Page 50 (1/2)

A s they e, a reception corabbed Nicko Snorri screauards - known as Fowler and Brat - who had taken her away after a neighbor had accused her of Ill-Wishing his cactus

"Let go!" yelled Nicko, struggling furiously A furor broke out Snorri ai bald head - who had Nicko&039;s arhed in, rapidly followed by Jenna Brat, asand sported a pair of i flies

The Guardian stood in the background, half obscured by the candle ses "Take him to the fortified rooain!"

"Don&039;t worry, Madahed "You can be sure of that Oof - get off, boy," he snarled This was addressed to Beetle, who had succeeded in getting hied Nicko across the landing, acco their shins, and Jenna hanging on to her brother like a limpet Beetle still had Fowler in a headlock - but to no discernable effect - and Ullr followed the

But Septimus had stepped back from the fray From his Apprentice belt he took a s it carefully between finger and thu to drag Nicko and his entourage through a dark archway on the far side of the landing

"Freeze!" yelled Septimus

Beetle Froze Horrified, Septiling froht had put Fowler off his stride, and Nicko seized his chance He struggled free, grabbed Snorri and in a ged Beetle off, and Beetle toppled onto the floor like a felled tree "Beetle!" cried Jenna "Oh, Beetle!"

Nicko hurtled past Septi Snorri behind hiet out of this place I&039;ve had enough - I don&039;t care what Time we end up in"

"No, Nik!" shouted Septimus "No - don&039;t"

But Nicko and Snorri were racing down the wide, sweeping stairs, with Fowler and Brat in hot pursuit

Septiot to stop Nik," he told her "He&039;s flipped Stop hione forever"

Jenna leaped to her feet "But, Beetle"

"He&039;ll be okay I&039;ll fix it Now, go!"

Jenna sped off, pushing her way past the Guardian, who rab for her, and raced down the stairs

Septimus left the Frozen Beetle and leaned over the balustrade He saw Jenna flying down the stairs, her red cloak streah the candle smoke, he could see the hazy outlines of Nicko and Snorri reach the crowded hall and begin to push their way through, heading for the silver doors Closing fast were Fowler and Brat

Mistaking Septimus&039;s apparent lack of concern, the Guardian joined him "We will soon have the troublemaker" She smiled Septimus did not reply The Guardian felt suddenly uncoe unfocused look in Septimus&039;s eyes and she particularly did not like the peculiar purpleto surround hi

Down in the Great Hall of the House of Foryx, Brat had overtaken Fowler and ithin an arrab hi behind a large man in a tall, pointy hat Suddenly Fowler stopped, looked puzzled, then yelled,

"Idiot - he&039;s over there!" Brat wheeled around to see his quarry heading back up the stairs - how had the boyover the balustrade, Septi harder than he had ever done before To Project a living person is one of the hardest Projections to do Septiykal powers he never believed he had but, like all Projections, it was not totally perfect There were fuzzy edges and aps Luckily the candle smoke covered up any imperfections and Septi just far enough ahead of the guards for theet too close a look Exhilarated now by his yk, Septie of Nicko caive himself some distance - for the nearer a Projection was, the harder it was to ly that Septi; she hadnose shone with excite profusely and bright red in the face - close in They would have the boy anyinto Nicko and Snorri&039;s turret and then relaxed All he had to do noas Project the sound of running footsteps and let the guards exhaust theed to stop Nicko fro, but the candle sed to rush down and talk some sense into Nicko, but he knew he had to trust Jenna to do it He had so that could not wait Beetle needed DeFrosting

The Guardian watched Septi staircase and as they disappeared into the haze of candle s back down the turret steps She sht expect from a horse that, determined to unseat its rider, sees a low tree branch coht up with Nicko and Snorri in the checkerboard lobby "No, Nik!" she yelled "No, don&039;t go Please Not on your own Please"

"I&039; the rest of round They took Snorri there for ages It ful"

"It was only a few days, Nicko," said Snorri

"Who kno long it was," Nicko growled "This placeany Time is - it&039;s crazy I can&039;t stand it anyed for the door to the outside Tiht his hand inPlease"

"What?"

"That you&039;ll wait for Sep and Beetle"

"If they turn up You don&039;t understand, Jen It&039;s weird here People disappear"

"They will turn up They will" As if in answer, the silver doors to the lobby suddenly flew open and Septi!" gasped Septimus "My Projection broke dohen I DeFrosted Beetle"

"Okay, that&039;s it," said Nicko "I&039;m off"

"Nik - wait!" said Jenna She unclipped the key to the Queen&039;s Roo from her belt and shoved it into a slyph on the right-hand silver door As soon as she turned it they heard the sound of the doors Barring

"That won&039;t stop her," said Nicko "She&039;s got a key too"