IllustratedbyDavidWyattTheBodleyHead

London

Contents

Cover

Title

Copyright

Dedication

TheWardstoneChronicles

CharacterProfiles

Map

Chapter1

Chapter2

Chapter3

Chapter4

Chapter5

Chapter6

Chapter7

Chapter8

Chapter9

Chapter10

Chapter11

Chapter12

Chapter13

Chapter14

Chapter15

Chapter16

Chapter17

Chapter18

Chapter19

Chapter20

Chapter21

Chapter22

Chapter23

Chapter24

Chapter25

Chapter26

Chapter27

Chapter28

Chapter29

Chapter30

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THEWARDSTONECHRONICLES

BOOKONE:THESPOOK’SAPPRENTICE

BOOKTWO:THESPOOK’SCURSE

BOOKTHREE:THESPOOK’SSECRET

BOOKFOUR:THESPOOK’SBATTLE

BOOKFIVE:THESPOOK’SMISTAKE

BOOKSIX:THESPOOK’SSACRIFICE

BOOKSEVEN:THESPOOK’SNIGHTMARE

CharacterProfiles

TomThomasWardistheseventhsonofaseventhson.Thismeanshewasbornwithcertaingifts–giftsthatmakehimperfectfortheroleoftheSpook’sapprentice.Hecanseeandhearthedeadandheisanaturalenemyofthedark.Butthatdoesn’tstopTomgettingscared,andheisgoingtoneedallhiscourageifheistosucceedwheretwenty-nineothershavefailed.

TheSpookTheSpookisanunmistakablefigure.He’stall,andratherfiercelooking.Hewearsalongblackcloakandhood,andalwayscarriesastaffandasilverchain.Likehisapprentice,Tom,heisleft-handed,andisaseventhsonofaseventhson.

ForoversixtyyearshehasprotectedtheCountyfromthingsthatgobumpinthenight.

AliceTomcan’tdecideifAliceisgoodorevil.Sheterrifiesthelocalvillagelads,isrelatedtotwoofthemostevilwitchclans(theMalkinsandtheDeanes)andhasbeenknowntousedarkmagic.ButshewastrainedasawitchagainstherwillandhashelpedTomoutofsometightspots.Sheseemstobealoyalfriend,butcanshebetrusted?

MamTom’s mam always knew he would become the Spook’s apprentice. She called him her ‘gift to theCounty’. A lovingmother and an expert on plants,medicine and childbirth,Mamwas always a littledifferent.HeroriginsinGreecewereamystery.Infact,therewerequiteafewmysteriousthingsaboutMam...

THEHIGHESTPOINTINTHECOUNTYISMARKEDBYMYSTERY.

ITISSAIDTHATAMANDIEDTHEREINAGREATSTORM,WHILEBINDINGANEVILTHATTHREATENEDTHEWHOLEWORLD.THENTHEICECAMEAGAIN,ANDWHENITRETREATED,EVENTHESHAPESOFTHEHILLSANDTHENAMESOFTHETOWNS

INTHEVALLEYSCHANGED.NOW,ATTHATHIGHESTPOINTON

THEFELLS,NOTRACEREMAINSOFWHATWASDONESOLONGAGO,

BUTITSNAMEHASENDURED.THEYCALLIT–

THEWARDSTONE.

TheSpook,Alice and Iwere crossing theLongRidgeonourwayback toChipenden,with the threewolfhounds,Claw,BloodandBone,barkingexcitedlyatourheels.Thefirstpartoftheclimbhadbeenpleasantenough.Ithadrainedallafternoonbutwasnowaclear,

cloud-less late autumn evening with just a slight chilly breeze ruffling our hair: perfect weather forwalking.Irememberthinkinghowpeacefulitallseemed.

Butatthesummitabigshockawaitedus.Therewasdarksmokefartothenorthbeyondthefells.ItlookedlikeCasterwasburning.Hadthewarfinallyreachedus?Iwonderedfearfully.

Yearsearlier,anallianceofenemynationshadinvadedourlandfartothesouth.Sincethen,despitethebesteffortsofthecombinedcountiestoholdtheline,theyhadbeenslowlypushingnorth.

‘Howcantheyhaveadvancedsofarwithoutusknowing?’theSpookasked,scratchingathisbeard,clearlyagitated.‘Surelythere’dhavebeennews–somewarningatleast?’

‘Itmight just be a raidingparty from the sea,’ I suggested.Thatwasvery likely.Enemyboats hadcomeashorebefore andattacked settlements along thecoast– though thispartof theCountyhadbeensparedsofar.

Shakinghishead,theSpooksetoffdownthehillatafuriouspace.Alicegavemeaworriedsmileandwehurriedalonginpursuit.Encumberedbymystaffandbothourbags,Iwasstrugglingtokeepupontheslipperywetgrass.ButIknewwhatwasbotheringmymaster.Hewasanxiousabouthislibrary.Lootingandburninghadbeenreportedinthesouthandhewasworriedaboutthesafetyofhisbooks,astoreofknowledgeaccumulatedbygenerationsofspooks.

Iwas now in the third year ofmy apprenticeship to the Spook, learning how to dealwith ghosts,ghasts,witches, boggarts and allmanner of creatures from the dark.Mymaster gaveme lessonsmostdays,butmyothersourceofknowledgewasthatlibrary.Itwascertainlyveryimportant.

OncewereachedlevelgroundweheadeddirectlytowardsChipenden,thehillstothenorthloominglargerwith every stride.We’d just forded a small river, picking ourway across the stones, thewatersplashingaroundourankles,whenAlicepointedahead.

‘Enemysoldiers!’shecried.Inthedistance,agroupofmenwereheadingeastacrossourpath–twodozenormore,theswordsat

theirbeltsglintingbrightlyinthelightfromthesettingsun,whichwasnowverylowonthehorizon.Wehaltedandcrouchedlowontheriverbank,hopingthattheyhadn’tseenus.Itoldthedogstolie

downandbequiet;theyobeyedinstantly.

Thesoldiersworegreyuniformsandsteelhelmswithbroad,verticalnoseguardsofatypeIhadn’tseenbefore.Alicewasright.Itwasalargeenemypatrol.Unfortunatelytheysawusalmostimmediately.Oneofthempointedandbarkedoutanorder,andasmallgrouppeeledoffandbeganrunningtowardsus.

‘Thisway!’ cried theSpook and, snatching up his bag to relieveme of the extraweight, took off,followingtheriverupstream;AliceandIfollowedwiththedogs.

There was a large wood directly ahead. Maybe there was a chance we could lose them there, Ithought.Butassoonaswereachedthetree-linemyhopesweredashed.Ithadbeencoppicedrecently:therewerenosaplings,nothickets–justwell-spacedmaturetrees.Thiswasnohidingplace.

I glanced back.Our pursuerswere now spread out in a ragged line. Themajorityweren’tmakingmuch headway, but there was one soldier in the lead who was definitely gaining on us: he wasbrandishinghisswordthreateningly.

NextthingIknewtheSpookwascomingtoahalt.Hethrewdownhisbagatmyfeet.‘Keepgoing,lad!I’lldealwithhim,’hecommanded,turningbacktofacethesoldier.

Icalledthedogstoheelandstopped,frowning.Icouldn’tleavemymasterlikethat.Ipickeduphisbagagainandreadiedmystaff.IfnecessaryIwouldgotohisaidandtakethedogswithme;theywerebigfiercewolfhounds,completelywithoutfear.

IlookedbackatAlice.She’dstoppedtooandwasstaringatmewithastrangeexpressiononherface.Sheseemedtobemutteringtoherself.

Thebreezediedawayverysuddenlyandthechillwaslikeabladeoficecuttingintomyface;allwassuddenlysilent,asifeverylivingthinginthewoodwereholdingitsbreath.Tendrilsofmistsnakedoutofthetreestowardsus,approachingfromalldirections.IlookedatAliceagain.Therehadbeennowarningofthischangeintheweather.Itdidn’tseemnatural.Wasitdarkmagic?Iwondered.Thedogscroucheddownontheirbelliesandwhinedsoftly.Evenifitwasintendedtohelpus,mymasterwouldbeangryifAlice used darkmagic. She’d spent two years training to be awitch and hewas alwayswary of herturningbacktowardsthedark.

BynowtheSpookhadtakenupadefensiveposition,hisstaffhelddiagonally.Thesoldierreachedhimandslasheddownwardswithhissword.Myheartwasinmymouth,butIneedn’thavefeared.Therewasacryofpain–butitcamefromthesoldier,notmymaster.Theswordwentspinningintothegrass,andthentheSpookdeliveredahardblowtohisassailant’stempletobringhimtohisknees.

Themistwasclosinginfast,andforafewmomentsmymasterwaslosttoview.ThenIheardhimrunningtowardsus.Oncehereacheduswehurriedon,followingtheriver,thefogbecomingdenserwitheverystride.WesoonleftthewoodandtheriverbehindandfollowedathickhawthornhedgenorthforafewhundredyardsuntiltheSpookwavedustoahalt.Wecrouchedinaditch,hunkeringdownwiththedogs,holdingourbreathand listeningfordanger.At first therewerenosoundsofpursuit,but thenweheardvoices to thenorthandeast.Theywerestillsearchingforus– thoughthe lightwasbeginningtofail,andwitheachminutethatpasseditbecamelesslikelythatwe’dbediscovered.

But,justwhenwethoughtweweresafe,thevoicesfromthenorthgrewlouder,andsoonweheardfootstepsgettingnearerandnearer.ItseemedlikelythattheywouldblunderstraightintoourhidingplaceandmymasterandIgrippedourstaffs,readytofightforourlives.

Thesearcherspassednomorethanacoupleofyardstoourright–wecouldjustmakeoutthedimshapesofthreemen.Butwewerecrouchedlowintheditchandtheydidn’tseeus.Whenthefootstepsandvoiceshadfadedaway,theSpookshookhishead.

‘Don’tknowhowmanythey’vegothuntingforus,’hewhispered,‘buttheyseemdeterminedtofindus.Bestifwestayherefortherestofthenight.’

Andsowesettleddowntospendacold,uncomfortablenightintheditch.Isleptfitfullybut,asoftenhappensinthesesituations,fellintoadeepslumberonlywhenitwasalmosttimetogetup.IwasawokenbyAliceshakingmyshoulder.

I sat up quickly, staring about me. The sun had already risen and I could see grey clouds racingoverhead.Thewindwaswhistlingthroughthehedge,bendingandflexingthespindlyleaflessbranches.‘Iseverythingallright?’Iasked.

Alice smiled and nodded. ‘There’s nobody less than amile or so away. Those soldier boys havegivenupandgone.’

ThenIheardanoisenearby–asortofgroaning.ItwastheSpook.‘Soundslikehe’shavingabaddream,’Alicesaid.‘Perhapsweshouldwakehimup?’Isuggested.‘Leavehimforafewminutes.It’sbestifhecomesoutofitbyhimself.’Butifanythinghiscriesandmoansgrewlouderandhisbodystartedtoshake;hewasbecomingmore

andmoreagitated,soafteranotherminuteIshookhimgentlybytheshouldertowakehim.‘Areyouallright,MrGregory?’Iasked.‘Youseemedtobehavingsomekindofnightmare.’ForamomenthiseyeswerewildandhelookedatmeasifIwereastrangerorevenanenemy.‘Aye,

itwasnightmareallright,’hesaidatlast.‘ItwasaboutBonyLizzie...’BonyLizziewasAlice’smother,apowerfulwitchwhowasnowboundinapitintheSpook’sgarden

atChipenden.‘Shewassatonathrone,’continuedmymaster,‘andtheFiendwasstandingathersidewithhishand

onherleftshoulder.TheywereinabighallthatIdidn’trecognizeatfirst.Thefloorwasrunningredwithblood.Prisonerswerecryingoutinterrorbeforebeingexecuted–theywerecuttingofftheirheads.Butitwasthehallthatreallybotheredmeandsetmynervesonedge.’

‘Wherewasit?’Iasked.TheSpookshookhishead.‘ShewasinthegreathallatCasterCastle!ShewastheruleroftheCounty

...’‘Itwasjustanightmare,’Isaid.‘Lizzie’ssafelybound.’‘Perhaps,’saidtheSpook.‘ButIdon’tthinkI’veeverhadadreamthatwasmorevivid...’

WesetoffcautiouslytowardsChipenden.TheSpooksaidnothingaboutthesuddenmistthathadarisenthepreviousnight.Itwastheseasonforthem,afterall,andhehadbeenbusypreparingtofightthesoldieratthetime.ButIwassurethatithadappearedatAlice’sbidding.ThoughwhowasItosayanything?Iwastaintedbythedarkmyself.

We’donlyrecentlyreturnedfromGreeceafterdefeatingtheOrdeen,oneoftheOldGods.Ithadcostusdear.Mymamhaddiedtogainourvictory,andsohadBillArkwright,thespookwho’dworkednorthofCaster–that’swhywehadhisdogswithus.

I’d also paid a terrible price. In order tomake that victory possible, I’d soldmy own soul to theFiend.

AllthatpreventedhimfromdraggingmeofftothedarknowwasthebloodjargiventomebyAlice,

whichIcarriedinmypocket.TheFiendcouldn’tapproachmewhileIhaditbyme.Aliceneededtostayclose tome to share its protection–otherwise theFiendwouldkill her in revenge for thehelp she’dgivenme.Ofcourse,theSpookdidn’tknowaboutthat.IfItoldhimwhatI’ddone,itwouldbetheendofmyapprenticeship.

Aswe climbed the slope towardsChipenden,mymaster grewmore andmore anxious.We’d seenpocketsofdevastation:someburned-outhouses;manythatweredeserted,onewithacorpseinanearbyditch.

‘I’d hoped theywouldn’t have come so far inland. I dread to thinkwhatwe’ll find, lad,’ he saidgrimly.

NormallyhewouldhaveavoidedwalkingthroughChipendenvillage:mostpeopledidn’tlikebeingtooclosetoaspookandherespectedthewishesofthelocals.Butasthegreyslateroofscameintoview,oneglancewasenoughtotellusthatsomethingwasterriblywrong.

Itwasclear thatenemysoldiershadpassedthisway.Manyof theroofswerebadlydamaged,withcharredbeamsexposedtotheair.Thecloserwegot,theworseitwas.Almostathirdofthehouseswerecompletelyburnedout,theirblackenedstonesjustshellsofwhathadoncebeenhomestolocalfamilies.Thosethathadn’tgoneupinflameshadbrokenwindowsandsplintereddoorshangingfromtheirhinges,withevidenceoflooting.

Thevillage seemed completely abandoned, but thenweheard the soundof banging.Someonewashammering.QuicklytheSpookledusthroughthecobbledstreetstowardsthesound.Wewereheadingforthemainroadthroughthevillage,where theshopswere.Wepassedthegreengrocer’sandthebaker’s,bothransacked,andheadedforthebutcher’sshop,whichseemedtobethesourceofthenoise.

The butcherwas still there, his red beard glinting in themorning light, but hewasn’t carrying outrepairstohispremises;hewasnailingdownthelidofacoffin.Therewerethreeothercoffinslinedupcloseby,alreadysealedandreadyforburial.Onewassmallandobviouslycontainedayoungchild.ThebutchergottohisfeetasweenteredtheyardandcameacrosstoshaketheSpook’shand.Hewastheonerealcontactmymasterhadamongstthevillagers;theonlypersonheevertalkedtoaboutthingsotherthanspook’sbusiness.

‘It’sterrible,MrGregory,’thebutchersaid.‘Thingscanneverbethesameagain.’‘Ihopeit’snot...’theSpookmuttered,glancingdownatthecoffins.‘Oh,no,thanktheLordforthatatleast,’thebutchertoldhim.‘Ithappenedthreedaysago.Igotmy

ownfamilyawaytosafetyjustintime.No,thesepoorfolkweren’tquickenough.Theykilledeverybodytheycouldfind.Itwasjustanenemypatrol,butaverylargeone.Theywereoutforagingforsupplies.Therewasnoneedtoburnhousesandkillpeople;nocausetomurderthisfamily.Whydidtheydothat?Theycouldjusthavetakenwhattheywantedandleft.’

TheSpooknodded.Iknewwhathisanswerwastothat,althoughhedidn’tspellitouttothebutcher.HewouldhavesaiditwasbecausetheFiendwasnowlooseintheworld.Hemadepeoplemorecruel,warsmoresavage.

‘I’msorryaboutyourhouse,MrGregory,’thebutchercontinued.ThecolourdrainedfromtheSpook’sface.‘What?’hedemanded.‘Oh,I’mreallysorry…don’tyouknow?Iassumedyou’dcalledback therealready.Weheard the

boggarthowlingandroaringfrommilesaway.Theremusthavebeentoomanyforittodealwith.Theyransackedyourhouse,takinganythingtheycouldcarry,thensetfiretoit...’

Makingnoreply,theSpookturnedandsetoffupthehill,almostrunning.Soonthecobblesgavewaytoamuddytrack.Afterclimbingthehill,wecametotheboundaryofthegarden.Icommandedthedogsto

waitthereaswepushedonintothetrees.Wesoonfoundthefirstbodies.Theyhadbeentheresometimeandtherewasastrongstenchofdeath;

theyworethegreyuniformsanddistinctivehelmetsoftheenemy,andthey’dmetviolentends:eithertheirthroatshadbeenrippedoutortheirskullscrushed.Itwasclearlytheworkoftheboggart.Butthen,asweleftthetreesandheadedoutontolawnnearthehouse,wesawthatwhatthebutcherhadsaidwascorrect.Therehadbeentoomanyfortheboggarttodealwith.Whileithadbeenslayingintrudersononesideofthegarden,othersoldiershadmovedinandsetfiretothehouse.

Onlythebare,blackenedwallswerestanding.TheSpook’sChipendenhousewasnowjustashell:theroofhadcollapsedandtheinsidewasgutted–includinghispreciouslibrary.

Hestaredatitforalongtime,sayingnothing.Idecidedtobreakthesilence.‘Wherewilltheboggartbenow?’Iasked.TheSpookrepliedwithoutlookingatme.‘Imadeapactwithit.Inreturnforguardingthehouseand

doing the cookingandcleaning, I granted it dominionover thegarden: any live creature it found thereafterdark–apartfromapprenticesandthingsboundunderourcontrol–itcouldhave,aftergivingthreewarningcries.Theirbloodwasitsforthetaking.Butthepactwouldonlyendureaslongasthehousehadaroof.Soafterthefire,theboggartwasfreetoleave.It’sgone,lad.Goneforever.’

Wewalkedslowlyaroundtheremainsofthehouseandreachedalargemoundofgreyandblackashesonthelawn.Theyhadtakenaloadofthebooksoffthelibraryshelvesandmadeabigbonfireofthem.

The Spook fell to his knees and began to root around in the cold ashes.Almost everything fell topieces in his hands.Thenhe pickedup a singed leather cover; the spine of a book that had somehowescapedbeingtotallyburned.Hehelditupandcleaneditwithhisfingers.OverhisshoulderIcouldjustmakeoutthetitle:TheDamned,theDizzyandtheDesperate.Itwasabookthathe’dwrittenlongagoasayoungman–thedefinitiveworkonpossession.He’doncelentittomewhenIwasinterribledangerfromMotherMalkin.Nowallthatremainedwasthatcover.

Mymaster’s librarywas gone;wordswritten by generations of spooks – the heritage of countlessyearsbattlingthedark,agreatstoreofknowledge–nowconsumedbyflames.

Iheardhimgiveasob.Iturnedaway,embarrassed.Washecrying?Alicesniffedquicklythreetimes,thengrippedmyleftarm.‘Followme,Tom,’shewhispered.

Shepickedherwayoveracoupleofcharredbeamsandenteredthehousethroughthejaggedholethathadoncebeenthebackdoor.Shefoundherwayintotheruinofthelibrary,nowlittlemorethancharredwood and ashes.Here shehalted andpointeddownat the floor. Just visiblewas the spineof anotherbook.Irecognizeditimmediately.ItwastheSpook’sBestiary.

Hardlydaringtohope,Ireacheddownandpickeditup.Woulditbeliketheotherbookwe’dfound–justthecoverremaining?ButtomydelightIsawthatthepageshadsurvived.Iflickedthroughthem.Theywerecharredattheedgesbutintactandreadable.WithasmileandanodofthankstoAlice,IcarriedtheBestiarybacktomymaster.

‘Onebookhassurvived,’Isaid,holdingitouttohim.‘Alicefoundit.’Hetookitandstaredatthecoverforalongtime,hisfacedevoidofexpression.‘Justonebookoutof

allthose–therestburnedandgone,’hesaidatlast.‘ButyourBestiaryisoneofthemostimportantbooks,’Isaid.‘It’sbetterthannothing!’‘Let’sgivehimsometimealone,’Alicewhispered,takingmyarmgentlyandleadingmeaway.Ifollowedheracross thegrassandinamongst the treesof thewesterngarden.Sheshookherhead

wearily.‘Justgetsworseandworse,’shesaid.‘Still,he’llgetoverit.’‘Ihopeso,Alice.Idohopeso.Thatlibrarymeantalottohim.Preservingitandaddingtoitwasa

majorpartofhislife’swork.Itwasalegacy,tobepassedontofuturegenerationsofspooks.’‘You’llbe thenext spook in theseparts,Tom.You’llbeable tomanagewithout thosebooks.Start

writing someof your own– that’swhat youneed to do.Besides, everything ain’t lost.Weboth knowwherethere’sanotherlibrary,andwe’llbeneedingaroofoverourheads.Ain’tnousegoingsouthtoOldGregory’sdamp,coldAnglezarkehouse.It’llbebehindenemylinesandit’snoplacetospendthewinteranyway–nobooksthereeither.PoorBillArkwrightcan’tliveinthemillanymoresoweshouldheadnorthforthecanalrightaway.Thosesoldierboyswon’thavegotthatfar.’

‘Perhapsyou’reright,Alice.There’snopointinwaitingaroundhere.Let’sgoandsuggestexactlythattoMrGregory.Arkwright’slibraryismuchsmallerthantheSpook’swas,butit’sastart–somethingtobuildon.’

Weleftthetreesandstartedtocrossthelawnagain,approachingtheSpookfromadifferentdirection.Hewassittingonthegrasslookingdownat theBestiary,headinhandsandoblivioustoourapproach.Alicesuddenlycametoahaltandglancedtowardstheeasterngarden,wherethewitcheswereburied.Onceagainshesniffedloudlythreetimes.

‘Whatisit,Alice?’Iasked,notingtheconcernonherface.‘Something’swrong,Tom.AlwaysbeenabletosniffLizzieoutwhenIcrossedthispartofthelawn

before...’BonyLizziehadtrainedAlicefortwoyears.Shewasapowerful,malevolentbonewitchwhowas

buriedalive inapit, imprisoned there indefinitelybymymaster.And shecertainlydeserved it.She’dmurderedchildrenandusedtheirbonesinherdarkmagicrituals.

Leadingtheway,Alicemovedcautiouslyintothetreesoftheeasterngarden.Wepassedthegraveswherethedeadwitcheswereburied.Everythingseemedallrightthere,butwhenwecametothewitchpitthatconfinedLizzie,Igotashock.Thebarswerebentanditwasempty.BonyLizziehadescaped.

‘Whendidshegetout,Alice?’Iaskednervously,afraidthatthewitchmightbelurkingnearby.Alicesniffedagain.‘Twodaysagoatleast–butdon’tworry,she’slonggonebynow.Backhometo

Pendle,nodoubt.GoodriddanceiswhatIsay.’

WewalkedbacktowardstheSpook.‘BonyLizzie’sescapedfromherpit,’Itoldhim.‘Alicethinksithappenedthedayaftertheyburnedthehouse.’

‘Therewere otherwitches here,’Alice added. ‘With the boggart gone theywere able to enter thegardenandreleaseher.’

TheSpookgavenosignthathe’dheardwhatwesaid.HewasnowclutchingtheBestiarytohischestandstaringintotheashesmorosely.Itdidn’tseemagoodtimetosuggestthatwegonorthtoArkwright’splace.Itwasgettingdarknow,andithadbeenahardjourneywest,withbadnewsattheendofit.Ijusthadtohopethatmymasterwouldbeabitmorelikehisoldselfinthemorning.

Now that theywere innodanger from theboggart, Iwhistled to summon thedogs into thegarden.SinceourreturnfromGreece,Clawandherfullygrownpups,BloodandBone,hadbeenstayingwitharetired shepherdwho livedbeyond theLongRidge.Unfortunately they’dbecome toomuch forhim, sowe’dcollectedthemandwereonourwaybacktoChipendenwhenwe’dseenthesmokeoverCaster.Thethreehadbeenusedbytheirdeadmaster,BillArkwright,tocaptureorkillwaterwitches.

Imade a small fire on the lawnwhileAlicewenthunting rabbits.She caught three, and soon theywerecookingnicely,makingmymouthwater.Whentheywereready,IwentacrossandinvitedtheSpooktojoinusforthemealbythefire.Onceagainhedidn’tsomuchasacknowledgeme.Imightaswellhavebeentalkingtoastone.

Justbeforewesettleddownforthenight,myeyesweredrawntothewest.TherewasalightuponBeaconFell.AsIwatched,itgrewsteadilybrighter.

‘They’ve lit the beacon to summonmore troops,Alice,’ I said. ‘Looks like a big battle’s about tobegin.’

Rightacross theCounty fromnorth to south,achainof fires, likea flame leaping fromhill tohill,wouldbesummoningthelastofthereserves.

AlthoughAliceandIlayclosetotheembersofthefire,therewasachillintheairandIfounditdifficulttogettosleep,especiallyasClawkeptlyingacrossmyfeet.AtlastIdozed,onlytowakesuddenlyjustas dawn was breaking. There were loud noises – rumbling booms and crashes. Was it thunder? Iwondered,stillbefuddledwithsleep.

‘Listentothosebigguns,Tom!’Alicecried.‘Don’tsoundtoofaraway,dothey?’Thebattlehadbegun somewhere to the south.Defeatwouldmean theCountybeingoverrunby the

enemy.We needed to head north quicklywhilewe still could. Togetherwewent over to confront theSpook.Hewasstillsittinginthesameposition,headdown,clutchingthebook.

‘MrGregory,’Ibegan,‘BillArkwright’smillhasasmalllibrary.It’sastart.Somethingwecanbuildon.Whydon’tweheadnorthandlivetherefornow?It’llbesafertoo.Eveniftheenemywin,theymaynotventureanyfurthernorththanCaster...’

Theymightsendoutforagingpatrols,buttheywouldprobablyjustoccupyCaster,whichwasthemostnortherlylargetownintheCounty.Theymightnotevenspotthemill,whichwashiddenfromthecanalbytrees.

TheSpookstilldidn’traisehishead.‘Ifwewaitanylonger,wemightnotbeabletogetthrough.Wecan’tjuststayhere.’Onceagain,mymasterdidn’treply.IheardAlicegrindherteethinanger.‘Please,MrGregory,’Ibegged.‘Don’tgiveup...’

Hefinallylookedupatmeandshookhisheadsadly.‘Idon’tthinkyoufullyunderstandwhat’sbeenlost here. This library didn’t belong tome, lad. Iwas just its guardian. Itwasmy task to extend andpreserveitforthefuture.NowI’vefailed.I’mweary–wearyofitall,’hereplied.‘Myoldbonesaretootiredtogoon.I’veseentoomuch,livedtoolong.’

‘Listen,OldGregory,’Alicesnarled.‘Getonyourfeet!Ain’tnousejustsittingtheretillyourot!’TheSpookjumpedup,hiseyesflashingwithanger.‘OldGregory’wasthenameAlicecalledhimin

private.She’dneverbeforedaredtouseittohisface.HewasgrippingtheBestiaryinhisrighthand,hisstaffinhisleft–whichheliftedasifabouttobringitdownuponherhead.

However,withoutevenflinching,Alicecarriedonwithhertirade.‘Therearethingsstilllefttodo:thedarktofight;replacementbookstowrite.Youain’tdeadyet,andwhileyoucanmovethoseoldbonesofyours it’s yourduty to carryon. It’s yourduty tokeepTomsafe and trainhim. It’s yourduty to theCounty!’

Slowlyheloweredhisstaff.ThelastsentenceAliceutteredhadchangedtheexpressioninhiseyes.‘Dutyaboveall’waswhathebelievedin.HisdutytotheCountyhadguidedandshapedhispaththroughalong,arduousanddangerouslife.

Withoutanotherwordheput thecharredBestiary inhisbagandsetoff,headingnorth.AliceandIfollowedwiththedogsasbestwecould.Itlookedlikehe’ddecidedtoheadforthemillafterall.

We never reached the mill. Perhaps it simply wasn’t meant to be. The journey over the fells wentwithoutahitch,butasweapproachedCaster,wesawthatthehousestothesouthwereburning,the

darksmokeobscuringthesettingsun.Evenifthemaininvadingforcehadbeenvictorious,theycouldn’thavegotthisfarnorthyet:itwasprobablyaraidingpartyfromthesea.

Normallywe’dhaverestedonthelowerslopes,butwefeltasenseofurgencyandpressedonthroughthedarkness,passingeven further to theeastofCaster thanusual.As soonaswe reached thecanal itbecameclearthatitwouldbeimpossibletotravelfurthernorthtothemill.Bothtowpathswerethrongedwithrefugeesheadingsouth.

It was some time before we could persuade anybody to tell us what had happened: they kept onpushingpast,eyesfilledwithfear.At lastwefoundanoldmanleaningagainstagate, tryingtogethisbreathback,hiskneestremblingwithexertion.

‘Howbadisitfurthernorth?’theSpookasked,hisvoiceatitsmostkindly.Themanshookhishead,and itwassome timebeforehewassufficiently recovered toanswer. ‘A

large forceof soldiers landednorth-east of thebay,’ hegasped. ‘They tookus all by surprise.Kendalvillageistheirsalready–what’sleftofitaftertheburning–andnowthey’removingthisway.It’sover.Myhome’sgone.Livedthereallmylife,Ihave.I’mtoooldtostartagain...’

‘Warsdon’tlastforever,’theSpooksaid,pattinghimontheshoulder.‘I’velostmyhousetoo.Butwehavetogoon.We’llbothgohomeonedayandrebuild.’

Theoldmannoddedandshuffledacrosstojointhelineofrefugees.Hedidn’tseemconvincedbytheSpook’swords,and judgingbyhisownexpression,mymasterdidn’tbelieve themeither.He turned tome,hisfacegrimandhaggard.

‘AsIseeit,myfirstdutyistokeepyousafe,lad.ButnowhereintheCountyissecureanylonger,’hesaid.‘Fornow,wecandonothinghere.We’llcomebackonedaybutwe’reofftoseaagain.’

‘Where arewe going – Sunderland Point?’ I asked, assumingwewere going to try and reach theCountyportandgetpassageonaship.

‘Ifitisn’talreadyinenemyhands,it’llbefullwithrefugees,’theSpooksaidwithashakeofhishead.‘No,I’mgoingtocollectwhat’sowedme.’

Thatsaid,heledusquicklywestwards.OnlyveryrarelydidtheSpookgetpaidpromptly,andsometimesnotatall.Sohecalledinadebt.

Yearsearlierhe’ddrivenasea-wraithfromafisherman’scottage.Now,ratherthancoin,thepaymenthe

demandedwasabedforthenightfollowedbyasafepassagetoMona,thelargeislandthatlayoutintheIrishSea,north-westoftheCounty.

Reluctantlythefishermanagreedtotakeus.Hedidn’twanttodoitbuthewasscaredofthemanwiththefierceglitteringeyeswhoconfrontedhim–whonowseemedfilledwithnewdetermination.

IthoughtI’dgainedmysealegsonthevoyagetoGreeceinthesummer.HowwrongIwas.Asmallfishingboatwasaverydifferentpropositiontothethree-mastedCeleste.Evenbeforewewereclearofthebayandoutintheopensea,itstartedpitchingandrollingalarmingly,andthedogsweresoonwhiningnervously.InsteadofwatchingtheCountyrecedeintothedistance,Ispentthelargerpartof thevoyagewithmyheadoverthesideoftheboatbeingviolentlysick.

‘Feelingbetter,lad?’askedtheSpookwhenIfinallystoppedvomiting.‘Abit,’Ianswered,lookingtowardsMona,whichwasnowasmudgeofgreenonthehorizon.‘Have

youevervisitedtheislandbefore?’Mymastershookhishead.‘Neverhadanycallto.I’vehadmorethanenoughworktokeepmebusyin

theCounty.Buttheislandershavetheirfairshareoftroubleswiththedark.Thereareatleasthalfadozenbugganesthere...’

‘What’s a buggane?’ I asked. I vaguely remembered seeing theword in theSpook’sBestiary but Icouldn’trememberanythingaboutthem.Iknewwedidn’thavethemintheCountynow.

‘Well,lad,whydon’tyoulookitupandfindout?’saidtheSpook,pullingtheBestiaryfromhisbagandhandingittome.‘It’satypeofdaemon...’

I opened the Bestiary, flicked through to the section on daemons and quickly found the heading:BUGGANES.

‘Readitaloud,Tom!’Aliceinsisted.‘I’dliketoknowwhat’swhattoo.’Mymasterfrownedather,probablythinkingitwasspook’sbusinessandnothingtodowithher.ButI

begantoreadaloudasshe’dasked:

‘Thebugganeisacategoryofdaemonthatfrequentsruinsandusuallymaterializesasablackbullorahairyman,althoughotherformsarechoseniftheysuititspurpose.Inmarshygroundbugganeshavebeenknowntoshape-shiftintowormes.

‘Thebugganemakestwodistinctivesounds–eitherbellowinglikeanenragedbulltowarnoffthosewhoventurenearitsdomainorwhisperingtoitsvictimsinasinisterhumanvoice.Ittells the afflicted that it is sapping their life force, and their terror lends the daemon evengreaterstrength.Coveringone’searsisnoprotection–thevoiceofthebugganeisheardrightinside the head. Even the profoundly deaf have been known to fall victim to that insidioussound.Thosewhohearthewhisperdiewithindaysunlesstheykillthebugganefirst.Itstoresthelifeforceofeachpersonitslaysinalabyrinth,whichitconstructsfarunderground.

‘Bugganesareimmunetosaltandiron,whichmakesthemhardbothtokillandtoconfine.Theonlythingtheyarevulnerabletoisablademadefromsilveralloy,whichmustbedrivenintotheheartofthebugganewhenithasfullymaterialized.’

‘Soundsreallyscary,’saidAlice.‘Aye,there’sgoodreasontobebothafraidandwarywhereabugganeisconcerned,’saidtheSpook.

‘It’s said they have no spooks onMona, but fromwhat I’ve heard they could certainly dowith some.

That’swhybugganesflourishthere–there’snobodytokeepthemincheck.’ItsuddenlybegantodrizzleandmymasterquicklyseizedtheBestiaryfromme,closeditandputitin

hisbag,outofharm’sway.Itwashislastbookandhedidn’twantitdamagedanyfurther.‘Whataretheislanderslike?’Iasked.‘They’reaproud,stubbornpeople.They’rewarliketoo,withastrongforceofpaidconscriptscalled

“yeomen”.ButasmallislandlikethatwouldhavenochanceiftheenemylookedbeyondtheCountyandchosetoinvade.’

‘Theislandersain’tgoingtowelcomeus,arethey?’Alicesaid.TheSpooknoddedthoughtfully.‘Youcouldberight,girl.Refugeesarerarelywelcomeanywhere.It

just means extramouths to feed. And a lot of folks will have fled the County and headed forMona.There’sIrelandfurthertothewest,butit’samuchlongerjourneyandI’dprefertostayasclosetohomeaspossible.Ifthingsaredifficult,wecouldalwaysheadwestlater.’

Asweapproachedtheisland, thewavesbecamelesschoppy,butthedrizzlewasheaviernow,andblowingstraightintoourfaces.TheweatherandthegreenrollinghillsaheadremindedmeoftheCounty.Itwasalmostlikecominghome.

Thefishermanputusashoreonthesouth-eastoftheisland,tyinghisboatbrieflytoawoodenjettythatjuttedoutoverarockyshore.Thethreedogsleapedofftheboatinturn,happytobebackondryland,butwefollowedmoreslowly,ourjointsstiffafterbeingconfinedintheboatforsolong.Itwasjustminutesbefore the fisherman put out to sea again. Silent and grim on the voyage across, now he was almostsmiling.HisdebttotheSpookwaspaidandhewasgladtoseethebackofus.

Attheendofthejettywesawfourlocalfishermensittingunderawoodensheltermendingtheirnets;theywatchedusdrawnearwithnarrowedhostileeyes.Mymasterwasinthelead,hishoodupagainsttherain,andhenoddedintheirdirection.Hegotjustoneresponse:threeofthemenkepttheireyesavertedandcontinuedwiththeirwork;thefourthspatontotheshingle.

‘Right, wasn’t I? We ain’t welcome here, Tom,’ Alice said. ‘Should have sailed further west toIreland!’

‘Well,we’reherenow,Alice,andwe’lljusthavetomakethebestofit,’Itoldher.Weadvancedupthebeachuntilwecametoanarrowmuddypath,whichranuphillbetweenadozen

smallthatchedcottages,thendisappearedintoawood.Aswepassedthelastdoorway,amancamedownoutofthetreesandbarredourpath.Hewascarryingastoutwoodencudgel.Clawboundedforwardandgrowledatthestrangerthreateningly,herblackfurbristling.

‘Callthedogback,lad.I’lldealwiththis!’theSpookshoutedoverhisshoulder.‘Claw!Here–goodgirl!’ I called, and reluctantly shecameback tomyside. Iknew that evenby

herself,shewaswellabletodealwithamancarryingonlyaclubforaweapon.Thestrangerhadatannedweather-beatenfaceand,despitethechillydamp,hadhissleevesrolledup

abovehiselbows.Hewasthick-setandmuscular,withanedgeofauthorityabouthim,andIdidn’tthinkhewasafisherman.AndthenIsawthathewasactuallywearingamilitaryuniform:atightbrownleatherjerkinwithasymbolontheshoulder–threerunninglegsinacircle;legsthatworearmour.UnderitwasaLatininscription:QUOCUNQUEJECERISSABIT.Isuspectedthathewasoneoftheisland’syeomen.

‘You’renotwelcomehere!’hetoldtheSpookwithahostileglare,raisinghisclubthreateningly.‘Youshouldhavestayedinyourownland.We’veenoughmouthsofourowntofeed!’

‘We’dlittlechoicebuttoleaveit,’saidtheSpookmildly.‘Enemysoldiersburnedmyhouseandwe

wereinperilofourlives.Allweaskistostayhereforashortwhileuntilit’ssafetoreturn.Wecomepreparedtoworkandearnourkeepasbestwecan.’

Themanloweredhisclubandnodded.‘You’llworkallright,ifyou’regiventhechance–justashardasalltheothers.Sofar,mostseekingrefugefromtheCountyhavebeencomingashoreatDouglas,tothenorth.Butwe knew somewould try to sneak in like you lot, sowe’ve been keepingwatch,’ he said,lookingfirstattheSpookandthenatme.Isawhimnoteourdistinctivehoodedcloaks,thenourstaffsandbags.EventhoseonMonawouldrecognizethegarbandaccessoriesofourtrade.

Next he studied Alice, looking down at her pointy shoes, and I saw his eyes widen. He quicklycrossedhimself.‘What’saspookdoinginthecompanyofawitch?’hedemanded.

‘Thegirl’snowitch,’theSpookrepliedcalmly.‘She’sbeenworkingformecopyingbooks.Andthisismyapprentice,TomWard.’

‘Well,hewon’tbeyourapprenticewhilehe’sherewithus,oldman.We’venocallforthoseofyourtradeandhaveourownwaysofdealingwithwitches.Oncesorted, thosechosenwillallworkon theland.It’sfoodweneed,notyourhocus-pocus.’

‘Sorted?’askedtheSpook.‘Explainwhatyoumeanbythat!’‘Wedidn’taskyoutocomehere,’growledtheyeoman, liftinghisclubagain.‘Thelad’syoungand

strong,andwillcertainlybeput towork.Butsomegobackinto thesea–andwemighthavedifferentremediesforothers...’HisgazefellonAlice.

Ididn’tlikethesoundofthat,soIsteppedforwardtostandbesidemymaster.‘Whatdoyoumeanby“backintothesea”?’Idemanded.TheSpookrestedhishandonmyshoulder.‘Takeiteasy,lad.Ithinkwebothknowwhathemeans.’‘Aye – thosewho can’twork are food for the fishes. Oldmen like you.And as forwitches,’ the

yeomansaid,scowlingatAlice,‘you’renotthefirsttohavetriedtosneakashorethispastweek.You’llallgetwhat’scomingtoyou.Wehaveourownwayofdealingwithyourkind!’

‘Ithinkwe’veheardenough,’saidtheSpook,raindrippingofftheendofhisnose.Heliftedhisstaffandhelditacrosshisbodyinthedefensiveposition.Themangaveamirthlessgrinandsteppedforwardaggressively.

Everythinghappenedvery fast then.The stranger swunghis clubatmymaster’shead,but it didn’tmakecontact.The‘oldman’wasnolongerthere.TheSpooksteppedtoonesideanddeliveredtworapidblows.Thefirstcrackedhisassailantonthewrist tosendtheclubspinningfromhishandandacryofpain bursting from his lips. The second thwacked him hard on the side of the head to drop himunconsciousatourfeet.

‘Notexactlythebestofstarts,lad!’saidmymaster,shakinghishead.I lookedback.The four fishermenhadcomeoutof their shelterandwerestaringatus.TheSpook

followedmygaze,thenpointedupthehill.‘Bestweputsomedistancebetweenourselvesandtheshore,’hesaidimmediately,stridingoutatafuriouspacethathadAliceandmestrugglingtokeepup.

Weclimbedupthroughthetrees,theSpooksomedistanceahead.Forthenexthalf-hourorsomymasterdidhisbesttotakearoutethatwouldthrowanytrackers,

evenhounds,offourtrail.Wewalkeduptoourkneesintwodifferentstreams,onceleavingbyadifferentbank,thenexttimebythesame.Whenhewasfinallysatisfied,theSpookledusnorthwardsataslowerpace.

‘We’dhavebeenbetterofftakingourchancesintheCounty,’Aliceremarked.‘Don’tcarehowmanystreamswecross,they’llhuntusdownnowforsure.Soonfindusonanislandthissize.’

‘Idon’tthinkMona’sthatsmall,Alice.There’llbeplentyofplacestohide,’Itoldher.IhopedIwasright.

TheSpookhadreachedthesummitofahillandwasstaringoffintothedistance.‘Thinkthey’llmakeaseriousefforttofindus?’Iaskedhim,catchingupatlast.‘Coulddo,lad.Ireckonourfriendbacktherewillwakeupwithabitofaheadache–hecertainly

won’t come after us alone. Those fishermen didn’t chase after us, so he’ll need to find himself someproperhelpandthat’lltaketime.Didyouseethatsymbolandsignonhisshoulder?’

