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S eptimus Heap, ExtraOrdinary Apprentice, oken up by his House Mouse leaving a note on his pillow Blearily he opened his eyes and, with a sense of relief, remembered where he was - back in his bedroom at the top of the Wizard Tower, Queste completed And then he remembered that Jenna, Nicko, Snorri and Beetle were still not home Septimus sat up, suddenly awake Today, nothem back

Septimus sat up, picked up the note and brushed a couple of s off his pillow He carefully unfolded the tiny piece of paper and read:

FROM THE DESK OF MARCIA OVERSTRAND EXTRAORDINARY WIZARD

Septimus, I would very much like to see you at midday in my study I hope that is convenient for you

Marcia

Septih he had been Marcia&039;s Apprentice for nearly three years, he had never had an appointment with her before If Marcia wished to speak to Septi and speak to hiht away and listen But today, his second day back froed As Septiain, just to make sure, the distant chih hisHe counted theood to be late for his first-ever appointment with Marcia Septimus had slept late, but that was on Marcia&039;s instructions; she had also told hi Septi through the purple glass in hisand shook his head with a set used to this

An hour later, dressed in a new set of green Apprentice robes that had been left out in his room for him, Septimus knocked politely on Marcia&039;s door

"Coh the thick oak door Septimus pushed open the creaky door and stepped inside Marcia&039;s study was a se desk set under theand a fuzz of Magyk in the air that set Septi It was lined with shelves on which were cra papers tied with purple ribbons and a lass pots that contained ancient things even Marcia was not sure what to do with A the pots Septimus saw his brother Simon&039;s pride and joy - a wooden box with Sleuth written on it in Si Septilance out of the tall, narro He loved the view fro vista across the rooftops of the Castle to the river and beyond that to the green slopes of the Farmlands Far, far in the distance he could see the misty blue line of the foothills of the Badlands

Marcia was sitting behind her desk in her much-worn - but very comfortable - tall purple chair She looked fondly at her Apprentice, as unusually well turned out, and smiled

"Good afternoon, Septimus," she said "Do sit down" Marcia indicated the sreen chair on the other side of the desk "I hope you slept well?"

Septimus took his seat "Yes, thank you," he replied a little warily Why was Marcia being so nice?

"You&039;ve had a difficult week, Septiood to have you back I have so for you" She opened a small drawer, took out two purple silk ribbons and laid them on the desk

Septimus knehat the ribbons were - the purple stripes of a Senior Apprentice, which, if his Apprenticeship ell, he would get to wear in his final year It was nice of Marcia to let him know that she would ht, but his final year was a long way off, and Septi before then

"Do you knohat these are?" Marcia asked

Septi you Senior Apprentice"

"What, now?"

Marcia smiled broadly "Yes, now"

"Now? Like, today?"