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Mr Today nodded as he pulled the yacht closer to shore and cut theI’ve ever done Still, it’s not enough to s," he said "Whatever I do--it’ll never be enough" He scanned the rocks,to hiical passage "Aha," he whispered

Siracefully on the rocks next to the boat Mr Today placed the anchor spell while Alex climbed over the side of the craft, and the two embarked onto Simber’s back for the short journey to dry land

Once they reached the shore, Mr Today put his hand on the wall and recited an incantation A great chunk of the concrete block slid aside, and the three walked through it They found themselves in a dark, narrow, enclosed room Mr Today recited a second incantation, and the wall in front of them crumbled to dust They stepped over it and looked around the diray, just like all of Quill The ceilings were very high, the hallway just wide enough for Sis on the walls

"Be ready," Mr Today whispered in the echoing chauards, but they’ll ered his pens and balls of clay inside his vest pocket

They moved slowly into the heart of the palace, first Si up the rear They passed doorways on the left and the right, Si this way and that After a , sharp claw Mr Today and Alex squeezed past Siuards stood at the s near the palace entrance, peering out, and two estured, Alex nodded, and together they attacked Alex flicked his paintbrush at the first sleeping guard The paint seeped over him entirely, and within seconds it solidified Then he tossed two tiny balls of clay at the second sleeping guard The clay stretched and clas to the floor and his aruard awoke, but the guards at the door heard the noise and whirled around They all shrieked in terror at the sight of Simber, but two of theuns and point One et a shot off before Mr Today sied off the palace wall har a small chip in it

"A souvenir for Justine," Mr Today said

Alex grinned and looked around "That’s it?"

Sily syreat beast "Oh, Sim, I’m sorry Say, how about you eat that one over there, huard’s eyes widened in fear

Sirunted and moved back down the hallway froet back to the action in Artimé

"Patience," Mr Today said He waved a hand at the palace entrance, and the doorway becae entrance, pointing all around, sealing up all the s and doors throughout the entire structure

There was no way into or out of the palace now, except for the secret passage

"Well, that should do it They won’t be able to get back in Nice work by the way, Alex," Mr Today said "I rather liked that clay spell Did you create that yourself?"

"I did," Alex said proudly