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You ought to talk to Morwenna before you go," Jo-Jo told Septiood-bye to Sa at Septimus, who shifted unco him

"Morwenna&039;s scary," said Nicko "What do ant to talk to her for, anyway?"

Jo-Jo heaved himself to his feet while the others lay on their backs, idly staring up at the sh the leaves

"She&039;s the Witch Mother," said Jo-Jo "She knows everything I&039;ll bet you she&039;ll knohere Jenna has gone"

"Perhaps we ought to see her," said Septiht"

"She&039;s still scary," said Nicko, "and she always hugs you like she&039;s going to squash you flat"

"C&039;mon," said Jo-Jo, "I&039;ll take you there It&039;s on your way anyway"

Aaround the fire "He&039;s going to see Mar-iiii-ssa, he&039;s going to see Mar-iiii-ssa, he&039;s going to see"

"Oh, shut up," growled Jo-Jo He stor and headed into the trees

" &039;Bye then," said Nicko to the re Heaps

" &039;Bye"

"Yeah"

"See ya"

"Um &039;Bye," said Septimus

"Yeah"

&039;"Bye"

"See ya"

Nicko and Septi for theht of his brothers They set off together, with Wolf Boy following noiselessly as they h the trees Jo-Jo knew the ell; he took the a narrow but orn path that, after about half an hour&039;s walking, brought them to the Wendron Witches&039; Summer Circle

The Summer Circle consisted of a circle of tepees, constructed just like Jo-Jo&039;s They were perched on the top of the only hill in the entire Forest It was a small hill and did not even reach above the canopy of the Forest itself, but it was light and airy and gave the witches a good view of all that went on around them

As the four boys followed the footpath that spiraled around the hill, taking them up toward the tepees, a steady hum of purposeful chatter drifted down to them Suddenly a voice called out, "Joby-Jo! Hello!"

"Marissa!" Jo-Jo called back, s broadly

"Joby-Jois that what she calls you?" snorted Nicko, as a tall girl with long brown hair appeared at the top of the hill, waving and laughing

"So?" asked Jojo "So what if she does?"

"So nothing Just asked" Nicko s down the hill to meet them

"Marissa," said Jo-Jo, "these are my brothers Nicko and Septihed "How many brothers do you need?"

"Don&039;t need any ht the you I&039;ll take you to her She&039;s up in the Circle"

Morwenna Mould, Witch Mother of the Wendron Witch Forest Coven, was sitting on a rug at the entrance of the se, ireen summer tunic, which was tied around thehair was held back with a green leather headband, and her piercing witch-blue eyes watched Wolf Boy, Jo-Jo, Nicko and Septimusparticularly Septimusmake their way across the Circle to her tepee

"Thank you, Marissa dear," said Morwenna, then turned and smiled at the boys "Welcome to the Forest, Septimus, Nicko I have heard so much about you both from your father, my dear Silas And you both look so o in the Forest now I seem to bump into smalland indeed, some not so small anyreen eyes too Now, boys, sit down beside , for you have a hazardous journey before you"

Nicko shot Septilance, which said, What docs she mean, hazardous?

Septiaze fixed on Morwenna Septimus liked the Witch Mother, but he knew that underneath Morwenna&039;sunpredictable and powerful lurked Until Morwenna had taken over the Forest Coven, the Wendron Witches had been greatly feared by the inhabitants of the Castle But since Morwenna had becoh no one knehyexcept for Silas Heap Silas Heap knew it because one nightwitch, Silas had rescued Morwenna from a pack of wolverines In return Morwenna had offered hi he wanted and, to her disappoint on the inhabitants of the Castle A few years later, when Morwenna Mould became Witch Mother, she had kept her pro the apparent truce would last, and it was still considered wise not to offend the Forest Coven

Morwenna began to speak in a low,on a long journey and I foresee sos you must know The first is that you will search for, and indeed find, your sister in the Port The second is that a tall dark er to some but not to all, will also search for your sister in the Port" Morwenna paused The boys waited politely for her to tell the they azing at the changing patterns of the leaves against the sky

Eventually Septimus said, "Excusewe must know?"

"What?" Morwenna snapped herself out of her reverie "The third thing? Oh, yesdon&039;t go to the circus"

Nicko burst out laughing Septiently and said, "Nikdon&039;t be rude It&039;s not funny"

"Yesit is," spluttered Nicko under his breath, his shoulders shaking He rolled onto the grass and lay on his sto noises

"I&039;m sorry about my brother, Witch Mother," said Septiht and it has affected his mind" Septimus aimed a kick in Nicko&039;s direction It had no effect Nicko was beside hih

Morwenna smiled "Do not worry, Septi Heaps now Maybe before your brothers had come to live in our Forest I would not have understood, but now, believesurprises me where a Heap is concerned They are their father&039;s sons And Nicko is only laughing There is no harhter"

Morwenna stood up Septimus, Jo-Jo, Marissa and Wolf Boy respectfully leaped to their feet Nicko still lay on the grass, shoulders shaking

"Well, boys," Morwenna said, "ill ht out a small bundle of soft leaves, which she pressed into Septimus&039;s hand "These will take away your bruise froht," she said to hi from your ankle"