‘Threearmouredlegsinacircle,’Ireplied.‘AndtheLatinunderneathmeans…?’mymasterasked.‘WhereveryouthrowmeI’llstand?’‘Aye,that’snearenough–itsuggestsself-reliance,lad.They’reatough,resilientpeople,andwe’ve

clearlycome to thewrongplace.Thatsaid, I reckonwe’veshaken’emoffour trailnow.Besides,’hecontinued,pointingdownthehill,‘they’vegotmorethanjustustoworryabout!’

FarbelowIcouldseealargetownandaharbourfullofboatsofallsizes.Beyondthatlayawidehalf-moonbaywithascatteringoflargervessels,someofthemagooddistancefromtheland.Smallerboatswereferryingpeopletotheshore.Ahugeflockofseagullscircledovertheharbour,makingaracketthatwecouldhearuponthehill.

‘That’sDouglas,thelargesttownontheisland.Morepeopleseekingrefugelikeourselves,’saidtheSpook.‘Someofthoseshipswillbesailingawayagainsoon,butmostprobablynotbacktotheCounty.Imight justhaveenoughmoney togetusapassagefurtherwest toIreland.Weshouldreceiveawarmerwelcomethere.Itcertainlycouldn’tbeanyworse.’

‘Butwilltheyletusleave?’Iasked.

‘Bestifwegowithout’emnoticing,lad.We’llwaituntilnightfall,thenyougodownintothetown.Mostsailorslikeadrinkortwo–you’llfindtheminthewaterfronttaverns.Withabitofluckyou’llbeabletohiresomeonewithasmallboat.’

‘I’llgowithTom,’Alicesaidquickly,‘andkeepmyeyespeeledfordanger—’‘No,girl,youstaywithmeandthedogs.Theladwillbebetteroffalonethistime...’‘Whycan’tAlicecomewithme?Twopairsofeyesarebetterthanone,’Isuggested.TheSpookglaredatusinturn.‘Areyoutwoboundbyaninvisiblechain?’heasked,shakinghishead.

‘You’vehardlybeenapartlately.No,I’vemadeupmymind.Thegirlstayshere!’AliceglancedatmeandIsawfearflickerinhereyesasshethoughtofthebloodjar,theonlything

keepingtheFiendatbay.Insidethatjarweresixdropsofblood:threeofhersandthreeofmine.Alicewas safe too – as long as she stayed close tome.But if Iwent down into the town alone, therewasnothingtostoptheFiendtakinghisrevengeuponher.SoIknewthat,althoughshedidn’targuenow,she’ddisobeytheSpookandfollowme.

Isetoffdownthehillsoonafterdark,leavingmycloak,bagandstaffbehind.Itseemedthattheislandersdidn’twelcomespooks–or theirapprentices.Bynowtheycouldbesearchingforus in the town.Thecloudshadblownawayanditwasaclearstarrynightwithapalehalf-moonhighin thesky.OnceI’dwalkedahundredyardsorsoIstoppedandwaited.Itwasn’tlongbeforeAlicewasbymyside.

‘DidMrGregorytrytostopyou?’Iasked.Aliceshookherhead.‘ToldhimIwasoffhuntingforrabbits,butheshookhisheadandglanceddown

atmyfeetsoIknowhedidn’tbelieveme.’Isawthatherfeetwerebare.‘Isneakedmyshoesintoyourbag,Tom.LesschanceofanyonethinkingI’mawitchthatway.’Wesetoffdownthehillandsoonemergedfromthetreesontoagrassyslopemadeslipperybythe

recentrain.Alicewasn’tusedtogoingbarefootandslippedontoherbottomtwicebeforewereachedthefirstofthecottagesandfoundagrittedtrack.

Tenminuteslaterwewereinthetown,makingourwaythroughthenarrowcobbledstreetstowardstheharbour.Douglasthrongedwithsailors,buttherewereafewwomenabouttoo,someofthembarefootlikeAlice–soapartfrombeingtheprettiestbyfar,shedidn’tstandoutinanyway.

Therewerealmostasmanyseagullsaspeopleand theyseemedaggressiveand fearless, swoopingdowntowardspeople’sheads.Isawonesnatchasliceofbreadfromaman’shandjustashewasabouttotakeabite.

‘Horriblebirds,those,’saidAlice.‘Ratswithwings,theyare.’Afterawhilewecametoabroad,busythoroughfareinwhicheveryfifthhouseseemedtobeaninn.I

glancedthroughthewindowofthefirsttavern.Itlookedfull,butIdidn’trealizehowfulluntilIopenedthe door.Warm air and a strong odour of alewafted overme; the loud, boisterous crowdof drinkersinsidewere standing shoulder to shoulder. I saw that Iwouldhave topushmyway in forcefully, so Iturned,shookmyheadatAliceandledthewayfurtherdownthestreet.

All theotherinnswepassedlookedequallybusy,but thenIglanceddownasidestreet thatslopedaway towards the harbour and sawwhat looked like another tavern.When I opened the door, it wasalmost deserted,with just a fewmen sitting on stools at the bar. Iwas about to step insidewhen theproprietorshookhisfistatmeandAlice.

‘Beoffwithyou!Wedon’tallowriff-raffinhere!’heshouted.Ididn’tneedtellingtwice–thelastthingIwantedwastodrawattentiontomyself.Iwasjustaboutto

headbacktowardsthemainthoroughfarewhenAlicepointedintheoppositedirection.‘Trythere,Tom.Lookslikeanothertavernfurtherdown...’Shewassoonprovedright.Itwasrightattheendofthenarrowstreet,onthecorner,themaindoor

facingtowardstheharbour.Likethelasttavern,itwasalmostempty,withjustafewpeoplestandingatthebarclutchingtankardsofale.Theproprietorlookedacrossatmewithinterestratherthanhostility,andthatcuriosityquicklydecidedme–itwasbettertogetout.ButjustasIturnedtogo,avoicecalledmyname.

‘Well,ifitisn’tTomWard!’Andalargered-facedmanwithsidewhiskersstrodetowardsme.ItwasCaptainBainesoftheCeleste,theshipthatMamhadcharteredforourvoyagetoGreecethe

previous summer.Heoperatedout ofSunderlandPoint.Nodoubt he’d sailedherewith a hold full ofthosefleeingtheinvaders.

‘It’s good to see you, lad. The girl too!’ he said, looking atAlice,whowas standing in the opendoorway.‘Comeacrossandwarmyourselvesbythefire.’

Thecaptainworealong,dark,waterproofcoatwithathickgreywoollenjumperunderneath:sailorscertainlyknewhowtodressforcoldweather.Heledthewaybacktoabarewoodentableinthecorner,andwesatdownonstoolsfacinghim.

‘Areyouhungry?’heasked.Inodded.Iwasstarving.Apartfromafewmouthfulsofcheese,thelastthingwe’deatenhadbeenthe

rabbitsthatAlicehadcookedthepreviousnight.‘Landlord,bringustwosteakandalepiesandmakethempipinghot!’hecalledouttowardsthebar,

thenturnedbacktofaceus.‘Whobroughtyouacrossthewater?’heasked,loweringhisvoice.‘Wecameinasmallfishingboat.WeweredroppedsouthofDouglasbutranintotroublerightaway.

Wewereluckytoescape.AmanwithaclubtriedtoarrestusbutMrGregoryknockedhimout.’‘Where’syourmasternow?’‘He’suponthehillsidesouthofthetown.HesentmedowntoseeifIcouldhireaboattotakeus

furtherwesttoIreland.’‘You’ve little chance of that, youngTom.My own ship, theCeleste, is impounded and has armed

guardsonboard.AsforthepeopleIbroughthere,they’reallincustody.Samewiththerefugeesfromtheotherships.Youcan’t reallyblame the islanders though.The last thing theywant is for the invaders tocomehere.They’rescaredofwitchesfleeingtheCountytoo–andwithgoodreason.Asmallfishingboatcameashoretothenorth.Bothcrewmembersweredead–they’dbeendrainedofbloodandtheirthumb-bonescutaway.’

AtthatAlicegavealittlegasp.Iknewwhatshewasthinking.ThePendlewitcheswouldnodoubtstayputandwaittoseewhathappened.Butthiscouldwellbetheworkofanotherwitch–somewouldhavefledtheCounty–andwhatifitwasAlice’smother?

WhatifBonyLizziewasatlargeontheisland?

Webothtuckedintoourhotsteakandalepieswhile thecaptaintolduswhatheknew.ItseemedthatalmostalltherefugeeswerebeingreturnedtotheCounty.Theleadersoftheisland’sRulingCouncil

wereafraidthatiftheyweren’t,Monawouldbethenextplacetocomeunderattack.‘That’swhytheCelesteisimpounded.SoonI’llbesailingbacktoSunderlandPoint,returningthose

whofledtothetendermerciesoftheenemy.There’llstillbearmedguardsonboardtomakesurethatIdojustthat.Theonlyoneswho’llstayherearethewitchestheyfind–notthatIwascarryingany.Mindyou,somewhoaren’treallywitcheswillbetestedandfoundguilty.Nodoubtinnocentswillsuffer…’

HewasreferringtowhattheSpookcalledthe‘falselyaccused’.Hewasright:nodoubtatleastonerealwitchhadreachedMona,butmanyotherinnocentwomenwouldbeforcedtopayaterriblepriceforwhatshe’ddone.

‘Myadvicewouldbe tohead inland, then towards thesouth-westerncoast.There’safishing town,PortErin,andlotsofsmallvillagesfurthersouthonthatpeninsula.Refugeesaren’tlikelytoputashorethere,sothere’llbefewerpeoplewatchingoutforthem.YoumightgetyourselvesapassagetoIrelandfromthere…’

‘Soundslikegoodadvicetome,Tom,’Alicesaidwithasmile.Ismiledback,butthentheexpressiononherfacechangedtooneoffearandhorror.Shewasstaringat

thedoor,asifsensingdanger.Suddenly it burst open andhalf a dozen largemenbrandishing clubs surged in.Theywore leather

jerkinswiththethree-leggedinsignia–yeomen.Atallmanwithadarkmoustacheandcarryingaswordathiship–clearlytheirleader–followedtheminside.Theyallhaltednearthedoor,theireyessweepingthe room, lookingat theoccupantsofeach tableaswellas thosestandingat thebar. Itwas then that Inoticedtheyhadaprisoner.

Healsoworealeatherjerkinwiththebadge.Itaccentuatedhisbulk;hewastallandverythick-set.Whywouldtheyholdoneoftheirowncaptive?Iwondered.Whathadhedonewrong?ThenIsawthatthemanwasbound,butinastrange,cruelway.Alengthoffinesilverchainranfromeacheartothehandsofthetwoguardswhoflankedhim.Hisearshadbeenpiercedveryclosetohisheadandtheholesthroughwhichthechainspassedwereredandinflamed.

Theprisonersniffedloudlythreetimesandspoke,hisvoiceasharshasafileraspingagainstmetal.‘Ismellwoman!There’sawomanhere,CommanderStanton,’hesaid,turningtowardsthetallmanwiththemoustache.

TheguardsallstaredatAlice.Shewastheonlyfemaleintheroom.Theprisonerstartedtoapproachourtable,thetwoflankingguardskeepingpace,withStantonfurther

tooneside.Ashedidso,Inoticedtwothingssimultaneously:thefirstwasthathewasblind,hiseyeballsmilky-white;thesecondsentatremoroffeardownmyspineandIfeltthehairsonthebackofmyneckrise.

Hehaddark,curly,mattedhair–more like thehideofananimal thanhumanhair.Throughit,veryhighonhisforehead,protrudedtwoveryshortcurvedhorns.Theywerewhite,andeachcametoasharppoint.Thiswasn’taman;itwasanabhuman,theresultofaunionbetweentheFiendandawitch.

‘Thisisnowoman!’laughedStanton.‘It’sjustascrawnygirlwithdirtyfeet.Tryagain!’Thistimetheabhumandidn’tsniff;hejustpeeredatAliceasthoughhisblindeyescouldactuallysee

her.Apuzzledexpressioncreasedhisface.‘Well,comeon,’thecommanderdemandedinanimpatientvoice.‘Isthegirlawitchornot?’‘Shehasdarknessinsideher!’criedtheabhuman.‘Darkpower!’‘Well, that’s all we need to know! Seize her, lads!’ he cried, and two men stepped forward and

draggedAliceoffherstool.Shedidn’ttrytostruggle–hereyeswerewideandfilledwithfear.Iknewjustonething–wherevertheytookAlice,Ihadtogotoo.Ifshewasseparatedfromtheblood

jar,theFiendwouldtakehisrevengeonher.However,asitturnedout,Ididn’tneedtodoanything.‘Checktheothertwo!’Stantoncommanded.‘Theyweretalkingtoawitch.Couldbethey’reinleague

together.Maybeoneofthem’sawarlock…’TheabhumanlookedatCaptainBainesnext.‘Nodarknesshere,’hegrowled.‘Whatabouttheboy,then?’Nowitwasmyturn,butafterstudyingmewithhisblindeyes,thecreaturelookedevenmorepuzzled.

Hismouthopenedtwicetorevealtworowsofsharpyellowteeth,butnowordscameout.‘Wehaven’tgotallday.What’stheproblem?’‘Asliverofdarknessisburieddeepwithinhissoul.Averysmallpiece…’‘It’s enough! Bring him along!’ snapped Stanton. ‘It’s a long time since we tested a male witch.

They’reveryrare.’IjusthadtimetoglancebackatCaptainBaines’sanxiousfacebeforeIwasseizedtoo,andmoments

latermyhandsweretiedbehindmybackandIwasoutsidethetavernwithAlice,beingdraggedbyroughhandsupthehilltowardsthemainthoroughfare.

Afteraforcedmarchthroughthebusystreets,duringwhichwewerejostled,jeeredandspaton,wearrivedatlastattheoutskirtsofthetownandwerepushedaboardadray-cartpulledbyfoursturdyshirehorses.Thedrivercrackedhiswhipandwesetoffalongatrack;havingglancedupatthestarsandnotedthepositionofthePloughconstellation,Ijudgeditwastakingusroughlynorth-west.AliceandIweren’taloneinthecart.Wewereguardedbythreethick-setmenwithclubswholookedmorethanwillingtousethem.Ourhandswerestilltiedandtherewasn’ttheslightestchanceofescape.

Themendidn’tspeakatfirstandseemedcontenttostareatus.Webothloweredoureyes,notwantingtogivethemanyexcuseforviolence,andkeptquiet,butafteralittlelessthananhour,Ijudged,oneofthemnudgedmewithhisclub.

‘Seethat,boy?’hesaid,pointingtohisright.In thedistance, lit by themoon,was some sort of fortification. I could see a tower surroundedby

castellatedwalls,withamountainbeyondit.‘That’sGreebaKeep,’hecontinued.‘Youmightjustlivetoseeitagain!’The other yeomen laughed. ‘But once in there you’llwish you’d died! It’s the luckyoneswho are

pulledoutdead!’saidone.Ididn’tbothertoaskhimwhathemeantandremainedsilentuntilthecartfinallycametoahalt.We

seemedtohavereachedavillage.Itwassurroundedbytrees,andhillsroseuponeitherside.Wewerepulleddownfromthecartandtakenpastalarge,curiousmoundofearth.Itwasshapedlikeabarrowbuthad four tiers. I’dnever seenanythingquite like it.Beyondstoodanother stone tower– thisonemuchsmallerthanthefirst.Iwonderedifitwasforholdingprisoners,andwassoonprovedcorrect.

Weweredraggedupsomestepstoadoorabouthalfwayupthetower,andafterourhandshadbeenuntiedwewerethrustinside.Thedoorclangedbehindus,akeyturnedinthelockandtheguardswentbackdownthestairs,theirfootstepsechoingoffthestones.

I looked aboutme.A single candle stood in a recess in thewall, flickering in the draught from anarrowwindow far above. The cellwas circular,with no furniture and only dirty straw covering thedampflagsofthefloor.

‘Don’tlikethisplacemuch,’saidAlice,hervoicehardlymorethanawhisper.‘Youmaynotlikeit,girl,’saidavoicefromtheshadowstoourright,‘butyou’dbettermakethebest

ofit.It’s themostcomfortableyou’lleverbeagain.Thisis theTynwaldwitchtower–afteryouleavehere,there’sonlypainanddeathtolookforwardto.’

Someonesteppedoutof theshadows toconfrontus. Itwasa tallgirlofabouteighteenornineteenwithdarkglossyhairwhichreacheddowntohershoulders.Sheworeaprettybluedressandherskinwascleanandshiningwithhealth.Shedidn’tlookmuchlikeaprisoner.

‘CameacrossthewaterfromtheCounty,didyou?’sheasked.Inodded.‘Myname’sTomWardandthisismyfriend,Alice.’SheglancedatAlicethengavemeawarmsmile.‘Myname’sAdrianaLonan,’shesaid.‘Iwasborn

andbredonMonaand they’ve leftmealoneuntilnow.Buteverything’sgonecrazyand they’re testingeventheirownfolktoseeifthey’rewitches.’

‘Areyouawitch?’Iasked.Adriananodded.‘I’mabirdwitch,’shesaid.‘Youmeanyouhaveabirdforafamiliar,’Alicecorrectedher.Thegirltossedherhairandfrowned.‘Idon’thaveafamiliar.Don’tgivemybloodtoanything.Not

darkstufflikethat.I’mabirdwitch.Birdsaremyfriends.Wehelpeachother.Whataboutyou,Alice?Areyouawitch?’

Aliceshookherhead.‘IcomefromaclanofPendlewitchesandIwastaughtthedarkcraftfortwoyears.Butno,I’mnotawitch.Ain’trightthatwe’vebeenbroughthere,especiallyTom.He’saspook’sapprenticeandfightsforthelight.Theysayhe’sawarlock,butthatain’ttrue.’

Adrianastaredatme,herfaceveryserious.‘DidHornsniffyouout?’‘Theabhuman?Yes,’Itoldher.‘HesaidAlicehaddarknessinsideherandthatIhadasliverofdark

too.’‘Thenmaybeyoudo,’Adrianamurmured.‘Noneofusareperfect.Butwhateverwearewon’tcount

formuchwhenwe’retestedtomorrow.’

‘What’lltheydo?’askedAlice.‘Willtheyswimus?Ain’tgoingtousethepress,arethey?’Swimmingwas themostpopularwayof testing to see if someonewas awitchornot.Yourhands

weretiedtoyourfeetandyouwerethrownintoapond.Sometimesyourrightthumbwasboundtoyourleftbigtoe,leftthumbtorighttoe.Itwasafunnynameforthetest–howcouldyouswimlikethat?Ifyousank and probably drowned, you were innocent. If you somehow managed to float, then you wereconsideredguilty,takenawayandburnedatastake.

Pressingwasevenworse.Youwerechainedtoatable,andoveraperiodoftimeheavystoneswereplacedonyourbody,oftenasmanyasthirteen.Afterawhileyoucouldhardlybreathe.Ifyouconfessedbecauseofthepain,theyburnedyou.Ifyoudidn’t,youwereslowlycrushedtodeath.Andifyoumanagedtostayalive formore thananhour itwasassumed that theFiendhadsavedyouandyouwereburnedanyway.

‘No, we islanders have our own way of doing things,’ Adriana replied. ‘Someone suspected ofwitchcraftistakentothesummitofSlieauWhallian,alargehilltothesouth,andsealedinsideabarrel–onewithsharpironspikesinside.Thenshe’srolleddownthehill.Ifshe’sstillaliveatthebottom,theythinkshe’sbeenprotectedbythedarkandshe’stakenawayand…’Hervoicefadedawaybeforeshe’dfinishedthesentenceandIsawthathereyeswerefilledwithfear.

‘Domanysurvive?’Iasked.‘Theguardtoldmethattwosurvived–andoneofthemwasbadlyspiked–outofthesevenwhowere

rolledyesterday.Itriedtotellthemwhattodo.Thereisawaytogettothebottomwithoutbeingcuttoobadly.Notallthebarrelsarethesamesoyou’dneedabitofluck,butifyoucanfindspacebetweenthespikes,youcanuseyourarmsandlegstobraceyourselfagainsttheinside.Asthebarrelspins,centrifugalforcepressesyouintothespikessoyouhavetoholdyourselfclear.Then,providingthebarreldoesn’thitabigbumponthewaydown,youdon’tbouncearoundinsideandgetjoltedontothespikes.’

‘Howdoyouknowitworks?’‘Iknowamanatthebrewerywhomakessomeofthespecialbarrelstoorder.Whenanewapprentice

cooperstarts,theyhavearitual.Theyputhiminaspikedbarrelandrollhimslowlyfromonesideoftheworkshoptotheotherwhilealltheothercraftsmenbangtheirhammersonthebenchtopsandcheer.Butfirsthe’s shownhow towedgehimself in.At theworsthemight suffer a fewcuts, that’s all.But I’venevermanagedtotalktoanyonewho’ssurvivedtothebottomofSlieauWhallian.If they’restillalive,they’retakenawayimmediately.’

‘Bigdifferencebetweenbeingrolledslowlyandbouncedabout,’saidAlice.‘Ifyoutoldthemwhattodo,whydidn’tmoresurviveyesterday?’

‘SomewereprobablytooscaredandupsettolistentowhatItoldthem,’Adrianaexplained.‘Maybetheywantedtodieinthebarrel…’

‘Whywouldtheywantthat?’Iasked.‘Becauseofwhathappenstoyouifyoudosurvive.That’sevenworsethanbeingrolled.Theyfeed

youtothebuggane…’

‘ThereareseveralbugganesonMona,’Adrianacontinued,‘buttheyfeedyoutothemostdangerousoneofall.IthauntstheruinedchapelnearGreebaKeep.’‘Anditeatsyou?’askedAlice,hereyeswidewithfear.Adriananodded.‘Theylockthevictimsinthedungeonsinthesouthwingofthekeep,whichisright

ontheedgeofthebuggane’sdomain.Itslowlydrawsthespiritfromeachbodyandstoresitsomewhereunder the chapel.After that the body stillwalks andbreathes, but it’s empty.That’s until the buggane,walkingontwolegs,lookinglikeabighairyman,comestodrinkitsbloodandeatitsflesh.Iteveneatssomeof thebones, crunching themwith itsbig teeth– that’swhywecall it theCruncher. Afterwardswhat’sleftisburiedinalime-pitintheyard.’

We fell silent, thinking of the grim fate that awaited us, but then something began to puzzle me.Adrianahadsaidshe’dtriedtotelltheotherprisonershowtosurvivebeingrolledinthespikedbarrel–butwhyhadn’tshebeenrolledtoo?

‘Adriana,whydidn’ttheytestyouyesterdaywiththeothers?’‘BecauseLordBarrule–he’sthelordofGreebaKeep,andheadoftheRulingCounciloftheisland–

gavemeonelastchancetochangemymind:ifIdoasheasks,he’llsaveme.Otherwisehe’llletmebetested…’Adriana’sbottomlipbegantoquiverandtearssprangtohereyes.

‘Changeyourmindaboutwhat?’Iasked.‘IwanttomarrySimonSulby,acooper–theonewhotoldmeaboutthebarrels–butLordBarrule

wantsme for hiswife.He’s lived alone for ten years since his firstwife died.He’s never looked atanotherwomanbutitseemsthatIlookverylikehisdeadwife–thespittingimage,hesays.That’swhyhewantsme.He’sverypowerful,andhe’susedtogettinghisway.Irefusedandkeptrefusing–untilfinallyhelosthistemperanddenouncedmeasawitch.

‘Hecouldstillsavemeifhereallywanted–he’sapowerfulman.Onewordfromhimandthey’dletmego.Buthe’sveryproud,andcan’tbearbeingdeniedanything.He’dratherIwasdeadthanbelongedtoanother. Soon it’ll be too late. They started off doing the testing in the evening, but it attracted largecrowdsandtheybecameunruly.They’llrollusdownthehillwhenit’squiet,justbeforedawn.’

Followingthosewords,neitherAlicenorIspokeforalongtime.Thingslookedreallybleak.Iwonderedwhat theSpookwouldbedoingnow.He’dbeworriedaboutmeandwonderingwhyI

hadn’t returned. No doubt he’d have realized that Alice had followed me. I just hoped he wouldn’tventuredownintothetown.Hewassuretobecaptured.

***

The longsilencewassuddenlyendedby theharshmetallicgrateofakey turning in the lock.Had theycomeforusalready?Iwondered.Itwasstillseveralhoursuntildawn.

Thecelldooropenedslowlyandjustonefiguresteppedinside.Itwasn’tayeomanoraguard.ItwasHorn,theabhuman.Thechainsweregonefromhisearsandhewasstrippedtothewaist,wearingonlyapairofbreechesandheavyboots.Hischestwasmattedwithdarkhair,andmusclesbunchedonhisbroadshouldersandlongarms.Helookedstronganddangerous;capableofkillingwithhisbarehands.

As he lumbered into the room, we stood up and, retreated until our backs were against the wallfurthestfromthedoor.Whatdidhewant?Ididn’tliketheexpressiononhisface.Evenwithoutthehorns,itwouldhavebeenafacewithmorethanahintofthebeast.

HeadvanceddirectlytowardsAlice.WhenItriedtogetbetweenthemtoprotecther,hetookaswingatmyshoulder.ItwaslikebeingstruckwithatablelegandIwasknockedcleanoffmyfeet.Ifell,butscrambledbackupasquicklyasIcouldandmovedtowardsAliceagain.Theabhumantwistedroundtofaceme,hisferaleyesgleamingdangerously;heloweredhisheadsothathishornswerepointingatme.Icontinuedtoapproachhimmorewarily,butAliceheldoutherhandtowardmeaway.

‘No,Tom!Stayback!’shecried.‘He’llkillyou.Letmedealwithhim.’Iobeyed,butreadiedmyselftoattackthecreatureatthefirstsignofdangertoAlice–thoughwithout

mystaffandchaintherewasverylittleIcoulddo.Ihadthegiftofbeingabletoslowtime,inheritedfrommymam,but itwas extremelydifficult touse and I decided to attempt it only ifAlice seemed in realdanger.

Theabhumanturnedbacktowardsher.Lessthanthelengthofhisarmsseparatedthem.‘Sister?’hesaid,hisvoicealowrumble.‘Iain’tyoursister!’Alicesaid,shakingherheadangrily.Theabhumanputhisheadononesideandsniffedthreetimes.‘Wehavethesamefather.Youmustbe

myhalf-sister.Donotdenyit.Iwasn’tsurebackinthetownbutIamnow.There’snodoubtaboutit.’Itwastrue.BothhaddifferenthumanmothersbuttheFiendwasfathertothemboth.Alice suddenlygavehima little smile. ‘Well, ifwebebrother and sister, you’llwant tohelpme,

won’tyou?Won’twantmetodie,willyou?Bigandstrong,youare.Can’tyougetusoutofhere?’‘Ican’tdothat.CommanderStantonwouldpunishme.He’dhavemewhipped.’‘Wecouldrunaway,escapetogether,’Alicesuggested.‘Ican’tleavemymaster,LordBarrule.He’sbeengoodtome.’‘Good toyou?’ I asked. ‘What abouthavingyoudragged through the townwith chains strung from

yourears?That’snotgood.’Theabhumangrowledindispleasure.‘CommanderStantondoesthatbecausehe’safraidofme,but

LordBarruleneverhurtsme.No,nothim.Hecouldhavehadmekilled,but insteadheallowedme toservehim.He’sagoodmaster.’

‘Sowhat’syourbusiness?’demandedAlice.‘Youmustwantsomethingoryouwouldn’tbehere.’‘Justwantedtoseeyou,that’sall,’hereplied.‘Ijustwantedtoseemylittlesister.’Withthosewordsheturnedandbegantoheadbacktowardsthedoor.‘Hopeitmakesyouhappyseeingme,’causeI’llbedeadsoon,’Aliceshouted.‘Finebrotheryouare.

Brothersandsistersshouldsticktogether!’Butheclosedthedoorbehindhimandweheardthekeyturninginthelockoncemore.‘Well,itwasworthatry,’saidAlice.‘Wonderhowmanyabhumansthereare…Wonderifalltherest

arelikehimandTusk…’TuskwasthesonofOldMotherMalkin,anabhumanwithbigteeth–toomanytofitintohismouth,

hencehisname.TheSpookhadkilledhimwithhisstaff,stabbinghimthroughtheforehead.Just howmany abhumanshad theFiend fathered?Thatwas an interestingquestion.Tuskwas evil.

He’dhelpedMotherMalkinkillmothersand theirbabies– thatwashow thewitchhadgothername.She’drunahomefordestitutemothers.Butlotsofthemhadgonemissing,andwhenthelocalshadfinallysummoned the courage to investigate, they’d found a field full of bones.Most of thewomenhad beencrushed to death, their ribs cracked and broken – that had been the work of Tusk. Abhumans wereincrediblystrongandHornlookedverydangerous.

‘Nousedenyingit,’Alicewenton.‘IsharedthesamefatherasTusktoo,butIneverconsideredhimmyhalf-brotherforamoment.’

‘Horndoesn’tseemanywherenearasbadasTusk.Ithinkhe’shadahardtime,’Isaid.‘That’scertainlytrue,’saidAdriana.‘Stantoniscrueltohim,butIdon’tunderstandwhyheremains

soloyaltoLordBarrule.Can’theseethathismasterpermitsStantontodothat?SomepeoplesayHorn’sloyalbecauseBarruleletshimbethebuggane’skeeper.’

‘Hiskeeper?’Iasked.‘Hornworkswiththebuggane,theysay.Hehelpsitchooseitsvictims…’

Thenightpassedquickly,andlongbeforedawntherewerethreeotherprisonerssharingthecellwithus:twowererefugeesfromtheCounty,younggirlsstillintheirteens;theotherwasanolderlocalwoman.

Adrianawastednotimeinexplaininghowyoucouldwedgeyourselfinthebarrel.ThetwogirlsfromtheCountylistenedtoherwithinterestbutthelocalwomanjuststartedtocry.She’dheardtoomanytalesaboutwhatshefaced.Theideaofbeingfedtothebugganeterrifiedhersomuchthatshealmostpreferredtheprospectofbeingspiked.

Justbeforedawntheguards–acoupleofdozenofthem–cameforusanddraggedusbackdownthetowerstepsandacrossthevillage,headingsouth.Adrianaaccompaniedus–evidentlyBarrulehadrunoutofpatiencewithher.Thentheyforcedusupabighill,whichmusthavebeenSlieauWhallian.Itwasalongsteepclimb.Weretheygoingtorollusdownthis?Ifso,wesurelyhadlittlechanceofsurvival.

Totheeasttheskywasbeginningtoreddenwhile,lowonthehorizon,asinglebrightstarwasvisible.Therewasnowindandtheairwaschilly,andwestoodthereshiveringnexttoarowofbigbarrels.Aline of torches on poleswent down the hill, marking the course that the barrels would take, but theyweren’tneeded– therewasalreadyplentyof light toseeby.Mostof theguardswaitedwithusat thesummit.Atthebottom,attheedgeofabigwood,wecouldseeonlysixmen;onehadaswordathisbelt,andIguesseditwasprobablyStanton,thecommanderoftheyeomenwho’darrestedus.

‘She’sfirst!’criedoneoftheguards,pointingattheolderwoman;astheyseizedher,shebegantosobhysterically,herwholebodyshakingandtrembling.

‘Cowards!’Adrianaexclaimedangrily,shakingherfistatthemen.‘Howcanyoudothattoawoman–andoneofourownislanderstoo?’

‘Keepyourmouthshutorwe’llgagyou!’thelargestoftheyeomenshoutedback.Anotherseizedher

bytheshoulder,butsheshookhimoff.Thebarrelwasnowinposition,readytoberolled;whentheyliftedoffthelidIsawthesharpspikes

within.ImmediatelyIfeltthatAdrianahadbeenoptimisticaboutourchancesofsurvival.Howcouldyouwedgeyourselfsafelyintothat?

Theyforcedthewomantoherkneesinfrontofthebarrel.‘Right!Inyouget!’Shestaredatthespikes,herfacetwistedinhorror,certainthatshewaslookingatherowndeath.‘It’llbealltheworseforyouifwehavetopushyouin!’theguardthreatened,hisvoiceharsh.Thewomanrespondedbycrawlingin,cryingoutasthesharpspikespiercedherflesh.Onceshewas

inside,theyputthelidbackonandfixeditinplacewithjusttwonails.Rap!Tap!Onepush,andthebarrelsetoff,rollingdownthehill.Theyeomenhadworkedreallyfast,Ireflected,

worriednow.You’dhaveonlyafewsecondstowedgeyourselfintoposition.Three terrible shrieks issued from the barrel before it reached the bottom and came to rest hard

against a tree trunk. Twomen approached it, one carrying a crowbar. Therewas a grating, crunchingsoundasheprisedoffthelid.

Wewere too faraway toseeclearly,butwhen theypulled thewomanoutof thebarrel, shedidn’tseemtobemoving.Theythrewherbodyasidelikeasackofpotatoes.

‘Thisone’sdead!Senddownthenext!’CommanderStantoncalledupthehill.ThetwoCountygirlswereweepingandtrembling;they’dbeenholdinghands,butnow,astheguards

approached,theyclungtightlytoeachotherandhadtobedraggedapart.I watched, horrified, as the first of them received the same treatment, the poor girl shrieking and

strugglingasshewasthrustinside.Thistimethebarrelhitarockonthewaydownandleft thegroundbriefly,comingdownagainwithacrash.Whenitcametoastop,theguardspulledthegirl’sbodyoutandthrewitdownnexttotheotherone.

Iwasappalledbywhathadjusthappenedandmyheartwaspoundingwithfear.Wasitreallypossibletowedgeyourselfinandsurvive?

Butthethirdwomantobe‘tested’wasstillalivewhenshereachedthebottomofthehill.Astwooftheyeomenledheraway,Icouldhearhersobbingandgasping.Shewasclearlyhurt,butatleastshehadsurvived.Soitwaspossible…

AdrianaturnedbacktofaceAliceandme.Herbottomlipwastremblingandherformercouragehadsuddenly deserted her; she looked terrified. ‘Can you sense when you’re about to die?’ she asked.‘Becausethat’showIfeelnow–asifIdon’thavelongforthisworld…’

‘Mymasterdoesn’tbelieveinthat,’Itoldher.‘Hedoesn’tthinkanyonecanforetelltheirowndeath.’‘ButIfeelitsostrongly,’shesobbed.‘Isensethatit’scomingverysoon!’Ileanedforwardandwhisperedinherear.‘You’llbeallright,’Ireassuredher.‘Justwedgeyourself

intothebarrellikeyoutoldus.’Beforeshecouldreply,theguardscameforher.Shegaveusanervoussmile,thenwentovertothe

barrelandcrawledinsidewithoutaword.Rap!Tap!Now thebarrelwason itswaydown. Itwasa smoothdescentwithnobumps.Hadshe survived?

Againtherewasasoundofsplinteringwoodastheyprisedoffthelid.‘Anotherliveonehere!Thisone’sawitchforsure!’shoutedStanton.As soonasAdriana crawledoutof thebarrel, shewashauled toher feet andmarchedawayby a

furthertwoguards.Inoticedthatshewaslimping,butshetoohadsurvivedthedescent.Isuddenlyfeltmoreoptimistic.Wecouldworryaboutthebugganelater.

Alicegavemealittlesmileastheydraggedheraway.ItseemedthatIwouldbethelasttobetested.Alice crawled into the barrel quickly, like Adriana. As soon as they tapped on the lid, she’d wedgeherselfintoposition.

Thistimethedescentwasrough,thebarrelbouncingtwice–thoughatleastitdidn’thitatree.Whenitreachedthebottom,myheartwasinmymouth.HadAlicemanagedtopositionherselfproperly?Theremainingguard tookoff the lidand Iwaitedexpectantly forher toemerge. Instead therewasapausebeforehedraggedheroutofthebarrel.

‘Anotherdeadone!’shoutedthecommander.‘Senddownthelittlewarlock.Let’sgetitoverwith!I’mreadyformybreakfast!’

Mythroatconstrictedandahugesobbuiltupinmychest.Downbelow,theywerelayingAlice’sbodyoutalongsidetheothertwocorpses.

Icouldn’tbelieveshewasdead.We’dgonethroughsomuchtogether,survivedsomanydangers…Asmyeyesfilledwithtears,Iwasseizedandpushedtomykneesinfrontofanopenbarrel.‘Inyouget,lad.Stopblubbingandmakeiteasieronyourself!’Blindedby tears, I started to crawl into thebarrel, the spikes jabbingpainfully intomyhands and

kneesasIdidso.NosoonerwasIinthanthelidwasclampedontop,plungingmeintodarkness.Rap!Tap!Thebarrelbegantomoveand,justintime,Iusedmyelbowsandkneestobracemybodyagainstthe

innercurveofthewood,somehowmanagingtofindgapsamongstthemurderousspikes.Thebarrelbeganto spin faster and faster, the force pressingme harder against the points. Therewas a jolt, and Iwasalmostshakenontothebarbs.ThenIslowedandfinallycametoahalt.Ididn’tmoveuntil thelidwasforcedoff,fillingtheinsideofthebarrelwithlight.

Afacepeeredinatme.ItwasCommanderStanton.‘Gotanotherliveonehere!’heshouted.Thenhespoketome,hisvoicelowerbutfilledwithsneeringcontempt.‘Outyoucome,youlittlewarlock!It’sthebugganeforyou…’

Icrawledout,thespikesjabbingpainfullyintomyhandsandknees.SuddenlyIheardadullthudandacryofpain.AsIgotshakilytomyfeet,Stantonspunawayfromme,reachingforhissword.Hestartedtodrawit,butthentherewasanotherthudandhefelltohisknees,bloodflowingdownoverhisforehead.

‘Alice!’Shewasstandingfacingme,holdingarockinherlefthand.She’dusedittofellbothStantonandthe

remainingguard.Amixtureofemotionscameovermeinwaves:shock, relief,happinessand thenfearagain…

Iheardshoutsfromthetopofthehillandglanceduptoseesomeoftheguardsheadingtowardsus.‘Run,Tom!’Alicecried,throwingdowntherockandsprintingintothetrees.Ifollowedatherheels.Thetreeswereoldandmaturetobeginwith,well-spacedwithbigbranches.I

glancedbackandsawfigureslessthanahundredyardsbehindusnow.Wesplashedacrossastreamandheadedtowardsadenserpartofthewoodwherethesaplingshadn’tbeencoppiced.Beforeweenteredthe thicket, I lookedbehindagainandsaw tomysatisfaction thatourpursuerswerenonearer.Now itwouldbeaquestionofwhohadthegreaterendurance–orperhapswecouldsomehowlosetheminthedensewood.

Weranonforfiveminutes,thinbranchessnappingaswepassed,deadtwigscrunchingunderfoot.Weweremaking a lot ofnoise, but sowere those followingus, and they seemed tobe falling further andfurtherbehind.

SuddenlyAlicehaltedandpointedtoourleft.Shedroppedtoherkneesandbegantocrawlintoanevendenserthicket.Forsometimewemovedforwardonallfours,doingourbesttomakeaslittlenoiseaspossible.Thenwewaited,listeningoutforouryeomen.Weheardsoundsinthedistance,buttheygrewfainterandfainterandfinallyfadedawayaltogether.

Alicereachedacrossandtookmyhand.‘Sorry,Tom.DidIgiveyouascare?’‘Ithoughtyouweredead,Alice,’Isaid,fillingupwithemotionagain.‘Don’tknowhowthatguard

madesuchamistake…’‘Didn’tmakeamistake–notreally.Istoppedmyownheartandbreath.Easywhenyouknowhow.

Lizzie used tomakeme practise it – it’s very usefulwhen talking to spirits.Dangerous though. Somewitchesforgettostartbreathingagainandneverwakeup!’

‘IwishI’dknownwhatyouintendedtodo,’Isaid,squeezingherhand.‘Ididn’tknowmyselfuntilIgotintothebarrel.NosoonerwedgedmyselfinthanIthoughtofthatand

diditassoonasthebarrelcametorestatthefootofthehill.Betterthanbeingtakentothebuggane,ain’tit?Mindyou,wedidn’tgetoffscot-free!’

Ismiled.Shewasright:wewerebothcoveredingashesfromthespikesandtherewereraggedtearsinmyshirtandbreechesandAlice’sdress.

‘Weboth look likeMouldheelsnow!’ I joked, lookingdownatAlice’smuddyfeet.TheMouldheelwitchclanwerewell-knownfortheirbarefeetandraggedclothes.

‘Well,Tom,youcertainlyknowhowtomakeagirl feelgoodaboutherself,’shesaidsarcastically.Myfacedropped,butthenshegavemeawarmsmileandsqueezedmyhandagain.

‘PoorAdriana,’shewentonafterawhile.‘Toldushowtosurvivebutitain’tdonehermuchgood.They’llfeedhertothebugganenowforsure.’

Wewaitedforaboutanhourbeforeleavingourhidingplace,thenheadedsouth-east,towardsthehillwhere theSpookhadwaitedwhilewewentdown intoDouglas.We justhad tohope thathe’dstillbethere.

Wehadn’tbeenwalkinglongwhenwehearddogsbarkinginthedistance.‘Soundsliketrackerdogs!’Isaid.

The animals seemed to be approaching us from the east. Justwhenwe thoughtwewere safe, thepursuithadbegunagain.Ifwewerecaught,we’dnodoubtreceiveagoodbeatingbecauseofwhatAlicehaddone–beforebeingtakentothebuggane.Wecouldexpectlittlemercy.

Onceagainwebegantorun,butthistimethesoundsofpursuitdrewsteadilyclosernomatterhowquicklywesprinted.AtonepointIglancedbackandsawthreemeninthedistance;however, thedogsweregainingfast.

Ihadnostaff,noweaponstofightoffthedogs.Inminutestheywouldcatchusandwe’dfeeltheirteethforsure.Theymightdousalotofdamagebeforetheirhandlerscaughtup.

Itwas then that something cut right throughmy fear andpanic andbroughtme to abreathlesshalt.Aliceturnedtolookbackatmeandstoppedtoo.

‘It’s all right, Alice!’ I said, struggling to get the words out as I fought for breath. You see, I’d

recognizedthebarksatlast.‘They’reBillArkwright’sdogs!’Theirswasadistinctiveharshsound,accompaniedbytheoccasionalhowl.AndIwassoonproved

right.ItwasClawandherpups,BloodandBone.Theyboundedtowardsme,andmomentslaterwereincompetitiontolickmyfaceandhands.Butwhowerethethreemenfollowingthem?Thereshouldjustbeone–mymaster…

Ipeeredatthemcarefully.OnewasindeedtheSpook,Irealized,andhewascarryingbothourbagsandstaffs.Astheyapproached,IrecognizedthesecondasCaptainBaines.Hemusthavefoundmymasterand toldhimaboutourcaptureandwhatwe’d faced.Butwhowas the third?Hewasayoungmannoolderthantwentyorso,withfairhairandanopen,honestface.

