid off her hood.

"What! No."Merrin gave her a look.

"Hold my hand or we are both in trouble!" the girl hissed.

"Fine…" Merrin mumbled.

They both walked up to a store that they didn't bother look at the sign. As they walked in there stomachs attacked them with noises that some found…disturbing.

" 'Ello darlings. Welcome to-" a huge plump woman who had a jolly face and red hair in ponytails smiled.

"Whatever. Me and my…erm…" Merrin looked at the girl.

"Oi!" the store owner said. "Aww! Young love! How about I give you a deal. Just pay half the price, you love birds!" she cooed.

Merrin began blushing his cheeks were pink and his grey eyes looked at the floor.

"Before I give the order to the chef. What are your names?" the store owner said looking at the "couple".

Merrin now looked at the girl who was shocked as well.

"Um…he is…Eric…I'm…um…erm.." the girl looked at the store to see anything that could help her. Until she finally stopped on the bread. "I'm bread…I mean…Bretta."

"Nice to meet ya' Eric and Bretta. What beautiful names, eh?" the store owner laughed. "I'm Gina. Nice to meet you folk. I haven't seen you here before. Where have you come from?" Gina asked as she wrote down random foods on her order sheet.

"Um…somewhere…far…" Bretta said.

"Far, eh? How far?" Gina said writing the last food down.

"It's really really far! It's…called…The GoodLands…yes, GoodLands it's really far away from the Palace. It was just created by,….Mosteus Pye!" Bretta explained.

"I'll have to visit there, eh? I'll go bring your order in. Take a seat, darlings." Gina disappeared.

"That was close." Merrin said.

"Oh, you think, Eric!" Bretta said.

"Eric…" Merrin repeated.

"Don't ruin this for us, Eric. I already have a plan! First, we buy a house, then we make friends with these towns people, then we…um…buy everything we need. Espically, the clothes I'm wearing. And we need to take a shower. I smell like horse-" Bretta has been interrupted by the smell of pies and warm bread.

"Enjoy, Bretta and Eric. Have a good day! Just leave the money on the tables, okay?" Gina winked and she whispered, "I brought some extra honey and milk."

She is so…nice. Bretta thought. I've never said that word. Nice. . I can't believe it. I'm free and now…I can live the perfect life I wanted…with….Eric? Yuck! Thank Magyk! Finally, I can learn Magyk like everyone else!

"Aren't you going to eat?" Merrin asked stuffing himself with eggs and milk.

I looked at the warm food and sighed.

HUNGRY! My stomach growled.

I joined in by stuffing half the pie down my mouth. Yum!

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"Something Darke has escaped. I don't know what it is, Septimus. But keep a look out." Marcia said sternly.

Septimus shook his head.

"I need to go do something. Jenna is waiting for you on the bottom floor. Ten minutes. Not to early not to late. Understand?"

Septimus nodded once more.

"Good. Off with you!" Marcia walked out the room. As soon as she stepped out her face looked worried as if she was hiding something.

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Jenna was waiting for Septimus to arrive. She had urgent news of a disturbance.

"Jenna." Septimus said.

"Septimus." Jenna stood up.

"What's wrong?" His green eyes met her violet eyes.

"I-" Jenna spotted a wizard who was listening on their conversation. Jenna grabbed Septimus's hand and they headed outside.

"There is a growling sound in the basement of the castle." Jenna whispered.

"What?" Septimus said.

"Follow me." Jenna let go of his hand and they made their way to the Palace.

They quickly walked until they bumped into two figures…

"Watch it!" Merrin yelped. His face went white as soon as he saw Septimus. Merrin slipped on his hood.

"Sorry." Bretta said looking at Jenna who was looking at Septimus who was looking at Merrin.

"Sorry, sir." Merrin said in a fake voice.

"It's…have we met before?" Septimus asked.

"No." Bretta grabbed Merrin's hand and they both ran away.

"That was…weird." Jenna said. "Come on, Septimus!"

They both continued on their way. Off to see what was deep beneath the castle. To see if this is Darke Magyk or Jenna just hearing things…