CH 16 – White Lies
Marcellus understood that Savin wanted her space, and after a week of strange conversations that led nowhere, he seemed to miss the old days. His cloudy hazel eyes wandered in her direction, she was sprawled in the floor reading an examination on Physic.
He chuckled, 'if only I were younger' he thought, bringing himself into a fit of coughing.
Savin thought she trusted the Alchemist, but still she couldn't bring herself to believe his words. It had been thirteen days since her arrival into this strange time and his insistence on the looking glass needing rest was tiring her.
Savin noticed he had changed (and not for the better) over the years, and wondered what could possibly have occurred for this to happen to Marcellus.
"Marcellus?"
"Yes?" His voice softy echoed through the tunnels.
"Did you ever try and fix it? The tincture I mean."
"You have no idea.." Marcellus' voice trembled with anxiety. Savin was slowly catching on, and sooner or later he would have to send her back.
"Miss Juniper, I have checked the looking glass this morning."
"Yes?" An excited voice boomed around them, "pray, is it ready?"
"Not quite, but in the next few days, it should."
Savin smiled, "that's brilliant news," perhaps she had underestimated the old Marcellus.
"You'll be back in no time I assure you." But he couldn't, Marcellus still had no idea how he would get her back. The mirror was possible yes, but where she would land varied greatly, from days to years, no one would know.
He would have to risk it..
"You have to understand, that you may not end up in your exact time of course."
Savin frowned at Marcellus' sudden information, he had been shrugging it off for so long and finally decided to tell her now?
"Oh, is that so?" She asked, annoyed by both the Ancient Alchemist and his words.
"Yes. It is."
"Well we'll have to figure a way around it won't we?"
Marcellus raised his bagging eyes to see her stern face and sighed, the door was inevitable. He would indeed have to send the young witch through the _ Door using his Keye, to be precise in such a matter.
Marcellus could avoid it no more, consequences or no - she could stay here no longer.
He stood from his dusty chair, "follow me."
"What are you-" Savin stopped herself, she would rather just go witness whatever it was before she received another mind searching lecture from the forgetful man. Marcellus led her down a corridor she had never seen before and up a set of delicate winding blue stairs, at the bed if which was a beautiful blue and gold door.
"I'm sorry Miss Juniper.."
"For what?" Savin was starting to worry, Marcellus pulled a small golden plate from his pocket and pressed it against the tall golden doors in front of them.
Bony hands rested against the doors, holding them shut for one last, short explanation.
"I have been a fool.." He stopped, lowering his head in defeat, "this is your way out. Please, do not question why I kept it from you for so long. Or why I'm telling you now for that matter.." Marcellus was starting to regret his sudden change of mind, if the tincture had not been finished then the plan would be ruined. But he couldn't take that blue shine in the witch's eyes anymore, it reminded him of too many old memories forgotten.
Savin's face spread into a bright red "how could-"
"Pray, I just hope they have finished."
"How?" She screamed, aghast, "I trusted you!"
Marcellus' hands slipped from the gold lined doors, a sudden chill of air washing over them. Surprised by his strength, Savin lost her feet as he grabbed her dress roughly and threw her through the door.
She screamed as she hit the smooth ground, watching as the door closed behind her, Marcellus' torn and wrinkled face disappearing into the darkness.
"You absolute- aghh!" She slapped her hands on the stone floor, "why would he do such a selfish thing!" She screamed and yelled as much as her lungs would allow until she heard something smash behind her.
Turning around in a furry, her black hair flinging into her red face and eyes a glare at the disturbance, Savin quite nearly swore at the sight.
"Savin!" A young Marcellus stood in front of her, broken glass at his feet and a tremendous smile spread across his face. His black and red robes flew behind him as he rushed forward and slammed hard into Savin with a bone crushing hug.
The red faced witch was too aghast to say anything, believe me she tried, but nothing left her lips.
"I didn't know if you would come back!" Marcellus pulled himself back, still clutching her shoulders incase she might disappear once again.
"Wh-" Savin's eyes narrowed and she vaguely smiled at the sight of her young friend, but then resumed in all her rage, "why did you do that!" Her small hands pushed Marcellus back, "you trapped me there, when you could have sent me back whenever you wanted to!"
"What are-" Marcellus was taken back by her sudden screaming, he ran a shaky hand through his dark hair and fought the urge to laugh. Marcellus took another step back as Savin continued to curse and point her fingers accusingly, "and you say us Witches are bad!"
"I don't-"
"Of course you do!" Savin cut in, "you lying.. Reckless, imbecile!" She grabbed the front of his tunic and Marcellus frowned, this was too much.
"Excuse me Miss Juniper" he loudly said over her rambling, "I don't think that I deserve such a tempered greeting.." He assumed that her unexpected trip through the glass had not been at all pleasant.
"Yes you do.. You-you fool!" She hurdled herself back into a hug, briefly pulling herself back to look at the Alchemy Chamber.
'Just the way it should be' Savin thought.
She ran from Marcellus, leaving his arms still outstretched and a dark eyebrow lifted in confusion.
Savin filled the arched room with laughter, she sounded utterly crazy but she didn't care one bit.
"I'm back!" Looking from side to side, Savin's witchy blue eyes caught a mop of curly straw hair in their wake. Her smile dropped, "Septimus?" Whipping her head quickly around, her hair following after her, Savin's fiery glaze quickly met Marcellus'.
"Oh not again.."