‘Well,’saidtheSpookwhentheyfinallyreachedus,‘youcertainlyledusamerrydance.’‘We’vebeenchasedalready,’Itoldhim.‘WethoughtitwasmoreofthesamelotfromGreebaKeep

…’‘Howdidyougetaway?’askedthecaptain.‘WeweretestedinthebarrelsonSlieauWhallian–wewedgedourselvesinandmanagedtosurvive

inonepiece.ThenAlicepretendedtobedeadandknockedtheguardsoutwitharock.’Icouldn’ttelltheSpookthatshe’duseddarkmagictostopherheartandbreathing,soIleftthatbit

out.He’dalreadybeangrythatshe’dcomewithmeafterhe’dforbiddenit.‘They’verolledyoualready?’ thefair-hairedmandemanded,speakingfor thefirst time.Helooked

distraught.‘Theyweren’tsupposedtodothenextbatchuntillateevening!’‘Theydiditearly–justbeforedawn,tostoptoomanypeoplecomingtogawp,’Itoldhim.‘Thenwhathappenedtotheothers?Didtheyescapetoo?WasthereagirltherecalledAdriana?’he

askedanxiously.Inodded.‘Thereweresixofusinall.Adrianawasalivewhenshereachedthebottomandwastaken

awaywithanothersurvivor.Twootherwomendiedinthebarrels.’‘ThenI’mtoolatetosaveher,’hegroaned.‘Nowthey’lltakehertothebugganeatGreebaKeep…’‘This isyoungSimonSulby,’explained thecaptain. ‘Hewasonhisway to tryand rescuehis lady

friendwhenthedogssniffedhimoutandourpathsconverged,soitseemedwisetoproceedinconvoy.Sadly,itseemsthatwe’retoolate.’

‘I’llheadfor thekeep!’said theyoungman,his face twistedwithdesperation. ‘I’vegot to try andsaveher—’

‘No,that’smadness,’saidCaptainBaines,seizinghimbythearm.‘Nogoodsettingoffaloneandhalf-rigged.’

‘Aye,Iagreewiththat,’saidtheSpook.‘ButinthemeantimewecouldallheadtowardsGreeba.Thatwillgiveustimetocollectourthoughts.I’dalsoliketotellyouallIknowaboutbugganes–itmightjusthelp.Andhere,lad,youcancarrythese.I’veluggedthemaroundlongenough!’

Sosaying,theSpookhandedmebothbagsandmystaff;then,afterAlicehadputhershoeson,wesetoffforGreebaKeep.

Themost directwaywas to follow thenarrow track the cart hadused.But to avoidbumping into theyeomen,we took amore round-about route.The countrywashilly,withmountains in thedistance; thewooded valleys reminded me of the County. The journey was pleasant but overshadowed by Simon

Sulby’sgrief;hewasnear todespair.Afterall,whathopedidhehaveofrescuingAdrianafromthosedungeons?

IntheearlyeveningwehaltedforthenightinasmallwoodoverlookedbyGreebaMountain.Imadethefire,andAlicewentoffandcaughtthreerabbitsandalargehare.Whileshecookedthem,wegatheredaroundthefireandtalkedoverwhathadhappenedinmoredetail.

‘SoarealCountywitchcameashore,’saidtheSpook.‘Oneormore?’CaptainBainesshrugged.‘Whoknows?Butthereweretwomendead,anditgavetheRulingCouncil

justtheexcusetheyneededtoauthorizethetesting.’‘Andthumb-bonesweretaken,yousay?’‘Aye,andbothfishermenweredeadanddrainedofblood.Theirthroatshadbeencut.’‘Thatcouldsuggesttwowitches,’saidtheSpook;‘abonewitchandabloodwitch…’‘OritcouldbeLizzie,’saidAlice,turningthehareonthespit.‘Sheusesbothbloodandbonemagic.

Shehadafamiliaroncetoo,butitwaskilled.MaybeshewascutofffromPendleaftersheescapedfromthepit–andheadedwesttowardsthecoast!’

‘It’sapossibility,girl,I’llgrantyouthat,sowemustbeonourguard.’Soonweweretuckingintooursupper–IsharedtheharewithAlice,butSimonstaredathisrabbit

foralongtimebeforepushingitaway.‘Eatup,Simon.Tryalittlebitatleast.Youneedtokeepyourstrength,’advisedCaptainBaines.‘No,’hesaid,gettingtohisfeet.‘I’vegottopressontowardsthekeep.Onceit’sdark,thebuggane

willgointothedungeonsandAdriana—’‘Sityourselfdown,’saidtheSpook.‘She’sinnodangertonight–andperhapsnotforseveralnightsto

comeeither.Trustme,althoughI’veneverhadtodealwithonedirectly,Iknowasmuchaboutbugganesasanybody.Nodoubttherearestillthingstobefoundout,butIknowthattheyconcentrateononevictimatatimeandusuallydrainthemoverseveraldays.Howmanyprisonershavealreadybeentakentothekeep?’

‘They’vebeentestingforalmostaweek,’Simonanswered.‘Atleastsevenoreighthavebeenpulledalivefromthebarrels.Acouplemayhavediedoftheirinjuriesthough…’

‘AretheyallCountyrefugees?’‘AllbutAdriana.ButforLordBarrule’sinterestinhershe’dbesafeathome.’‘Well, thatmakesmymindup forme,’ said theSpook. ‘Weneed tohelp thosepeople. I serve the

Countyanditsinhabitants,whetherathomeorabroad.It’smyduty.’‘Sowe’regoingtotryandrescuethemfromthedungeons?’Iasked.‘Maybewewillintime,lad,althoughatpresentIcan’tseehow.No,we’regoingtomakethemsafe

fromthedarkinanotherway.We’renotgoingtothekeep.Iftheruinedchapeliswherethebugganeistobefound,that’swherewe’regoing!’

Aftersupperwesataroundtheembersofthefireandcontinuedtodiscusswhatwefaced.Thesunhadgonedownandthestarswerestartingtoappearoverhead.Therewasnowindandthewoodwasveryquiet.Theloudestsoundwasthepantingofthedogs.

‘Justhowdangerousisabuggane?’CaptainBainesasked.‘Well,youmightaswellallknowtheworst,’theSpookreplied.‘Andyougetyournotebookout,lad,

andjotdownsomeofwhatIsay.ThereareafewthingsthatneededaddingtomyBestiarysoyoudon’tknowitall.Thisisallpartofyourtraining…’

HewaitedwhileIgotthebottleofink,penandnotebookoutofmybag,thenhebegan.

‘Abugganeisadaemonthatusuallylurksneararuin,’theSpookbegan,‘butitcanroamquiteadistancefromthiscentralpoint.They’reimmunetosaltandiron,whichmakesthemhardtodealwith–though

they’revulnerabletoasilver-alloyblade.Youhavetothrustitintotheheartofthecreaturewhenit’sfullymaterialized.Thegoodnewsisthatwespookshavesuchablade…’

Bywayofdemonstration,hereachedacrossforhisstaff,andpressedtherecessedswitchsothatthebladeemergedwithaclick.

‘Asmyapprenticealreadyknows,theyusuallyconfinethemselvestotwoshapes–ablackbullandahugehairyman.’

‘What’sthemainthreatwhenit’sintheformofabull?’Iasked.‘Itbellowsloudlyandthesounddrawsuponthedarkenergyatitsdisposal.Itoftenfillsitsvictims

withsuchdreadthatthey’reunabletomove.Thenitcharges,goringandtramplinganythinginitspath.’TheSpookfellsilentandseemeddeepinthought.AfterawhileIpromptedhim:‘Whataboutthehairy

man?TheycallittheCruncherhere.’‘That’sanaptnameforit,lad.Thebugganetakesonthatshapetodigitstunnels.Itssharpclawsand

teethcanchompthroughtreetrunksorrootsthatitfindsinitspath.I’vejustbeensearchingmymemoryforanysnippetsofinformation…That’swhytheburningofmylibraryissuchatremendousloss.Therearethingsthatonlyexistinmyheadnow,andwhenIdie,they’regoneforever…’

‘Thenyouneedtowrite’emdownagain,MrGregory.Soonaspossible,’Alicetoldhim.‘Aye,you’re right,girl,’ theSpookacknowledged. ‘Justassoonas Iget thechance, I’lldoexactly

that.’Hesighed,thencontinuedstaringintospaceashepulledthedetailsfromhismemory.‘Thebugganedoesitsmostdeadlyworkinitsinvisible,spiritform—’

‘It’sworsethanjustdying!’Simoninterrupted,hisvoicefullofemotionashethoughtofthefatethatawaitedAdriana.‘Thebugganesucksthevictim’ssoulrightoutofitsbody!’

TheSpookshookhishead.‘No,that’snotso–eventhoughit’swhatmostpeoplebelieve.Thesoulsurvivesandmoveson.Whatthebugganesucksoutistheanimus,orlifeforce,whichisquiteadifferentthing.Itfeedsontheenergythatgivesabodyandmindstrength;itconsumesitsvitalitysothatitdies.It’sjustthattheminddiesfirst,andthat’swhythepersonseemstobejustanemptyvessel.

‘Therearemagesknownasshamanswhopractisethesamesortofmagic,whichwecallanimism.Abugganemaygainstrengthfromanalliancewithashaman:inreturnforhumansacrificesitwilldestroyanenemyorshareitsstoreofanimaswiththemage.

‘Andthat’swhatIfearmost–thatwemaynotjustbedealingwithabugganealone.Theremaybeadark shaman involved. Let’s face it, in supposedly dealing with the dark – testing and killing falselyaccusedwitches– thedark itself isbeingused:notonly thebuggane,butalsoanabhuman.Sotellme,Simon,whendidallthisstart?’

‘Wellovertwenty-fiveyearsago,beforeIwasborn,awitchlandedonourwesternshoreincompanywiththatabhuman.Turnedoutitwasherson.Shewasfedtothebugganeandhewasimprisonedandusedtohuntdownotherwitches.Potentialwitcheshavealwaysbeentestedusingspikedbarrels,buttheguiltywere formerly burned at the stake. They’ve always picked on foreigners – immigrants who’ve comeashoreandtriedtomakethistheirhome.Adrianaisoneofthefirsttobeaccusedfromamongourownpeople…’

AtthatpointSimon’svoicefailedhimandhechokedbackasob.TheSpookwaitedpatientlyforhimtoregainhiscomposurebeforequestioninghimfurther.

‘Iknowthisishard,Simon,butanythingyoucantellmewillgiveusachanceofdealingsuccessfullywithwhatweface.Yousay“they”,butwho’sbehinditall?Who’sinchargeofwhatgoeson?’

‘TheheadoftheRulingCouncilisLordBarruleofGreebaKeep,theonewhocondemnedAdriana.Itwashisdecisiontolettheabhumanliveandusehimtosearchforwitches.Healsosaidthatnothingcouldbedoneaboutthebuggane;however,feedingitwitches,ratherthanburningthem,wouldkeepitquiet,andourownfolksafer.’

‘Thenhecouldwellbethedarkshaman,’saidtheSpook.‘Itcouldn’tbeworse–he’samanofpowerandinfluence.Butifwecandestroythebuggane,that’llunderminehim.Whatsortofamanishe?’

‘“Cruel”isthewordthatbestsumshimup,’Simonreplied.‘He’samanwholikestogethisownway–andhe’sabiggambler.Thereareallsortsoftalesaboutgamblingpartiesinthekeep.Theyoftenbetonfightsbetweendogs.TheysayBarruleoncehadabearshippedinandmadeitfightapackofwolves.’

Weallfellsilentonhearingthat.Ihatecrueltytoanimals,andIwasthinkingofClawandherpupsbeinginthatsituation.

‘Itmustbeterriblewhenthebugganeapproachesinitsspiritform,’Isaidatlast.‘In the open, your only hope is to get away from it just as fast as you can,’ the Spook told me.

‘Trappedclosetoone,youhavenochanceatall,lad.Itwhisperstoitsvictimsinasinisterhumanvoiceuntiltheyseeimagesintheirheads–picturesoftheveryworstthingsthey’veexperiencedordoneduringtheir lives.Thedaemonissadistic–it lovestoinflictpain–anditforcesthemtore-livethoseeventsoverandoveragain.

‘You hear thewhispering right inside your head. Some folks have been drivenmad, forcing sharpsticksintotheirearstomakethemselvesdeaf,butthatdoesn’thelp–thewhisperingstillgoeson.Overthecourseofa fewdays thecreaturesucksout thewholeofyour life force. It stores theanimasof itsvictimsinanundergroundlabyrinth.’

‘YoumeanalabyrinthliketheonebehindthesilvergateunderPriestownCathedral?’‘No,lad,thisisverydifferent.TheBanewasboundthere,andthatlabyrinthhadbeendugoutbythe

LittlePeopleandlinedwithcobbles.Abugganedigsitsownlabyrinth,whichweavesinandoutbetweentherootsoftrees.Itcontrolsthetreesandmakestheirrootsmove–sometimeswithdevastatingeffectsforthosewhoarecloseby.ThefirsttimeIattemptedtodealwiththeBane,asayoungman,Itiedaballoftwine to the silver gate. I unravelled it as I explored the tunnels and followed it back again.But youcouldn’t do this here: those buggane tunnels shift and change, sometimes overnight. They can also

collapse,suffocatinganywhoventureinside.There’sonerecordofabugganebeingslainbyaspookfarto the south of the County. About three months after the daemon died, its tunnels collapsed, causingsubsidenceoverthewholearea.

‘A buggane should never be confronted in its tunnel system,’ continued the Spook, ‘so goingundergroundistheverylastthingweshouldbethinkingabout!Itwon’tshowitsfaceinthedaytime,butjustventuringnearthechapelafterdarkshouldbeenoughtotemptitoutintotheopen.Sothat’swhatIintendtodo…’

I sleptwell that night before beingwoken a couple of hours before dawn to takemy turn onwatch. Ithought thedogswouldbe sufficient tokeepguard,but theSpookwas takingnochances.He said thatshamanshadaspecialpoweroveranimalsand,nomatterhowwelltrainedtheywere,couldforcethemtodohisbidding.

Atlastthesuncameupthroughthetreestotheeastandsoonthebirdsweresinging,thewoodslowlycomingtolifearoundus.

Therewasnosenseofdangeratall. Itwashard tobelieve that, justamileor so to thenorth,wewouldenter thedomainof thebuggane.Wehada latebreakfast–somemushrooms,againsuppliedbyAlice.Itwastooriskytobuyfoodinatavern;neithertheSpooknorIatemuchanyway.Wewereabouttobeginafast,ourpreparationforfacingthedark.

Later,thefourofussetoffforthechapel.CaptainBaineswastostaybehindwiththedogs.‘Stealth is thekey to successhere,’mymaster toldhim, ‘and Idon’twant thoseanimalsanywhere

neartheruinincaseashamanisinvolved.However,I’mreasonablyconfidentthatthebugganeposesnothreatduring thehoursofdaylight.We’re justgoing toobserve fornow, so thatwe’rebetterpreparedoncenightfalls.’

Bythetimewearrived,raincloudswerebillowinginfromthewestandthechapellookedforbiddinginthegreylight.Itstoodonahillside,surroundedonthreesidesbyawoodthatextendeddowntheslope.All thewallswerestanding,but therewasnoroof.Thedoorhadbeenremovedfromitshingessowewentinsideandstaredupattheancientstonewalls,whichwerepatternedwithmossandlichens.

‘Some believe that a buggane haunts a ruined chapel to prevent it being rebuilt,’ said the Spook,‘although there’snoevidence for that.However,manycreaturesof thedark shunplaceswherepeoplegathertopray.Someboggartsmovethefoundationsofchurchesasthey’rebeingbuilt–theycan’tbearthesoundofprayers.Butwhatconcernsmehereistheextentofitsterritory.Howfardoesitroam?’

‘There’sthekeep!’IsaidtoAlice,pointingtowardsthegreytowerjustvisibleaboveadistantwood.BehinditloomedtheforbiddingGreebaMountain.

Shestaredatitbutsaidnothing.‘Thatitis,’Simonsaidmournfully.‘Thedungeonswheretheykeepthevictimsforthebugganeareon

thisside,justtothesouthofthemoat…’‘If the buggane’s territory extends that far in every direction, it’s got itself a sizeable domain,’

observedtheSpook.‘Let’stakeawalkinthatdirectionsowebetterknowthelieoftheland.’He led the way south from the chapel ruins.We began to descend the hill, going deeper into the

woods, themurmur of running water increasing in volumewith every step we took. The groundwassaturatedandourbootsmadesquelchingsoundsaswewalked.

‘ThatshouldbetheGreebaRiverdownthereinthevalley,’theSpooksaid,comingtoahalt.‘We’ve

gonefarenough.Thisisdangerousterrain–notaplacewe’llriskenteringafterdark.Ifthebugganedoestakeadifferentform,it’slikelytobeonesuitedtothisboggyenvironment.’

‘Couldittaketheshapeofaworme?’Iasked.Wormeswerereallyscary.WhenIwasworkingwithBillArkwright,wehadtohuntdownonethathadkilledachild.Ithaddraggedtheboyfromhisbedandeatenhim.Allthatwasleftwasafewblood-spatteredpiecesofnightshirt.

‘It’s possible, lad – but let’s hope not.Wormes are dangerous creatures – sometimes as big as acarthorse.Theylovemarshandwater.Thisplacewouldsuitoneallright.’TheSpookturnedtoSimon.‘Theirbodiesarecoveredwithscales thatareverydifficult topenetratewithablade.Moreover, theyhave powerful jaws and amouthful of sharp teeth, andwhen on land they spit a deadly poison that’sabsorbedthroughthevictim’sskin.Whatresultsisaveryunpleasantdeathindeed…’

Irememberedthewormewe’dfinallycornered.IthadspatatBill,butluckilythevenomhadlandedonhisboots.Ilookeddownthroughthetreesandthickvegetation.ItwassodenseIcouldn’tevenseetheriver.AliceandIlookedateachother,boththinkingthesamething.Thisplacegaveusabadfeeling.

Wereturnedtothecopse,whereCaptainBaineswaswaitingwiththedogs.Soonafterdarkwepreparedto set off back to the chapel. It had been raining heavily, but now themoon flickered fitfully throughtatteredclouds,drivenacrosstheskybyablusteringwesterlywind.

‘Well,lad,let’sgetitoverwith,’saidtheSpook,handingmehisbag.The captain andSimonSulbywere to remain behindwith the dogs. I suppose theSpook expected

Alicetodothesamebecausehefirstlookedsurprised,thenfrownedasshestartedtofollowus.‘Staywhereyouare,girl,’hesaid.‘Thisisspook’sbusiness.’‘I’vebeenusefulenoughinthepast,’Alicereplied.Mymasterglancedatusinturn,hiseyesfullofsuspicion.Hecertainlydidn’tknowabouttheblood

jar,butIcouldtellthathethoughtsomethingwaswrong.‘Joinedatthehip,areyou?’heasked,frowning.Ismiledandshrugged.Withashakeofhishead,theSpooksetoffforthechapel;webothfollowed

behind.Wewerestillquitesomedistancefromtheruinswhenhebroughtustoahalt.‘Keepyourwitsaboutyounow,lad,’hesaidsoftly.

We continued forward, but much more slowly and cautiously, every step bringing us towards thechapelwalls.Eventuallywewerestandingcloseenoughtotouchthedampstones.

‘Ithinkit’snearby,’saidtheSpook.‘Icanfeelitinmybones…’Iknewhewasright.Achillwasmovingdownmyspine,awarningthatsomethingfromthedarkwas

verynear.TheSpookledthewayforwardalongthewall,headingforthetrees.Moments laterwewere amongst them, a breeze inour faces, shadowsdappling thegroundbriefly

eachtimethemoonemergedfrombehindtheclouds.We’dtakenanothercoupleofdozenstepswhenmymastercametoasuddenhalt.Thereweretwomenstandingamongstthetreesaboutfiftyyardsaheadofus. One was a thin, tall, scarecrow-like figure in a long dark gown; the other appeared squat andmuscular,withalargeheadandnodiscernibleneck.

Themooncameoutagainandlitthem,showingthetruehorrorofwhatwefaced.Thetallmanhadahard, cruel face, but it was the other figure that filled my heart with dismay and started my kneestrembling.Itwasn’tatruemanatall.Thecreaturehadappearedsquatbecauseithadbeenonallfours.Nowitsuddenlystooduprighttorevealitsimmensesize.Thefacewashairy,aswastherestofthebody,

butitwasmorelikefurthanhumanhair.Wewerefacingthebugganeintheshapeofahairyman–theCruncher.Itscompanionhadtobetheshaman.

Nosoonerhadthosethoughtsflickedthroughmyheadthanthebugganedroppedontoallfoursoncemore.Themoonwentbehindacloud,plungingusintodarkness,andallIcouldseewasapairofglowingredeyes.Thenitbellowedloudly–afearfulcrythatmadetheground–andtheverytrees–shake.SoterrifyingwasthatcrythatIwasrootedtothespot,unabletomove.

I heard a click as the Spook released the blade from the tip of his staff, and he began to stridepurposefullytowardsourenemies.Butwhenthemooncameoutagain,wesawonlythebugganeahead.Theshamanhadvanished.

Thedaemonhadnow taken the shapeofamuscularblackbullwithenormoushorns, itshuge fronthoovespawingthegroundinanger,itsnostrilssnortingcloudsofsteam.Itwasgettingreadytocharge.

It galloped towards the Spook, hooves drumming on the earth. My master took up a defensiveposition,holdinghisstaffdiagonallyacrosshisbody.Compared to thebugganeheappearedsmallandfrailand lookedcertain tobegoredand trampledunderfoot.Myheartwas inmymouth. I stood there,terrified.Mymasterwasabouttodie.

ItwasallsoquickthatatfirstIdidn’tregisterwhathadhappened.ThedaemoncompletelymissedtheSpook,whohadsteppedasideatthelastmoment,stabbingatitwithhisstaff.Butthen,asitpassed,thebugganelungedwithitshugehead,catchingmymasterwithitslefthornandtossinghimsideways.Hefellhard,thenrolledoverandoverbeforecomingtoastop.

Hewasn’tmoving.Washedead?Ifhewasn’tnow,hesoonwouldbe.ThebugganeignoredAliceandmeandcameroundinawidecircle,loweringitsheadsothatitssharphornspointedstraightatthepronefigureofmymaster.Myheartlurched.Itwasgoingtochargehimagain.

ForamomentIwasunabletomove,butthenAlicegaveacryandstartedtorunforward.Shewaswavingherarms,tryingtodistractthebugganeandmakeitattackherinstead.

Itstoppedandstaredatherwithitshugered,balefuleyes.Thenitchargedather!AllatonceIwasfreetomoveagain.IdroppedthebagsandsprintedtowardsAliceinanattemptto

getbetweenherandthefearsomecreature.IreleasedthebladeinmystaffasIran,shoutingouttodistractit.‘Here!’Icried.‘Here!It’smeyouwant!’

It ignoredmy shouts, andmy heartwas inmymouth: itwas uponAlice before I could get into apositiontodefendher.ForoneawfulmomentIthoughtithadtrampledher,butIsawherdroptoherkneesandrollclearjustintime.

The buggane came about again.Oncemore it pawed the ground and snorted hot breath through itsnostrils.Thistimeitwaslookingatme.I’dgotwhatIwanted.NowIwasthetarget!

Itrushedatme,redeyeslockedwithmine,sharphornsreadytoimpaleme.ButIconcentratedhard,suckinginadeepbreath,tryingtoslowtheflowoftimeoutsidemyself.ItwasagiftI’dinheritedfromMam–somethingthatI’donlyrecentlydiscoveredIpossessed.I’dusedittodefendmyselfagainsttheOrdeen–she’dsaidIhad‘aspeedthatmocksthetickoftime’.

Ifso,Icertainlywasn’tmockingtimenow.Thegiftwasn’teasytouseandIwasfarfrombeinginfullcontrolofit.Itriedmybest,butiftimedidslow,itdidn’tseemtobotherthebugganemuch.Itwasuponmeinseconds,andasIsteppedclearanddroppedtooneknee,itsrighthornmissedmyheadbyafractionofaninch.

I’d barely time to get back onmy feet before it charged atme again. This time it shook its head,sweepingitshornswide.ButI’dalreadyanticipatedthat, jumpedclearandstabbedat itwithmystaff.Thebladecut it justbelowtheearand thecreaturebellowedwithpainandseemed tostaggerslightlybeforeturningtoattackagain.

Thesilverbladehadhurtit.Ifthedaemonassumedtheformofaworme,itsarmouredscaleswouldmakeithardtokill,butnowIhadanopportunitytoplungemybladeintoitsheartandputanendtoit.Ifeltmoreconfidentnowandbegantofocus.

Concentrate!Squeezetime.Slowit.Makeithalt!Itwasworking.Thebugganereallydidseemtobeslowing.Before,itslegshadbeenablur,butnowI

couldseetheindividualmovementofeachone.Asitcamewithinreachofmystaff,itwasalmostfrozenintime, itsbreath inastillcloud, itsredeyes likeglass.Seizingmychance,Isteppedtoonesideandraisedmystaff,readytostabbehinditsshoulderanddownintoitsheart.Itwasalmostcompletelystillnow.I’dnearlydoneit–stoppedtime!Onethrustofmybladeandthedaemonwouldbenomore.Ithrustdownwards,but,tomyintensedisappointment,metonlyemptyair.

Thebugganehadvanished!ThesurprisedisappearancebrokemyconcentrationandIlostmygripontime.Ifeltthebreezeonmy

faceagain,hearditsighingthroughthebranches;themoonsentbriefshadowsflickeringacrossthegroundbeforebeingobscuredbycloudoncemore.

Istoodthere,lettingmybreathingreturntonormalaftertheexertionofthestruggle.Wouldthecreaturerematerialize?I’dhurtit,butnotthatbadly.PerhapsithadsensedwhatIwasattemptingtodowithtime;realized the threat I posed.Would it come back – this time in amore dangerous shape?Orwould itwhispertomeinitsspiritformandstarttodrainmyanimus?

Iglancedacrossatmymaster.Hestillwasn’tmoving.Howbadlywashehurt?ItwasonlythenthatIrealizedthattherewasnosignofAlice.

‘Alice!Alice!’Icalled,buttherewasnoreply.Fearclutchedatmyheart.Hadtheshamanseizedher?‘Alice!’Ishoutedagain,desperationinmyvoice.TheonlyanswerwasagroanfromtheSpook,soI

wentovertoseehowhewas.AsIkneltdownbesidehim,hesatupwithagruntofpain.‘Here,helpmetomyfeet,lad…’Ilaidmystaffdownontheground,putmyarmaroundhimandhelpedhimup.‘Howbadlyareyouhurt?’Iaskedanxiously.Therewasnosignofbloodbuthewasdeathlypale.‘Fortunatelythepointofthehornmissedme,butitwhackedmehardontheshoulderandknockedme

cleanunconscious.I’lllive–butwithaheadacheandafewbruisestorememberitby.Whathappened?’I told him about my fight with the buggane and how it had vanished. ‘But Alice is missing,’ I

continued.‘Whenyouweredown,thebugganewasabouttochargeyouagainandshedistractedit.Shesavedyourlife.That’sthelastIsawofher.Maybetheshaman’sgother?Thatwastheshamannexttothedaemon,wasn’tit?’

‘Mostlikelyitwas,lad–especiallyashevanishedlikethat.Butdon’tworryaboutthegirl.Shecanlookafterherself.Ifshe’sgotanysenseshe’llputsomedistancebetweenherselfandthebuggane.Andsoshouldwe.’

‘Butwhatiftheshamanfeedshertothebuggane?’TheSpookdidn’tanswerbutwebothknewhemightwelldothat.Afterall,theabhumanhadsniffed

Aliceandfounddarknesswithinher.Buttherewassomethingmoreimmediatethatputaterriblefearintomyheart.Shewasnowbeyondtheprotectionofthebloodjar.

Despite the Spook’swarnings of the risks, I insisted on searching the area but found nothing, andfinallyIwasforcedtoabandonit.

IwasscaredforAlice–therewasalumpinmythroatasIleft,followingmymaster.TheFiendmightappearatanytimeandtakehisrevenge.HecouldslayAliceanddraghersouloffintothedarkforever.

Backatthecamp,rackedbyfearsforAlice,Ifounditimpossibletosleep.Ithoughtdawnwouldneverarrive,butatlastmorningcame–abright,beautifulone,totallyunsuitedtomymood.

Thedaystartedbadly.NosoonerwasIupandaboutthanIrealizedthatthedogsweremissing.OfClaw,BloodandBonetherewasnosign–nordidtheyanswermycall.Theyweregenerallyobedientanditwasunusualforthemtowanderoffforsolong.Wasittheshaman’sdoing?

Therewasnorealbreakfast–justanibbleofcheese.Everyonewasinasombremood,andSimonSulbyinparticularwasdesperatetodosomething,awarethateachdaythatpassedincreasedthedangertoAdriana.

‘Ican’tjustsitaroundhere!’hesaid,hisvoicefilledwithanguish.‘Whatifyoufailagaintonight?’‘Icanguaranteenothing,’theSpookreplied,clearlyirritated,‘butI’lltellyouonething–gooffalone

insomefoolishattempttorescueherfromthatkeepandthere’llbeonemorepersoninthosedungeons,readytofeedtothebuggane.Andthat’llbeyou!’

‘ImighthavelittlehopeofrescuingAdriana,butthere’soneotherthingIcoulddo.IcouldwalktoStJohn’sandappealtotheTynwald.’

‘TheTynwald?’Iasked.‘Isthattheisland’sRulingCouncil?’Simonshookhishead.‘No,it’stheParliament,anelectedbody,buttheyappointtheCouncilandhave

thepowertooverrulethem.They’llbemeetinginafewdaysinStJohn’s–thevillagebythewitchtowerwheretheyimprisonedyou.TheTynwaldcouldorderLordBarruletofreeAdriana.’

‘Aretheylikelytolistentoyou?’‘They’ll listen, though they rarely interfereonce theCouncil is appointed.Butwhat else can Ido?

CitizenshavearighttobeheardbytheTynwald.Adriana’snotawitchandneverwas.Sheunderstandsbirds–that’sall.It’saspecialtalentanditworriessomepeople.Whydothingshavetobelikethis?WhydopeoplelikeBarrulemakelifesohardforothers?AdrianaandIjustwanttogetmarried,havechildrenandbehappy. Is that toomuch toask?Iknowone thingforsure:withouthermy lifewouldbeover. Icouldn’tlivewithouther.’

TheSpookshookhisheadsadlyandsaidnothingforawhile.‘Look,’hesaidatlast,‘justgiveitonemorenight.Ifwecanputanendtothebugganetonight,ittakesheroutofanyimmediatedanger.’

Simondidn’trespond.Hedidn’tlookconvinced.‘DoyouthinktheshamandidcaptureAlice?’Iaskedmymaster.IwassadforSimonandconcerned

aboutAdriana,buttheplightofAlicewasuppermostinmymind.‘Couldwellbe, lad.Hemighthave luredherawaysomehowbyusingdarkmagic,buthecouldn’t

havephysicallycarriedheroff.Yousee,hewasn’t there inpersonlastnight.That’swhyheseemedtovanish.Ashamancanprojecthisspiritfromhisbody,andtothoselikeuswiththegifttoseeit,itlooksjustlikehim.Thedogsareadifferentmatter,though:asIsaid,hehasaspecialpoweroveranimals.BillArkwrighthadthemwell-trainedandit’snotlikethemtogoofflikethat.’

‘I’dliketovisitStJohn’smyselftobuyafewprovisions,’CaptainBainesinterrupted,‘andImightbeabletofindoutwhat’sgoingon.’

Heleftsoonafterthatandthen,despiteallourattemptstopersuadehimotherwise,SimonsetoffforStJohn’stoo,intendingtofindaccommodationandworkonhisappeal.Butbeforehelefthedrewusa

map.HemarkedinGreebaKeep,theruinedchapelandDouglas.HealsoincludedthesmalltownofPeelonthewestcoastoftheisland,indicatingthemillwhereAdrianalivedwithherparents.

Istudieditcarefully,committingittomemory.

Atduskthecaptainstillhadn’treturned,andwewerestartingtogetworried.Whatcouldhavedelayedhim?

Wehidourbagsasbestwecouldsothatitwouldbeeasiertofightthebuggane.Saltandironwereuseless against this daemon, but we both took our silver chains, which might be able to bind ittemporarily,givingusachancetousethesilver-alloybladesinourstaffstofinishitoff.

As itgrewdark,westarted towalk towards thechapel ruinsagain. Ithadgonebadly thepreviousnight and Iwasn’t confident thatwe could do any better now. The bugganewas dangerous and had apowerfulallyintheshaman.

Wehadn’tgonefarwhenIhearddogsbarkinginthedistance.ForamomentIfearedtrackerhoundsagain,butthenIrelaxed.Iwasn’tgoingtobefooledtwice.

‘It’sBillArkwright’sdogs,’ItoldtheSpook.‘They’recomingback!’Suddenlythedistantdogsbegantohowlandbayasifthey’dcaughtthescentoftheirprey.‘Aye,lad,butthey’renotalone!’criedmymaster.Thedogswereracingtowardsus,andattheirheelswasalargegroupofarmedmen,maybetwentyor

more.‘Runforit,lad!’Wesetoffasfastaswecould,ourfeetflyingovertheroughgrass,butafterseveralminuteswestill

hadn’tputanydistancebetweenourselvesandourpursuers.‘Splitup!’theSpookshouted.‘Dividethem,andmaybetheywon’tcatchusboth!’Iobeyed,peelingofftotheleftwhilehewentright.Foreitherofustobecapturedwasbadenough,

butwhathe’dsuggestedcertainlymadegoodsense.ForafewmomentsIsprintedoffandthesoundofthedogsactuallystartedtofade.ButjustwhenI

thoughtIwasgettingaway,Iheardasinglebarkclosebehindme.IlookedbacktoseeClawclosingon

mefast.Beyondherwerehalfadozenmenwithclubs.Theydidn’tseemtobegainingonme,butthedogcertainlywas.

Istumbledonatussockofgrass,wentdownonallfours,andimmediatelyjumpedtomyfeetagain.ButbeforeIcouldgoanywhereClawwasonme,herteethclampedonmybreechesjustabovetheankle.

‘Letgo,Claw!Letgo!’Ishouted,butshegrowledandbegantoshakemylegasshewouldarat.I couldn’t believe shewas behaving like this. She’d always obeyedBillArkwright, and had once

savedmylifewhenI’dbeenseizedbythewaterwitch,Morwena.SinceBill’sdeathI’dthoughtofherasmyowndog.Howhadtheshamanmanagedtoturnheragainstmelikethis?Sheseemedlikeadifferentanimal.

Shewasabig,powerfulwolfhoundandtheonlywaytomakeherletgowastowhackherhardwithmystaff–thougheventhatmightnotbeenough.Iraisedmyarm,but thenhesitated…Icouldn’tbringmyselftodoit…Andthenitwastoolate.Thefirstoftheyeomen–abig,burlyman–wasuponme.

Heswunghisclubatmyhead.Iusedmystaffagainsthimratherthanthedog,andhewentdownatmyfeetwithagrunt. I felledasecondassailant,but then Iwassurrounded.Whathappenednextwasbad.Clawsnarledandtransferredhergripfrommybreechestomyankle.Ifeltherteethsinkin.Mysenseofshockatherbehaviourwasworse than thephysicalpain.Thenawhack tomyheadbroughtme tomykneesandmystafffelltotheground.Theblowsrainedinhard;someonebootedmeinmystomachandIdoubledupinpain,fightingforbreath.

Iwashauledroughlytomyfeet,myhandsweretiedbehindmybackandIwasmarchedoffthroughthetrees.Everysooftensomeonewoulddirectakickatmybackormylegs.Thatwasbadenough,butsoonthegreystoneofthekeeploomedupthroughthetrees.Iknewwheretheyweretakingme–downintothedungeonstofeedmetothebuggane.

GreebaKeephadawidemoatfullofmurkywater,butratherthanadrawbridgelikeMalkinTower,thisfortificationhadasimplewoodenapproachrampandametalportcullisbetweentwosmallgatehousesthatwerescarcelyhigherthantheouterwall.Istoodthere,sufferingkicksandthumpsaswewaitedforittoberaised.

Onceinside,Isawthatthewallsenclosedaflaggedareafullofstonebuildings.Thetalltowerwasrightat thecentre,protectedbyanotherportcullis.Twoyeomen,eachfurnishedwithaflickeringtorch,draggedmealongbeneaththestrongmetalgrille,thendownsomesteepspiralstepsuntilwereachedaguard-room,wherehalfadozenmensateatingwhileotherscleanedbootsandpolishedarmour.

I was taken through a doorway opposite them and down more steps into the damp darkness.Eventually we emerged in a narrow passageway dripping with water, with soft mud that squelchedunderfoot.Atonepoint I sawwater cascadingdown thewall– I assumedwewerepassingunder themoat, heading for the deep dungeons to the south, within the buggane’s domain. Every so often otherpassagewaysledofftoourrightandleft.

I’dexpectedtobeheldinachambersimilar to theonein theTynwaldwitchtower,alongwiththeotherprisoners,includingAdriana,butwewentstraightpastarowofnarrowcells:Iheardnosoundsormovementsoitwasimpossibletotellifanywereoccupied.Oneoftheyeomenunlockedthedooroftheone at the end and, after cutting the ropes that boundmyhands, thrustme inside.Once themetal doorclangedshut,Iwasplungedintocompletedarkness.

Iwaitedforthefootstepstodieawayandthenreachedintomypocketformytinderboxandcandlestub. I always carry them with me because spook’s business often means working after dark or in

undergroundchambers. Ialsocheckedon theblood jar, relieved to find that itwasstill safe.ButpoorAlice–shewasbeyonditsprotection.IcouldhardlybeartothinkabouttheriskshefacedfromtheFiend.

IwassurprisedthatIhadn’tbeensearchedandstillhadmysilverchain–notthatitwouldbeanyuseagainstthebugganeinitsspiritformasitcametodrawthelifefrommybody.

Imanagedtolightthecandle,buttheundergroundcellprovedevenworsethanI’dexpected.Notevenstrawtolieon.Therewasanodditytoo:threeofthewallsweremadeofdampstonebutthefourthwasjustearth–hard-packedsub-soil.Myhandsbegantotremble,makingthecandleflameflicker–becauselowdown,inthecentreofthatearthenwall,wasthedarkentrancetoatunnel.

Was it one of the buggane’s tunnels? I bent low and peered in. The rear part was still in partialshadow,butitseemedtocometoadeadendnomorethanfifteenfeetinside.Hadsomeonetriedtodiganescapetunnelandbeendiscovered?Ifso,whyhadn’ttheguardsfilleditinagain?

Ihadanotherwayoutofthecell;oneotheriteminmypocketthatmightproveuseful–myspecialkey.IthadbeencraftedbytheSpook’sbrother,Andrew,andcouldopenmostlocks.NotthatI’dbeinarushtouse it. Icouldprobablygetoutof thecelleasilyenough,but then therewasbothan innerandanouterportculliscontrollingaccesstothekeep.Themechanismstoraisethemwouldbeguarded,soescapefromthekeepseemedoutofthequestion.

Of course, there were other cells nearby, and one of themmight hold Adriana. If they caught theSpook,theymightbringhimheretoo–butI’dprobablyheartheminthepassagewayoutside,soitwasbesttobidemytime.Severalofusworkingtogetherwouldhaveabetterchanceofgettingout.

Iwaitedforlongtimebutheardnothing.Surely,ifthey’dcaughttheSpook,he’dhavebeenbroughtherebynow?Perhapshe’dmanagedtoescape?EventuallyIblewoutthecandletosaveitforfutureuse,thencurledmyselfupintoaballontheearthfloorandtriedtosleep.Itwascoldanddamp,andsoonIbegantoshiver.IwasachingalloverandcoveredinbruisesfromthebeatingI’dsuffered.TherewasnoAliceheretoofferrelieffrompainwithherherbs–onlytimewouldhealme.

SeveraltimesIdozedoff,onlytowakeupwithajerk.ButthefinaltimeIawoke,itwasforreasonsotherthancoldanddiscomfort.

Icouldhear thepatterofearthfallingontothefloor.Someoneorsomethingwasemergingfromthetunnel…

Iopenedmytinderbox,anddespitethetremblingofmyhandsmanagedtolightthecandlestub.Istaredattheearthenwallinhorror.Ahairyhead,armsanduppertorsowerevisibleattheentranceofthetunnelandthecreaturewaslookingdirectlytowardsme.Itwashuge.

My worst fears were realized: it was the buggane, once again in the shape of the Cruncher. Thedaemonwassquatandbulky,withvirtuallynoneck,itsfrontlimbsendinginbroadclawsclearlyshapedforburrowing.Itsmassivebodywascoveredinlongblackhairwhichshoneinthecandlelightasifslickwithoil.Atclosequarters,themoststrikingthingaboutitwasitsface.Ithadthelarge,close-setstaringeyesofacruelpredator,butwhenitsgazeturnedtowardsthecandle,thelidsnarrowedintoasquint.Inthisformthebugganehadcreatedandnowinhabitedalabyrinthofdarktunnels.Iwonderedifthelightbotheredit?

Thecreaturehadaslimywetquiveringsnout,fromwhichdropsofmoisturefellandsplatteredonthefloor; itsuddenlygrowledlowinits throatandopeneditsmouthtoreveal teeththat lookedcapableofbitingoffanarm,a legorevenahead. Ithadadoublerowof teeth: thoseat thefrontweresharpandtriangular like theteethofawood-saw;thoseto therearwerebroad, likehumanones,butfar larger–molarsshapedforgrindingandchewing.NowondertheycalledittheCruncher.

Butwhywasitvisitingmelikethis?Wasn’titsupposedtoapproachinitsspiritformandwhisperasit drew out my life essence? I slipped my left hand into my pocket and readied my silver chain. Iwonderedifthechainwouldholdit–and,ifso,forhowlong?Mystaffhadbeentakenbymycaptors.Ihadnothingwithmethatcouldkillit.

Thebugganepulleditselfintothecellandmovedtowardsmeonallfours,pantinglikeadog.Itwasmaybetwicethesizeofafullygrownman.Howhaditfittedintothetunnel?Isawnowthatitsfurwasshiningwithbeadsofwater.Luckilyitdidn’tcometooclosebutIcouldstillsmellitsfoulbreath,makingmeretch.AsIstruggledtoholddownthecontentsofmystomach,itbegantocirclemeslowly,stillonallfours,andasitdidso,thepantinggavewaytoadeliberatesniffing.Wasitabouttoattack?Iwondered.Ifso,whatwasitwaitingfor?Orwasitlikeawitch,short-sniffing,tryingtofindthingsoutaboutme?

I turned slowly onmy knees so that Iwas always facing towards it as it circledmenacingly. Thecandlewasdancinginmytremblinghand,andatonepoint,unintentionally,Ijerkedtheflametowardsthecreature.Itseemedtoflinch,itseyesnarrowingagain–orhadIjustimaginedit?

Mostdenizensofthedarkbothfearedandavoideddaylightbutwerenotusuallytroubledbythelightofafireoracandle.Initspresentformthebugganewascertainlybotheredbythecandlelight.Buthowwoulditcopewithfire?Wouldatorchbearealthreattoit?Itriedmovingthecandletowardsitsface.It

retreatedandgaveathreateninggrowl,solowthatitseemedtocomefromdeepwithinitsbelly.NextitshowedmeitssharpteethandIimmediatelymovedthecandlebackagain.

