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"Whatwhat is it?" asked Sarah, clinging to Silas for support, distraught that once again Si," said Marcia briskly "Nothing that you need to know about anyway I want this trapdoor Sealednow Where&039;s Alther?"

Alther Mella wafted over to Marcia

"Alther, are there any Ancients left who have walked the tunnels? I want each and every trapdoor guarded until all Seals are checked"

"The only suitable Ancient who is not coa is on the Wizard Tower trap, Marcia," said Alther "I never went down to the tunnels myself No one ever did in those days"

"No one should in these days either, Alther Except for the Inspection Clerk That Hugh Fox has a lot of questions to answer" Marcia thought for a moment "Alther, please would you take a Wizard down to the Manuscriptoriuet this trapdoor Sealed"

"Excuse e has arrived I&039; a delivery" With that Jannit was off to the pontoon to h with boxes and baskets

Jennawho had no wish to go anywhere near Si her head anddesperately for a sign of life, while Nicko and Rupert struggled to place two huge canvas slings underneath the dalanced up and saw Jannit catch the rope and secure the barge to a couple of large bollards Then, to her horror, she saw soer from the Port

The tallto ju dark hair was held in a silver headband and his red silk tunic looked crumpled and travel stained Jenna froze She ducked down behind the Dragon Boat&039;s head and heard the stranger&039;s low, slightly accented voice ask Jannit, "Excuse me, ma&039;am, but I understand that the Princess is to be found hereabouts Would this be so?"

"And who ht you be?" Jannit asked suspiciously

The stranger was evasive "Just soht the activity over at the lock-up "Would that be the ExtraOrdinary Wizard over there, ht be," said Jannit, busying herself with a knot

"Excuse o and see him"

"Her," corrected Jannit, unheard as the stranger strode off

"Excuse roup by the lock-up "I wonder if I ht speak to the ExtraOrdinary Wizard?"

Marcia turned around and the stranger looked confused He stopped for a"Alther?" he said "Alther, is that you?"

Marcia did not answer She looked white

"Aha, found theer drew out a sold spectacles froed to one of amazement

"Marcia Overstrand," he said "ExtraOrdinary Wizard! Well, well, well"

"Milo?" asked Marcia faintly "Milo Banda? It is you, isn&039;t it?"

The stranger appeared a little overcome He nodded wordlessly and to Jenna&039;s horror, Marcia enveloped hi "Where have you been all this tiht you er, a loud yell cas in the water

For the first tion Boat "Jannit!" she yelled "Jannitwhat has happened?"

Jannit was in no on Boat before nightfall, and she had had enough Wizardsabout in her boatyard to last her a lifeti, will you Nicko? Then we&039;ll try again"

Jenna had been watching Marcia greet the dark stranger withdisbelief Now, as Marcia set off across the boatyard toward the Dragon Boat, bringing the stranger with her, Jenna leapt to her feet Before anyone could stop her, she headed for the tunnel that led out of the boatyard