"What are they doing?" said Jenna.
"I think they're wrecking," said Beetle.
"Wrecking - you mean like they used to do on Wild Rocks in the old days?"
"Yep," said Beetle, who like all Castle children had grown up with tales of the terrifying rocky coast beyond the Forest and the wild people there who lived by luring ships to their doom. "But the really strange thing is, they're using what looks like an ancient Sphere of Light. Where could they possibly have gotten that?"
"The lighthouse," said Jenna. "Remember how we couldn't see the Light this morning? They've stolen it from the lighthouse."
"Of course," said Beetle. "Wow, that lighthouse must be incredibly old. This is such a weird place."
"And getting weirder all the time," said Jenna. "Look at that." She pointed out to sea, where, to the right of the Pinnacle, a long red pipe with a bend at the top was rising from the water. Beetle and Jenna watched as the pipe swiveled around until it was pointing at the Pinnacle and stopped. It then stayed motionless. The only movement was from the white tops of tiny waves breaking over a red rock below the pipe.
"That's a Looking Tube," said Beetle. "We've got - I mean, they've got - one like that in the Manuscriptorium. It goes down into the UnStable Spell room so that we - they - can keep an eye on what's going on."
"So there's someone watching from under the sea?" said Jenna.
"Looks like it," said Beetle. "Like you said, it's getting weirder all the time."
Chapter 34 The Syren
Septimus and Syrah were walking across the springy turf of the cliff top toward the Peepe. A stiff breeze blew, bringing with it the smell of the sea.
"Septimus," murmured Syrah, "there are some things I must tell you, but I will look at the ground while I speak. The Syren can read what you say by looking at your lips."
"She can see us?" asked Septimus, a shiver running through him.
"She Watches through the windows at the top - do not look up. I need to tell you this in case things go wrong - "
"Don't even think like that," Septimus warned.
"But for your sake, I must. I want to tell you how to escape."
"I won't need to," said Septimus. "We will walk back out together. Like this." He took hold of Syrah's hand. Syrah smiled.
"But, just in case," she insisted. "You need to know that once you are inside the Peepe, the entrance will disappear - though it is still there. Make a mark on the floor as we go in. Also, in the Deeps - "
"The Deeps?"
"Yes, this is where we must go. You will see why when we are there. You have the Keye hidden under your tunic?"
Septimus nodded.
"Good. Now, if you need to escape from the Deeps, there are some steps that go back up to the Peepe, but do not take them unless you absolutely have to. They are bedded deep inside the rock, and the air is unsafe. There are steps from the Lookout, which is a line of windows in the cliff, and those are fine. You will find them opposite the middle window. All right?"
Septimus nodded, even though he felt far from all right.
They had reached the shadow of the Peepe. "Turn around and look at the sea," said Syrah. "Is it not beautiful?"
Septimus glanced at Syrah, puzzled. It seemed odd to be admiring the sea at such a moment - but then he realized what Syrah was doing, and he turned away from the Watching windows of the Peepe.
They looked out across the shimmering heat haze, and Septimus saw yet another island - a rounded green hillock with a tiny strip of white beach - set in the sparkling azure sea. The sun shone warm on the breezy cliff top, and he breathed in the salt air, savoring it as if he were taking his last breaths.
"Septimus," whispered Syrah, "I must warn you that when we go into the Peepe, there will be a few horrible moments while, um, things happen to me. At first I will not be in control of my body, but do not be alarmed. Count slowly to one hundred and by then I will - unless something goes wrong - be able to do what I want. I shall not, however, be able to say what I want - the Syren has a way with words. So remember this: Trust only my actions, not my words. Do you understand?"
"Yes, I understand, but..."
"But what?"