‘Iwouldn’tdothatifIwereyou!’warnedadeepvoicefromthetunnelentrance.‘Onebiteandhe’dhaveyourarmoff.Ormaybeyourhead–thatwouldmakeagoodmouthful.’

Itwastheabhuman,Horn:hewasstaringatmeandshakinghishead.Iturnedmygazebacktothebuggane.Havingcompletedafullcircle,itwassurelyplanningtoattack

now.Iwaitedtensely,mouthdrywithfear,lefthandstillgrippingmysilverchain.Buttomysurprisethecreaturecrawledback towards thewallofearth. IthaltedbesideHorn,whobegan topat its forehead,thenwhisperedsomethingintoitsearbeforemovingaside.Thedaemonsqueezeditsbulkintothetunnel.ForawhileIcouldhearitscufflingandgruntingasitmadeitswayalong.Thenthesoundsfadedawayaltogether.

Hornwasstillgazingatme.‘Hewantsyou,boy.Knowswhatyouare–aseventhsonofaseventhson.Likesthesmellofyourbloodandwouldlovetoeatyourfleshandcrunchyourbones.I’verarelyseenhimsoeager!’

Thenheturnedandfollowedthebugganeintothetunnel.Iwaiteduntilthenoiseofhisdeparturefadedawayintoabsolutesilence.OnlythendidIrisetomyfeetandapproachthetunnelentrance.Iheldupmycandle andpeered inside. It still seemed to come to a dead end.Sowhere had the buggane andHorngone?Had the creature filled the tunnel in behind them? It didn’t seem possible – Iwas facingwhatlookedlikesolidearth.

Iwasnervousbutcurious. I listened.Therewasn’t the faintest sound.Was itwaiting forme in thedarknessnesssomewhereahead?Commonsensetoldmethatifithadwantedtoharmme,itcouldeasilyhavedonesointhecell.So,holdingthecandleinmyrighthand,Iscrambledintothetunnelandbegantocrawlforward.AssoonasIreachedwhat,fromthecell,hadappearedtobeadeadend,Isawthatthetunnelangledoffatninetydegreestomyleft.Itranparalleltotheothercells:thatwaswhattheearthenwallwasfor–sothatthebugganecouldreachitsvictimsinitsphysicalform.Nodoubteachcellhadashorttunnelconnectingittothisone.

Sowas it ameansof escape?Not formost people.They’dbe terrified after such a visitation andwouldn’tdreamofventuringinside.Butcoulditbeforme?Iwasaspook’sapprenticeandhadbeeninsomescarysituationsbefore.Myinstinctasatraineespookwastofollowthetunnel.Itwaspartofthejob.ThenIrememberedmymaster’swarningaboutthelabyrinthcreatedbythebugganeamongsttherootsoftrees.Theymovedandshiftedandsometimescollapsedwithoutwarning.Thatthoughtfilledmewithpanic.Whatifthistunnelcollapsednow?AndwhatifIgotlostinthelabyrinthorsuddenlycamefacetofacewiththebugganeorHorn?

No,Iwasn’treadytotakesuchariskyet.SoIslowlybackedmywayoutandwassoonsittingonthefloorofthecellagain.

I blew outmy candle and tried to sleep oncemore. This time itwasmore difficult. Iwas finallydroppingoffwhenIheardfootstepsapproachingalong thecorridor.Had theycaptured theSpook?Butthenakeyturnedinmylock,andtwoburlyyeomencarryingtorchescameintomycell.

‘Onyourfeet,boy!’oneofthemcommanded.‘We’retakingyoutothelongroom.’Theotherwalkedovertothetunnelentrance.‘Well,whathavewehere?’heremarked,lookingatthe

scatteringofsoilonthecellfloor.‘Lookslikeyou’vehadahungryvisitor!Likestotakeagoodlookateachvictimfirst,buthe’llbebacktomorrownighttostarttherealbusiness,youcanbesureofthat!’

Theymarchedme back along the passagewith the cells to our right.Again, no sounds came fromthem.Weretheyempty?IwonderedwhathadhappenedtoAdriana.Wherewasshebeingkept?Hadthebuggane already begun the process of devouring her? I shuddered at the thought. The poor girl didn’tdeserve that.Nobody should have to suffer such a fate.But then, instead of heading for the steps,weturned left, then left again into a much wider, stone-flagged passageway, lit by torches set in wallbrackets.Itseemedtomethatwewerestillsouthofthemoatandwithinthebuggane’sdomain.

Icouldheardogsbarkinginthedistance,thesoundsincreasinginvolumeasweapproachedadooratthe endof thepassageway, and then Iwaspushed into a largeoblong chamber.Thereweredozensoftorchesonthewalls,andIcouldclearlyseewhatwasgoingonthere.Abouttwodozenmensatonbalesofstrawneartheright-handwall;perhapsanotherfiveorsixarmedyeomenstoodnearby.Inthedoorwaystoodtheircommander,Stanton,scowlingatme,abandagewrappedroundhishead–clearsignofthedamageAlice’s rock had done to him.At the far end, against an earthenwall, stood a large, ornatelycarved wooden chair, and seated on it was the gaunt figure of Lord Barrule, the shaman, who waspresidingoverevents.Behindhim,tohisleft,wastheentrancetoadarktunnel,similarinsizetotheoneinmycell.

Large steel cages lined the left-handwall– I counted fourteen. Insideeachbut the lastwasadog.Therewereavarietyofbreedsbutallwerebigandfierce.Myeyessweptdowntheline.IknewwhatIwouldseebutitwasstillashockwhenIsawClaw,BloodandBonethere.Ifeltsicktomystomach.

Inthemiddleoftheroomwasalargeemptyspace,wherethefloorwascoveredinsawdustthatwasdottedwith patches of fresh blood. Theywere clearly staging dog-fights there. I sawmoney changinghands–mengamblingontheoutcomeofeachfight.

LordBarrulegottohisfeetandraisedhishandshigh.Ashedidso,thetumultofbarkingceasedand,butforafaintwhimperhereandthere,allthedogsfellsilent.

As Iwatched,horrified, twoof thecageswereopenedand thedogsdragged into thecentreof thechamber by their leather collars; they were forced to face each other, their noses almost touching.Although powerful, big dogs, they appeared cowed and terrified. Their handlers left them there andretreatedback towards thedoorwaywherewewere standing.The shaman suddenlybroughthis handsdownandclappedloudlythreetimes.Onthethirdclap,thedogswereinstantlytransformedfromtimiditytoaggressionandleapedforwardsavagely.

Thefightwasfastandfurious:theytoreateachotherwiththeirteeth,thefirstbloodbeingdrawninjustseconds.ItwascruelandhorribleandIcouldn’tbeartolook,soIcastmyeyesdowntotheground.Unfortunatelymyearswerestillopentowhatwashappening.Eventuallyoneofthedogsletoutashrillcryandthenfellsilent.Therewasaburstofapplause,afewcheersandtheoddcurseofdisappointmentfromthelosers.WhenIlookedup,thewinningdogwasbeingledbacktoitscage;thelosinganimalwaslyingonitssidewithitsthroattornout,freshbloodsoakingintothesawdust.

***

Iwasforcedtowitnessanotherthreecontests,eachtimeterrifiedthatoneofBillArkwright’sdogswouldbedraggedouttofight.Andwhatiftheymadetwoofthemfighteachother?I’dnodoubtthattheshamanhadthepowertomakethemkilltheirownkin.

But, tomy relief, the fightingwas at last over for the night and the gamblers got to their feet andstartedtoleave.Iwasfrog-marchedbacktomycellandleftinthedarknessoncemore.WhyhadIbeentakentowatchthatcruelty?Iwondered.Wasitsimplysadism–awishtomakemesufferinanticipation

ofwhatwasgoingtohappentoClaw,BloodandBone?Itwasn’tlongbeforemyquestionwasanswered…

Therewasashimmerinthedarknessbythetunnel;aluminosityintheair.Istoodupinalarm.Wasitthebugganeinitsspiritform?Buttheshimmerquicklyassumedanappearanceofsolidity,takingashapeIrecognized:atall,skeletalfigurewithacruelexpression,dressedinadarkrobe.Itwastheshaman,LordBarrule.AlthoughsomewhereelsewithinGreebaKeep,hewasprojectinghisspiritintomycell.

‘Thebuggane certainlywantsyou, boy,’ the apparition said. ‘It likeswhat it sniffed, but it doesn’thavetobethatway.Didyouenjoywhatyousawtonight?’

Ishookmyhead.‘Itcouldhavebeenmuchworse. Icouldhavepittedyourowndogsagainsteachother.Themother

againstherwhelpsperhaps.Itcouldstillbedone…’I didn’t reply. I had rarely seen suchmalevolence and cruelty in a face.Thismanwas capable of

anything.‘I’dspareyourdogsifyouwerewillingtoputyourownlifeontheline.You’veseenmygambling

friends – I’d like to offer them some special entertainment tomorrow night: a spook’s apprentice incombat with a witch. Who would prove victorious? The outcome is uncertain enough to make itinteresting,eventhoughtheoddsarefirmlyonthewitch.Butyou’dbefreetousethetoolsofyourtrade.I’veleftyouyoursilverchainandI’llreturnyourstaff.DefeatthewitchandI’llletyougo.Youcaneventakeyourdogswithyou.ButloseandI’llmakethemfighttothedeath!’

‘YouwantmetofightAdriana?’Iasked.Icouldn’tbelievewhathewasaskingmetodo.‘No, you young idiot!Not that foolish girl. I’ve got other plans for her!You’ll face amuchmore

dangerousopponent–onewho’sfromyourownneckofthewoods.ImeanLizzie,thebonewitch!’

‘BonyLizzie’shere?’Iaskedinalarm.‘She’smyprisoner,boy.Andsoonshe’llbedead–that’sifyouhavetheskillandgutstoputanendto

her!Whatdoyousay?’Ididn’treply.Wasitatrickorarealchanceoffreedom?‘Ofcourse,ifyoulose,you’llforfeityourownlife.I’vemadethewitchthesamepromise.AndI’lllet

hertakeherpetawaywithhertoo;lose,anditdieswithher.Comeon,makeupyourmind.Don’tkeepmewaiting!’

‘Herpet?’‘Theotherwitch.Theoneshecontrols.Nodoubtshecamewithher fromover thewater.Together

theycutthethroatsofthosepoorfishermen.Forthattheybothdeservetodie.Myownmoneywillbeonyou.Iliketobetonlongshots…’

WhatchoicedidIhave?Igavethemerestofnodstosignalmyacceptanceofhisoffer.Immediatelytheimageoftheshamanbegantofadeashewithdrewhisspiritbackintohisbody.

Thenextdaytheyfedmewell.Thefirstmealwasahotplateoflambwithroastpotatoesandcarrots.‘Eatup,boy!Mymasterwantsyoufightingfit!’jeeredthemockingguardwhohandedmethemeal.

‘Andyou’llneedeverylastounceofstrengthtofacewhathe’sgotplanned!’Heandhiscompanionleft,laughingasifatsomeprivatejoke,andwerebackjustoversixhourslater

withadeliciousvenisonstew.Iatesparingly–despitethefactthatIhadeatenlittlethepreviousdayandwasveryhungry.Ineededtopreparemyselftofacethedark–thoughIalsoknewIwouldneedallmyspeedandstrengthtoovercomeLizzie:itwouldbeadifficulttest.Icouldusemystaffandchainagainsther,butnodoubtshe’dbearmedtoo;abonewitchlikeLizziewasskilledintheuseofblades.Andifshewon,she’dtakemybones…

Andwhowasthisotherwitch,the‘pet’whomshe’dbroughtoverfromtheCountywithher?Shewasacompletelyunknownentity–probablyayoungwitchLizziehadtakenunderherwingtotrain.Maybeitwasoneofthewitcheswho’dreleasedherfromthepitintheSpook’sgarden.Shewouldbedangeroustoo–onemoreservantofthedarktoworryabout.

Ihadplentyoftimetothink.MostlyIworriedaboutAlice.Whathadbecomeofher?Itookthebloodjaroutofmypocketandhelditinthepalmofmyrighthandforawhile.HowlongwoulditbebeforetheFiendrealizedthatshewasnolongerprotected?Icouldn’tbearitifanythinghappenedtoAlice.

Thentherewasmymaster.Hadhemanagedtoescape?Iwondered.Ifso,Iknewhe’dbeplanningtorescueme.Itseemedhopeless–mostprobablyhe’dbeimprisonedhimself.CouldIescapefromGreebaKeepbeforethathappened?WouldtheshamanreallyletmegoifIdefeatedLizzie?Washelikelytokeephisword?

TherewaspoorAdrianatoo.Whatdidtheshamanmeanbysayinghehad‘otherplansforher‘?HowcouldIjustabandonher?

Myfruitlessspeculationswerebroughttoahaltbythearrivaloftheguards,thistimetotakemetofaceLizzie.Whenweenteredthelongroom,Inoticedthattherewerealotmoremensittingonthestrawbales.Manywerestandingtoo,andmoneywaschanginghands,buttheyallfellsilentwhenIwasbroughtin,staringatmeinsilentappraisal.

Thedogswereintheircagesagainsttheleftwalloftheroom,andtomyreliefClaw,BloodandBonewerestillamongstthem.WouldtheshamanreallyletmetakethemwithmeifIwon?I’dnochoicebuttofightanyway.IfIdidnothing,Lizziewouldsoonputanendtome.

Itwas then thatmy eyes settled on the furthest cage, the one nearest the entrance to the buggane’stunnel.Yesterdayithadbeenempty;nowtherewassomethinginsideit–butnotadog.Atfirstglanceitlookedlikeabundleofdirtyrags.ButthenImadeoutafigurecurledintoaball,handsgrippingankles,headrestingonknees.

LordBarrulegottohisfeetandcameacrossthesawdustfloortowardsme.‘Areyouready,boy?’heasked. ‘I have to tell you thatmost of the sensiblemoney is on thewitch.We all sawwhat shewascapableofwhenwecapturedher.Fiveofmymendied;anothertwolosttheirminds.Sowe’vetriedtogiveyouafightingchance.We’vedonethesametoheraswe’vedonetoherpet.Comeandsee…’

Heledthewaytothefurthestcage,theguardspullingmeafterhim.Hehaltedthereandpointeddownatthebundleofragsonthefilthystraw.Isawthepointyshoesevenbeforesheraisedherhead.

ItwasAlice,andatthesightofhermythroatconstrictedwithemotion.Shelookedupatme,hereyesfilledwithtears,andherexpressionwasoneofpainandhopelessness.Theyhadstitchedhermouthshutwiththinbrowntwine.Herlipsweretightlyboundtogethersothatshecouldn’tspeak.

‘I’vehadthesamedonetohermistress.Thewitchcan’tutterspellsnow,boy!ButnodoubtLizziewillstillmanagesomething…’

Atthatmoment,hadmystaffalreadybeeninmyhands,Iwouldhavethrustitssilver-alloybladeintohisheartwithoutamoment’shesitation.IwasfuriousatwhathadbeendonetoAlice.Butthendespairtookover:ifIwonandtheshamankepthisword,I’dbefreetotakethedogswithme;butLizziewoulddieandsowouldAlice.Eitherway,I’dlose.

Still, at least I knew that she hadn’t been seized by the Fiend and dragged off to the dark. Thingslookedgrim,butasmydadusedtosay,whilethere’slifethere’shope.

‘Right!Let’smakeastart!’LordBarrulesaid,andashereturnedtohisseat,theguardsdraggedmetotheverycentreofthelongchamber.Adozenyeomencamein,eachgrippingalongspear,andformedawidecircleaboutme;theneachwentdownononeknee,facingme,sothatthegamblersbehindwouldstillhaveaclearview.Theirspearswerepointinginwards,anditwasclear that theirpurposewastomarktheboundaryofthearenaandpreventanyescapeorretreatfromthecontest.

LordBarrulestoodupandraisedhishand,andIheardacommotionfromthedoorway;thesameonefromwhichI’dentered.BonyLizziewasbroughtintotheroom,kickingandstruggling–ittookfourmentocontrolher.

Twooftheyeomenguardsmovedasidetoallowthemintothecircle,andshewasforcedtofaceme.ItwastheLizzieIremembered–almostthespittingimageofAlice,butolder,inherlatethirtiesperhaps,andwith shifty eyes and a sneering expression.Her lipswere stitched together just likeAlice’s. Themoment she sawme, thewitch stopped struggling and a strange, sly look came into her eyes; one ofcalculationandcunning.

Someonebehindmepushedmystaffintomylefthand.InstantlyItransferredittomyright,feelingintheleftpocketofmycloaktocheckmysilverchain.Thatwouldoffermethebestchanceofvictory.OnedisadvantagewasthatIstillachedfromthebeatingI’dreceivedwhenIwascaptured.ThefoodI’deatenhadmademestrongerphysicallybutIwasfarfrommybest.

OneoftheyeomenhandedLizzietwolongknives,eachmurderouslysharp.OureyesmetagainandIreleasedtheretractablebladeonmystaffwithaclickandhelditdiagonallyacrossme.LizziemightnotrealizethatIhadthechain.Fornow,Iwouldkeepitinreserve.

LordBarruleclappedhishands three times,andsilencefellover thegathering. IcouldhearLizziebreathinghardthroughhernose,almostsnorting.Isuddenlyrememberedsomethingabouther:inthepastshe’d always seemed tohavehermouth slightlyopen–nodoubt shenaturallybreathed through it.Ormaybeshehadacold?Eitherwayitwouldbetomyadvantageifshewerestrugglingforair.

‘Letthecontestbegin!’criedLordBarrule.‘Afighttothedeath!’Wastingnotime,Lizzielungedatmewiththebladeinherlefthand,butIparrieditwithmystaffand

begantoretreatwiddershins,againsttheclock,movingwarilyinaslowcircle.Herfacebegantochange,eyes bulging. Now, instead of hair, a nest of black snakes writhed from her scalp, forked tonguesflickering, their fangs spitting a cloud of venom towardsme. Awave of fear washed overme, and Istaggeredandtookastepbackwards,achillgrippingmyheart.

Shewasusingdreadagainstme– theenchantmentusedbymalevolentwitches tomake themselvesterrifying, freezing theirhelplessopponents to the spot.SuchwasLizzie’spower that shecouldcast itwithouttheincantation.Whatwouldshebecapableofifhermouthwerenotstitched?

Itookadeepbreathandresisted.I’dfacedworsethanthislastsummerinGreecewhenI’dtriedtoentertheOrd,theterrifyingcitadeloftheOrdeen.IfIcouldwithstandthatterriblepulseoffear–ithadcausedtheinstantdeathofbravewarriors–IcouldovercomewhateverLizziecouldthrowatme.

I stepped forward and swung my staff at her head. She leaned back, almost overbalancing, andretreated.Now the snakes had disappeared, to be replaced by hair again; her face almost human.Thespellwasfading.Andthenavoicespokerightinsidemyhead…

Fool!Weshouldworktogether!Wasitthebuggane?Butitwasaharsh,sibilantvoice–nottheinsidiouswhisperthatI’dbeentold

about.ThenIhearditagain:Neitherofuscanwinhere.Heintendstoslayusboth!IthadtobeLizzie.Buthowwasshedoingit?Whatspellcouldgrantherthatpower?Irefusedtolistenandwhirledinfast,avoidedastabfromherlefthandthencrackedherontheright

wristtosendthebladespinningfromherhand.Therewere loudwhoopsofexcitement from thespectators–alongwitha fewgroans. Iwondered

whatLizziewasdoing.Howcouldweworktogether?Wasshemad?Howcouldwehopetoescapefromthisroomtogether?

Helpme!Doitformydaughter,Alice,orwe’llalldiehere!

HeruseofAlice’snameangeredme,andI thrustmylefthandintomypocketandcoiledthesilverchain aboutmywrist. As I did so, Lizzie attacked,moving in quickly and catchingme off balance. IleanedawaybutIwasn’tfastenough.Ifeltasharppainasherbladeslitmyforeheadbelowthehairline.Istaggeredbackwards, justmanaging toblock thenextblowwithmystaff,andfeltwarmbloodrunningdownintomylefteye.Howbadwasthecut?Iwondered.Howdeep?

Iusedthebackofmyhandtowipeitfrommyeye,butitonlymadeitworse.Icouldhardlyseeoutofitnow.YouneededbotheyestojudgedistancecorrectlysoIknewI’dhavetousemysilverchainquicklynow,oritwouldbetoolate.OnceagainIthrustmylefthandintomypocketandcoiledthechainaboutmywrist.

Itwaseasier tocastachainaboutawitchwhenshewasmovingright, leftorawayfromyou.ButLizziewasattackingagain,runningstraightforme:thiswasthemostdifficultshotofall.Ihadnochoicebuttoattemptit,soIcrackedthechain,sendingitspirallingtowardsher.

Itdroppedoverherhead,thendownoverherbody,bringinghertoherknees.Theremainingknifefellfrom her grasp as the chain tightened. It wasn’t a perfect shot because it had dropped over her fromshoulder to knee, leaving her head free. Usually a spook needed to bind a witch’smouth so that shecouldn’t chantdarkmagic spells,but this time itdidn’tmatterbecausehermouthwasalreadystitchedshut.Awaveofreliefwashedoverme.Underthecircumstancestheshotwasn’tsobadafterall.I’dwon.ThrowingthechainwasaskillIhadhonedtoafineart.AllthoselonghoursofpracticewiththepostintheSpook’sgardenhadpaidoffagain.

Andthentherewasabriefmomentofdoubt.Haditbeenalittletooeasy?Ithoughttomyself.WasthisdefeatservingLizzie’spurposeinsomeway?

‘Killher!’shoutedtheLordBarrule,risingtohisfeet.IliftedmystaffandpointedthebladeatLizzie’sheart…ButthenIhesitated…Icouldn’tdoit.I’d

killedothercreaturesofthedarkbefore,butneverincoldbloodlikethis.Usually,whetherboundornot,they’dstillpresentedathreattomeandI’dhadtodoitquickly.ButBonyLizziewassecure.Therewasnowayshecouldhopetofreeherself.Notonlythat–shewasAlice’smother.Therewasnolovelostbetweenthembutitmadeithard.SoIloweredmystaff…

Welldone,boy!IheardLizziehiss.NowseewhatI’vegotplanned!IlookedupatLordBarrule,whowasshakinghishead.‘Can’tbringyourselftodoit?’hecalledout,

hisvoiceechoingaroundthechamber.‘I’msurprised.Whatsortofmaster trainedyou?Whatkindofaspook’sapprenticeareyou?Thatwasourbargain:kill thewitch togainwhat Ipromised.Nowyou’llhavetodosomethingelsetoearnyourfreedom.You’llfightthewitch’spet!’

Myheartsankrightdownintomyboots.HewasgoingtomakemefightAliceandtherewasnowayoutofit.Twoyeomenwentovertothefarcage.Istaredinhorrorastheypulledherout.Thesightofhertwistedmyinsides,wrenchingmyemotions.Hereyeswerewildandfullofpain,andwhathadbeendonetohermouthwas cruel beyondbelief.The twine that boundher lips togetherwas cutting into the softflesh,makingthemredandswollen.

Theydraggedher into thecircleof spears to faceme.Lizzie’sbladeswerepushed intoherhands.Therewasamurmurofconversationfromthegamblersandthechinkofmoneyasthebetswereplacedoncemore.Istruggledtothinkofsomewayoutofourpredicamentbutnothingcame.Itseemedhopeless.Whateverhappened,oneofuswoulddie.

Oureyesmet.Alice’swereglisteningwith tears.Bloodwas still runningdownmy foreheadand Ibrusheditawaywiththebackofmyhand.HowcouldIfightAlice?

Theshamanclappedhishandsthreetimestosignalthebeginningofthecontest.Nothingcouldhavepreparedmeforwhathappenednext.Aliceraisedherblades,thenrushedtowardsmeasiftotakemebysurprise.Icouldn’tbelieveit.Wouldshereallyhurtmeafterallwe’dbeenthroughtogether?

Horrified,Isteppedback,instinctivelyholdingmystaffacrossmybody,preparingtomeetherattack.

IshouldhaveknownbetterthantothinkAlicewouldattackme.Iwasn’tcalledontousemystaffbecauseshesimplybrushedpastmetoreachLizzie,whowasstill

boundbymysilverchain.Shekneltdownbesideherand,beforeIcouldreact,usedabladetoslitthroughthetwinethatstitchedhermother’slipstogether.

HadLizziebeenwaitingforthistohappenallalong?Ifshe’dtriedtofreeherownlipswithherknifeduringourstruggle,I’dhaveimmediatelyattackedherwithmystaff.HadsheplannedtowaitforAlicetodoit?

Thewitchwas still on her knees, still boundwithmy silver chain, but a gloating expression nowsettled across her face. It puzzled me – for despite her predicament and the armed yeomen whosurroundedus,itwasalookoftriumph.

Theyeomentightenedtheircircle,movingtowardsuswithspearsattheready.‘Killthemall!’shoutedtheshaman.‘Allbetsareoff.Takenochances.Killthemnow!’Inresponse,Lizzieutteredjustoneword,almostunderherbreath.Itwasindistinctbutitsoundedlike

somethingfromtheOldTongue.Immediatelyawaveofcoldfearrushedtowardsme–thoughthiswasnothingcomparedtoitseffect

upontheguardsaroundus.RarelyhaveIseensuchpanicandterroronsomanyfaces.Somethrewdowntheirspearsandran.Otherssimplyfelltotheirkneesandstartedtosob.Allthedogsstartedwhiningatonce,andtherewereshoutsandcriesoffearfromthegamblerstomyright.

Whetheritwasamorepowerfulformofdreadorsomeotherspell,withjustonewordLizziehad,inthe space of a few seconds, reduced the yeomen to a cowering rabble. Shewas now staring at LordBarrule. I followedhergazeandsaw thatapart fromus three,hewas theonlyperson in the roomnotgrippedbyterror.Insteadhewasglaringatus,hisfacetwistedwithmalevolence.Whatwouldhedo–use his own dark magic against us? Maybe summon the buggane to his assistance? The threat waspalpableintheair.Lizziehadn’twonyet…

‘Releasemefromthechain!’sheshouted,turningherattentionbacktome.Itwasacommand;therewasnomagicinvolved.ButIdidn’thesitate.InstinctivelyIknewitwasthe

rightthingtodo.LizzierepresentedtheonlyhopeAliceandIhadofgettingoutofGreebaKeepalive.Iwentovertoher,pickeduptheendofthechain,flickingittouncoilitfromherbody.ShewasonherfeetevenbeforeI’dreturnedittomypocket.

Withthelongnailsofherleftforefingerandthumb,likeabirdtuggingwormsfromwetsoil,Lizzie

drewthetwopiecesoftwinefromherflesh;firstthetop,thenthebottomlip.Nextshelickedawaythedropsofblood,pointedherforefinger towardstheceilingandarchedherback.Thensheshoutedthreewordsandstampedherfoot.

Instantlytherewasacracklingroarlikeathunderboltrightinsidetheroom.Allthetorchesflickeredanddied,andwewereplungedintoabsolutedarkness.Foramomenttherewassilence;thenasmalllightflared close by. Lizziewas holding a black candle. The dogs started barking and I heard running feetrecedingintothedistance.Theyeomenandgamblerswerefleeingfortheirlives–butwhataboutLordBarrule?Hadhegonetoo,orwashestilllurkinginthedarkness?

‘We’llleavebythetunnel,boy!’Lizziesaid,takingasteptowardsme.‘Whataboutthebuggane?’Iasked.‘Leavetheworryingtome,’shereplied.IlookedatAlice.Shewasusingoneofthebladestocutthetwinefromherownlips.Withagroanof

painshetuggeditout.Beadsofbloodoozedfromthewounds.Lizzieledthewaytowardsthetunnelentrance.WhathadhappenedtoBarrule?Iwondered.Hadthe

witch defeated him so easily? I could see nothing beyond the small circle of yellow light cast by thecandle.ButaswepassedthecagesthatheldArkwright’sdogs,Ihesitated.Iwantedtofreethemandtakethemwithme.

WhenIreachedClaw’scage,however,shesnarledandhurledherselfatmeinafuryandwasonlypreventedfromsinkingherteethintomebythebars.

‘Leaveherhere,Tom,’Alicesaid,grippingmyarm.‘Ain’tworththerisk.We’llfindawaytoget’emalloutlater.’

Inoddedandfollowedherintothetunnel.Thethreedogswerestillunderthecontroloftheshaman.Thedangerinleavingthembehindwasthathemightstillmakethemfighttothedeath–probablyagainsteachother–inrevenge.ButwhatchoicedidIhave?

Westartedtocrawlforwardalongtheearthentunnel.Icouldn’tseemuch–Lizziehadtheonlycandle,andsheandAliceaheadofmewereobscuringmostofitslight.Istillhadmycandlestubbuthadn’ttimenowtousemytinderboxtolightit.Forthewitchithadbeenbuttheworkofasecondtoignitehersbymeansofdarkmagic.

Thetunneltwistedandturnedandwentupanddown,sometimesquitesteeply.Occasionallytherootsofatreewouldalmostblockourway,hugewoodyclawsgraspingthesoil.AtonepointIthoughtIsawathinonetwitch.Itwasprobablyjustmyimagination,butIrememberedwhattheSpookhadsaidaboutthebuggane’stunnelsmovingorcollapsingsuddenly.IthoughtIglimpsedbonestoo–itwashardtotellinthedimflickeringcandlelight–butatonepointIfeltsuremyfingershadbrushedagainstacoldhumanskull.

Finallythetunnelheadeduptowardsthesurfaceandweemergedinsideahollowtree.Wesatdownfacingeachotherwithourbackstotheinnertrunk.Therewasasmellofdamprottenwood.Aboveus,patternedwithdeadflies,spiders’webshunglikecurtains,whilebelow,insectsscuttledawayfromtheflickeringcandle.

Lizziehadclearlyknownexactlywhereshewasheading.‘We’resafeenoughnow!’shesaid.‘Nowtcangetatushere.’

‘Noteventhebuggane?’Iasked.Thewitchshookherheadandgavemeanevilsmile.‘Findusitwilleventually,butI’vehiddenthis

placewell–rightinthemiddleofitslabyrinth.There’llbetimeenoughtosortitout.ThoughfirstI’llputanendtoitsmaster.Areyouhungry,boy?’

Ishookmyhead.I’deatenalittlebeforethefightwithLizzie,butnowIneededtofasttoreadymyselfforanydarkmagicshemightuseagainstme.

‘Well,Icertainlyam.Icouldeatabullock,hoovesandall!’Shepointedupwardsintothedarkness.‘Climbupthere!’shecommanded:Icouldfeelthecompulsioninhervoiceandhadtoresist.‘It’llbringyououtontoabranch.It’sjustashortdroptotheground.Bringmebackacoupleofrabbits–andmakesurethey’restillalive—’

‘No,Tom!’Alicecriedinalarm.‘Don’tlistentoher.She’screatedabone-yardhereandthistree’srightatitscentre.You’llbecrushedassoonasyoutouchtheground!’

AlthoughI’dneverencounteredone, Iknewwhatabone-yardwasfrommyreadingof theSpook’sBestiary.Craftedbydarkmagic,itmadethebonesofanycreaturethatentereditveryheavy.Theywereunable tomoveandwere trappeduntil thewitchcame,either tocollect themfor foodorharvest theirbonesfordarkmagicalpurposes.Nearthecentre,thepressurewassogreatthatthevictimwascrushedtodeath–thoughonlysomethingveryfast,likeahare,wouldgetthatfarbeforethemagicforcestookeffect.Butherewewererightatitscentre,initseye–safefromitsforces.IfIleftthehollowtree,however…

‘You’vegotabiggobonyou,girl!’Lizziesaidangrily.‘Wantsstitchingupagain…’Aliceignoredherandpulledasmallleatherpouchfromthepocketofherskirt.Itcontainedtheherbs

sheusedforhealing.Shecrawledtowardsmeandpeeredcloselyatmyforehead.‘Nastycut, that,Tom,’shesaid.The insideof the tree trunkwaswet inplacesandAlicecollected

somemoisturewithher fingers andused it todampena leafbeforepressing it firmlyagainstmy skin.‘Thatshoulddoit,keepinfectionaway–butyou’llhaveascar.NothingIcandoaboutthat.’

So I’d have another scar to add to the one onmy earwhereMorwena, thewaterwitch, had oncehookedmewithherfinger,drivingthenailrightthroughtheflesh.Itwasallpartofthejob;tobeexpectedwhentrainingforthedangerousjobofspook.

NextAlicelickedherlipsandpressedsmallpiecesofleafagainsttheholesaroundhermouthleftbythetwine.Whenshe’dfinished,sheheldaleafouttowardshermother,butBonyLizzieshookherhead.

‘I’llhealmyself,girl.Don’tneedyourhelp,’shesneered,gettingtoherfeet.‘I’llgoandgetmyownrabbits.Youtwostayhereifyouknowwhat’sgoodforyou!’

Withthatshebegantoclimbuptheinsideofthetree,pushingherheadthroughthecurtainofspiderwebs.Shewassoonlosttoviewinthedarkness,butwecouldhearherpointyshoesscrabblingonbark,andthenasoftthudasshedroppedtothegroundoutside.Lizziewouldbesafeenoughinherownbone-yard: awitch usually left a secret twisty path so she couldmove through it unharmed.She could alsoguideothersthrough–buthowcouldweforcehertodothat?Ouronlyrealoptionwastogobackintothetunnels,butIdidn’tfancyourchancesagainstthebugganeonebit.

‘Oh,Tom,isthebloodjarsafe?Doyoustillhaveit?’Aliceasked,hereyesfullofanxiety.‘Yes, it’s safe. I wasn’t searched. Barrule even letme keepmy silver chain – but howwere you

caught,Alice?’Iwondered.‘Isawyourolloverandavoidthebuggane,butthenyoujustdisappeared.’‘Ihidbehindatreesoitcouldn’tchargemeagain,butthenLizziestoleuponme–clampedherhand

overmymouth,shedid. Ineversensedhercoming–musthaveusedsomereallypowerfulmagic.Shedraggedmeawayandbroughtmehere.Beforethatshe’dbeenhiddenherefordays.They’dneverhavefoundher,butshetookariskbecauseshewantsOldGregoryreallybadly.Wantshimdead,shedoes,in

revengeforbindingherinthatpitinhisgarden.Wantstogivehimaslow,painfuldeath.‘Solaterthatnightwesetoffhuntingforhim.Shehadmeboundfastunderaspellandonlyhalfmy

headwasworking.Couldn’tobjecttoanythingshedidorsaid.Butshewastooconfident–didn’tevenbotherlong-sniffingfordanger.Thoughtshecoulddealwithanything.Whenwewereoutintheopen,theshaman’smen attackedus.Sheuseddread andkilled several of theyeomen, shedid– somewithherknives,acouplewithcurses–butthereweretoomanyofthem.EventuallytheybeatherunconsciouswiththeendsoftheirspearsanddraggedustoGreebaKeep.’

‘Didyouseeanyoftheotherprisoners?’Iasked,thinkingaboutAdriana.Aliceshookherhead. ‘Sawnobody–putus inseparatecells.Theybroughtmeup to thecage just

beforeyoucamein.Didn’tseeheragainuntiltheydraggedherintofightyou.It’sbeenbad,Tom,reallybad – especiallywhen they stitchedmy lips together.But theworst part of allwaswhen the bugganecrawledoutofthetunnelandsniffedatme.Allhairy,itwas,withbigsharpteeth.IthoughtIwasgoingtodieandwouldneverseeyouagain…’

Shebegantosob,soIputmyarmsroundherandhuggedhertight.Afterawhileshecalmeddown,andwesatthere,holdinghandsforcomfort.

‘Doyouknowanythingaboutthespellthatcontrolsabone-yard,Alice?’Iaskedatlast.‘CouldyoufindLizzie’ssecretpaththroughit?’

‘Wouldn’twantmetousedarkmagic,Tom,wouldyou?Can’tbeaskingmetodothat…?’TherewasanedgeofsarcasminAlice’svoice.

ForalongtimeIhadavoidedusingthedarkinanyway,evenwhenIwasfightingformylife.Alicehadstruggledtopersuademetousethebloodjar.Butmyworriesaboutmyrecentseparationfromherhadlargelybeenunfounded.She’dbeenclosetoLizzie,andtheFiendcouldn’tapproachawitchwho’dhadachildbyhim.

‘Itwasjustathought,Alice.Ican’tthinkofanyotherwayofgettingoutofhere.Notunlessweriskthetunnels…’

‘We’dbebetteroffdoingthatthantamperingwithLizzie’syard.It’struethatthere’sapaththroughit,butit’shardtofind.Dangerousthingstomeddlewith,theyare.Makeonemistakeandyou’redead—’

Suddenly we heard a noise outside. Someone had started climbing down the tree.Moments later,Lizzie’spointyshoescameintoviewandshedroppeddownthelastfewfeettostandbeforeus,clutchingsomethinginherlefthand.

‘Couldn’tfindanyrabbitssothesewillhavetodo,’shespat,holdingupthreedeadratsbytheirtails.Shetossedoneatourfeet.

‘IcanspareonebutI’llneedtheothertwo.Needtobuildupmystrengthforwhat’sahead,andrat’sbloodisasgoodasanything.It’lldountilItakeyourthumbs,boy!’

‘Overmydeadbody!’Aliceshouted,risingangrilytoherfeet.BonyLizziegaveawickedsmile.‘Let’shopeitdon’tcometothat,girl.Calmdown.I’veanotheruse

fortheboythatshouldallowhimtokeepbreathingalittlewhilelonger–that’sifthingsgowell.’Thewitchsatdownand,settingonerataside,liftedtheotherbyitslongthintail.Shebititsheadoff

andspatitout,thenstartedtosuckthebloodfromitsneck;somedribbledoutofhermouthanddownherchin.Shedranknoisily, and theunpleasant soundsmademe feel sick tomy stomach. I shuddered, andAlicereachedacrossandsqueezedmyhand.

Lizzielookedatourjoinedhands,loweredtheratandsmirked.‘Whatafoolyouare,girl!’shetoldAlice.‘Noman’sworthasecondglance.Nevergettoocloseto’em.Thisboywillbringyoudownforsure.Betheruinofyou.Manyagoodwitchhasgonesoftbecauseofaman.’

‘MeandTomaregoodfriends,’Aliceretorted.‘That’ssomethingyouknownothingabout.Eatingratsandkillingpeople–that’sallyou’regoodfor.WhydidIhavetohaveamotherlikeyou?WhatdidyouwantwiththeFiend?Couldn’tyoufindanormalman?’

Lizzie’sexpressionhardenedandsheglaredatAlice.‘I’vehadmen,butnoneof’emhavelastedlong.Theylikedprettyyoungthings,theydid.Knowwhy?Becausethey’rescared.Scaredofarealwomaninherprime.Theylookatme,seewhatIamandrunbacktotheirmothers.KnowhowoldIam,girl?’

Aliceshookherheadandsqueezedmyhandagain.‘Iturnedfortyjustaweekago,thedayafterOldGregory’shouseburnedandIgotoutofthepit.A

Pendlewitchcomesintoherprimeatfortyandinheritsherfullpower.NowI’vegotthestrengthtodealwith anybody. You, daughter, could be even stronger one day.’ Lizzie gave me an evil smile, staringstraightintomyeyes.‘KnowwhatAliceis,boy?She’smygifttotheCounty…’

Shesmirkedmeaningfullywhensheutteredthatlastbit.ItwaswhatMamhadoncesaidaboutmeinalettertotheSpook.CouldLizziereadmymindnow?Pluckthingsoutofitasifshewereriflingthroughanopendrawer?

‘She’smyspecialgift to thePendleclans,’ thewitchcontinuedafterapause. ‘Onedayshe’llunite’emonceandforall,andthentheworldhadbetterwatchout!’

Shewentbacktodrinkingtherat’sblood.Onceitwasdrainedshestartedonthesecond,suckingandslurpinguntiltherewasn’tadropleft.Seeingthatwehadn’ttouchedthethird,shetookthatonetoo.

Graduallyitbegantolighteninsidethetreetrunk,indicatingthatthedawnwasclose.

‘Areyouthirsty?’IaskedAlice.Shenodded.‘Mythroat’sparched.’‘It’llrainsoon,’Lizziesaid,withanevillaugh.‘Haveallthewateryouwantthen!’She was right. Within the hour it began to rain. First a light pitter-patter against the tree, soon

followedbythedrummingofaheavydownpour.Hourafterhouritwenton,andwaterbegantodripintothetree,eventuallycascadingdowntheinsideofthetrunk.

Itwasrunningwater,andLizziedidn’tlikethat,soshemovedawayfromthetrunk,butAliceandIcaughtenoughinourcuppedhandstoslaketheworstofourthirst.Itmusthavebeenearlyintheafternoonwhentheraineased.Itwasthenthatweheardthedogs.

Lizziegaveagloating smileandmovedacross to leanagainst thewoodoncemore. ‘Dogsgotourscent,’shesaid.‘Notthatit’lldo’emmuchgood.Notwhentheyentertheyard…’

Ipicturedthedogsrunningtowardsthebone-yard,headingtowardsthetreeatitscentre.Theirspeedwouldcarrythemclosebeforethepressurecrushedthem.

‘Clawandherpups…’Isaid,lookingwithdismayatAlice.‘Hewon’tbeusingthem,boy,youneedn’tfear.He’sanotheruseforthosedogs,’saidLizzie.‘He’ll

wantyoutofight’em–andtothedeath!’‘Howcanyouknowthat?’Iaskedangrily.Shesmirked.‘Easytoread,heis.That’swhathehadplannedlastnight.Firstyou’dfightme,then,if

youwon,Alice.Finallyyourowndogs.Sniffeditout,Idid.Theycallthattypeofbetatreble.Eachwiniscarriedforwardtothenextstage.Givesyouabigpay-dayifyouwinallthree.Oddswereagainstyou,buttheshamanlikedthoseodds.Didn’tworkoutforhim,didit?Butgivenhalfthechancehe’llstillpityouagainstthosedogs.Justyouwaitandsee…’

Thebarkingwasgettingcloser,butthesoundquicklyturnedtoyelpsandwhinesasthefirstofthemblunderedintothebone-yardandstartedtofeelthepressureexertedbyLizzie’sdarkmagic.

‘Won’tgettooclosesotheywon’tknowourexacthidingplace,’shesaid.‘Wouldn’thelpthemiftheydidthough.We’resafeenoughhere–atleastfromthelikesofthem.’

Now I heard men shouting and cursing in the distance, calling their dogs back. Then there wassuddenlyalouderscream.ThistimeitcamefromahumanthroatandLizziesmiled.ItwentonforalongtimeandAlicecoveredherears.Atlast,exceptforthepatteroflightrain,therewassilence.

Thetimepassedslowlybutmymindraced.Iwasdesperatelytryingtothinkofawayoutofthis.Istillhadmystaffandmychain,butevenifIcouldbindLizzieagain,whatcouldAliceandIdoagainst thebuggane?

Asitstartedtogetdark,weheardanoiseemanatingfromthetunnels.Hadtheshaman’smenfoundus?Butasthesoundsdrewcloser,theybecamemoredisturbing.I’dheardthembefore.

‘It’sfoundusatlast,’saidLizzie.‘Certainlytookitstime.’NowIcouldhearasnuffling:thebugganehadarrived.Lizziecrawledtothecentreofthehollowtree,

pulledout thestubofherblackwaxcandleandsaidawordunderherbreath. It ignited just in time toilluminate themonstroushairyheadof thebugganeas itprotrudedfromthemouthof the tunnel. Itsbigcruel eyes looked at us one by one, finally settling on Bony Lizzie. Rather than retreating, the witchshuffledforwardonherkneesandslowlystretchedoutherhand.

Thebugganeopened itsmouthwideandgrowled, showing its tworowsof teeth,butLizzie’shandcontinuedtoadvance.

‘There,there,whatagoodboyyouare,’shesaidinasoft,huskyvoice.‘Whatahandsomehairythingyoube,yourcoatallfineandglossy…’

Herlefthandwasactuallytouchingthebugganenow;shewasstrokingitshideousheadjustaboveitswetsnout.

‘There,there,mysweet,’shecrooned.‘Wecouldhelpeachother…’With thosewords,Lizzie raisedher lefthandandpiercedherwristwith the longsharpnailofher

rightforefinger.Shepositionedthewoundabovethecreature,anddropsofbloodbegantofallontoitssnout.Suddenly,frombetweenthesharptriangularteeth,alongpurpletongueemergedandbegantolickupthebloodwithanunpleasantslurpingsound.

Shewasfeedingthebuggane,tryingtomakeitherfamiliar.‘Good boy!Good boy! Lick it all up. There’smorewhere that came from.Now go back to your

masterandtellhimexactlywhereweare.It’stimewehadalittlechat…’ThebugganeslowlybackedawayintothetunnelandLizzieturnedtowardsustriumphantly.‘That’sa

goodstart!Soonwe’llputittothetest.Butournextvisitorprefersthedark–solet’sobligehim!’Withthosewordssheblewoutthecandle,plungingusintodarkness.

Itwasn’tlongbeforealuminousshapebegantoforminfrontofthetunnel.Itwasthetall,gauntfigureoftheshaman.

‘I’vefoundyouatlast,’hesaid,hiscrueleyeslookingonlyatLizzie.‘I’llmakeyoupayforleadingmesuchamerrydance!’

‘There’snoneedforharshwordsbetweenus,’Lizziereplied,acraftylookcomingoverherface.‘No?There’sanothergoodmandead,plusfiveofmybestdogs.Ioweyouforthat!’‘Howaboutwhatyoudonetome?’thewitchaccused.‘Youstitchedmylipstogether.Nomanever

shutmeuplikethatbefore.Ishouldkillyouforthat,butifwecansettleitanotherway,I’llletbygonesbebygones—’

‘It’llbesettledallright.WithinanhourI’llshowyouwhatIcando.I’llsendthebuggane–thistimeinitsspiritform.I’llstartwithyourpet,thegirl.Bytheendofthenightshe’llbeasgoodasdead.Nexttheboy.I’llsaveyouuntiltheendsoyou’llhavetimetodwellonwhat’sgoingtohappen—’

‘Supposethebugganelistenstome!’Lizzieshouted.‘Supposeitwhispersinsideyourhead?Maybethenyou’llbereadytotalkterms…’

The shaman scowled and his lips curled disdainfully; then his image faded and disappearedaltogether.

‘Canyoudothat?’Aliceaskedoutofthedarkness.Shesoundedscared.‘Can’tmakeitwhisperinsidehisheadyet,buthedoesn’tknowthat,doeshe?Isaidenoughtomake

himthink,though.Youneedn’tfear,girl.I’vealreadydoneenoughtokeepitawayfromus.Itwon’tbesurewhattodoforawhileyet.WhenLordBarrulefindsoutitwon’tdohisbidding,he’llbeback,justyoumarkmywords!’Alice’s hand foundmine again in the darkness and I squeezed it in reassurance.Afterthatnobodyspokeforalongtime.Lizzie’sstrengthwasbeingputtothetest.CouldshereallykeepthebugganeawayfromAlice?Iwondered.

Afteracoupleofhours,theimageoftheshamanbegantoformagain.‘You’resoonback!’Lizziecrowed.‘Nowhisperinginsidethegirl’sheadyet,isthere,mysweet?’she

said,turningtowardsAlice.‘Ain’theardathing,’Alicesaid.‘Whatdoyouwant,witch?’‘OurlivesandasafepassagefromMona.WesttoIreland,acrosstheseatotheEmeraldIsle–that’s

wherewewanttogo.’‘What’sinitforme?Youmentionedterms.SowhatdoIget?’‘Firstyougettokeepyourpoweroverthebuggane.LongerIstayhere,morelikelyitistobemine.So

it’sinyourintereststogetmeoffthisisland.NextI’llgiveyoutheboy.LastthingIwanttravellingwithmeisaspook’sapprentice.Bettingman,aren’tyou?Somakehimfighthisowndogs–tothedeath.Thatshouldbeinteresting!’

‘No!’Alicecried.‘Iwon’tdoit!’Iprotested.‘Shutyourface,girl!Silence!Youcanbothbequiet!’And then Lizzie said a word under her breath, something guttural in the Old Tongue. My throat

tightened,and foramoment Icouldn’tbreathe. Imanaged todraw inabreath,althoughI stillcouldn’tspeak.I’dalwayshadsomedegreeofresistancetothedark–beingaseventhsonofaseventhsonhadgivenme that–but I seemedhelpless in the faceofLizzie’sdarkpower. I tried tostandbutmy limbsdidn’t respond. Itwasas if Iweremadeof stone. I sawAlice start towardsme,but then she toowasgrippedbysomedarkspell.

‘Inreturn,youpullallyourmenawayfromtheareaaroundhere,’shecontinued,turningherattentionbacktotheshaman’sspirit.‘Callthembackintothekeep.Oncetheboystartstofight,I’llleavethistree,butonlywhenI’msafelyoffthisislandwillthebugganedoyourbiddingagain.Areweagreed?’

Theapparitionglaredatthewitchforquiteawhilewithoutspeaking,thengavejusttheslightestofnods.

Lizziesmiled.‘Knewyou’dseethesenseofit.Rarething,that.Notmanysensiblemenabout.Nowsend twomore sensiblemen through the tunnels for the boy – that’s if you can find any. If they ain’tsensible,they’llbedead!Sonofunnybusiness…’

***

ItwasamatterofminutesbeforeIheardtheshaman’smencrawlingthroughthetunneltowardsthehollowtree.IwasstillholdinghandswithAlice,mylefthandinherlefthand,gaspingforbreath.

Lizzielithercandleagainandhelditupasthefirstofthemenemerged.Helookedscaredandstood,uncertainwhattodo.Butthewitchinstantlytookcommand.

‘That’stheboyyou’vecomefor!’shecried,pointingatme.Theydraggedmetowards thedarkentranceof the tunnel.Myparalysiswaspassing,givingwayto

painfulpinsandneedles,butIwasstillweakandunabletoresist.‘Don’tforgethisstaff!’criedLizzie.‘Beneedingthat,hewill!It’sdeaddogsoradeadboy.Oneor

theother,that’sforsure!’

Theypulled andpushedmeback along the claustrophobic systemof earthen tunnels, until I heard thesound of barking in the distance and we finally emerged in the long room with the cages. I felt

depressedandangry.AfterallI’dgonethroughdefeatingLizzieandfinallyescaping,I’dbeenreturnedtothesamepoint.

Therewereplentyofyeomenarmedwithspearsandclubs,butonlyafewgamblersnowsatonthestraw bales. Lord Barrule was waiting in the middle of the room, standing on the blood-splatteredsawdustwithfoldedarms.

‘IfIweren’tabettingman,I’dtakeyourlifenow,boy,anddoitveryslowly,’hesaid.‘ButforagoodfightyouneedsomeincentivesoI’llstillletyougoifyouwin.Thistime,ofcourse,youwon’tbeabletotakeyourdogswithyou–you’llalreadyhavekilledthem.Whatdoyousay?’

Ihungmyhead,appalledatwhatIwasbeingaskedtodo.‘Suityourself–butI thinkyou’ll fightanywayinself-preservation.Whowouldn’t?Anyway,you’ll

have time to think. I’mwaitingfora fewmorepeople toarrive.Can’tpassup thechance to take theirmoney – and it’s the taking rather than the money that’s important to me. And who do you thinkmymoney’sonthistime?’

Again I didn’t reply. Their gambling funwould go on, and here on this spot therewould bemoredeaths to add to all the ones they’d already witnessed. For howmany years had the shaman and hiscroniescarriedoninthisway?Iwondered.

‘Mostofthemoneywillbeonyoubecausetheysawhowyoudefeatedthewitch.ButIdisagree.I’vechangedmymindbecauseyou’re toosoft– Icansee thatnow. Ifyoucouldn’tkill thewitch, thenyoucertainlywon’tbe able tokill yourowndogs.They’ll ripoutyour throat.So I’mbettingon thedogs,boy!’

Theshamanwalkedaway,andthetwomendraggedmetoonesideandforcedmetosquatdownonthe floor while we waited for the proceedings to begin. It took over an hour as, one by one, othergamblersenteredtheroomandplacedtheirbets.Whowerethesepeople–uprightmembersofthelocalcommunitywhohad this secretvice?Notall thosepresent lookedequallyhappy.NodoubtmostwereafraidofBarruleandhadlittleoptionbuttojoinhimhere;othersseemedasenthusiasticashewas,theirfaceseager.

Someofthelatterwalkedovertoassessthedogs;acoupleevencametolookatme.‘Makehimstand,’onesaid.‘Notinjured,ishe?’

‘Upyou come, lad!’ commanded the yeoman.When I hesitated, he bunchedhis fist inmyhair anddraggedmetomyfeet.

‘Willhebearmedlikelasttime?’anotherasked.‘That hewill, staff and all! But that silver chainwon’t bemuch use against the dogs!’ The guard

laughed, then pushedme tomy knees again. ‘Get all the rest you can,’ he advisedmockingly. ‘You’regoingtoneedit.Thoseteethwillbetakingpiecesofyousoon–startingwiththetenderbits!’

The caged dogs were barking and whining, and I glanced over to where Arkwright’s three wereconfined.WhatwasIgoingtodo?HowcouldIkillthem?Themother,Claw,hadsavedmylifeinthepastand,butforthedarkpoweroftheshaman,wouldbeonmysideratherthanhis,aswouldherpups.IhadnoillusionsaboutwhatwouldhappenifIdidwin.Theshamanwouldnotkeephisword.He’deitherkillmeordevisesomeothergamblingentertainmentinwhichIwouldplayacentralandpainfulrole.

Ialsofoundithardtobelievethathe’dgrantBonyLizziefreepassagefromtheisland.Hemightpullbackhismenwhileshewentthroughthebone-yardandwesttowardsthecoast.Buthe’dhuntherdownlongbeforeshereachedthesea.Whateverherfate,poorAlicewouldshareittoo.IftheFienddidn’tfindherfirst.

What of the Spook?Wherewas he? Iwondered. I hoped for his sake that hewouldn’t attempt torescueme.Whatchancedidhehave?And ifhe fell intoLizzie’shands,hewoulddie theslowestandmostterribledeathimaginable.

I’dbeeninmanydangeroussituationsbefore,butthiswasoneoftheworst:Iwascaughtbetweentwopowerfuldarkadversaries,awitchandashaman,andcouldseenowaytotriumphovereitherofthem.

Mygloomythoughtswereinterruptedbyaclankofmetal.Thesporadicbarkinggavewaytotheoddwhimper.Claw,BloodandBonewerebeingreleasedanddraggedbytheircollarstowardsthecentreofthesawdustarena.

‘Onyourfeet,boy!’snappedoneofmyguards,tuggingmeupbymyhairagain.Asahushedexpectancydescendedontheroom,Iwaspushedforwardtofacethethreedogs.Igazed

downattheminsorrow.Theircoatsweremattedwithdirtandtheyclearlyhadn’tbeenfedindays.Notoneofthemcouldmeetmyeye.Theylookedabjectanddefeatedbeforewestarted–thoughIknewthatwastheshaman’sdoing.Inamomenthewouldreadythemtofight.

Inoticedthatthistimetherewasnocircleofspearmen.Itwasthewitchthathadworriedthemlasttime.Thedogswouldfightmetothedeath,andanyway,wherecouldIpossiblyrunto?

Barrulewas seatedonhiswooden throneagain, and Iwatched indismayashegot tohis feet andclappedhishandsthreetimes.Instantlythedogsweretransformed:theylockedeyeswithmeandbegantogrowl, their jawsopening, ready tobiteand tear.Theirnervoushandlersreleased theircollarsand thethreewolfhoundsinstantlyleapedtowardsmelikefuries.

Iwhirled awayas theyattacked, swingingmy staff tokeep thematbay. I keptmyblade retracted;therewasnowayIintendedtoemployithere.BloodandBonecamestraightforme,andforthefirsttimeIusedmystafftofendthemoff.IjabbedBloodintheneckandcrackedBoneacrossthehead,tryingnottoputtoomuchforceintoeitherblow.Butinthatmomentofdistraction,Clawleapedatmefrombehind.TheweightofherknockedmetomykneesandIalmostletgoofmystaff.Thatbroughtagroanfromsomesectionsofthecrowd.

Iwasupinaninstant,whirlingmystaffagaindesperately,tryingtofendthethreedogsoff.Buttheywerebravehunters,trainedbyBillArkwrighttohuntdangerouswatercreaturesacrossthemarshesnorth

of Caster. If they could attack a water witch, despite the threat from her deadly talons, they wouldcertainlynotfearme.Thiswastothedeath.Itwasthemorme.

Then I surprised evenmyself.With a click I released the retractableblade inmy staff. Itwasn’t aconsciousdecision:somethingdeepinsidemehadchosennottodie.Nothere.Notnow.

IwasshockedatwhatI’ddone.CouldIreallybringmyselftokillthesedogs?Myheadwassuddenlyfilledwithjustificationsformyinstinctiveact…

I had work to do, the County to defend. Then a whole new terror gripped me. If I died now, Iremembered,theFiendwouldtakemysoul!Ihadtodestroyhimbeforethathappenedormyfatewouldbeaneternityofterrorandtormentinthedark.

All three dogs now attacked together, and before I could usemy staff, they were uponme. Theircombinedweightbroughtmetomykneesagain.Mystaffwasknockedoutofmyhandwiththeforceoftheblow.Bonefastenedhisteethonmyankle;Clawhadagriponmyshoulder;andBloodwentstraightformy throat. I thrustoutmy righthand to fendoff thosehuge jaws,and the teethclosedaroundmyhand,bitinghard.IhadtogetuporIwasfinished…

Butsuddenlythedogsreleasedme.SimultaneouslyIheardagaspoffearfromtheaudienceandthelightsinthelongroomflickeredanddimmed.Imovedintoacrouchandpickedupmystaffagain.

Thetorcheswerethreateningtogooutatanymoment.Inthegatheringdarkness,closeby,aluminousspectralshapewasstartingtoform.Itwasman-shapedbutatleasttwicenormalsize,anditwasglowinganominousblood-red.

Igazedatitinawe,butthosefeelingsquicklygavewaytoshockandsurprise.Thefigurewasinthegarbofaspookandwasholdingastaffinhislefthand–astaffthatwasblackenedandburned;sotoowastheleftsideoftheface–terribledisfiguringburns,withoneeyegone.Thecloakwasintatters,thehandscoveredinblisters.

ItwastheghostofBillArkwright!

I’dlastseteyesonBillArkwrighttheprevioussummer,inGreece,whenhe’dstayedbehindintheOrd,volunteeringtoholdoffaclusteroffireelementalswhilewemadeourescape.Wehadassumedhe’dmadetheultimatespook’ssacrificeanddied,andnowwewereprovedcorrect.

He’d beenburned to death, aswas nowhorribly plain to see.Butwhatwas he doing here?HadBillArkwrightbeentrappedinthedarkwhentheOrdhadcollapsedbackthroughitsfieryportal?OrwasheinLimbo, that fringeareabetween life anddeathwhere traumatized spirits sometimes linger foryearsbeforefindingtheirwaytothelight?

AtfirstIthoughtArkwright’sghostwaslookingatme.Butno–hisoneeyewasstaringdirectlyatthedogs.Andalthoughtheroomwasemptyingfast,filledwiththecriesofmendrivenclosetoinsanitybyfear, all threewerewagging their tailswith pleasure at the sight, grim though it was, of their formermaster.

OutofthecornerofmyeyeIsawtheshamanslowlyrisetohisfeetandtakeasteptowardsus,alookofpuzzlementonhisface.

Thefiguresuddenlystretchedoutitsrightarmandpointeddirectlyatme,andthenArkwright’svoicecriedout,filledwiththepowerofcommand,echoingaroundtheroom.

‘Thatboyisyourfriend,notyourenemy!‘hetoldthedogs.Theghostlyarmswungslowlytotherighttoindicatetheshaman.‘Themanoverthere!That’syour

trueenemy!Killhimnow!‘As one, the dogs surged forward and leaped at the shaman, their jaws open.He raised an arm to

defendhimself,hismouthwideinshock,butitwashopeless.Allhispowerovertheanimalswasnowuseless.The threewolfhoundsdraggedhim to the floorandbegan tosavagehim, their teethbitingandtearingathisflesh.Hescreamed–andthelongdrawn-outsoundcouldbeclearlyheardoverthesnarlsofhisattackers.Ibegantoretchatthesightandsoundofhisagony.

As the ghost of BillArkwright slowly faded away, the torches guttered out, plunging us into totaldarkness. The dogs had finished their grimwork and, but for their panting, therewas silence. I knelt,utterly spent and shaking all over. After a while there was a noise from the tunnel. Someone wasapproaching.Wasitthebuggane?

Shakily Igot tomy feet,but the figure thatemergedwasBonyLizzie,clutchingher lit candle stub.BehindherwasAlice.

‘Thatwentwell,boy,’saidthewitch,staringdownattheshaman,herfaceexultant.‘Wasn’tasstrong

ashethought,washe?Doesn’tpaytomesswithme!Well,wastenot,wantnot–that’swhatOldMotherMalkinusedtotellme…’

Andwith thosewordsLizzie placed the candle on the floor, then pointed at the twonearestwall-torches,whichobedientlyflared into life.Nextshepulledaknifefromthehippocketofherdressandlifted the shaman’s left hand. I heardAlicegroan, andweboth turnedourbackson thegrisly sight asLizzietookthethumb-bonesofherdeadenemy.

Shemusthaveplannedthisallalong,Irealized.She’dneverintendedtomakeherescape.Neverforamomenthadtheshamansuspectedthatshe’dattackratherthanretreat.Andshe’dusedtheghostofBillArkwrighttoachieveheraim.Thatmeanthisspiritmustbeinherpower.Afterall,shewasapowerfulbonewitch,andnecromancy–controlofthedead–wasamongstherdarkweapons.

Whileshecroucheddowntotaketheshaman’sbones,Lizziewasaperfecttargetformysilverchain.ButwhenIreachedforit,Icouldgetmyfingertipsnowherenearmypocket.Itriedwithallmystrength,andalthoughmyhandstrainedandtrembled,Icouldnotreachthechain.Lizziewasstillexertingsomespecialpoweroverme.

ShelookedupatmeandAlice,clutchingthebloodybones,anecstaticexpressiononherface.‘Feelgood, these do!’ she cried, stuffing them into her pocket along with the knife and rising to her feet.‘There’spowerhereallright!Now,let’stakealittlewalkupstairsandseewhat’swhat!Butfirstwe’llgetthedogsbackintotheircages…’

Sheclappedherhandsthreetimes,justastheshamanhaddone,andClaw,BloodandBoneemergedfromtheshadowsandtrottedbacktotheircagesobediently.‘Right,boy,fastenthemin!’

Itwasclearthatthewitchcouldcontrolthedogsnow,butdidshehavealltheshaman’spowers?Withhis death, had theypassed toher?As if in a dream,unable to resist, Iwent over and closed the cagedoors,snappingtheclaspsacross.AsIattendedtoClaw’scage,shegavealittlewhineandtriedtolickmethroughthebars.Ifeltasurgeofhope.HadthatbeenArkwright’sdoing?AlthoughforcedbyLizzietomakethedogskill theshaman,hisghosthadfirstpointedtomeandsaid:Thatboy isyour friend,notyourenemy!

Withthosewords,hadhegiventhedogsbacktome?Hadhedonehisbesttohelp?

AliceandIfollowedBonyLizziealongthedampcorridors.Aswereachedthestonestepsandstartedtoclimb,Ifeltthepulseoffearradiatefromthewitchoncemore.Shewasusingitasaweapontocleartheareasaheadofanyopposition toourprogress.Three flightsup,weemerged in theguardroom that I’dcrossedonmywaydownto thecells.Spears,pikesandclubsstoodinracksalongthewallandafireblazedinthegrate;half-eatenmealshadbeenabandonedonalongtable.Theplateswerestillsteaming.Theoccupantsoftheroommusthavefledveryrecently.

I’d expectedLizzie to leadusout ofGreebaKeep, andwondered if the inner portculliswouldberaised. Even if it was, there was still the one barring the main entrance to contend with. But, to mysurprise, Lizzie continued up into the tower. She seemed supremely confident: with the shaman dead,perhapsshewasnolongerinanydanger.Asweclimbed,shetriedeverydoorandpeeredintotherooms:bedrooms, drawing rooms and the extensive kitchens – all deserted. Then, at the top,we came to thelargestroomofall.Itwascladinwhitemarbleandthewallswerehungwithtapestries.Alongnarrowcrimsoncarpetranthelengthoftheroom,rightuptoadaissevenstepshigh;atopitwasanornatethronemadeofjade.

Thismustbethethroneroomwheretheshaman,LordBarrule,hadheldcourtandmetedouthisrough

justice. Itwas impressive – fit for a king, nevermind a lord. From the doorway, Lizzie gazed at thatthroneforalongtime,thenwentovertotheonlywindow.Ithadarecessedseat,andshesatandlookedoutforawhilewithoutspeaking.AliceandIcameupbehindherandfollowedhergazedownwards.

Farbelow,peoplewerestillfleeingthekeep.Theouterportculliswasraised,andbeyondthebridgeoverthemoat,groupsofyeomenwerestaringupatthetower.WiththemwasStanton,theircommander,swordathiship:therewasnohopeofescapingthatway.

Lizzieturnedawayfromthewindowwithafaintsmileonherface,thenslowlywalkedthelengthofthe carpet, heading for that green throne. With each step the heels of her pointy shoes made deepindentationsinthecrimsoncarpetandtheirsolessoileditwithmudfromthetunnels.

Then, very deliberately, she sat herself down on the throne and beckoned us forward.Alice and Imovedcloser,untilwewerestandingatthefootofthesteps.

‘Icouldrulethisisland,’Lizziesaid.‘Icouldbeitsqueen!’‘Aqueen?You?You’renoqueen,’Alicesneered.‘Looklikeyoubeendraggedthroughahedgebackwardsandrolledinamidden!’Itwastrue.Thewitch’sclothesweresplatteredwithmud;herhairwascakedwithit.Shescowled

andstoodup,anger flickering inhereyes.Alice tookastepbackwards,but thenLizziesmiled. ‘We’llsee,girl.We’llsoonseeaboutthat.’Shepointedtoadoorbehindthethrone.‘Let’sseewhatwe’vegothere…’

Wefollowedher through thedooranddiscovered thatweweren’tat thehighestpoint in the towerafterall.Therewasyetanotherflightofsteepsteps,whichleduptoacircularantechamberwitheightdoors. We entered the rooms in turn, moving anticlockwise. Like the throne room, each had a largecurtainedwindowwithaseatrecessedintotheouterwall.Thefirsthadatiledfloorandalargewoodenbath. Lizzie gazed at the bath and smiled. The next five were luxurious bedrooms, hung with ornatemirrorsandrichtapestries.

Theseventhwastheshaman’sstudy:threerowsofshelvesheldhisbooks–mostlygrimoires–andonalargewoodentableabignotebooklayopennexttoahumanskull.Othershelvescontainedbottlesandjarsofpotions.Inthecornerwasalargechest,butwhenLizzietriedit,shefounditwaslocked.

‘Icouldget itopenmyself,but that’ll take timeandbeawasteofpower.Whybarkyourselfwhenyou’vegotadogtodoitforyou?Comeon,boy,getoutthatkeyofyoursandopenthisup.’

HowdidLizzieknowaboutmykey? Iwondered.Whatelsedidsheknow?Couldshe readallmythoughts?

Butthechesthadbelongedtotheshaman–itmightwellcontainthingsthatwouldincreasethewitch’spower–soIshookmyhead.

‘Refusing,areyou?I’llshowyouwhathappenstothosewhodisobeyme…’Lizzie’s facedarkenedandshestarted tomuttera spell; inan instant the roomgrewcold,and fear

constrictedmythroat.Andthereseemedtobethingsmovinginthedarkestcorners–threatening,shadowyforms. I gripped my staff tightly, my eyes darting this way and that. When I looked directly at thecreatures,theydisappeared;whenIlookedaway,theygrewandmovedcloser.

‘Dowhatshewants,Tom.Please,’Alicebegged.SoInoddedandpulledthekeyfrommypocket.I’dhavetomakeastandagainstLizziesoon,butI’ddoitwhenshewasleastexpectingit.Ijusthoped

thatwhateverwasinthechestwouldbeofnousetoabonewitch.Thespecialkey,craftedbytheSpook’sbrotherAndrew,amasterlocksmith,didn’tletmedownthis

time.Iliftedthelidandsawthatthechestcontainedmoney:bagsofbothgoldandsilvercoins.I thoughtLizziewouldbedisappointed,but sheonly smiledagain. ‘Useful thing,money,’ she said.

‘Putittogooduse,Ican.Lockitupagain,boy.Wedon’twantanyoneelsetogettheirthievinghandsonit.’ She looked around the room, her eyes settling on the bottles and jars, then finally on the opennotebook.‘I’llbehavingagoodrootaroundinherebeforelong,’shemuttered.‘Seewhathe’sbeenupto.Whoknows–Imightlearnsomethingnew.’

HowlongdidBonyLizzieintendtostay?Iwondered.Wassheseriousaboutrulingtheisland?Ifso,howdidsheplantodosowithherenemiesgatheredbeyondthekeep?They’dbeenbadlyfrightened,butthatwouldn’tlastforever.Soonthey’dcomebackinforce.They’dcapturedherbefore;ifenoughofthemcouldsummonupthecourage,theycoulddoitagain.ThenAliceandIwouldsufferasheraccomplices.

Theeighthdoorledtoalargedressingroomcontainingclothes–rich,elaborategowns,suitableattireforaroyalcourt.TheymusthavebelongedtoBarrule’swife.

‘Theylookjustmysize,’Lizziesmirked.‘Knowwhatyoutwoaregoingtodonext?’Wedidn’tanswer.‘Fillmybath!’ shecried. ‘Heat thewater in thekitchenandbring itup.Halfanhourand Iwant it

done!’‘Washingbehindyourearsain’tgoingtoturnyouintoaqueen!’Alicesnapped.LizziehissedfuriouslyandAlicegaveacryoffearandbackedaway.Igrippedherhandandquickly

ledherbackintotheantechamber,thendownthestepstothethroneroom.‘Whatwegoingtodo,Tom?’sheasked.‘Escapeand find theSpook,’ I toldher, ‘though Idon’tknowhowyet.Wecan’tgo thatway…’ I

pointedatthewindow.Downbelow,thecourtyardwasempty.ThereseemedtobenobodyatallwithinthewallsofGreebaKeep,buttherewerestillplentyofmenbeyondtheopengate.They’dlitfiresandwerestandingorsittingaroundthem.

‘Iwouldn’tliketoriskthetunnels,’Alicesaid.‘IknowwhatLizzie’scapableof.Thebuggane’sasgoodashersalready.She’dsenditafterusforsure.’

‘Thenthere’sonlyonethingwecandofornow,’Itoldher.‘GetLizzie’sbathready…’Alicenodded.‘Atleastit’llmakehersmellbetter!’sheretorted.Sowewentdowntothekitchenand,afterhelpingourselvestosomecoldchicken,preparedLizzie’s

hotwater.Thecookingfireswerestillburningandtherewerebarrelsofwaterthere.Soonwehadwaterheatinginthreebigcauldrons.Thatwastheeasypart;gettingitupthestairsandintoLizzie’sbathwasback-breakingwork.

Downinthethroneroomagain,wesatinthewindowseatandlookedout.Beyondthemoatnothinghadchanged,butspitshadbeensetupaboveeachfire;theyeomencampedaroundthemwerepreparingtoeat.Thereseemedtobenoimmediatedangerfromthem.

‘Alice,whyisLizziesuddenlysostrong?’Iwondered.‘Shestoppedmefromusingmychainagainstherearlier–Icouldn’tevengetmyhandintomypocket.Sheseemssoconfident.Lookatthewayshe’sallowedustoroamfreewhileshebathes–asifshehasnothingtofearfromus–andshe’sright.Icansensehernewstrength.’

‘Sometruthinwhatshesaidbeforeaboutherage,’Aliceanswered.‘Pendlewitchesreckontocomeinto their full strengthwhen they turn forty.ButLizzie’s always beenpowerful anddangerous. I knowwhatshe’scapableof.Gotfreshbonestoo–ashaman’s–sothat’sboundtohelpher.Trickedhimandbeathimgoodandproper,shedid.Rareandhardtoget,ashaman’sbones.Noknowinghowstrongthatmightmakeher—Look,Tom!’Alicecried,pointingtowardstheportcullis.‘Something’shappeningdownthere.Lookslikethey’regettingreadytoattack…’

Butitwasonlytwoyeomencrossingthebridge,andtheyseemedtohaveaprisonerbetweenthem,hishands bound behind his back. Once in the courtyard, they cut the ropes and freed him, then thrustsomethingathim–astaff.

ItwastheSpook.

‘Quick,Tom.Godownandwarnhim!’AlicecriedasshesawtheSpookwalking towards the tower.‘WhatchancehashegotagainstLizzienow?’‘Comewithme,’Isaid,tuggingatherarm.‘No,I’llstayhereandkeepherroyalhighnessoccupied.I’llaskherifshewantsmorehotwater.The

longerwekeepherinthatbath,themorechanceOldGregorywillhave.Don’tyouworry,I’llbefine.’Ididn’tlikeleavingherwithBonyLizziebutIhadlittlechoice.WhatAlicesaidmadesense.Maybe

shecoulddistractthewitch.IknewIhadtowarnmymaster.IfhecameupnotrealizinghowstrongLizziewasnow,hecouldendupeitherdeadorinthedungeons,foodforthebuggane.

SoIleftAliceandbegantorundownthestepsasfastasIcould.ImettheSpookashewascomingthroughtheguardroom.Wealmostcollided.

‘Steadyon,lad!’hecried.‘Lizzie’sreallypowerfulnow!’Isaid,strugglingtocatchmybreath.‘Shecanfreezeyouwithaword.

Shestoppedmefromgettingmychainoutofmypocket!’The Spook leaned his staff against the guardroom table and took a seat. ‘I thought there must be

somethingdifferentaboutthewitch.There’sasmallarmyoutthereandyettheydon’tfeelabletowalkinthroughthegateanddealwithher.Theythinktheshaman’sdead.Isthatso?’

Inodded.‘Lizzietookhisbones.’‘So that’sone lessservantof thedark toworryabout…Lizzie’sgot theyeomenscaredall right–

they’veresortedtosendingmeintodealwithher–aspook,andaforeignertoboot.Thesepeoplehavealwaysbeenfiercelyindependent,sotheymustbedesperate.’

‘She’stalkingaboutbecomingQueenofMona…’Itoldmymaster.Heraisedhiseyebrowsatthat.‘Sotellmeallaboutit.Takeyourtimeandleavenothingout—’‘Butshe’shavingabathrightatthismoment.Thiscouldbeyourbestchance!’‘BonyLizziehavingabath?NowI’veheard it all!’ said theSpook,givingmea rare smile. ‘But I

won’ttakeanotherstepuntilIknowwhat’swhat.Sooneryoustart,lad,thesooneryou’llfinish!’SoIdidasheasked.ItoldhimaboutAliceandLizzie’slipsbeingstitchedandthebuggane’stunnels

leadingintoeachcell.Thenaboutthefightandourescape,andthenhowshe’dcroonedtothebuggane;finallyaboutfacingthedogs,theappearanceofBillArkwright’sghostandtheshaman’sdeath.

Mymaster shookhis head. ‘She’s certainlygot delusionsof grandeur– though she’s dangerous all

right.PoorBill…atleastoncewe’vesortedLizzie,he’llbeabletobreakfree.‘Butthisisasbadasitcouldbe,lad.I’vebeensentinheretosortoutthatwitch,butonceit’sdone,

theywon’tneedmeanymore.There’llbeanewmasterofGreebaKeepandthingswillgoonmuchthesameasever.Wemightwellendupinthedungeonsagain.They’llcarryonappeasingthebugganeeventhoughtheshaman’sdead.They’llbebacktotheiroldtricks.It’sthewayoftheworld,I’mafraid.Historyrepeatingitself.’Mymastersigheddeeply,lostinthoughtforamoment.

‘I’vefacedsimilarsituationsbefore.I’mgettingwearyofitall,lad–tiredinbody,mindandspirit.Still,we’llworryaboutthatlater.FirstwemustsortoutLizzie,’hefinished,gettingtohisfeet.

‘Whatifshe’stoostrong?Whatif—?’‘Look,lad,don’tyouworry–I’vefacedmanyawitchbeforeandcomeoutontop.You’reyoungand

stillanapprentice.That’swhyshewasabletocontrolyou.Let’sgoandgetthisoverwith!LeadthewaytoLizzie…’

Ididn’tlikeitonebit,butIdidasmymasterordered.Ijusthopedthatthewitchwasstillinherbath.Butassoonasweenteredthethroneroom,IknewI’dbeenrighttobepessimistic.

BonyLizziewasseatedon the throneandAlicewasstandingon thesteps, looking terrified.Lizziewasdressedinalongpurplegown,herhairwetbutcombedstraightsothatitframedherface,herlipspaintedred.Shelookedimposing–ifnotquiteaqueen,thencertainlylikeawomanaccustomedtolifeatcourt.Butwhatreallyfrightenedmewashermannerandtheexpressiononherface.

Shelookedintotalcontrol,andIfeltwavesofcoldmaliceradiatingfromher.However,theSpooklookedresolute,andhebegantostridedownthecarpettowardsthethrone.

Hehaltedatthefootofthesteps.Iwasclosebehindhim,andIsawhimeasehislefthandintothepocketofhisbreechestocurlthesilverchainabouthiswrist.IrememberedthelasttimemymasterhadfacedLizzie,rightat theverybeginningofmyapprenticeship.He’dkilledTusk,herpowerfulabhumanaccomplice,andthenboundthewitchwithhissilverchainbeforecarryingheroverhisshoulderbacktoapitatChipenden.Couldhedoitagain?Hecertainlythoughtso.AndsurelyLizziemustrememberwhathadhappenedlasttime?

Isoonrealizedthatshewasn’ttheleastbitconcerned.Infactshewasn’tevenlookingattheSpook.Shewaslookingatme,hereyesfilledwithmalevolence.

‘Can’tbetrusted,canyou,boy?Soonasmyback’sturnedyourunofftogetyourmaster.Ishouldkillyounow…’

Wastingno time, theSpookspun thechain,casting it towardsLizzie.Shewasstillon the throne; itwasaneasy shot– thewitchwasasgoodasbound. Iwatched the chain shape itself into agleaming,deadlyspiral–buttomydismayitfellharmlesslytothefloorafoottotherightofher.

Howcouldhehavemissed?Powerfuldarkmagichadtobetheanswer.Ormaybesomethingelse…My heart sank right down into my boots. Alice was right to doubt my master’s powers. I was

beginningtoseethetruth.TheSpookwasamanindecline.Hisstrengthwasgoing.TheJohnGregoryI’dfirstbecameapprenticedtowouldhaveboundLizziewithnotrouble,nomatterhowstrongthemagicsheusedagainsthim.

Hefrowned,andanexpressionofbewildermentcameoverhisface.Hestaggeredandseemedabouttospeak,but thenhishandwent tohis throatandhestarted tochoke.Hiskneesgaveway, thenhefellforward,hisforeheadmissingthebottomstepbyinches.Iquicklywenttokneelbesidehim.Helaythere,facedown,barelybreathing.

‘He’snotdead,don’tyouworry!’criedLizzie,gettingtoherfeet.‘OldGregoryisn’tgoingtoenjoyaneasydeath like that.Notafter thepainfulyearsIspent trappedin thatpit. Iowehimfor that,andhe’llsufferbeforehedies.I’llgivehimpainlikehe’sneverknownbefore,justseeifIdon’t!Thisisgoingtobeyourmaster’sworstnightmare.’

Herwordsremindedmeofmymaster’sdreamaboutLizzie,whereshe’dbeenseatedonathrone,thefloorflowingwithblood.Itwasallcominghorriblytrue.

Shewalkeddownthestepsandraisedherfootasiftokickhimwiththepointytoeofhershoe,thenstoppedandshookherhead.‘What’sthepointofkickinghimifhecan’tfeelit?’shemuttered.‘Now,boy,I’vegotajobforyou.Iwantyoutogooutandtalktothosemenbeyondthegate.Tell’emtheyworkformenow:theyshouldchooseoneoftheirown,asensiblemanwithexperience,tobemyseneschal–theservantwhowillgiveorders to theothersonmybehalf.Heshouldcomeup to the throneroomforanaudiencewithme.

‘Andoneother thing–Idon’t likebeingkeptwaiting.Theyhavetenminutes todecide.Everyfiveminutesoverthattime,andoneoftheirnumberwilldie.Sogetyougoneandtellthemthat,boy!’

IglanceddownatmymasterandthenatAlice,butthatmomentofhesitationangeredLizzie.Shetookasteptowardsme,hereyesflashingdangerously.

‘Thinkingofdisobeyingme,boy?Well,thinkagain.Yousee,Iknowallaboutthebloodjar—’‘I’msorry,Tom,I’msorry.Shemademetell…’criedAlice.‘It’s justacaseofwhotheFiendcomesfor first. IfAliceheredispleasesme, I’ll throwher in the

dungeons.Withoutmebyherside,shewouldn’tlastfiveminutes.Andasforyou–well,that’ssimple.I’lldealwithyourightnow.Takethatbloodjaroutofyourpocketandsmashitonthefloor!Goon!Doit!’

Itriedtoresist,Ireallydid,butIfoundmyhandobeyingthewitch.Alice’seyeswidenedinterror,andIfeltthesweatoozingfrommybrow.MyheartpoundedasIfoundmyhandmoving,asifofitsownvolition,topulloutthejarandliftithigh,preparingtodashittothefloor.

‘Stop!’Lizziecried,justintime.Shegavemeanevilsmile.‘NowyoucanputitbackinyourpocketbecauseyouknowwhatI’mcapableof.NexttimeyoudisobeymeagainI’llmakeyousmashthatjarandI’llputyouinthedeepest,darkest,dampestdungeon.Thenwe’llseewhichofthemcomesforyoufirst–thebugganeortheFiend.’

Ipickedupmystaff,turnedandwenttodoherbidding.WhatchoicedidIhave?

AsIpassedunderthefirstportcullisandwentacrosstheyardtowardsthemaingate,theyeomengottotheirfeet,gatheringjustbeyondthemoat.

‘Whathavewehere?’saidCommanderStanton,walkingtowardsme.‘She’sbewitchedyouallright!Wesentyouinoldandtallandyoucomebackyoungandagoodfewinchesshorter!’

Theyalllaughedathisjoke,butsomeoftheguffawswereforced,theamusementhollow.‘Mymaster’s hurt,’ I told him, and thenwent on to deliver Lizzie’smessage, worried about how

Stantonmightreacttoherinstructions.Hedidn’tlooklikethesortofmanwhowouldtakekindlytoherplantoruleGreebaKeep.Italsoseemedhighlyunlikelythathe’dagreetochooseaseneschalforher.Ijusthopedthathewouldn’tgetitintohisheadtopunishme,hermessenger.

Stanton lookedunimpressed. ‘We’re towork for her, arewe?Andwhat ifwe’vegot plans of ourown?’

‘Shesaidyou’vejusttenminutestodecide.Ifyoudon’trespondinthattime,someofyouwilldie–oneforeveryfiveminutesyoukeepherwaiting.’

Someof themenaroundhimbegan tomutterand lookapprehensive. Icouldsense thefearpassingfromonetotheotherlikeadisease.

AtfirstStantondidn’treply.Helookedthoughtfulandgazedupatthetower.Thenheturnedbacktomeagain.‘You’reaspook’sapprentice,soyouknowaboutthesethings.Couldshedoit?Couldthewitchreallykillsomeofusfromadistancelikethat?’

‘It’snoteasy,’Iadmitted.‘Witchesoftenusecursesandtrytokilltheirenemiesfromafar–thoughitdoesn’t always work. But Bony Lizzie is a really strong witch. She’s done things I wouldn’t havebelievedpossible.Aspookhassomeimmunityagainstwitchcraft,andmyownmasterhaspractisedhistradesuccessfullyformanyyears.Thatdidn’thelphimthough,’Iwenton,shakingmyheadsadly.‘Sheuseddarkmagicandhefellunconsciousatherfeet.Sowhoknowswhatsheiscapableof?’

He nodded and looked at hismen. ‘Well, I saywe put her to the test.We’ll let theminutes pass.Maybeshe’sonlybluffing.’

Noteveryonewashappybutnobodychallengedhisdecision.Iturnedtowalkbackoverthemoat,butStantongrabbedmyarm.‘No,lad,you’restayingwithusuntilweknowwhat’swhat.’

Hemademesitdownbythefireandkneltbesideme,warminghishandsbeforetheflames.‘Whoelseisintherebesidesthewitchandyourmaster?’heasked.

‘Myfriend,Alice.’‘Alice?Youmeanthelittlewitchwhosurvivedthetestinginthebarrel?Theslyonewhohitmewith

thatrock?’‘She’snotawitch—’‘Barrulethoughtso,andheknewaboutsuchthings,’heinterrupted.‘Shereallyisn’tawitch,’Iinsisted.Stanton looked atme long and hard, as ifmaking hismind up about something, and then he said,

‘What’syourname,boy?’‘TomWard.’‘Well,TomWard,myname’sDanielStanton,thecommanderaroundhere–IservedLordBarrulefor

fifteen years, and sometimes did things I didn’t like on his behalf. Still, aman knowswhich side hisbread’sbuttered,andfromtime to timewealldo thingswe’renotentirelyhappywith.Notsurebeingseneschaltoawitchappealstomemuchthough.

‘Thisisthesituation.Barruledidn’tleaveanheir.Abouttenyearsagohiswifediedinchildbirthandthebabyonlylivedafewhoursafterher.SotheParliament,theTynwald,willdecidenextweekwho’llbeappointedtotakehisplaceandbecomeleaderoftheRulingCouncil.AsIseeit,mydutynowistosecurethatkeepforitsnextmaster,who’llbemynewemployer.Thatmeansdealingwiththatwitchonewayoranother—’

Therewasasuddencryofpainfromsomeonebythenextfire.DanielStantonjumpedtohisfeet.Ifollowedhimandsawamanlyingonhisbackclosetotheflames:hewaswrithinginpain,hishandsathisthroatasifhewerechoking.Hisfacewasturningpurple.Someonesathimupandtriedtohelphim,liftingacupofwatertohislips.Butsuddenlythemangaveagasp,shudderedandwentlimp.

‘He’sdead!’thecrywentup.

Iwaslookingatlotsofscaredfaces.SomeofStanton’smenlookedreadytorun.‘Thewitchdidit!’someoneshouted.‘Aye,’agreedasecondvoice,‘andwhatifshedoesitagain?Anyoneofuscouldbenext!’The yeomenmilled about, their faces tense. Stantonwas the only onewho didn’t look scared.He

stoodthereimpassively,hisarmsfoldedandheadheldhigh.Fiveminuteslaterayeomanclosetousgaveagroan,claspedhishandstohisthroat,thenstaggered

andfellstonedeadatourfeet.Stanton’smenwerenowterrified.Thesewereyeomen,soldiersusedtofacingviolentdeath,butthiswasnotnatural.Theywerebeginningtopanic.

Stantonheldhishandupforcalmandaddressedhismeninaloudclearvoice.‘We’lldoasthewitchdemands!’hecried.‘I’llgoandtalktohermyself.’Heputhishandonmyshoulder.‘Right,boy,Itakeityou’dliketoputanendtoherifyoucould?’

Inodded.‘Well,whydidn’tyou finishheroffwhenyouhad thechance theothernight? Iwas thereandsaw

whathappened.’Ishookmyhead.‘Lotsofreasons…Icouldn’tbringmyselftokillherincoldblood.’‘That’sahardthingtodo,’heagreedwithanod,‘andyou’rejustaboy.ButifIgetthechance,Iwon’t

hesitate.Sowe’llworktogetheronthis,agreed?’‘Thefirstthingistotryandgetmymastertosafety.He’llworkoutwhattodo.’‘We’llgoandseewhatthewitchhastosay,’Stantonsaid.‘We’llplayalongwithherforawhileand

waitforanopportunitytopresentitself.’

Together we went through the gates, into the tower and up the steps to the throne room. Lizzie waswaitingforusonthethrone,lookingimperious.TherewasnosignofAliceortheSpook.DanielStantongaveheralowbow.‘I’matyourservice,ma’am,’hetoldher.Itwasexactlytherightthingtodo;thewitchpositivelyglowed.‘Whatdotheycallyou?’sheasked.‘Stanton,ma’am.IwasthecommanderoftheGreebaGuard.IservedLordBarruleforalmostfifteen

years.’‘Wellnow,MasterStanton,you’remyseneschal,althoughyou’llstillcaptaintheguard.Getthemback

totheirpostssharpish,andtheotherservantstoo–especiallythecooks.Tomorrownightthere’sgoingtobeafeastinmyhonour.Whichisthelargestroominthekeep?Howmanycanithold?’

‘Thegreathall,ma’am.It’sinthebuildingbesidethetower.Itcanholdnearlytwohundred.’‘Send out invitations, then,’ Lizzie commanded. ‘I want that hall filled. No riff-raff, mind. I want

landownersthere–rich,importantpeople.GetmethemembersoftheRulingCouncilandtheTynwald–asmanyaspossible.’

‘I’llgoandattendtoitrightaway,ma’am,’Stantontoldher.Lizziedismissedhim.Whenhe’dgone,shestoodupandwalkeddownthestepstowardsme.‘Iwill

rulethisisland.Doyoudoubtme,boy?’sheasked.Ilookedatherwarily.‘Itallseemstobegoingtoplan,’Iagreed.‘Evenbetterthanyourealize,’Lizziesaidwithatwistofherlips.‘Anddon’tthinkthatI’mnotready

to deal with any tricks. Daniel Stanton has a smooth tongue, but I can see through his flattery. Aftertomorrownighthe’llbetooterrifiedtoevencontemplateopposingme.Andasforyou,I’llkeepyoualivealittlelonger–youmightjustproveuseful.Butonewrongstepandit’stheendofthatbloodjar–thentheFiendcanhaveyou.DoImakemyselfclear?’

Inodded.‘Rightthen,givemeyourstaff.Youwon’tbeneedingitanymore.’Itriedtoresist,butthecompulsionwasstillstrong,andIfoundmyselflayingitatherfeet.Iknewshe

wouldn’twanttotouchit.Witcheshatedthefeelofrowanwood.‘Nowgetoutofmysight,’shecommanded,‘butdon’tleavethekeepunlessItellyou,andstayaway

fromthedungeons.Gonearyourmasterandit’llbetheworseforbothofyou.You’llsleepinoneoftheroomsupthere,’shesaid,pointingtothesteps,‘whereIcankeepaneyeonyou.’

Withinanhour thekeepwasa flurryofactivity: theguardswereback inpositionand thecookswerepreparingforthefeastthefollowingnight.

Therewasnothing for itbut togoup thestairsandpickoneof thebedrooms; I spent thenext fewhours in thewindowseat,watching thebustlebelow in thecourtyardwhile I tried to takestockof thesituationandworkoutthebestcourseofaction.ThingslookedbleakandIwasconcernedformymaster.AndwherewasAlice?Lizziehadn’tmentionedherabsence.Hadshebeenimprisonedinthedungeonstoo?Ifso,she’dbebeyondtheprotectionofthebloodjar.

Thingswerelookingbad.WewerelikefliestrappedinLizzie’swebandIcouldn’tseehowtobreakfree.Ijusthadtowaitforanopportunityand,whenitcame,takeitdespitetherisk.

Tomyrelief,justbeforedarkAliceappearedattheopendoorwayofmyroom.Shewascarryingaplateofcoldham,cheeseandbiscuits.

‘Thoughtyoumightliketosharesomesupperwithme,’shesaid,comingtowardsme.‘Where’stheSpook?’Iasked.‘He’slockedinadungeon,Tom.Lizziemademehelphercarryhimdown.’Wesattogetherinthewindowseatandnibbledatthefood.‘Don’teattoomuch,’Alicesaidwitha

smile.‘Leavesomeroomforthequeen’sbanquettomorrownight!’‘CanLizziebeserious?’Iasked.‘Whatdoesshehopetoachieve?’‘She’sgoingtoreleasealltheprisonersofGreebaKeepandinvitethemtothefeast–allexceptOld

Gregory,ofcourse.Don’tknowwhatshewantstodothatfor.What’shergame,Tom?’‘Hard to saywhy she’d release theprisoners, but if she reallymeans to rule this island, I’dguess

she’llbeouttoimpressandterrifyhergueststomorrow–showthemthatresistanceisfutile.Butwe’vegotsomeoneonourside–DanielStanton,whomshe’sjustappointedasherseneschal.He’llkillherifhegetshalfachance.HeservedBarruleforyears,butnowhisloyaltyistohisnextmaster.TheTynwaldwillprobablyappointsomebodynextweek.ButwhataboutMrGregory–she’snotgoingtofeedhimtothebuggane,isshe?’

‘Notyet,Tom.Lizziewantstohurthimbadlyfirst.Aftershe’shadherfun,thenit’llbethebuggane’sturn.’

‘WhatIcan’tunderstandiswhyshe’snotkilledmealready–orputmeinacelltofeedthebuggane.Whyriskhavingaspook’sapprenticearound?’

‘Ain’thurtyouyetbecauseIbeggedhernotto,’saidAlice.‘Andsheain’thurtmebecauseshereallymeanswhatshesaidaboutmeuniting thePendleclansoneday.Shethinksshecanwinmeover to thedark.Shecan’t,butitdon’tdonoharmtoletherthinkI’mmovingherway.That’stheonlyreasonyou’restillalive,Tom.Ialsoaskedher to let thedogsgo–orhave’emfedat least.Shewouldn’thearof itthough.Theymustbestarvingbynow.’

Inoddedsadly.Claw,BloodandBonehadsufferedcruelly,butatleast,unlikesomeoftheotherdogs,theywerestillalive.I’dhavetodosomethingaboutthem–andsoon.

***

ThefollowingmorningIpassedStantononthestairs.Hethrustaguestlistundermynose.Therewerealotofnames.

‘Theseare theoneswe’vesent invitations to–all importantpeople,buta lotof themwon’tcome.

TheyseeBonyLizzieasamurderessandawitchandwillalreadybemakingtheirownplanstodealwithher–maybeevenraisingsomesortofmilitaryforcetomoveagainstthekeep.Ofcourse,theycan’tdomuchuntiltheParliamentmeetsnextweek.

‘Buttherearethosewhohaveagreedtoattend.Why,Idon’tknow,’thecommanderwenton,shakinghishead,‘butsome–especiallythosewhodon’tgettheirownwayattheTynwald–seeherasaroutetopower.Somearesimplycomingalongtoassessthedangersherepresents.Ifthemeetingturnsagainsther,Imightjustusetheuproartokillherthereandthen.Now,tellme–what’sthebestwaytokillawitch,lad?’

‘Asilver-alloybladethroughtheheartwouldbethemosteffective,’Itoldhim.‘Aspook’sstaffhasone,butLizzie’slockedawaymineandmymaster’s.Anybladerightthroughtheheartmightdothetrickthough–atleastforawhile…’

Ididn’tliketotellhimthathewouldhavetocutoutherheartafterwards–otherwisewe’dbefacingadeadandpossiblyevenmoredangerousBonyLizzie…Butfirstthingsfirst,Ithought.

Guests started toarriveat thekeep justafter sunset.Theyweregreetedat thegateandescorted to thegreathall.Mostlytheyweremen,aloneoringroups,buttherewereafewcouplestoo.

Thehallwas large and spectacular, itshigh roof supportedonheavywoodenbeamsarranged in asequenceof trianglessuchasyoufound in thevery largestCountychurches.Althoughconstructedonasmaller scale, it reminded me of the interior of Priestown Cathedral. On the walls, rich tapestriesdepicted scenes from the island’s history: there were longboats and fierce-looking men with hornedhelmets;vessels landingonrockyshores;battles,withhousesburningandfieldsstrewnwith thedead.Dozensoftorcheslinedthewallstoshowthemoff.

Graduallytheroombegantoechowiththelowbuzzofconversationasservantsbroughtintraysofwineandofferedaglasstoeachguest.Thetableswerearrangedinparallelrows;theheadtable,whereLizziewouldtakeherplace,facedthem.Tooursurprise,AliceandIwereseatedimmediatelytotheleftofthewitch’schair,withDanielStantonpositionedonherright.Yeomenarmedwithspearsstoodguardalongthewallattheback.

Oncealltheguestshadarrived,anothergroupofyeomenbroughtintheprisonersandledthemtothetablerightattheback,nearthedoor.IsawthatAdrianawasamongstthem.

OnlythendidLizzieentertheroomandwalkslowlytoherplaceattheheadtable.Theconversationdiedawayas theguestsfollowedherprogress.ShehadclearlyraidedthewardrobeofLordBarrule’sdeadwife;thistimeshe’dhelpedherselftojewelsaswell:herfingerswereadornedwithgoldrings,herwristswithgleamingslenderbracelets,andsetwithinherhair,whichwasnowcleanandlustrous,wasaspectaculardiamondtiara.

Whenshereachedherchair,Lizziehaltedandswepttheroomwithhereyes.Thenshegaveasmile,buttherewasnowarmthinit.Itwasthecruel,gloatingsmileofsomeoneveryconfidentofherpower;thesadisticsmirkofabullyabouttotormentherhelplessvictims.

‘Eatyourfill!’shecommanded.‘We’lldinefirstandtalklater.’Then,withoutfurtherado,waitersscurriedintotheroomwithtraysofchoicecutsofmeat.Thecooks

hadworkedhardandittrulywasafeastfitforaqueen.Buttheguestsallateinsilence,merelynibblingattheirfood,andyoucouldsensethefearanduneasethatnowgrippedthem.TheyknewwhatLizziewascapableof–howshe’dslainthepowerfulLordBarruleandkilledyeomenfromadistance.She’devenbestedaspook.

Atlast,whenthetableshadbeenclearedandeveryone’sglassfilledagain,Stantonrosetohisfeetandcalledoutforsilence.AnexpectanthushfellasBonyLizziestoodandfacedhernervousguests.

Shestaredat themfora long timewithout speaking,pursingher red-painted lips.Suddenly I felt achillintheair.Shewasusingsomethingfromthedarkalready.

‘Theoldwayswon’tdoanylonger!’shecried.‘It’stimeforchange!’Therewas real authority inhervoice: thiswasno longer themud-splatteredLizziewhohad taken

refugewithusinthebuggane’stunnels–thoughshestilltwistedhermouthandspokeinaheavyPendleaccent.

‘You’veenemiesacrosstheseatotheeast.CapturedtheCounty,theyhave,andnowthey’llbelookingthisway.They’llwanttoseizeyourlandandmakeslavesofyouall,there’slittledoubtaboutthat.Thisisnotimefordithering;notimeforemptytalk.Aparliamentain’tneedednow.Whatgoodisatalking-shopwhenweneedaction?Wantastrongsinglevoice,youdo.Needadifferenttypeofrule.It’smeyouneed!I’llbeyourqueen.I’llprotectyou.Supportmeandkeepyourfreedom.It’syourchoice.’

Puttingemphasisontheword‘your’,sheextendedherleftarmandbroughtitinaslowarcfromlefttoright,pointingherindexfingeratheraudience.Theringsonherfingersandthediamondsinthetiarasparkled.Shewas indeedacting likeaqueennow–regal,powerfulandcommanding.Shewas tellingthesepeoplethattheyhadbutonechoice,andthatwastoobeyher.

Therewasalowgrumbleofdissent–thoughoneortwomensmiledandnodded.Didtheyactuallyseeherasafutureleader,onewhowoulddragthemalonginherwake?

Lizzie ignoredthemutters. ‘It’sadifferent lifeforeveryoneherenow.Let theprisonersgo,Ihave.TheywereLordBarrule’sprisoners,notmine.Histimeisover,soI’vereleasedthemandnowthecellsareempty–exceptforthespook,ofcourse.Butotherswilljoinhiminmydungeons–thosewhoopposeme.’

Thistimethemuttersbecamearumble,thenaroarofdisapproval.‘You’reeitherwithmeoragainstme!’Lizzie’svoicecutthroughtheuproar.Inresponse,amanrosetohisfeet;nexttohimwasaveryfinelydressedwomanwithsilver-greyhair,

hergownrivallingthatofLizzie’s.Anexpressionofalarmonherface,hiswifegrabbedhisarmandtriedtopullhimbackintohisseat.Butheshruggedheroffandstrodeforwardtostanddirectlybeforethehightable.

Florid of face and slightly overweight, he looked prosperous and commanding. But here he wasdealingwithsomethingbeyondhisexperience.

HepointedafingeratLizzieandopenedhismouthtwicebeforeanywordscameout.Hishandswereshaking and his forehead glistened with sweat. ‘You are a stranger to our island,’ he told her in aquavering voice, ‘an interloper, a refugee – and a witch to boot! How dare you stand before us andassumesuchatitle?Whatrighthaveyoutodeclareyourselfoursovereign?’

Lizziesmiledmalevolently.‘Arulerneedstobestrong,andI’mthestrongesthere!’shesaid,archingherback.‘You’rechallengingmyrighttorule,oldman.Forthat,yourlifeisforfeit!’

Shestampedherfootthreetimes,mutteredsomethingunderherbreathandpointedtheindexfingerofherlefthandstraightattheman,whosefacewasalreadycontortedwithterror.

Hishandswenttohisthroat,andIcouldseehiseyesbulgingfromtheirsockets.Hemadenosound,butbloodstartedtooozefromeachnostrilanddribbledownoverhismouthbeforedrippingoffhischin.Thenhefellforwardandcollapsed,strikinghisheadhardagainsttheflaggedfloor.Helaythereperfectly

still.Lizziehadkilledhimstonedead.

Thegrey-hairedwomangottoherfeetand,withacryofanguish,rushedforwardtohelpherhusband.Butsheneverreachedhisbody.Lizziemadeasignintheairandchantedthewordsofaspell.Thewomanfelltoherknees,herhands

flutteringinfrontofherfaceasifwardingoffsomethingterrifying.Iwas aware of another commotion at the back of the room,where the prisoners had been seated.

Someonewastryingtoforceherwaytowardsusbutwasbeingrestrainedbytheyeomen.ItlookedlikeAdriana.Whatwaswrongwithher?Ifshewasn’tcarefulshe’dbereturnedtothecells.

But Lizzie wasn’t finished yet. This was a clear demonstration of her power, its aim to cow heraudiencesothatnonewouldeverdareopposeheragain.Shestampedherfootthreetimesand,inaloud,imperiousvoice,utteredmorewordsofenchantmentintheOldTongue.Iwasstilllearningthatlanguage,arelativenovice,andtheywerechantedsoquicklythatIcouldneithercatchnorunderstandthem.Buttheconsequenceswereimmediateandterrifying.

Allthetorchesintheroomflickeredanddieddown,andwewereplungedintoalmosttotaldarkness.Wailsoffearwentupfromthegathering.ThenthehugefigureofamanbegantoformintheairaboveLizzie. It looked likea trappedspirit summonedfromLimbo.At first I thoughtshehadsummonedBillArkwrightagain,butastheapparitiontookshape,IsawthatitwastheghostofthemanthatLizziehadjustkilled.AroundhimswirledthegloomygreymistsofLimbo.

‘I’mlost!’thespiritcried.‘WhereamI?What’shappenedtome?’‘You’re dead and finished with this world for good,’ Lizzie snapped. ‘What happens to you now

dependsuponme.IcankeepyoutrappedinthatmistforeverorIcanletyougofree.’‘Go?Gowhere?’askedthespirit.‘Either to the lightor to thedark,whicheveryour lifeon this earthhas fittedyou for.What’syour

name?Whatdidyoudouponthisworldwhileyoulivedandbreathed?’‘I’mthechiefmilleratPeel,ahard-workingman.MynameisPatrickLonanandI’mamemberof

theTynwald…’NowonderAdrianahadneededtoberestrainedbytheyeomen.Lizziehadjustkilledherfather.Thewitchgavealow,cruellaugh.‘YouwereamemberoftheTynwald.Nowyou’rejustalostspirit.

Youservemeandyou’lldomybidding.Returnintothemistandawaitmycall!’TheghostofPatrickLonangaveawailoffearandbegantofade.Thetorchesflaredinto lifeonce

more,revealingtheterrifiedfacesoftheguests.Manywereontheirfeet,abouttotryandleavethehall.Theyeomenlookedjustasscared,innostatetodetainanywhotriedtoflee.ButLizzieimmediatelytookcontrolofthesituation.

‘Beseated!’shecommanded.‘Allofyou.Doitnoworjointhedeadmiller!’Withinsecondstheyhadtakentheirplacesagain.Ilookedatthetableatthebackbutcouldseenosign

ofAdriana.Thewoman,whomI took tobehermother,wasstillonherknees, trying to fendoffsomeunseen attacker. Her whole face was twitching, her body starting to convulse. She was mutteringgibberish,driventotheedgeofinsanitybyLizzie’smagic.

I lookedatDanielStanton.Hewas justas terror-strickenas the restof thegathering,clearly innopositiontomakeanattemptonLizzie’slife.

‘You’veseenwhatIcando,’thewitchcriedout.‘Deathawaitsthosewhoopposeme–alongwithfearandsufferingbeyondthegrave.IwillallowtheTynwaldtomeetonelasttimeinordertodismisstheRulingCouncilanddeclaremerulerofthisisland.Getyegone!Allofyou!AnywhowishtoservememayreturntothekeepatthesametimetomorrownightandIwillreceiveyourobeisancethen.’

ThehallemptiedquicklyandIsawthatLizziehadatriumphantlookonherface.Shesignalledtotwooftheguardsandpointedtothemiller’swife.

‘Take her home – to die!’ she commanded. ‘Let her be an example ofwhat happens to thosewhodispleaseme.’

TheydraggedAdriana’smotheraway,stillwailingwithdistress.‘Outofmysight,youtwo!’shesaid,pointingtomeandAlice.‘Gobacktothetower.Iwanttotalkto

myseneschalinprivate.’Ithoughtbrieflyaboutsimplyfollowingtheotherguestsoutofthegreathallandoverthemoat.But

thenwe’dnevermanagetogetbackintothekeeptorescuetheSpook.Andanyway,IdoubtedwhetherLizziewouldallowit–herpowerovermewasstillstrong.SoIobedientlyfollowedAliceacrossthecourtyard to the tower.Wewent up the stairs and intomy room and sat together on thewindow seat.Outsideitwasverydarkandneitherthemoonnorthestarswerevisible;justafewlanternsflickeredonthedistantboundarywall.

‘ThatwasAdriana’sfatherthatLizziekilled…’Imurmured.Alicenodded. ‘AndnowAdrianawillhavebeen takendown to thedungeons to joinOldGregory.

Didn’ttakeLizzielongtostartfillingupthosecellsagain,didit?Wecan’tletherjustmurderanybodyshewants.We’vegottodosomething,Tom.’

‘Ifweattackher,shecouldstrikeusstonedeadwithoneofherspells.Yousawwhatshedidtothemiller.Shecanforcemetodothingsagainstmywill–evensmashthebloodjar.Inafewdaysshemaybeincontrolofthisislandandthenshe’llthinkabouttakingherrevengeontheSpook.We’vegottogethimoutofthatcellbeforeshestartstoreallyhurthim.It’srisky,buttheonlywayoutofthiskeepisthroughthebuggane’stunnels.’

Mywordswerebrave,butinsideIshiveredatthemerethoughtofthebuggane.Tocomefacetofacewiththedaemoninitsowndomainwouldsurelymeandeath.

‘You’reright,Tom,butwe’llhavetochooseatimewhenshe’snotwatchingus.SoonasLizziefindsout we’re gone, she’ll send it after us. Right now she’s busy giving orders to her new seneschal,consolidating her power here. And all the guards are on duty at the moment – they won’t be in theguardroom!Now–rightnow,isthetimetomakeamove!’shecried.

Alicewasright.Wehadtostrike–andnow,whenLizziewouldleastexpectit.Ifshecaughtus,shewouldshownomercy.Tryingnottothinkoftheriskofwhatwewereattempting,IledAliceuptothestudy,whereLordBarrulehadstudiedandpractisedanimism.IopenedthedoorandretrievedboththeSpook’sstaffandmine.Asweturnedtogo,Alicepickeduptheshaman’snotebook.

‘Whatdoyouwantthatfor,Alice?’Iaskedwithafrown,eagertogetawaybeforeLizziereturned.‘Whoknowswhatwemightlearn,Tom?Itmightcomeinuseful.Besides, ifwetakeit, thenLizzie

can’tgetherhandsonit.’Inodded–thatwastrueenough.Wehurrieddownthroughthethroneroomanddescendedthesteps

towardsthedungeons.Wepassedsafelythroughtheguardroomand,takingalanternfromahook,headedalongthedampnarrowpassagewaytowardsthedungeons.

Therewerealotofcellsbutwedidn’tneedtocheckeachonebecausetheemptyoneshadtheirdoorsopen.Atlastwecametotwothatwerelocked.IusedmykeyandopenedthefirstonetofindAdrianasittingonthefloorinthecorner,herheadinherhands.Whenshesawthatitwasus,shejumpedupandrushedover.

‘Whathappenedtomymother?’sheasked,hereyesfulloftears.‘Theytookherhome,’Isaid.‘I’mreallysorry,Adriana,aboutyourfather—’‘Shekilledhimthen?TheydraggedmeoutbeforeIcouldbesurewhathadhappened.’Shelookedat

me,herdarkeyessorrowful.‘Yes,shekilledhim,’Iadmitted,bowingmyhead.Ididn’ttellheraboutLizziesummoninghisspirit

fromLimbo;itwouldonlyhaveaddedtoherpain.‘Mymotherwillfindithardtolivewithouthim,’shesaid,beginningtosob.‘Fatherwasalwaysso

outspoken.’‘Hewasbrave,’Isaid,‘buthecouldn’thaveknownwhathewasupagainst–howpowerfulLizzie

reallyis…’‘We’re going to try and escape from the keep down the tunnels,’ Alice said, patting Adriana’s

shouldersympathetically.‘It’llbedangerousbutit’sbetterthanstayinghere.’Welefthercell,andIinsertedmykeyintothelockofthenextone.Itwasstiff,andforafewmoments

Istruggledtoturnthekey.EventuallyityieldedandIopenedthedoor.Aliceheldupthelanternandwepeeredinside.

I saw theearthenwalland the tunnel in it.Thensomethingmoved.Myheart lurchedand I steppedbacknervously.At first I thought itwas thebuggane,but then theSpookshuffled towardsus,onehandraisedtoshieldhiseyesfromtheglareofthelight.He’dbeeninthedarkforalongtime.

‘Well,lad,you’reasightforsoreeyesandnomistake.’Ismiledandhandedhimhisstaff.‘I’velotsofthingstotellyoubutit’llhavetowaittilllater.The

guards could come looking for us at anymoment.We’re going to try and escape down the buggane’stunnels.It’seitherthatorbackupthestairstofaceLizzie.Andshecontrolstheyeomennow.’

TheSpooknodded.‘Thenwe’velittlechoice.Wedon’tknowwherethetunnelslead,sowemightaswelltryuphere,’hesaid,pointingbacktothedarkentranceintheearthwallofhisowncell.

I suddenlywonderedwhy he hadn’t alreadymade his escape down that tunnel. Locked inmy cellearlier,I’dmadethedecisionnottoriskit.ButIwasstillanapprenticeandhewastheSpook;hemusthavethoughtthatitwouldbehisonlychancetoescapebeforebeingtorturedandkilled.Hadhelacked

thestrengthandcouragetofacethetunnelalone?IhadlittletimetodwellonthatthoughtbeforeAlicespokeagain.

‘Wedoknowwhereoneofthetunnelsleads,’shesaid.‘Theonefromthelongroomwherethedogsfought–itleadstothathollowtree…’

‘Butit’ssurroundedbyabone-yard,Alice,’Iremindedher.‘It’sverydangerous,butImightbeabletofindLizzie’ssecretpathout.I’mpreparedtotry.’‘Makeamistakeandyou’dbecrushedtodeathinseconds,girl,’theSpooksaid,shakinghishead.‘Ain’tanybetteroption,’Aliceretorted.‘Otherwisewe’llbetravellingblindthroughthebuggane’s

tunnels.’TheSpooksighed,thennoddedhisagreement.‘Right,youleadthewaythen…’We lefthiscell and followed thepassagewayalong; soon itwidenedoutand thereweredrystone

flagsunderourfeet.Wehelpedourselvestomorewalllanterns;we’dneedasmuchlightaspossibleinthetunnel.Asweapproachedthelongroom,weheardloudbarks;thestenchofdeathandanimalfaeceswasoverpowering.WesawthatthethreewolfhoundswerestilllockedintheircagesandLordBarrule’srottingbodylaywhereithadfallennexttothethrone.

‘Weshouldletthedogsout,’Isaid.‘Theyhaven’tbeenfed.Itmightbedaysbeforeanybodybotherstodoanythingaboutthem.’

‘Take care, lad,’ the Spook warned me. ‘They’ve been cruelly treated – who knows how they’llreact?’

Warily,wereleasedthem.Butthedogsneitherattackedusnorfoughteachother.Acoupleboundedoutof theroomimmediately,butmost justwanderedaboutforlornly.Claw,BloodandBone,however,werepleasedtoseeme.Itwasgoodtopatthemagainandseetheirtaleswaggingwithexcitement;theirjoybrought a lump tomy throat.Theywere starvinganddirty, and I felt angryat theway they’dbeentreated,butatleasttheshaman’spoweroverthemwasbrokenandtheyweretheiroldselvesagain.Whenweenteredthetunnelattheendoftheroom,theyfollowedusin.

Itookthelead,Aliceatmyheels,andtheSpookfollowedbehindAdrianaincasewewereattackedfrom the rear.The tunnelwas just earth,withnowooden supports like amine, and the thought of thatweightofsoilaboveuswasscary.Wecouldeasilybeburiedalivedownhere;segmentsoftunnelmustcollapseallthetime.Therewererootsvisibletoo;sometimestheyweretwistedlikesnakesandIhadtokeeptellingmyselfthattheyweren’tmoving.

Thelanternswereverymuchmoreeffectivethanthecandlestubwe’dusedthefirsttimeIcamedownherewithAliceandLizzie,anditwasn’tlongbeforewesawthefirstofthebones:theyweren’tlyinginlargepiles,asinthelairofabonewitch,butweneverwentmorethantwentyyardswithoutcatchingaglimpseofsomefragmentofahumanskeleton.Sometimesitwasaskullhalfburiedinthesidewallofthetunnel,ora fragmentofa legorarmbone,or justa fewfingersor toes.However, Ididnotsenseanylingeringspiritshere;theywerejustremains.Ipausedbesideanalmostintacthumanfoot;onlythelittletoewasmissing.Totheleftofitwasaskull;atreeroothadtwisteditswayinthroughthelefteye-socketandemergedfromtherightbeforecontinuingdownintothesoil.

‘Whyaretheresomanybonesdownhere?’IcalledbacktotheSpook.‘Dotheybelongtoprisonerswhotriedtoescapefromthecells?’

‘A fewmaybe,’ he replied. ‘But the buggane regurgitates some of the bones it’s swallowed afterfeeding.’

Ishuddered,realizingthatthefootandtheskullhadspenttimeinthebuggane’sstomach.Foraboutfiveminuteswemadegoodprogress,butthenweencounteredaproblem.Therewerethick

treerootsaheadofus,completelyblockingthemaintunnel.Anothertunnelwentoffatanangle,headingdownwards.Itwasnewandfreshlydug;Ididn’tlikethelookofitonebit.

‘Thisisthebuggane’sdoing,’Isaid.‘Whatnow?’‘Toreachthehollowtreeweneedtogetpastthoserootssomehow,’Alicereplied.‘Wecoulddigrounditwithourstaffsbutit’lltakeages.Iknowabetterway,’Isaid,turningtolook

pastAliceandAdriana.‘Therearerootsblockingourway!’IshoutedtotheSpook.‘Reversebackdownthetunnelabit.Weneedtogivethedogsroomtowork.Claw!Blood!Bone!’

Thedogscamesqueezingpastuseagerlyas theothers retreated. Idugat theearthbeside therootswith my hands and pointed ahead. Soon the three wolfhounds were burrowing away enthusiastically,throwing earth backwards with their paws. In fact we got two tunnels instead of one because ClawworkedtotheleftwhileBloodandBonedugtheirowntunneltotheright.

Thelatterwasthelargerexcavation,andtheSpookandIwideneditwiththebladesofourstaffsuntilwecouldsqueezethrough.

Atlastweweremovingagain.Ibegantofeeloptimisticaboutescapingfromthehollowtree.Itwasdangerous,butifanyonecouldfindthesecretwaythroughthebone-yarditwasAlice.

Butsoonweencounteredanotherproblem, thisonemuchworse thanbefore.Wefound thepassageaheadcompletelyblockedwithhard-packedearth.Onceagainanewtunnelhadbeenexcavatedby thebuggane;onethatheadedsharplydownhill.

TheSpookcrawledforwardtojoinme,shakinghishead.‘Wecouldtrydiggingagain,butthewholetunnelmighthavecavedinbehind,’hesaid.‘Idon’tlikeit,lad.It’salmostasifwe’rebeingherdedlikesheep.Forceddownwardstowheresomeonewantsustobe.’

‘Thebuggane?’Iasked.‘Maybe – but it could be acting for Lizzie. By now she’ll probably know thatwe’ve escaped the

tower.Weeitherretreatthewaywecameorgodownthere,’hesaid,pointingtowardsthenewtunnel.‘Ifwegoback,they’llbewaiting.ThistimeLizziewillputusallinthedungeons,’Isaid.TheSpookshrugged.‘Thenwemustgoon.I’lltaketheleadnow,lad–whoknowswhatwe’reabout

toface?’Andwiththosewordshesetoff,crawlingalongthetunnel.ThedescentgotsteeperandIwasgrowingincreasinglyuneasy.Isenseddangerahead.Thenthepassagebegantowiden,andtheSpookgottohisfeet,liftingthelantern.Momentslater,we

sawavastspaceahead,thewallssodistantthatthelightcouldn’treachthem.Wewereattheentrancetoahugecavern.

Even thedogswere silent.They stayedbehindus, unwilling toventure in any further and explore.Perhapstheyfeltaswedid:asenseofawe;afeelingthatwefacedsomethingtotallynewandbeyondourexperience.

‘Ididn’texpectthis,’saidtheSpook,hisvoicehardlymorethanawhisper.‘IthinkIknowwhatthisplaceis.Ithoughtitwasjustamyth–astory.Butit’sreal…’

‘What’sreal?’Iasked.‘Whatisit?’ButtheSpookjustmutteredsomethingtohimselfanddidn’tanswermyquestion.‘Thisain’tbeendonebythebuggane,’saidAlice.‘Taketenlifetimestomakeaburrowthisbig,even

ifitsclawscoulddigthroughrock.’‘Thiswasherealreadyandthebugganechanceduponit,’mymastersaid.‘Ormaybe it knew about it,’ saidAdriana, emerging from the dark tunnel. ‘Maybe it deliberately

chosetobuilditslabyrinthherebecauseitknewaboutthiscavern.’‘Butwhatwoulditwantsomethingsobigfor?’Iasked,thinkingaloud.‘Well,asI’vealreadytoldyou,lad,’saidtheSpook,‘abugganetakestheanimus,thelifeforceofa

human,andstores itat thecentreof its labyrinth; itwasworkingwith theshaman,so itneeded lotsofspace.Butthisisimmense–farbeyondwhatitshouldneed.’

‘Whatdoesitusetheanimasfor?’‘Well,weknowthatforashamanthey’reasourceofmagicalpower,givinghimcontroloveranimals

andallowinghimtoprojecthisspiritfarfromhisbody.Butasforthebuggane,nobody’severhadarealconversationwithsuchacreature.Itwhispers,itthreatens,thensucksouttheanimusandkillsitsvictim,butwedon’tknowwhy.Theshaman,LordBarrule,wouldknowmore,buthe’sdeadnow…

‘Well, lad,’mymasterwenton,‘youaskedmewhat thisplace is,andI’ll tellyou.It’ssomethingIdidn’t thinkI’d live tosee.SomethingI’veonlyheard tellof. It’sknownas the“GrimCache”after itscreator,andit’sthelargestsourceofanimismintheworld.ItwasfirstaccumulatedbyashamancalledLuciusGrimmanycenturiesago. It’s said thathewasable toprojecthis spirit into thedark itself,buteventuallyhissoulwasconsumedbyadaemon.Thisishislegacy,nodoubtaddedtobyothershamanssince–thelatestbeingLordBarrule.Anyway,let’smoveon–butkeepclosetothecavernwall.Whoknows–wemightfindanotherwayout.’

TheSpookledtheway,thedogsfollowingbehind,stillsubdued.Underneathourfeetsoftmudgaveway to rock. It wasn’t long before Alice gasped in astonishment – she had noticed something ahead.‘Somethingupthere,’shesaid.‘Icanseelightsmoving.Don’tlikethelookof’em.’

Welookeduptowhereshewaspointing.Tinypointsofyellowlightlikedistantstarswerecombiningtoformintricatepatterns,movingmorelikeashoaloffishthanaflockofbirds.Itriedtocountthem;itwasdifficult,butIthoughttherewereseven.Suddenlyonedetacheditselffromtherestandfloateddowntowardsus.Asitapproached,Isawthatitwasaglowingsphere.

‘Fireelementals!’criedAlice.‘JustliketheoneswesawinGreece…’We’dfaceddifferenttypesoffireelementalthere,rangingfromfieryorbstoasteri,whichlookedlike

five-pointedstars.Theywerealldeadlyandcouldburnyoutocindersinmoments.They’dcertainlydoneforBillArkwright.

However,theSpookshookhishead.‘Nay,girl,whatevertheyare,theywon’tbefireelementals.It’stoodamp in thiscavern. In fact thiswhole islandhasawetclimateverysimilar to theCounty. It’snoplaceforentitieslikethat.Theycouldn’tsurvivehere.’

Asiftoprovehimright,ratherthanattackingus,theglowingorbbackedaway,driftingupwards,andoncemorebecameadistantpointoflight,havingrejoineditscompanionsintheirstrangedance.Itwasasifithadtakenacloselookatusanddecidedwewereofnointerest.

ItwasthenthattheSpookfirstnoticedthatAlicewascarryingabook.‘Wheredidyougetthat,girl?’hedemandedwithafrown.‘Diditbelongtotheshaman?’

Alicenodded.‘It’shisnotebook.BroughtitsothatLizziewouldn’tgetherhandsonitandlearnnewthingsaboutthedark.Bestthatwehaveit,don’tyouthink?’

Mymasterlookedunconvincedbutsaidnothing,andwecontinuedtofollowthecurvedwallofthecavern. Once again it was Alice who brought us to a halt. She sniffed loudly, three times. ‘There’ssomethingaheadandcomingthisway,’shewarned.‘Somethingfromthedark…’

Nosoonerhadshesaidthatthanall threedogsbegantogrowl; theyhadsensedthedangertoo.Weheldourlanternsaloftandsawafigureapproachingus.

‘It’stheabhuman,’Alicesaidashemovedintothearcsoflight.She was right. Horn was alone. The two holes in his ears where they’d attached the chains still

appearedinflamed,andhisblind,milky-whiteeyeballsmovedasifhewereassessingeachoneofusinturn.

The union between the Fiend and a witch could produce a wide range of different offspring.Grimalkin,thewitchassassin,hadoncegivenbirthtoaperfectlyhumanbabyboy;theFiendhadkilleditonthespotforjustthatreason.ThentherewasAlice,bornfullyhumanbutwiththepotentialtobecomeapowerfulwitch.Here, at the other end of the scale,was this daemonic figure, a horned beast like thefatherwho’dsiredhim.

TheSpookreadiedhisstaffandapproachedthecreature.Theabhumanhissedathimthroughhisteeth,thenspokeinaharshvoice.‘Followme,’herasped.‘Andwhyshouldwedothat?’demandedmymaster,raisinghisstaffthreateningly.‘Followme,’Hornrepeated.Heturnedandheadedintothedarkness.Ididn’tliketheideaofleavingtherelativesafetyoftherockwall.Ihadabadfeelingaboutventuring

outintothevastnessofthecavern:youcouldgetlost;orjustbeswallowedupbythedarkness.‘Wait!’ cried the Spook, no doubt thinking the same thing. ‘You need to give us a good reason to

followyou–otherwisewestayhere!’Theabhumanturnedbacktofaceus,andhisfacetwistedinanger,theglareofaferalbeastratherthan

ahumanbeing.‘Youmustfollow.Youhavenochoice.’‘There’salwaysachoicetobemade,’saidtheSpook.‘Aye,there’salwaysthat.Supposewechoose

tostayhere…’‘Thenyouwillstayhereinthiscavernuntilyoudie.ThereisnoescapefromhereunlessIwishit.

Nowthatmymasterisdead,Icontrolthebuggane.Despitealltheeffortsofthewitch,itstilldoesasIcommand–atleastforthemoment.’

‘Hecouldbelying,’Adrianasaid,loweringhervoice.‘It’ssafertostayhere.’‘Notifalltheentrancesandexitsaremadebythebuggane,’Ireplied.‘AndIsuspectthat’sexactlywhatwe’llfind,’saidtheSpook.‘Ifearthatthewisestoptionfornowis

todoasheasks.’

Sowereluctantlyfollowedtheabhumanintothecavern.Soonthewallswerefarbehindusandwecontinuedinthepoolofyellowlightcastbyourlanterns,beyondwhichnothingseemedtoexist.Darknessextendedineverydirection.OurfootstepsechoedinthesilenceandIgrewincreasinglynervous.

Thesituationsoonbecameevenworse:ourlanternsallbegantodimuntil,afterafewmoments,theygaveoffonly thefaintestofglows.Thishad tobe theworkofdarkmagic,and theSpookimmediatelyhelduphishand,motioningustohalt.Nosoonerhadwedonesothanthelanternswentoutcompletely,plungingusintoabsolutedarkness.

Wasitatrick?Iwonderedfearfully.HadHornluredusoutheretoourdeaths?

Istoodthere,preparingmyselfforsomesortofattackatanymoment,butnothinghappened.‘Keepmovingforward,’Horncommandedfromupaheadinthedarkness.‘Wearealmostthere…’Weshuffledalongveryslowly;itwassodarkthatIcouldn’tevenseetheSpookinfrontofme.But

forthesoundofhisbootsonrock,hecouldhavevanished.ThenIsawafaintglow.Aswe got nearer, the luminosity grew; not in intensity but in size. It remindedme of the glowing

spherethathaddescendedfromthecavernrooftotakealookatus.Butwhereasthathadbeensmallandyellow,thiswasredandimmense.Neitherwasitatruesphere;itflexedandshifteditsshape,asifunderpressurefrominvisibleinternalorexternalforces.

Fromadistanceithadappearedtohaveadefiniteoutline,butasweapproached,wesawthatitwasmorelikeamistinaforestdell,diffuseonitsperimeterbutfardenserwithin.Alreadytheabhumanwaswalking into it andbecomingmore indistinct.We followed–onmypart,with increasing reluctance: Iwonderedifeverybodyelsefeltthesame.Theskinonmyhandsandfacewastingling,mysenseofdangerincreasingwitheverystepItook.Thentheabhumancametoahaltandturnedtofaceus–justahornedsilhouetteagainsttheradiance.

‘ThisisindeedthecacheofLuciusGrim–Iwasright,’saidtheSpook.‘Itpresentsnodangertoyou,’Horntoldhim.‘Atleast,notinitself.It’stheplacewherethebuggane

storesthelifeforcethatitstealsfromtheliving.It’senergy,that’sall–avaststoreofanimasreapedovercenturies.’

‘Thinkofthehundredsofpeopleit’smurdered.’TheSpookshookhisheadindisgust.‘Notjusthundreds–thousandsuponthousands,’saidtheabhuman.‘Otherbugganeshaveaddedtothe

cache;theprocesshasgoneonforcenturies.Thiscavernisnowagreatsourceofenergyandameetingplace for all thosewhoare skilled inanimismmagic–notonly shamans in spirit form,butRomanianwitches.Atpresentacovenofsevenhavetemporarilyprojectedtheirspiritsfromtheirdistanthomeland.Theysawyouenterthecavernandwarnedmeofyourwhereabouts.’

The seven lights were now dancing high above our heads – they must be the witches’ spirits, Irealized.IrememberedreadinganentryaboutsuchthingsintheSpook’sBestiary.Theyweredangerous:agrouplikethatcouldsuckthelifeforcefromahumanvictiminminutes.

‘Comeonthen!Outwithit,’demandedtheSpook,anedgeofimpatienceinhisvoice.‘Whatdoyouwant?’

‘Revenge,’saidtheabhuman,hiscruelfacecontortinginanger.‘Iwantrevengeuponthewitchwho

killedmymaster,LordBarrule.Iwantherdestroyed!’‘Aye,we’dalsoliketoputanendtoher,’saidtheSpook.‘Buthaveyoubroughtusherejusttotellus

that?Ifso,itwouldhavebeenbettertoletusgoonourway.’‘Ineededtoshowyouthis–andtogiveyouvitalinformation,’Hornwenton.‘Informationthatmight

helpyou to stopher inher tracksbefore she rules thiswhole island.You see,without realizing it, thewitchisusingmymaster’sthumb-bonesasaconduitanddrawingonthepowerstoredhere.Anditwillgetworse,muchworse.I’musingthatsamepowerandtryingtoresisther.Butsheisstrongerthanme,farstronger,andwillsoonhavethebugganeinherpower.Thenthisvastreservoirwillbeatherdisposal!

‘Atthemomentsheknowsnothingofthiscache,butonceshehasmadethebugganehercreature,shewill quickly learn the truth. Then she’ll realize what she’s capable of. And she won’t stop here.Eventuallynationsbeyondourshoreswillbeatrisk.

‘Mymasterwasobsessedbygamblingandneverbotheredtoharvestmorethanafractionofthemagicthatisavailablehere;thewitchissuretoseizeitallanduseitagainstthosewhocrossher.Youmustactquicklybeforeit’stoolate!’

TheSpooknodded.‘Weneedtogetthosebonesawayfromher–thoughthat’seasiersaidthandone.Howlongcanyouresisther?Justhowlongcanyoukeepherawayfromthebuggane?’

‘It’simpossibletosay.AllIknowisthatit’sgettingharderwitheachdaythatpasses,’Hornreplied.‘There’snotimetowaste.I’llshowyouatunnelwhichwilltakeyouuptotheforestabove.Youneedn’tfacethewitch’sbone-yard.’

As the abhuman led us across the darkness of the cavern, our lanterns flared back to their fullbrilliance.Heguidedustoafreshlydugtunnelbeforeretreatingbackintothegloom.Itwentupatasteepangle,anditwasindeedclear;withinminuteswehademergedamongthetrees.Itwasstilldark,buttheskywasgrowinglighterontheeasternhorizonandwecouldseeGreebaKeepinthedistance,lanternsgleamingonitsbattlements;theguardwouldbeonfullalert.

‘Thattower’stoocloseforcomfort,’saidtheSpook.‘Themoredistancewecanputbetweenitandus,thehappierI’llbe.’

‘Nowhere’ssafenow,’Adrianasaid. ‘I’mheadinghome toPeel– Ineed tosee tomymother.TheshockofFather’sdeathmayhavebeentoomuchforher.You’rewelcometojoinme.’

‘We’restrangerstothisisland,sowe’llbegladtoacceptyourinvitation,’saidtheSpook,‘butfirstwe’dbetterretrieveourbags.’

Theywerestillwherewe’dleftthem.Itooktheshaman’snotebookfromAliceandputitinmybag,whichIthenpickedup,alongwithmymaster’s,andwesetoffwest,thistimewithAdrianaleadingtheway.AfterawhileAlicemoveduptowalkalongsideherandtheybegantochat.

Itwas amiserablemistymorning,with cold drizzle drifting into our faces out of a grey sky.Ourprogress was slow because we avoided the main lanes and tracks and cut through woods and alongdrippinghedgerows.Iwassoonreadyforsomethingtoeatandabitofwarmthandshelter.

‘WhereisRomania?’Iasked,pickingupmypacetowalkwiththeSpook.‘It’saforestedlandtothenorth-westofyourmam’shomeland,Greece,lad.Why?Areyouthinking

aboutthosesevenwitches?’Inodded.‘Theycamealongwaytovisitthecavern,’Isaid.‘True,lad,buttheydidn’tcomeinpersonorwe’dreallyhavebeenintrouble.Whatwesawwastheir

spiritsprojectedfromtheirbodiesbythepowerofanimism,drawntherebythatcache.Theywereco-

operatingwiththatabhuman,sotheydidn’tposeathreat.Butwehaveabigtaskonourhands.EvenifwedealwithLizzieandthebuggane,leavingallthatstoredpowerthereisdangerous.Someotherdenizenofthedarkmightfindanduseitfortheirownends.’

‘Sowhyhasn’tithappenedbefore?’‘Maybeithas,lad,butittakesalotofskilltocontrolsuchacache.EvenLuciusGrimdidn’tproperly

understand its power – and that ultimately led to his own destruction. Luckily Lord Barrule was toodistractedbyhisgamblingtofullybenefitfromthatresource.However,intimesomeonewithgreatdarkstrength is bound tomake use of it. There are other bugganes on this islandwhomight add to it; likeboggarts,theycanuseleylinestotravelfromplacetoplace.Aye,wehavetobewaryofthat.Abigtaskawaitsus.’

WearrivedatPeelMillearlyintheafternoon.Asweemergedfromthewoods,wesawaheadofusthehugewheel,slowlyturningunder theforceof thewaterstreamingacrossa longmulti-archedaqueduct.Butwesoondiscoveredthatnoflourwasbeingground.OnhearingofPatrickLonan’sdeath,asamarkofrespectthemillworkershadgonehome.

Themiller’slargehouseflankedthewheel:weweremadeverywelcomethere.Afterfirstattendingtohermother,Adrianaordered the servants topreparebaths, hotmeals andbeds forus all.Herpoorfathermightbedead,butsheinsistedonbusinessasusual,sendingwordtotheworkerstoreportfordutythefollowingmorning.

TheabhumanhadurgedustoattackLizziequickly,butwestayedatthemillfortwodays,restingandgatheringourstrength,wonderinghowbesttoproceed.TheSpookwasveryquiet,anditseemedtomethathehadverylittlehopetoofferus.

Howcouldwewinnow?LizziewasincontrolofGreebaKeepandIsawnoreasonwhythewholeislandshouldnotsoonbehers.Andifshelearnedofthefullpoweratherdisposal…well,thatdidn’tbearthinkingabout.

However,weknewwe couldn’t stay at themill for long. Itwouldbe anobviousplace to search:beforelongthebonewitchwouldsendheryeomenafterus.

On themorningof our thirdday there, I awoke at dawnandwent for awalkwithAlice. Itwas abright,coldmorningwithalightgroundfrost.AliceseemedveryquietandIsensedthatshewastroubled.

‘What’swrong?’Iaskedher.‘Icantellsomething’sbotheringyou.IsitLizzie?’‘Lizzie’sbotheringallofus.’I said nothing for a while and we walked in silence. But then I decided to question her further.

‘Lizzie’syourmother,Alice–andeveryonewantsherdead.Thatmustupsetyou…Tellme–don’tjustkeepittoyourself.’

‘Hateher, I do.She’snomotherofmine.Amurderer, that’swhatLizzie is.Shekills children andtakestheirbones.I’llbegladwhenshe’sdead.’

‘ThatnightIfoughther,whenyouwereinthecage,Ihadheratmymercy.ButIcouldn’tkillher.Itwasn’tjustthatIcouldn’tbringmyselftodoitincoldblood;itwasalsobecauseshewasyourmother.Itjustdidn’tseemright,Alice.’

‘You listen to me, Tom. Listen well to what I say. Next time you get the chance, kill her. Don’thesitate.Ifyou’dkilledherthatnightyou’dhavesavedeveryonealotoftrouble!’

ButnosoonerhadshesaidthatthanAlicestartedtosobuncontrollably.Iputmyarmsaroundherand

sheburiedherfaceinmyshoulder.Shecriedforalongtime,butwhenshewasquiet,Isqueezedherhandandledherbacktowardsthehouse.

Asweemergedfromthetrees,IsawAdrianathrowingcrumbstoasmallflockofbirdsnearthefrontdoor.Whenshespottedus, sheclappedherhands,and thebirds immediately took flight,mostof themlandingontheroof.Shecameacrossthefrostedgrasstomeetus.

Herfacewasgrave:hermotherwasstillsufferingfromtheeffectsofherencounterwithBonyLizzieandtherewasstillnonewsofthewhereaboutsofSimonSulby;bothheandCaptainBainesseemedtohavedisappearedwithouttrace.

‘How’syourmothertoday?’Iasked.‘She seems a little stronger,’Adriana replied. ‘After a little persuasion shemanaged to sip a few

mouthfuls of broth thismorning. But she’s still confused and doesn’t seem to know she’s back home.Mercifully,she’sforgottenwhathappenedtomyfather.Idreadhavingtobreakthenewstoher…

‘AndI’mafraidIhavesomebadnewsforusall,’shecontinuedwithafrown.‘Isuppose it’sonlywhatwe’vebeenexpectingsincewearrived.Oneofourmillerswasridingtoworkacrossthefieldsthismorning,andhespiedalargepartyofyeomenassemblingontheroadnorth-westofStJohn’s.Itlookedliketheywerepreparingtomarchinthisdirection.Ifso,theycouldbeheresoon.’

‘Weneedtogointohiding,’Alicesaid.‘Ormaybeheadsouthdownthecoast.’‘Yes,youshould,butIwon’tbeabletogowithyou,’Adrianasaid.‘Mymother’stooilltomove.I’ll

havetostayhere.’‘Let’s seewhatMrGregory thinks,’ I suggested, andweheadedback to the house.But beforewe

reachedit,Alicespottedarunner–ayeoman–inthedistance.AtthatmomenttheSpookcameoutofthehouse to join us; he must have seen the man from a window. He stood beside us, holding his staffdiagonallyinadefensiveposition.

Theyeomanapproachedus,butseemedunarmed.Hestoodthereforafewmoments,headbowedandhandsonhiships,gaspingforbreath.Thenhereachedintohispocketandheldoutanenvelope.‘It’sforaTomWard,’hesaid.

Itookitandtoreitopen,unfoldingtheletterwithinandstartingtoread.

DearMasterWard,I have left the employmentof thewitch. In truth Iwas lucky to escapewithmy life. I amnowrecruitingaforcewithwhichtoopposethenewrulerofGreebaKeepandweareontheroadtoPeel.Wewillmeetyouatthemill.TohelpdefeatourenemyIneedtheexpertiseofyouandyourmaster.

Yours,DanielStanton

‘Well,lad,don’tkeepuswaiting,’saidtheSpook.‘Readitaloud!’Ididasmymasterasked.WhenI’dfinished,hescratchedathisbeardandglaredatme.‘Doyoutrust

thisDanielStanton?’Inodded.‘He’sasoldierandprobablyhasn’tlivedatotallyblamelesslife,butthat’strueofallofus.

Yes,Idotrusthim.’‘Right,thenwe’llwaitandseewhathehastosay.’‘IwonderhowheknewI’dbehereatthemill?’Iasked.‘Well, it’s not too difficult towork out, lad,’ replied the Spook. ‘He knows thatwe escapedwith

Adrianaandthatshe’dbedesperatetobereunitedwithhermother.’

‘Well,ifheknowswhereweare,it’sprettycertainthatLizziewilltoo.’‘Aye, lad, she’ll know for sure. But she’s probably too busywith her new-found power to bother

aboutusforawhile.She’sconfidentshecandealwithuseasilywhenthetimecomes.Rightnowshe’llbedevotingallherenergiestoseizingcontrolofthisisland.She’llcomeforuseventually–youmarkmywords.’

***

Justoveranhour later,Stantonarrivedwithhismen.Therewereperhapsnomorethanfifty inall,buttheywerearmedwithpikesandclubsandlookedformidable.

Adriana,theSpook,AliceandIsatroundthekitchentablewithhimwhileheexplainedthesituation.‘ThewitchhasgotoverthreehundredmenunderarmswhileI’vebarelyasixthofthatsofar.More

will joinme–andthey’repreparedtofight,makenomistake.TwodaysagoLizzieledraidingpartiesagainstsomeofthelocallandownersandfarmers–thosewho’drefusedoutrighttopledgetheirsupport.Somefamilies–men,womenandchildren–weremurderedincoldblood.ButIwasalreadyawaybythen.

‘Lizzie’ssentmetoStJohn’swithsomeofthemenyouseeherenow.OurtaskistoseizetheareaandprepareforthemeetingoftheTynwaldinafewdays’time.ThewitchwantstodissolvetheParliamentandhavepowerhandedovertoher.She’splanningtogothereherselfonceIhaveitundercontrol.

‘ButItalkedtosomeoftheladsandafewTynwaldmemberstoo,andwe’vedecidedtotryandtackleher.We’renotstandingforit.We’veneverhadtoanswertoanyonebeforeandweneverwill.

‘That’swhereyoucomein,’hewenton,lookingattheSpookandme.‘I’vebeenclosetothewitchand she terrified the life out ofme.All the strength seemed to drainout ofmybody.Shekills peoplewithouteventouchingthem–howdowedealwiththat?’

‘It’ssomethingI’mstillpondering,’saidtheSpook.‘Thepowershewields–killingfromadistancewithsuchease–ismorepotentthananythingI’veencounteredbeforeinasinglewitch.Butnowweknowitssourcewe’llfindawaytostopiteventually,don’tyouworry.’Mymastersoundedmoredeterminedthanhehadforsometime.

‘Theonlyproblemis thatLizziehassupporters– lotsofwell-armedyeomenboughtwithbribesofwealthandpower–anditwon’tbesoeasytogetheronherownagain,’Stantontoldus.

‘Yousaidthatyouwereluckytoescapewithyourlife…Whathappened?’Iaskedhim.‘Thatnightwhenthewitchkilledyourfather’–henoddedtowardsAdriana–‘I’dalreadydecidedto

makeanattemptonherlife.ButIwasashelplessandterrifiedastherestofthatgatheringandmybloodjustturnedtowater.Andshesensedsomething.Itwasalmostasifshecouldreadmymind.

‘Latershequestionedme.WantedtoknowhowloyalIwas.Shesaidshewasstartingtohavedoubtsaboutmeandorderedmetotellherthetruth.Icouldfeelherrightinsidemyhead,twistingandprodding.Ibegantoshakeandsweat,andittookallmywillpowernottoadmitthatI’dplannedtokillher.Itwasclose–veryclose.’

‘Well,itseemstomethatalotwilldependonjusthowmuchsupportyoucanmuster,’saidtheSpook.‘WithenoughmenyoucouldattackwhentheTynwaldmeet.Intheconfusionwemightbeabletoputanendtoher.IfLizziewasdistracted,shecouldstillbeboundwithasilverchain.’

‘OrIcouldputmyswordthroughherheart,’Stantonsaid.‘I’mgoingtosendrunnerstothenearest

towns and villages to drum up support. Anyone who can carry a weapon and wants to fight for thefreedomofourlandwilldo.’

Althoughwordhadalreadybeenspreadtothesurroundingvillages,bynoononlyaboutadozennewmenhad rallied toStanton’s cause.Mostwere farm labourerswhohadbrought nothingbetter than clubs –thoughthreeboastedpikesandonehadbroughtaspear.Theselatterhadoncebeenyeomen,buttheywereno longeryoungand theirweaponswererusty.Despite that,Stantonhadgreetedeachmanwarmlyandacceptedhispledgeofloyalty.

And thenanotherarrivalbroughtadelightedsmile toAdriana’s face:ayoungmancarryinga stoutstick.ItwasSimonSulby.

‘Any news of Captain Baines?’ the Spook asked him when he could finally extract himself fromAdriana’sembrace.

‘I’mafraidhewasarrestedatStJohn’s,’Simonreplied.‘Hewasn’tsupposedtoleaveDouglas,sothey took him back to his ship under guard. And there he’ll stay until they need him to return thoserefugeestotheCounty.’

Earlyeveningbroughtafreshbandofabouttwentyarmedyeomen,whichswelledoursupporterstoovereighty–alongwithseveralwomenwhohadfollowedtheirmenfolk.Theyinturnhadbroughtanumberofchildren,includingatleastthreebabesinarms.

Thesunsankrapidly,asiftimeitselfwasmovingfasterandfaster.Soonadozenfireswerelitbythemill; fires that grewbrighter as the dusk thickened into night.Oneof the yeomenhung a flag,with itsemblemofthreelegs,fromtheroofofthemill.Itflutteredinthebreeze,andthemakeshiftcampechoedwithlaughter,thetalkfilledwithoptimism.Someoneproducedafiddle,andthewomenkickedofftheirshoesandthegrasswassuddenlyawhirlwithdancers,SimonandAdrianaquicklyjoiningin.Someofthelocalsarrivedandwatchedfromadistance.Theywereclearlyafraidofgettinginvolved.

StantonnowpreparedtomarchhismeneasttowardsStJohn’sundercoverofdarkness.HeplannedtohidethemintheforestatthefootofSlieauWhallianandattackatnoon,whentheParliamentassembled.Scoutshadalreadyreportedthattheroutewasclear,sowewouldtakethemainroadforthemajorityoftheway.

TheSpook,Alice, Stanton and I followed behind the yeomanry, but thewomen and childrenwerestayingatthemill.Adrianareluctantlyremainedtocareforhermother.Afterthedoctor’smedicinehadfailedtobringaboutanyimprovement,Alicehadtreatedherwithherbsandpotions,buttolittleeffect.

TheSpookhandedmehisbagtocarry.‘Theoddsarecertainlystackedagainstus,’hesaidtoStanton,shakinghishead.‘AwitchlikeLizziecansniffoutapproachingdanger.Morethanlikelyshe’llknowthatwe’recomingandusedread–thespellthatterrifiesherenemies.Ifshedoesthat,braveasyourmenare,they’lltaketotheirheels.’

ButStantonrefusedtobedauntedbytheSpook’swords.‘I’veseenwhatshe’scapableofbutwehavetotry.Ifwedon’tmakeafightofit,she’swon,’hetoldus.

SomehoursbeforedawnwewerehiddendeepintheforestbutwithineasyrangeofStJohn’s.Stantonpostedguards,andtherestofusgrabbedthechancetorest.

Dawnbroughtdrizzleandgreyskies,butwecouldn’trisklightingfiressohadtomakedowithacoldbreakfast;fortheSpookandmethatmeantcheese,andhegrumbledasheateasmallportion.Helikedto

fastbeforefacingthedarkbutalwayskeptuphisphysicalstrengthwithalittlecheese.‘Thisisn’tapatchonourCountycheese,lad,’hecommented.‘Ipreferityellowandverycrumbly!’Ihadnoappetiteandate little. Iwasnervousandmystomachwas inknots. I’daverybadfeeling

aboutwhatwewereabouttoattempt.Lizzie’snew-foundpowersweresostrong,andshehadtoomanymen.Wehadnohopeofgettingnearher.Ifweweren’tkilledintheattack,we’dbetakenprisoneragain.Ifthathappened,IdreadedtothinkwhatLizziewouldhaveinstoreforusall–especiallytheSpook.

Daniel Stantonwas a capable commander and it was clear that hismen trusted him and obeyed hisorderswithoutquestion.Thefirststageoftheattackwentwell.Weadvanced through the trees ina thinarc towardsSt John’s, theyeomenspreadout todealwith

enemy patrols. They encountered three: two surrendered without a fight; the third put up only tokenresistance. If this had been a straightforwardmilitary engagement, the element of surprisewould havebeenwithus.ButLizziewasdifferent.

BackintheearlydaysofmyapprenticeshiptotheSpook,LizziehadmovedintotheChipendenareaandbeenstayinginacottageonlyafewmilesfromthevillage.She’dsnatchedachildtotakeitsbones.Imanaged to rescue it and, enraged, the localmen set offwith clubs and sticks to get her.Using long-sniffing,she’dsensedthedangerandfled.Themobhadthenburnedhercottagetotheground.

ButthistimeLizziewastheoneinthepositionofpower.She’dsensethethreatweposed,thenusehersuperiorforcestoswatusaseasilyasyouwouldafly.Tocounterthisweplannedalightningraidthatwouldstrikestraightatthewitchherself,takingherunawares.

UnderStanton’sorders,theyeomenre-formed,thethincrescentbecomingacompactwedge,todrivethroughanyresistanceandmakedirectlyfor thewitch.AsweapproachedStJohn’s, theSpook,Alice,SimonandIweretotherearoftheyeomen.

Mymaster turned tome andAlice. ‘Use these lads as cover for just as long as you can, then gostraightforher!’

Inodded,andwereleasedtheretractablebladesinourstaffs.Alicedidn’tusuallycarryaweaponbutSimonhadgivenheraknife.Shenowworeitatherbelt.Iwonderedifshe’dbeabletouseitagainstherownmother.Somehow,forallherharshwordsaboutLizzie,Idoubtedit.

‘Stay close tome!’ I told her, concerned that the battlemight separate us, and that she’d lose theprotectionofthebloodjar.

Mymouthwasdrywith fear andexcitement.Wewerenear the edgeof the treesnow: I could seebuildingsandalargegreenstraightahead.Abiggatheringofpeoplestoodthere,someholdingpikesandspears.Ouryeomenreadiedtheirweapons.

‘Now!’criedStanton,andledthecharge.Webrokeintoarun,stillholdingourtightwedgeformation.Icouldn’tseemuchthroughthepressofmen,but inthedistanceIspottedthefour-tieredgrassymoundknown asTynwaldHill,where the Parliamentwas already gathered. Lizziemight be addressing themrightnow;shehadtobesomewherecloseby.

Then I heard shouts and cries of pain as our yeomenmade contact with the enemy. Our forwardmovementwasstartingtoslowastheresistancehardened.

Whether we would have reached the centre of the green or not I’ll never know, because at thatmoment,justaswe’dexpected,Lizzieusedthespellcalleddread.Ifeltasuddenoverwhelmingfear;thestrong need to turn and run from some terrible unseen threat moving towards us. I resisted the urge,knowingthatAliceandmymasterwouldbedoingthesame.Butouryeomenwerepowerlessinthefaceofsuchaspell,andtheybrokeformationimmediately,scatteringtoeverypointofthecompass–asdidSimonSulby.Howcouldhedootherwise?He’dneverbeforebeensubjectedtosuchafeelingofterror.

Butitwasn’tallbad:suchaspellisn’tselective,anditaffectedLizzie’sowntroopsaswellasourown.Hadshenotrealizedthatwouldhappen?Thespellhadsurelyfailedtogainheranyadvantageatall,Ithought.Perhapsthepowerhadgonetoherhead.

Therewereyeomenrunninginalldirectionsacrossthegreen,alongwithmembersofParliamentandotherdignitaries,theirgownsofofficeflappingaroundtheirankles.ButwherewasLizzie?

‘Theresheis!’criedtheSpook,pointingwithhisstaff.Shewasstandingnear thehill,staringatusmalevolently.Foramomenthereyes lockedwithmine

andanewtremoroffearandanticipationranthroughmybody.Inowfacedsomethingmoredangerousthandread,whichIhadalreadybrushedaside.Lizziehadthepowertokillusfromadistance,andIwasthemostlikelycandidate.Shewouldn’tslaytheSpookoutright;sheowedhimalong,lingering,painfuldeath.Alicewasherdaughter,andIwasn’tsurewhatshe’ddowithher.ButIwasjustathorninherside,theoneresponsibleforthedestructionofMotherMalkin,Lizzie’sgrandmother.

Wewere still running towards her, weaving our way through the thinning ranks of yeomen, whensuddenlytheskygrewdark.Inaninstantthesunvanishedasangrycloudsracedinfromthewestandthetreesbegantoshakeandmoan.Torrentialraindroverightintoourfaces,makingitdifficulttosee.ThiswasmorepowerfuldarkmagicbeingconjuredbyLizzie.

Ibowedmyheadandwipedthewateroutofmyeyes,mylefthandgrippingmystaff.Iwasnearhernow,andwhenIraisedmyhead,Isawherfacetwistintoacunning,lopsidedsmile,whichwidenedintoanevilgrinofpuretriumph.SuddenlyIrealizedthatthiswaswhatshehadintendedallalong.Shedidn’tcarethatherownforceshadbeenscatteredbyherspell.AllshewantedwastofacetheSpook,Aliceandmeandtakeherrevenge.Shetrulybelievedthatshewasamatchforthethreeofustogether.

I was ahead of the Spook, ahead of Alice; another dozen paces would bring me within strikingdistance.Iraisedmystaff,holdingitlikeaspear.Lizziewasnowgrippingtwolongbladesandgettingreadytousethemonthefirsttocomewithinrange.

Iwasalmostuponherwhensomeonesurgedpastme,swordheldaloft.‘She’smine!’criedDanielStanton.Somehowhiscouragehadmanagedtocounterthewitch’sspell.Butashereachedher,thrustingtheswordtowardsherheart,thewitchknockeditasidewiththeblade

inherlefthand;usingherotherweapon,shecrackedthehandledownwithgreatforceonthebackofhishead.Stantonstaggeredandfell,rollingoverandover,theswordflyingoutofhishand.

Whyhadn’tLizzieusedtheblade?Iwondered.Immediatelymyquestionwasanswered,forshespokerightinsidemyhead:

There’llbeaslowpainfuldeathforhim–foryouandyourmastertoo!InaninstantIwasuponher.Istabbeddownatthewitchwithmystaff,butatthelastmomentIslipped

onthewetgrassandshestruckmeaglancingblowwiththehandleofherdagger.Alightflashedinside

myheadandIdon’trememberhittingtheground.I must have lost consciousness briefly, because the next thing I knew, the Spook was slowly

approachingLizzie,his staffhelddiagonallyacrosshisbody.Alicewasstanding tooneside,her facefearful, watching the encounter between the witch and my master. Lizzie was grinning again, almostgloating.IlookedattheSpookandIcouldseehisfear.No,itwasmorethanthat.Hiswholefacewastwitching,andhiseyes toldme thathewasalreadydefeated.NodoubtLizziewasspeaking insidehishead,tellinghimthathehadnochanceagainsther;tellinghimwhatshewoulddotohimaftertakinghimprisoner.

Thesightofmymasterinthatsituationhorrifiedanddismayedme.Hehadalwaysbeensuchatowerofstrength.Evenwhentemporarilydefeatedbythedark,hehadalwaysbeenbraveandoptimistic.Allthatwasgonenow–Iturnedaway,unabletobearthesightofhimbroughtsolow.

SuddenlytheSpookloweredhisstaffandfelltohiskneesatLizzie’sfeet.Shesmiledandraisedherdagger high, about to bring the handle down on his head and knock him unconscious. I sat up andstaggered to my feet, but a wave of dizziness and nausea immediately washed over me. I wanted tointervenebutknewIcouldn’treachmymasterintime.

Buttherewasanintervention.Alicesuddenlyshoutedout–itwasawordintheOldTongue.Ididn’tknowwhatitmeantbutguesseditwassomesortofspell.SomethingseemedtodartbetweenAliceandLizzie;somethingsmallanddark.Alicedidn’tthrowit–whateveritwascamestraightoutofheropenmouth.

Theeffectonthebonewitchwasimmediate.Lizziestaggeredbackwardsandthedaggerfellfromhergrasp.And thenAlice attacked, holdingher dagger aloft – though shedidn’t stabLizzie.Sheusedherotherhandtodrawhernailsrightdownthewitch’sface.Lizziescreamedandfellback.

Thiswasmy chance and I stepped forward, raisingmy staff to drivemyblade into her heart.ButthoughItriedwithallmystrength,IcouldnothurtherasAlicehaddone.Iwasnomatchforherpower.Thestafffrozeinmyhands.

‘Quick,Tom!’Alicecried,draggingtheSpooktohisfeet.Ipickeduphisstaff,tookhisotherarm,andwestartedtopullhimaway.IglancedbackandsawLizziestillclutchingherface.WhateverAlicehaddone,Iknewitseffectswouldn’tlastlong.

Somehowwegotclear,losingourselvesinthethrongofterrifiedpeople.Asweheadedbackthroughthe trees,we sawpeople still staggeringabout, bothyeomenandmembersof theTynwald, their facesshowingbemusementandterror.OfSimonSulbytherewasnosign.

Aswemadeourwayinto theforest, theSpookshruggedusoffalmostangrily. ‘Icanwalk!Idon’tneeddragging!’hesnapped,andimmediatelystartedoffaheadofus.Atfirstheseemedunsteadyonhisfeet,butthenhepressedonwithmorevigour.AliceandIdroppedbackalittlesowecouldtalk.

‘He’snotangrywithus,he’sangrywithhimself,’Itoldher.‘OldGregory’spride’shurt,’Alicesaid.‘Lizziebestedhimagain–nomistakeaboutthat.’‘ButyoubestedLizzie.Howdidyoumanagethatwhenshe’ssostrong?’‘ItwassomethingthatmyauntAgnesoncetaughtme.It’saspellsomewitchescalltalon.Youbiteoff

asmallpieceofthenailofyourforefingerandspititatyourenemy.Thenyouscratchherfaceandstunher.TookLizziebysurprise,itdid.Shedidn’tknowIcoulddothat.Onlygaveusafewmomentsthough.I’llneverbeabletorepeatthatspell.She’llbereadyformenexttime.’

The auntAlice hadmentionedwasAgnesSowerbutts,whomAlice had once livedwith briefly in

Pendle.‘ButIthoughtyoutoldmethatAgneswasabenignwitch,ahealer?’Isaidtoher.‘Sheis,Tom–wouldn’tlietoyou,wouldI?ButanywitchwholivesinPendleneedssomespellsto

defendherselfwith.Neverknowwhensomeotherwitchmighttryiton.Agneswouldonlyusesomethinglikethatinself-defence.Samegoesforme.’

SoonwewerewellclearofStJohn’sandthesunwasshiningagain.Whenwereachedthemilllateintheafternoon,AdrianawasdistraughttohearthatSimonhadgonemissing.Shefearedtheworst.

However,toherreliefhewasbackbeforenoonthefollowingday–thoughthenewshebroughtwasmostly bad.Within the hour, the Tynwald had assembled again and had appointed Lizzie ruler of theisland;theParliamentwasdissolved,leavingherinfullcontrol.

‘Itwasoversoquickly,’Simonsaid.‘Everyonewasscaredofher.Theyjustdidwhatshewanted,thenwenthome.Whocanblamethem?’

TheSpooknodded.‘Whatthen?DidLizziestayinStJohn’s?’‘No,sheleftimmediatelyforGreebaKeep.’‘WhataboutDanielStanton’sforces?Didshetakeprisonerswithher?’‘Just one – Stanton himself. She was in a great hurry to get away – she seemed excited about

something,andIdon’tthinkitwasjustaboutbecomingrulerofMona.Shetooknootherprisoners.Thatwas the only good thing about the whole business: all the yeomen had been comrades once and theyweren’tkeentofighteachother,sotherewerenocasualties.Onlyhalfadozenwerewounded,andnoneseriously.Thosewhodidn’treturntoGreebawithLizziesimplywenthome.’

‘Iwonderwhysherushedbacksoquickly,’mutteredtheSpookthoughtfully.‘Doyouthinkshe’sfoundoutaboutthecavernandwhatitcontains?’Iaskedhim.‘It’s possible, lad. If so, she’ll take some stopping, that’s for sure.’He looked across the table at

SimonandAdriana.‘Ithinkyoutwowillbesafeenoughhere,’hetoldthem.‘ButassoonasBonyLizziegetsherhandson thatcacheofpower,she’llcomelookingfor the threeofus.We’ll take thedogsandmakeourselvesscarce.’

‘There’sanabandonedcottagesouthofhere inGlenmaye,’Adrianasaid.‘It’snotbeenlivedinforyearsbutyou’dhavearoofoveryourhead.’Suddenlysheblushed.‘It’swhereIusedtomeetSimon–aplaceFatherdidn’tknowabout.Simonwouldgoandwait forme thereand I’d joinhim if Icouldgetawayfromthemill.Trustme,you’llbesafethere.’

Adrianagaveusasackofsupplies:hams,potatoes,carrotsandcheese.Itwasheavy,soIhandedourbags toAlice and carried the sack overmy shoulder.Adriana also sent one of themillworkers, a

younglad,toguideus.Thecottagestoodontheedgeoftheglenjustinsideawood;althoughthetreeshadlosttheirleaves,it

waswellhiddenandcouldonlybereachedbyanarrowtrackthattwisteditswaybetweenthehills.Wearrivedjustbeforedarkandspentanuncomfortablenightsleepingonthedampflaggedkitchenfloor.Thefollowingmorningwesetaboutmakingourselvesmorecomfortable.Itwasasimplecottage–twoupandtwodown–andeveryroomwasfullofrubbish:brokenfurniture,mildewedblankets,andpilesofleaves,blowninthroughtheopendoorway–thefrontdoorhadcomeoffitshinges.

Alicecraftedabroomoftwigsandsetaboutsweepingtheplaceclean.I laidfourbigfires,oneineachroom,sothatweweresoonwarmerandthecottagewasstartingtodryoutalittle.Ihadn’tthetoolstoputthedoorbackonitshinges,butIproppeditupinthedoorway,supportedbyheavystones.Therewasstilladraughtbutitkeptmostofthechillout.

However,thekitchenwaswherewefeltmostcomfortable.Thatnight,afteramealofboiledhamandpotatoes,wesatcross-leggedontheflagsclosetothefire.WewerealltiredandtheSpook’sheadkeptnoddingforwardontohischest.Soonhewasfastasleep.Afterawhilehestartedtogroanandmuttertohimself.Hesoundedscared.Atlastheopenedhiseyeswideandwokeupwithagaspofterror.

‘Whatwasit–anothernightmare?’Iasked.‘It wasmore than a nightmare, lad. Lizziewas right insidemymind, taunting and threateningme.

Tellingmewhatshe’lldotomewhenIfallintoherhandsoncemore.’It saddenedme to seemymaster in this state – and to be powerless to help him. ‘It’s not worth

worryingabout,’Itoldhim,attemptingtobeoptimistic.‘Shemaybeabletotormentyourmindbutshe’salongwayaway.We’resafefornow.’

TheSpookstaredatmeangrily.‘Notworthworrying?I’veeveryrighttobeworried.InallmytimeasaspookI’veneverfeltsolowandclosetodefeat.MylibraryandhousearegoneandI’mexiledhereon an island ruled by awitchwho’ll only growmore powerfulwith each day that passes. I’ve neverfailedtobindawitchbefore,nevermissedwithmysilverchain.AndnowI’vefailednotoncebuttwice.Lizzie’sprovedtobetoostrongforme.EverythingI’veworkedforalltheseyearshasbeenoverturned.Ineverthoughtitwouldcometothis.’

‘We’ll find a way to deal with Lizzie,’ Alice said. ‘There might be something in that shaman’s

notebookthatcouldhelp.Afterall,heworkedwiththebugganetobuildthatcacheofmagic.’‘Usingthedarktofightthedarkagain?’Mymastershookhisheadsadly.‘No,’Alicecontradictedhim.‘Itain’tthatatall.YouonceaskedmetotellTomwhatI’dlearnedfrom

Lizziesohecouldwriteitdowninhisnotebook.Youdoremembersayingthat,don’tyou?’TheSpooknodded.‘Well,thisisthesame.I’mjusttryingtogetinformation.I’llstartreadingatfirstlight.’‘Aslongasit’sonlyreading,girl,’hewarned.‘Remember,nospellsoryou’llanswertome!’Thefollowingmorning,afterbreakfast,Alicestartedontheshaman’snotebook,butshedidn’tfindit

easygoing.Someof itwasincodeandimpossible todecipher.Eventheparts thatcouldbereadusedtermsshe’dneverevenheardof.ItseemedthatanimismwasaverydifferenttypeofmagictothattaughtbyBonyLizzie.However,Alicewasnotonetogiveupeasily,andshereturnedagainandagaintoherstudy of that notebook. Sometimes she looked excited, as if she’d made some progress, but when Iquestionedheraboutit,sheshookherheadandwouldn’tdiscussitwithme.

Then,threedaysaftertheSpook’snightmare,Ihadoneofmyown.Iwasinadarkforest,aloneandunarmed.Mystafflaysomewherenearby,butIcouldn’tfindit.Iwas

desperate, because in a few minutes, at midnight, something would be coming after me – somethingterrible.

Later,whenIwokeup,Icouldn’trememberwhatitwas–dreamsarelikethatsometimes–butIknewithadbeensentbyawitchseekingrevengeforsomethingI’ddonetoher.

Inmydream,achurchbellbegan tochimesomewhere in thedistance. I froze,petrified,buton thetwelfthnoteIbegantoruntowardsit.BrancheswhippedatmyfaceasIsprinteddesperatelythroughthetrees.Somethingwaschasingmenow,butitwasn’tfootstepsthatIheard:itwasthebeatingofwings.

I glancedbackovermy shoulder and saw thatmypursuerwas a largeblack crow.The sight of itfilledmewith terror,butIknewthat ifonlyIcouldreachthechurchI’dbesafe.WhythatshouldbeIdon’tknow–churchesaren’tusuallyplacesofrefugefromthedark.Spooksandapprenticesreliedonthetoolsoftheirtradeandtheknowledgethey’dgained.Nevertheless,inthatnightmareIknewthatIhadtoreachthechurchordie.

Isuddenlytrippedoverarootandsprawledheadlong.Winded,Istruggledtomykneesandlookedupatthecrow,whichhadalightedonabranch.TheairshimmeredinfrontofmeandIblinkedfuriouslytoclearmyvision.WhenIcouldfinallyseeagain,Iwasconfrontedbyafigureinalongblackdress.Shewasfemalefromtheneckdownbuthadthehugeheadofacrow.

EvenasIstared,thecrow’sheadbegantochange.Thebeakshrank,andtheeyesshiftedshapeuntiltheheadwasfullyhuman.AndIknewthatface.Itwasthatofawitchwhowasnowdead.

Imusthavecriedoutonawakingfromthatdream.TheSpookwasstill fastasleep,butasIsatup,shuddering,Alice’sarmwentaroundmyshoulders.

‘Youallright,Tom?’shewhispered.Inodded.‘Justanightmare–that’sall.’‘Wanttotellmeaboutit?’I gave Alice a short account of what I’d dreamed. ‘I think the crow was theMorrigan, the dark

goddessworshippedbyCelticwitches,’Iadded.‘NodoubtitharksbacktothetimewhenBillArkwright

andIfacedaCelticwitchwho’dtravelledtotheCounty.ShesummonedtheMorrigan,whoattackedmeintheshapeofacrow,butIsomehowmanagedtodriveitoff.ThewitchwarnedmethennevertovisitIreland.ShesaidtheMorriganwasmuchmorepowerfulthereandwouldseekherrevengeonme.’

‘Well,thatexplainsyournightmare,Tom.Don’tworry,we’renotinIreland.We’llbeheadingbacktotheCountyoncewe’vedealtwithLizzie.’

I knew thatAlicewas just trying to comfortme, but I felt gloomy about the future. ‘There’s littlechanceofthatwhileit’sstillinenemyhands,’Iobserved.

‘As Old Gregory once said, wars don’t last for ever,’ Alice remarked cheerfully. ‘Anyway, whathappenedtothatCelticwitch?’

‘BillArkwrightkilledherwithhisknife.Rightattheendofmynightmare,thecrowtookonherdeadface.Thatwasthescariestthingofall.’

TheSpookhadbecomeveryquietandwithdrawn,givingmejustanhourofinstructionaday,studyingtheOldTongue.Then,usingthelargenotebookthathealwayscarriedinhisbag,hespenttherestofthetimewriting.Inoticedthathewasmakingsketchesaswell.

‘Whatareyoudoing?’Iasked,curiositygettingthebetterofme.‘I’vegottostartsomewhere,lad,’hetoldmeinoneofhisraretalkativemoments.‘Allthat’sleftof

mylibraryistheBestiary,soI’mgoingtotryandrewritesomeoftheotherbooksthatwerelost.I’vegottodoitbeforeIforget.I’mstartingwithAHistoryof theDark.Thelessonswelearnfromhistoryareimportant–theykeepusfromrepeatingpastmistakes.’

IfeltthatweshouldbeusingthistimetoworkouthowtodealwithLizzie.Mostdayswediscusseditbriefly,buttheSpookseemedlostinthoughtandcontributedlittletoourdiscussions.Yes,thebooksdidneedtoberewritten,butitseemedtomethathewasdistractinghimselffromtherealproblem–awitchwhowasgrowingmoreandmorepowerful.

Exactly sevendaysafterourarrival at thecottage,wehadavisitor:Aliceopened thekitchendoor tothrowoutsomefoodscrapsandabirdflewstraightintotheroom–agreypigeon.Butinsteadofflappingaboutinpanic,itlandedonthetable.

‘Badluckforabirdtoflyintoaroom!’Alicesaid.‘Itmeanssomeone’sgoingtodiesoon.’‘Well,you’renotalwaysright,girl.Besides,I thinkthisonehasamessageforus,’saidtheSpook,

pointingtoapieceofpapertiedtothepigeon’sleg.He held out his hand and the bird hopped onto it. Carefully he took it in his hands and held the

creatureouttowardsme.‘Untiethemessage,lad.Beasgentleasyoucan…’Ididasheasked.Thepieceofpaperwastiedonsothatitwouldn’tcomeloose,yetonegentlepull

ontheendofthestring,andthepelletofpaperdroppedintomyhand.WhiletheSpookgavethebirdsomecrusts of bread andwater, I unfolded the small square of paper and smoothed it out on the table.Thewritingwasverysmallanddifficulttomakeout.

‘It’sfromAdriana,’Isaid.‘Shesaysit’ssafetoreturn,butthere’sbadnewsaswell.’‘Well,readitout,lad!’SoIdidasmymastercommanded.

‘DearMrGregory,TomandAlice,

Soonafteryouleft,theyeomanrysearchedthearea,butIstayedhiddenclosetothehouseandtheypassedmeby.ThewitchisstillatGreebaKeep:Ihearstrangetalesofwhatishappeningthere,andIhavemuchtotellyou,sopleasehastenbackimmediately.Ihavebadnewstoo:fivedaysagomymotherdied.Sothewitchkilledbothmyparents.Ioweherforthatandintendtorepayherfully.Yourssincerely,Adriana.’

‘Poorgirl,’saidtheSpook.‘Well,let’sgetbacktothemillandseewhatthelatestnewsis.Ifeartheworst.’

WithinthehourwewereonourwaybacktoPeel.

Wearrivedjustintimefortheeveningmeal.Adrianahadsentthecookhomeearlyandpreparedalambstewherself.Simonhelpedserveus.ItwasthebestfoodI’deateninweeks,andshe’dprovidedeach

ofuswithalargecupofmead,adeliciousdrinkmadefromhoney,thesweetnesstemperedwitharomaticspices.

WhentheSpookhadofferedhiscondolencesforthedeathofhermother,Adrianahadweptbitterly.‘Well,’saidmymasternow,sippingfromhiscupofmead.‘I’vetriedtobepatientbutIcan’twaitany

longer.WhatarethestrangetalesfromGreebaKeepthatyoumentionedinyourletter?’‘Terrifyingthingshavebeenseeninthesurroundingwoods–allmannerofmonstersanddaemons—’‘Thebugganecantakeonmanydifferentshapes,’interruptedtheSpook.‘Thesethingsweren’tseeninthebuggane’sdomain,’Adrianareplied,‘butmuchfurthertothenorth.

Sheepandcattlehavegonemissingtoo.Allthatremainedwassmallfragmentsofbone.’TheSpookpulledathisbeard.‘Whataboutthesightings?Werethewitnessesreliable?’heasked.Adrianashrugged.‘Somearemorereliablethanothers,butonewasaforester,adour,plain-speaking

man not given to flights of fancy. He also saw strange dancing lights – he counted seven.When theyapproachedhim,hefled.Couldtheybethesamelightswesawinthecavern?’

‘Hedidwelltorun,’saidtheSpook.‘Thatcovenofwitchspiritscouldhavedrainedhislifeforceinminutes.Thisisallverybadnews.Itmeansthatdenizensofthedarkvisitingthecacheofanimascannowuseitspowertowanderfarbeyondit.They’reathreattoyourwholeislandandpossiblybeyond.’

‘Cananythingbedone?’askedAdriana.‘Aye – killing the bugganewould stop it. The cache is only attractivewhile it continues to grow.

Withoutanactivebuggane,suchpowersoonstartstodiminish.Whatelse?’askedtheSpook.‘Isthereanymorenewsofthebonewitch?’

‘She took her force of yeomen back toGreeba, but then paid them off and dismissed themajoritywithinafewdays,retainingonlyaboutfiftyforguardduty.’

‘Well,Lizzie’smadeabigmistakethere,’theSpooksaid.‘ThosemenhadpermanentjobsundertheRulingCouncil.They’llbedisgruntlednowandcouldbecomeaforcethatcanbeusedagainsther.’

‘It’s no mistake,’ said Alice, shaking her head. ‘I know Lizzie better than anyone, and that’s thescariest thingI’veheardsofar.Shehad lotsofmoney;andeven ifshe’demptied thatchest, shecouldhave raised taxes if she needed somemore.Ain’t bothered then, is she?Don’t need ’em. That’s how

powerfulsheisnow.’TheSpookdidn’treplybuthisexpressionshowedthatAlice’swordshaddisturbedhim.‘Since then some of those guards have deserted, terrified by the things thatwere happening in the

keep,’Adrianacontinued.‘Theyheardvoiceswhentherewasnobodythere,andfootstepsfollowingthemthatstoppedwhentheystopped,andstrangeshadowsthatcouldonlybeseenoutofthecornersoftheireyes.Nowhereinsidethekeepwasfreeofthem.Itwasworseafterdark,butthesethingscouldbeheardandfeltevenindaylight.Therewerespotsofintensecoldtoo…’

Iknew thatwasbad.TheSpookand I,beingseventhsonsof seventhsons, feela strangecoldnesswhensomethingfromthedarkisnear;otherpeoplearenotusuallyawareofit.Ifthosemenwereawareofintensecold,thenverypowerfuldarkmagicwasinvolved.

‘Bynowthewitchhasprobablynomorethanadozenmenwithher–onesmorescaredof leavingthanstaying,’Adrianawenton.‘Shemadethreats–saidthatanyoneelsewholeftwithoutherpermissionwoulddieintheirsleep,andsureenough,twowerefounddead…Sowhatarewegoingtodonow?’sheasked.‘Lizzie’sgottobestopped.’

‘I’vebeenrackingmybrainstocomeupwithaplan,’saidtheSpook.‘Withthereducedguardit’llbeeasiertogetnearher,butwhatcanwedointhefaceofsuchpower?ThefirsttimeIcouldn’tevencastmychaintrue,andatStJohn’sshebroughtmetomyknees.Iwashelpless.’I’dneverheardmymastersoundsohopeless,sodefeated.

‘Butit’smydutytoputanendtoher’–theSpooksighed–‘andI’lldothatevenatthecostofmyownlife.’

‘Weneedtodistracther,’saidAlice.‘Gettheshaman’sthumb-bonesawayfromherandshe’llbealoteasiertodealwith.’

‘Hornsaidtheywereaconduitforhertotapthatstoredpower.Butthatwasthen.Bynow,shemayhavedirectaccesstoit,’theSpookpointedout.‘Shemaynotneedthemanylonger.’

‘Wehave todosomething,’ Isaid. ‘Distraction isagoodidea.Weshouldsplitupandcomeatherfromdifferentdirections.It’sworthatry.’

‘Differentdirections?’askedtheSpook,draininghiscupofmead.‘We’veonlytwo.There’sthemaingateorthebuggane’stunnels.Thefirstwillstillbeguarded.Asforthesecond,thebugganewillsurelybeLizzie’screaturebynow.Iforonedon’trelishtheideaofconfrontingitdownthere.Itdoesn’tevenneedtoattackdirectly.Itcouldjustcollapseatunnelandsuffocateus.’

Wewereall tiredandwenttobedveryearlywithouthavingcomeupwithaproperplan.I’donlyjustdropped off to sleepwhen I jerked awake, aware that someonewas standing besideme. I sat up andsomeonewhispered,‘Shhhh!It’sallright,Tom.It’sjustme,Alice…’

‘Somethingwrong?’Iasked.Herhandfoundmine in thedarkness. ‘Justwanted to talk, that’sall.OldGregoryain’tgoing todo

anything.Losinghishouseandbooks,andnowfailingtwicetodealwithLizzie–it’sjustaboutfinishedhimoff.He’spastit,Tom.He’sscared.Ithinkyouandmeshouldsortherout.We’dbebetteroffwithouthim.’

Isuddenlyfeltascoldasice.‘Don’t talklikethat,Alice.He’sbeenthroughabadpatch, that’sall.He’llrecoverandbebackstrongerthanever–justyouwaitandsee!’

‘No,Tom.Yougottofaceit:he’sfinished.Stillbeabletoteachyou,hewill,butit’llbeyoudoingthe

realwork,thedangerouswork,fromnowon.’‘Whatarewesupposedtodo?NoneofuscanthinkofawaytodealwithLizzie–it’snot justMr

Gregory.’‘Ican,Tom.Iknowaway.ButOldGregorywouldn’tapprove.He’dnevergoalongwithit.’‘Doesitinvolveusingdarkmagic?’Iasked.Alice squeezedmy hand again. ‘Not actually using it, Tom – just knowing how to counter it.Old

Gregorywouldn’tunderstand.That’swhyAdrianaputsomethinginhisdrink.He’llsleepuntillongafterdawn.Wecouldbebackbythen–withitalldoneanddusted.’

‘You’veputsomethinginhisdrink?That’scrazy!Whatwillhesaywhenhefindsout?Ican’tdoit,Alice.Hewouldneverforgiveme.’

‘You’vegottocomeandhelp–otherwiseAdrianawilltrytodealwithLizziebyherself.Shetoldmeso.Withoutus she’llbedeador fed to thebuggane inno time.She’salreadysetoff for thekeepwithSimon–she’llattackLizziewhetherwejoinherornot.Ain’tgoingtoriskthebuggane’stunnels.Goinginthroughthefrontgate,weare.Adrianacangetusin!’

‘Howcanwegetpasttheguards?There’llstillbeseveralmeninsidethatkeepandtheportculliswillbedown.’

‘There’llonlybeabouthalfadozen,that’sall:theychangeoverateleven.Noneof’emwanttostayinthereatnight,sotheytaketurns.Lizzie’sagreedtothat.We’llstrikeastheguardchanges.’

‘HowwillAdrianahelp?’Iasked.‘Remembershesaidshewasabirdwitch?Thoughtitwasnonsensethen.Well,Istilldon’tthinkshe’s

awitch.NobodywouldthinksoinPendle.Butyouwouldn’tbelievewhatshecandowithbirds.She’sgoingtousethemtodistracttheguards.Justyouwaitandsee.’

‘There’s onebig problem though.Weknow thatLizziewon’t be able to long-sniffmeor you.Shewon’tknowwe’reonourway.Butshe’llsniffoutAdrianaandSimonforsure.She’llsensethedangerbeforetheygetanywhereneartheportcullis.’

‘Talked toherabout that too. Ifwego inand tackleLizzie,sheandSimonwillstayoutside. Ifwedon’t,they’rebothgoingintogether–AdrianaissetontakingrevengeonLizzie.’Aliceshookherheadandsighed.‘Butshe’snogoodagainsther,Tom,sowehavetogo.It’souronechance.’

‘Butwhenwegetinside,whatexactlywillwedo?’Iasked.‘I’vebeenthinkingaboutthat.We’llneedtomakeforthatroomwheretheshamankepthisbooks.I’ve

spentalongtimetryingtomakeheadortailofhisnotebook–can’tunderstandalotofwhat’sinit,butitreferstopagesinthegrimoires.Ifyouknowwheretolook,there’llbestuffoncontrollingthebuggane.Evenmentionsthatcacheofanimas.Tellsyouhowtouseitspower.’

‘Willyoubeable to read thosegrimoires?They’llprobablybe in theOldTongue.YouknowI’vebeenstudyingitformonthsnowandI’mmakingslowprogress.’

‘Ipractiseditfornearlytwoyears.Lizziehadasmalllibrary–mostofherstuffwasinEnglish,someinLatin,butthemostpowerfulspellsofallwereintheOldTongue.I’mstillslow,butIcanworkitoutgiventime.It’sworthatry,Tom.Whatdoyousay?’

So,veryreluctantly, IagreedtoaccompanyAlice.Isaidgoodbyeto thedogsandmanagedtokeepthemquiet.TheSpookwasstillsnoringloudly.Idreadedtothinkwhathe’dsaywhenhefoundout.Butunderthecircumstances,whatchoicedidIhave?

Itwasacloudlessnight;themoonwasn’tupyetbutthestarswereverybright.Wewerewalkingthroughthetrees,approachingthekeep,whenIheardanowlhootthreetimessomewhereahead.‘That’sAdriana,’Alicewhispered,leadingustowardsthesound.Aswegotnearer,Ihadasuddenstrongfeelingofbeingwatched.Everythingseemedverystilland

there wasn’t a breath of wind. And then I glanced up and saw hundreds of eyes staring down at meintently.Thebranchesabovewerecoveredwithbirds.Therewasn’tenoughlighttoidentifythedifferentspecies,buttheyrangedinsizefromsparrowstolargecrows.Theyshouldhavebeenroostingatthistimeofnight;yetheretheywere,wideawake–itwasunnervingtoseethemwatchinguslikethat.

AdrianawaswaitingwithSimonunderatree.Sheputherfingertoherlipstoindicatetheneedforsilence.ThroughthetreesbeyondherIcouldseetheentrancetoGreebaKeep.Theportculliswasdown,andfivemenwerestridingtowardsthegate.

Adrianasteppedforwardandplacedher lefthandonAlice’sshoulder,her rightonmine.Thenshelookeduptowherethebirdswaitedsilently,openedhermouthandgaveastrangecry;itwassomethinglikeabird’scall–thoughnonethatIrecognized.Inresponsetheflockseemedtomoveasone.Therewasarustlingoffeathers,asettling,thensilenceagain.

‘You’llbesafenow,’Adrianawhispered. ‘Theywon’t touchyou. Ionlywishwecouldcomewithyou…’

‘Ain’tworththerisk,’Alicewhisperedback.‘Lizziewouldsniffyououtforsure.Oncewe’vedealtwithher,we’llmeetyoubackhere.Noknowinghowlong.Couldbehours–orevenadayormore.’

Themen had almost reached the gate now.Weheard the grind ofmetal onmetal and the clank ofchainsastheportculliswasslowlyraised.

‘SimonandIwillwaithere,nomatterhowlongittakes.Andwe’llwatchthekeep.Nowgodowntowards thewall directly ahead,’Adriana told us, her voice still low. ‘When the birds attack, slip inthroughthegate.’

Wedidassheinstructedandstartedheadingdowntheslope.Theportculliswasfullyraisednowandtheguardwasabouttochange.Therewereaboutdozenmenthere.Inafewmomentstheoldguardwouldsetoffhome.Iftheyglancedourway,therewasadangerthatwemightbespotted.

Somehow we reached the wall without attracting their attention. Half the yeomen were headingtowardsthetrees,andtherewasaclankofchainsagainastheothersbegantolowerthegate.Inafewmomentsitwouldbetoolate.Butthentherewasanothernoise–thebeatingofwings.Ilookedupand

sawthatthestarswereeclipsed.Likeablackcloud,ahugeflockofbirdsdescendeduponthetwogroupsofmen.Iheardcurses,shouts,andthenaloudcryofpain.

AliceandIbegantorunalongthewall.Adrianahadtalkedaboutdistracting theguards,butaswereachedthegate,Irealizedthatthiswasnominordiversiontoallowusintothekeep.Thosemenwerefighting for their very lives. Some were running around, arms flapping desperately to ward off theirattackers.Onewasontheground,rollingoverandover,coveredinbirds;theairwasthickwithfeathers.

Theywerealltoopreoccupiedwiththeirownsurvivaltoseeusgothroughthegatewhichhadnowceaseditsdescent.Anditwasclearthatthebirdsweredrivingthemawayfromthekeep.Ofcourse,theguards’fearofLizziemightwellmakethemreturnlater–that’siftheywereinanyconditiontodoso.

JustasI’dhoped,theinnerportcullis–theonethatgaveaccesstothetower–wasalsoraised,andmomentslaterAliceandIweresafelyinside.

Wewerenowfacedwithtwothreats.Themostdangerous,ofcourse,wasLizzieherself:shemightwellkillusoutright;attheveryleastshecouldtakethebloodjarorevenmakemesmashit.Wemightalso encounter the threatening creatures we’d heard about, drawn to the area because the witch hadmeddledwiththecacheofanimas,makingitunstable.Itwouldnowactlikeabalefulbeacon–afirelitbywitches,summoningpowerfulentitiesfromthedark.

Webegan toclimb the tower steps, trying tomakeas littlenoiseaspossible. Iknew that theoddsagainstusreachingtheshaman’sstudywithoutbeingdetectedwerehigh.Iwascarryingmyrowanstaffwiththebladeattheready;thesilverchainwasintheleftpocketofmycloak,andI’dfilledmybreechespocketswithsaltandiron.Whoknewwhatwemightencounter?

Afterpassingthedoorsthatledtothekitchensandbedrooms,wecameatlasttothethroneroom.Itwasquiet,desertedanddimlylit; just twotorchesflickeredonthewall.Wewalkedalongthecrimsoncarpetpastthethronetothedooranduptheflightofsteps.Inthecircularantechamberwepausedtolistenout oncemore.Again therewas no indication that anyonewas around, sowe opened the door to theshaman’sstudyandsteppedinside.Theroomwasindarknessbuttherewasacandleonthetable.Alicestrodeforwardandpickeditup.Itignitedimmediately,fillingtheroomwithaflickeringyellowlight.

‘Alice!’Iexclaimedinannoyance.She’duseddarkmagictolightthecandle;thefirsttimeI’deverseenherdothat.

‘Ain’tnotimetowaste,Tom!Don’tworry,’shetoldme.‘It’sjustausefullittletrick,noworsethanusingamirror.’

ButIdidworry;sheseemedtobeusingthedarkmoreandmore–andwherewoulditalllead?TherewasevidenceherethatLizziehadbeenpokingaround.Therowsofbookshadbeendisturbed;

thereweregapsontheshelves.Threegrimoireswerenowstackedonthetablenexttotheskull.Butthelargecheststilllayinthecorner.

‘She’sbeensearchingthroughthesebooks,’Alicemuttered.‘GoodjobItookthenotebook,ain’tit?EvenifIcan’tdoanythingwithitafterall,atleastIkeptitfromher.Bettergetbusy…’

Withthosewords,shesatdownatthetableandlookedatthecoversofthethreebooksinturn.Thatdone,sheselectedone,openeditandbegantoleafthrough.

‘Where’syourlistofpagestoreferto?’Iasked.‘Don’tbedaft,Tom.Iwouldn’tbring’emhereincaseLizziegotherhandsonthem.Pendlewitches

readstuffonceandcommitittomemory.Alltheirspellsarelearnedbyheart.WhatIneedisinmyhead.’Ileftherreading,wentovertothewindowandpeeredoutintothedarknight.Themoonwasup,and

now, belowme I could see the courtyard and a section of thewall.Unfortunately thiswindowdidn’toverlookthegatesoIcouldn’ttellwhetheranyoftheguardshadreturnedtothekeep.

Where was Lizzie? I wondered. If she wasn’t in the tower, maybe she was in one of the otherbuildings?IsuddenlyrealizedthatI’dbebetteroffwatchingfromthetopofthestairs.ThenI’dhearifanybodywasontheirwayup.

‘I’mgoingtokeepwatch,Alice,’Itoldher.Shenodded, turnedoverapageand then,head inhands, frowning inconcentration, returned toher

reading.Iwentoutintotheantechamber,leavingthedooropen.Thesevenotherdoorswereallclosed.Onewaswhere the gownswere stored. Another was the bathroom. So therewere five bedrooms. Asuddenchillrandownmyspine.PerhapsLizziewasasleepinoneofthem?ItwouldgivemethechanceIneeded.Icouldbindherwithmysilverchain.

Andsuddenlyitwasasifaflashoflighthadgoneoffinsidemyhead.Alwaystrustyourinstincts–thatwaswhattheSpooksaid.AtonceIwascertainwhichwasLizzie’sroom.Certainalsothatshewasinside.

I leanedmystaffagainst thewallandeasedmychainontomyleftwrist, readyfor throwing.Then,withtheotherhand,Iopenedthedoorveryslowly.Theroomwasindarkness,butthetorchoutsidelitthebed,andIcouldseeLizzie lying there.Shewasflatonherbackon topof thebedclothes,wearing thepurplegown.

Imovedcautiouslytowardsher.ButthemomentIsteppedinsideIrealizedmymistake…Itwasn’tLizzielyingonthebedafterall.Itwasheremptygown!Mylimbsfelt like lead. Ithadn’tbeenmy instinctsatall. I’dbeen lured intoa trap.Somespellof

compulsionhaddrawnmetotheroom.Isanktomyknees.Whatwasit–somethinglikeabone-yard?Iwasfindingitdifficulttobreathe,mybodygrowingheavierbythesecond.Iseemedtobemeltingrightthroughthefloor.AsIlostconsciousness,Ifeltmyselfbeingliftedupandcarrieddown,down,down…

Iheardagroannearbyandopenedmyeyes.Iwaslyingonmysideondampflags.Therewerechainsboundtightlyaroundmylegsandfastenedtoanironringsetintothestonewall.I

satupslowlyandmanoeuvredmyselfuntilmybackwasrestingagainstthewall.Ifeltstiffandmyheadached. I lookedaround. Iwas inacell thatwasmuch larger than theoneLordBarrulehadputme in,thoughithadthesamethreestonewallsandoneofearth.Therewasatorchhighuponeachofthewallstomyrightandleft,flickeringinthechilldraughtthatcamefromtheroundholeintheearthwalldirectlyahead.Itwasanotherofthebuggane’stunnels–IrealizedIwasdowninthedungeonsagain.

Where was Alice? I wondered. Had she been taken prisoner too? Had Lizzie found her in theshaman’sstudy?Orhadshebeenmoreinterestedincapturingme?

Tomy left sat another prisoner, also shackled to thewall; but his headwas bowed forward, chintouchinghis chest, so I couldn’tmakeout his face– though itwasdefinitely aman, notAlice.Then Irealizedthattherewasanotherfigurebeyondhim,andatthesightofhimIgaspedinhorror,thebilerisingupintomythroat.Ichoked,strugglingnottobesick.Itwasadeadyeoman,lyinginapoolofhisownblood.Oneofhisarmsandbothlegsweremissing,hisfacearuin;thebugganehadbeeneatinghim.

Isqueezedmyeyestightshut,mywholebodytrembling.Itookdeep,slowbreathsandtriedtocalmdown.

I glanced to my right and saw that there was someone else chained directly under the torch. Iimmediatelyrecognizedthemilkyeyes;thetwoshorthornsprotrudingfromthethatchofdarkhair.ItwasHorn,theabhuman.Whenhesensedmelookingathim,hegrowleddeepinhisthroat.Hesoundedlikeawildanimal.Despitethoseblindeyes,Iremembered,hesomehowhadthepowertosee.

Itriedtospeak,butmythroatwasparchedandthewordsonlycameoutatthesecondattempt.‘I’mnotyourenemy,’Icroaked.‘You’rewastingyourtimethreateningme.’

‘You’dkillmeorbindmeifyougotthechance!’thedeep,feralvoiceaccused.‘Look,we’rebothinthesameboathere,’Isaid.Hornletoutadeepmoan.‘IthoughtI’dlivemydaysservingLordBarrule.Hewasagoodmaster.’‘Washe?’Iasked.‘Hekilledyourmother,didn’the?That’swhatIwastold.’‘Mymother?Mymother!’Hornspatontheearthenfloor.‘Shewasamotherinbloodandnameonly.

Shetreatedmecruellyandgavemepainbeyondendurance.ButIhatetheFiendevenmorethanher,foritwashewhofatheredme;hewhomademewalkthisworldmarkedasabeastforalltosee!LordBarrulewastheonlypersonwho’severshowedmeanykindness.’

Kindness? I rememberedhowBarrule’s guardshad controlledhimwith the lengths of silver chainthrougheachear.Thathardlyseemedlikekindness,buttherewasnothingtobegainedfromenragingthecreaturefurther.

‘Isupposethewitchnowcontrolsthebuggane?’Iasked.Isawhisheadnod,thesharphornsglintinginthetorchlight.‘Ifoughtwithallmystrength,buttono

avail.Sherulesthebugganebutstrugglestocontroltheanimasinthecavern.Shedoesn’tfullyunderstandmymaster’sways.Itisnotherkindofdarkmagic.’

‘Who’sthis,doyouknow?’Iasked,noddingtowheretheotherprisonerwasslumped.‘CommanderStanton.Hewascruel.Mymasterlistenedtohim,notme,andallowedhimtoborethe

holes inmyears for thesilverchains.Said itwas theonlywayhecouldcontrolme.Askme,he’sgotwhathedeserves.Hismindhasgone:he’sempty–thebugganehasdrainedhisanimus.Soonitwillcomeforhisfleshandblood.Afterthatitwillbemyturn…’

CommanderStanton!HehadpaidthepriceforhisoppositiontoLizzie.MythoughtsturnedtoAliceoncemore.ShehaddonewelltodepriveLizzieoftheshaman’snotebook

–itmighthavemadeallthedifference.Ididn’tknowexactlywhatAlicehopedtoachieve,butshe’doncemadeapactwith theBane, an evenmorepowerful daemon than thebuggane. It had almost led toherdestruction,butshehadmanagedtocontrolitforawhile.Withthehelpoftheshaman’snotebooksandthegrimoires,maybeshecoulddothesamehere?

I felt weak with hunger and thirst, but worse than all that was a growing terror within me that Istruggledtocontrol.IfAlicedidn’thelpme,Iwassoongoingtohavemylifeforcesuckedoutofme.Atleastthen,Ithoughtgloomily,Iwouldn’tbeheretoseeLizzie’sbladeswhenshetookmythumb-bones.ItwasaterriblethingtohavetodependformysurvivalonAlicebeinginvolvedwithdarkpowerlikethis,butforamomentitgavemesomehope.ThenIrememberedthatAlicemighthavebeencapturedtoo…

Myarmsweren’tboundandIwasabletocheckmypockets,whichIfoundstillfilledwithsaltandiron;evenmysilverchainhadn’tbeen taken. Itmightbe thatBonyLizziecouldn’tbear to touch it.Ormaybenow,supremelyconfidentofherpower,shedidn’tcare.Myspecialkeywastheretoo.Itwouldopenalmostanylock,butwhenItriedmyshackles,Icouldn’tevengetitinthekeyhole.Mysuddenflareofhopewasextinguished.

AtleastanhourpassedwhileIworkedthroughallthepossibilities–allthethingsthatmightgivemesomehopeofescapeorofbeingrescued.FinallyIthoughtabouttheSpook.Eventuallyhe’dwakeupandmaybeworkoutwhathadhappened.Buthe’dbeenpowerlessagainstLizzie.Thetruthwas,IhadmorefaithinAlice.

From time to timeStanton gave a groan as if in pain, but itwas just his body crying out, a reflexaction;hismindwaslonggone,hisfleshandbonesnowjustanemptyshell.Perhapshissoulhadalsofled.

SuddenlyIheardanewsound.Asoundthatsentfearrunningdownmyspine.Someoneorsomethingwasmovingdowntheearthtunneltowardsourcell.

Itrembledassoilcascadeddownontotheflags.Thenthehugehairyheadofthebugganeemerged.Itslargeclose-seteyespeeredateachofusinturnanditswetsnoutsniffedtheairbeforeitpulleditsbulkdownintothecell.Butitwasnotalone.Someoneelsecrawledoutofthetunnelbehindit,abedraggledfigurewithdirtyclothesandmud-cakedhair.Itwasawomanandshelookedasorrysight.ItwasonlywhenshegottoherfeetandIsawthepointyshoesandwildglaringeyesthatIrecognizedBonyLizzie.Hertiarawasstillinplacebutalmostinvisibleunderthecoatingofdirtonherhair.

Thewitch ignoredmeandwentover to lookatDanielStanton.ShekneltbeforehimandIsawtheknifeinherhand.Iavertedmygazeasshebegantocutawayhisthumb-bones.Thecommandercriedoutasifinagony,andIhadtoremindmyselfthatitwasjustthereactionofhisbody;thathismindwasnolongertheretofeelthepain.

ThenLizziecameacrossandcroucheddowntofaceme.Shesmiled,herhandscoveredinblood,stillgrippingtheknife,hardeyesfilledwithmalice.‘It’syourturnnext,boy.RightnowIneedallthehelpIcanget.Thebonesofaseventimessevencouldmakeallthedifference.’

Ihadtothinkfast.‘Ithoughtyouwantedtobeaqueen,’Isaid,tryingtodistracther,easingmyhandsintomypocketstograbsomesaltandiron.‘Ithoughtyouwantedtorulethisisland.What’shappenedtoyou?’

At that,Lizzie appearedbewildered, andan expressionofpain and loss flickeredacrossher face.SuddenlyIcouldseeAliceinher;thegirlthatthewitchhadoncebeen.Thenherfacetwistedintoasneer,andsheleanednearersothatherfoulbreathenvelopedme.

‘There’s powerhere, boy, powerbeyondmywildest dreams; power that couldgiveme thewholeworldifIwantedit.Butfirstthingsfirst.Inordertoruleabove,Ineedtocontrolwhat’sinthecavern.It’lltaketime,butit’llbewellworthit.Andyourbonesaregoingtohelp…’

ForamomentIthoughtLizzieintendedtocutawaymybonesthereandthen,andmyarmstensed,readytoenvelopherinacloudofsaltandiron.Butinsteadshereturnedthebladetothesheathonherbelt

androsetoherfeet.‘I’ll let thebugganetakewhatitwantsfirst,’ thewitchsaid, turningandheadingtowardsthetunnel

again.Irelaxed,breathingoutslowly.EvenwiththesaltandironI’dstillhavebeenchained;I’dstillhave

beenatthemercyofthebuggane.Thewitchwouldhaverecoveredalltoosoon.Lizziedisappearedintothetunnel,butthebugganehadunfinishedbusiness.Isawitsmouthopenwide

torevealthesharptriangularteethwithin.ItbitdeepintothethroatofDanielStantonanddrankhisbloodwith relish.When it haddrainedhim, it began to tear athis flesh. I coveredmyears to shutout thoseawfulshreddingsounds,butthenitbegantocrunchhisbones.Ithoughtitwouldneverendbut,satedatlast, the buggane finally padded away, leaving bloody footprints on the flags. It climbed back into thetunnelandwassoonoutofsight.

Howlongwoulditbebeforethedreamcamebackformeinspiritform?Iwondered,fearful.Ididn’thavelongtowait.Withinmoments,thewhisperingbeganinsidemyheadandmyheartraced

withterror.Atfirstitwasalmosttoofainttohear,butgraduallyIcouldmakeoutindividualwords,suchas rot, blood and worms. Then I experienced a sensation that I hadn’t expected – no one had everdescribedafeelinglikethis.Itwasasifadarkcloudhadfloateddownfromtheceilingandcoveredmelikeathickcoldblanket.Thedistantsoundofdrippingwaterfadedandwasgone;butevenworsethanthelossofhearingwas the rapiddimmingofmy sight. I couldno longer see the torches; everythinggrewdark.Iwasblind.

Myheartwasthuddinginmychest,thebeatsbecominglaboured.Ibegantoshiverwithcoldasthebugganeslowlydrewtheenergyfrommybody,stealingawaymylifeforce.Thewhisperinggrewlouder.Icouldstillmakenosenseofthewords,butpainfulimagesfromthepastbegantoforminsidemyhead,asifIwasactuallypresentatthescene.

Iwasonamountainpath.Itwaseveningandthelightwasbeginningtofail. Icouldhearawomansobbingandvoicesraisedinanger.IseemedtobeglidingratherthanwalkingandhadnocontroloverthedirectionIwastaking.Aheadarockjutteduplikeagiantrat’stooth;arounditstoodagroupofpeople,amongstthemoneofMam’soldenemies,thewitch,Wurmalde.Iheardaseriesofheavyrhythmicalthudsandsawsomeonewithahammer.Ateachblowtherewasacryofpain.

Anguishsqueezedmyheart.IknewexactlywhereIwas;whatwashappening.IwaswitnessingthemomentwhenMam’senemieshadnailedherlefthandtoarock.Bloodwasdrippingdownherarmandontothegrass.Onceshewasnailed,theyboundhernakedbodywiththesilverchain,wrappingitaroundtherock.Isawherflinchwithpain,thetearsrunningdownhercheeks.

‘Inthreedayswe’llreturn,’IheardWurmaldesay,hervoicefilledwithcrueltyandmalice,‘andthenwe’llcutoutyourheart.’

Theyleftherwaitingaloneinthedarkness–waitingforthesuntocomeupovertheseaintheeast;thesunthatwouldburnandblisterherbody.

IwantedtostaywithMam.Iwantedtocomforther;tellherthatitwouldbeallright.Thatmydadwouldfindherinthemorningandshelterherfromthesunwithhisshirtandhisshadow,andthey’dgetmarriedandhavesevensons.Thatshe’dbehappy…

But I couldn’tmove, and Iwasplunged into absolute darkness oncemore.Happy?On thisworld,happinessneverlastslong.NeitherdidMam’s.

IntheblinkofaneyeMam’slifewasover,andnowIwaswitnesstohowitallended.IwasbackintheOrd,watchingher fightwith theOrdeen. I’d seenMamswoopdown toattack,herwhite featheredlamiawingsmakinghermoreangelthaninsect.I’dseenhergrapplewithhersalamander-shapedenemy.She’dtoldmetoleaveandI’dobeyed,escapingfromtheOrdwiththeothers–allexceptBillArkwright.I’dseenthedestructionofthecitadelfromadistance,thetowerscollapsingasitwasdrawnbackthroughthefieryportalintothedarknesswaitingbeyond,carryingwithitpoorMam,andBilltoo.

ButhereIwas,atclosequarters,watchingMam’sfeathersburn,hearingherscreamintormentassheheldtheOrdeeninadeathgrip.

Firewasallaroundmenow,andIfeltphysicalpain.Flamesweresingeingmyownflesh,butevenworse, IcouldseeMam’sfleshbubblingandburningandhearher longanguishedhowlasshedied inagony.

OncemoreIfellintodarkness.Suddenly therewas lightagain,andI foundmyselfstanding in thekitchenat thefarm.Therewasa

rowgoingonupstairs.NextthingIknewIwasatthetopofthestairs.ThreemenwereholdingmybrotherJack. One of them was hitting him, spattering his blood over the wall and floorboards. I was nowwitnessingwhathadhappenedwhenthewitcheshadraidedthefarm.TheyhadwantedMam’strunks,butshehadprotectedtheroomagainstthedarkandtheycouldn’tgetin.They’dmadeJackgoandbringthetrunksout.

Hewascryingout in terrorandpainbutIcouldn’thelphim.Iwasjustasilent invisiblepresence,forcedtowitnesshissuffering.

So itwent on. The buggane forcedme to visit all the agonizingmemories of the last few years. IlookeddownatDad’sgraveagain,andfeltthepainofloss.I’devenmissedhisfuneral.Ivisitedthesepainfulscenesagainandagain.Itwasavortexofsuffering:IkeptreturningtothesamepointsinmylifeandIcoulddonothingtochangethem.

Darknessagain;Iwasnumb,andgettingcolderandcolderasmylifeforcewasdrawnfromme.Ifeltmyselfmovingclosertodeath.

Butthen…somethingnew.Iheardavoice:Getharderoryouwon’tsurvive.JustdoingwhatOldGregorysayswon’tbeenough.You’lldielike

theothers!

ItwasAlice’svoice.She’dsaidthosewordstomewhenI’dstoppedherfromburningOldMotherMalkin.Burningherhadseemedtoohorrible.Ijusthadn’tbeenabletodoit.

You’vegottomatchthedark,Tom.Standuptothebuggane.Youcandoit!Youcandowhatneedstobedone!

ThemomentAlicecriedoutthosewords,Ihadanewvision:anotherfragmentofmylife.Afterthefirstweeks ofmy apprenticeship to the Spook, I’d returned to the farm.MotherMalkin had appearedthere,undead,softandpliable.She’doozedintoSnout,thepigbutcher,andpossessedhim,controllinghisbody, directing his every action. Now he was holding a knife to the throat of Jack and Ellie’s babydaughter,Mary.

IrelivedthoseawfulmomentswhenI thought thechildwasabout tobemurdered;everysecondofanguishandhorror.Aliceranforwardandkickedhimhard,herpointyshoeburyingitselfsodeepinhisbelly thatonly theheelwasshowing.Myheart inmymouth, IwatchedashedroppedbabyMary.Justbeforeshehittheground,Alicecaughtherandcarriedherawaytosafety.Nowitwasmyturn:Ihurledsaltandironathim.Withhisheadenvelopedinacloudofthemixture,hefellsenselessatmyfeet.

Itwashappeningalloveragain.Snoutwasunconsciouson theground,hiseyes rollingup intohishead,hisapronstainedwiththebloodoffreshlyslaughteredpigs.IwatchedMotherMalkinslitheroutofhisearandtakeshapeagain.She’dshrunktoathirdofherformersizeandhergownwastrailingonthefloor.Shestartedmovingaway.

Iwasfilledwithanger;aterriblerageatallI’dbeenforcedtoseeoverandoveragain.Previously,I’dletthewitchgo.AlicehadrunafterherwithaburningbrandandI’dcaughtherandpulledherback.ItseemedtooterribletoburnMotherMalkin.Icouldn’tallowit.Butthistimemyangertransformedme.Asbefore,IcaughtAliceassheranby,butthistimeIsnatchedtheburningbrandfromherandchasedMotherMalkinacrossthefarmyard.

Withouthesitation,Isetfiretothehemofhergown.Itcaughtatonce.Secondslatershewasburning;shriekingastheflamesconsumedher.ItwasaterriblethingtodobutIdidn’tcare.Ihadtogethardertosurvive;tobecomethespookIwasdestinedtobe.ThenIheardsomebodyspeak:thiswasnowhisper.Thevoicewasloudandinsistent.

‘There’s darkness inside me too!’ it cried. ‘I can match anything you do. I’m the hunter, not thehunted!’OnlyslowlydidIrealizethatIwastheonewho’dcriedout.AndIknewthatwhatI’dsaidwastrue.The abhumanhadbeen right. I’d become corruptedby the dark and therewas indeed a sliver ofdarknesswithinmysoul.Itwasadangertome,butalsoasourceofstrength.AsMamhadoncepromised,thedaywasfastapproachingwhenIwouldbecomethehunter.Andthenthedarkwouldfearme.

***

AnageseemedtopasswhileIfloatedontheedgeofconsciousness.FinallyIopenedmyeyes.Iwasshivering,mybrowburningwithfever,mythroatparched.Thebugganehadn’tdrainedmefully:

I’dsurvivedmyfirstencounterwithit,buthowlongwoulditbebeforeitreturned?Ifeltweakandlethargic. Icouldn’t thinkclearly.Painful imagesswirledsluggishly insidemyhead

likeawhirlpoolthatwassuckingmedownintoitsdark,churningspiral.ItwasthenthatIheardavoicefrommyright.

‘You’re the lucky one,’ Horn said. ‘It’ll be over for you soon. You’ll be dead. I have to sit herewatchingyouandwaitingmyturn.’

WearilyIturnedmyheadtolookattheabhuman.Hewasnakedfromthewaistup,buteveninthedimlightfromthetorchabovehimIcouldseethepowerfulmusclesbunchedattheshoulders.AndsuddenlyIhadanidea.

‘Dotheironmanaclesgiveyoupain?’Iasked.Heshookhishead.Notallcreaturesofthedarkwerevulnerabletoiron.ItseemedthatHornhadsomeresistancetoit.So

muchthebetter…‘Thenwhydon’tyoufreeyourself?’Isuggested.‘You’restrongenoughtodothat…’‘Forwhatpurpose?’heasked.‘Thecelldooristoothickformetobreakthrough.’‘Once you’ve freed yourself, free me too. Then we can venture into the tunnels together. I have

weaponsagainstanythingthatmight threatenus–salt, ironandmysilverchain.It’sbetter thanwaitingherefordeath.’

‘Freeyou?WhyshouldItrustyou?You’remyenemy!’‘Fornowweneedeachother,’Itoldhim.‘We’dbestrongertogether.Oncewe’refreewecangoour

ownways.’Foralongtimetherewassilence.Hornwasobviouslyconsideringmysuggestion.ThenIheardalong

groan. Only when the sound was repeated did I realize that it was the noise of exertion rather thanphysicalpainormentalanguish.Hewastearingthelinksapart.

Ilickedmydrylipsandmyheartpounded.Iwassuddenlyfilledwithhope.Horn stood and came across towhere Iwas chained. I could smell stale sweat and a rank animal

odour.Buttherewasnochill;nowarningthatIwasclosetosomethingfromthedark.Hornwasnearertothe human than he appeared.Nonetheless, I had to bewary.Despite our fragile pactwewere naturalenemies.

Without hesitation,Horn reached down and seizedmy chain close to the iron ring in thewall.Hegroanedagainashismusclestensed,thenstretchedituntilthelinksfirstelongatedandthensnapped.Withtheendfree,itwastheworkofmomentstounwrapitslengthfrommylegs.

‘Areyounotblind?’Iasked,wonderingabouthisseeminglysightlesseyesandhowhehadreacheddirectlyforthechain.

‘Icanseebetterthanmost,butnotwiththese!’hesaid,pointingateachofhismilkyeyeballsinturn.‘Ihaveathird,spiriteye.WithitIcanseetheworld,andeventhingsbeyondtheworld.Icanpeerintothedarknesswithinpeople.’

Ijumpedtomyfeet,andmyheartbegantopoundevenharder.Ifeltweakandshaky,butIwasfree!Westoodfacetoface.Myenemyfromthedarkwasnowmytemporaryally.Together,withthehelpofAlice,wemighthavearealchanceagainstLizzie.

MytinderboxwasinmybagbutIstillhadmycandlestub,soIreachedupandlititfromthetorch.Carryingthecandleinmylefthand,Iledthewayintothetunnel,suddenlyrealizingthatitmightnotbenecessary to follow the buggane’s tunnels for very long: I remembered how cells that didn’t containprisonersusuallyhadtheirdoorsleftajar.

When I’d reached the end of the short tunnel, I turned right.About twenty yards on, I reached theaccesstunneltothenextcellandturnedrightagainintoit.ThemomentIemergedintotheemptycell,myhopessoared.Thedoorwasajar!Wecouldreachthestepsthatleduptothetower.

Ofcourse,itmeantpassingthroughtheguardroom.Hadtheyeomenreturnedafterbeingattackedbythebirds?Iwondered.Iftheyhadn’t,whowasitwhohadcarriedmefromLizzie’sroomdownintothedungeon?

Thepassagewayswerenowintotaldarkness;nobodyhadbeenrenewingthetorches.Withoutmycandleitwouldhavebeendifficulttofindourway.Wehadn’tgonefarwhenIsuddenlyfeltthespecialcoldnessthattoldmethatsomethingfromthedark

wasnear. IcametoahaltandIheardHornhiss.He’dsensed it too.Therewasaclicking,crepitatingsounddirectlyahead,andthenadeepmenacinggrowl.Somethingwasmovingtowardsus.Iheldupmycandlestub,andsawthattherewasaplacelowonthewallwherethelightseeminglycouldn’treach;ashadowdarkerthantheothershadows.Itmovedtowardsusandstartedtogrow.

Whatwasit?I’dneverencounteredanythingquitelikeitbefore.Thegrowlcameagain,deeperandmuchmorethreatening.ThiswassomedarkentitydrawnherebyLizzie’smeddling.

Ihadtoact–andfast.QuicklyIhandedthecandletoHorn,reacheddeepintomybreechespocketsandfilledeachfistwiththesubstanceswaitingthere:saltinmyright,ironfilingsinmyleft.Ihurledbothhandfulsstraightatthatthreateningshadow.Theyenvelopeditinacloud.Therewasasuddenagonizedshriek,andthenonlythescatteredsaltandironremainedontheflags.Whateverhadthreateneduswasnomore.Ithadeitherfledinagonyorbeendestroyed.Buttheremightwellbeothersimilardangersahead.

Ilookedupwardsfearfully.Wouldthatnoisehavealertedtheguardroom?Thecryhadcertainlynotsoundedhuman.Perhapsitwouldbemorelikelytocauseanytheretofleethandescendintothedarknessandinvestigate.

Hornnowtookthelead.Wepassedthroughthesectionoftunnelunderthemoat,wherethewaterwascascadingdownthewallanddrippingfromtheceiling,andthenheadedforthesteps.Webegantoclimb,pausingnowandthentolisten.Whenat lastwereachedtheguardroomdoor,weputourearstoit,buttherewasnosoundfromwithin.

Hornhandedmethecandle,theneasedopenthedoor.Theroomwasempty.TherewerepitchersofwateronthefartableandIseizedoneandtookseveraldesperategulps,thenhelpedmyselftoacrustofstalebread,whichIsoftenedwithsomeofthewaterbeforeswallowing.Mybodyhadanurgentneedforenergy,toreplacewhatthebugganehadtaken.WhenI’dfinished,theabhumanwalkedacrosstofaceme.

‘Weshouldattackthewitchnow,’hegrowled.‘It’sprobablybetterifwefindAlicefirst,’Itoldhim.‘She’llbeabletohelp.’Hornnoddedinagreementandwelefttheguardroomtogetherandcontinuedupwards.

WefoundLizziesittingonthethrone,asmuglookonherface.Sheclearlyknewwe’descapedandhad

justbeenwaitingforustocometoher.Wewereliketwotrappedfliesgoingroundandroundincircles;we’dneverevenleftherweb.

ThenInoticedthebodyofayeomanbehindthethrone–andthebloodonLizzie’slips.Hemusthavebeentheonewho’dcarriedmedowntothedungeon.Nowshe’dkilledhimanddrunkhisblood.Althoughprimarilyabonewitch,Lizzielikedhumanbloodtoo.Shepreferredchildren’sbutwoulddrinkanadult’sifshewasthirstyenough.

AsHornand Iwalkeddown thecarpet towardsher, I readiedmychain,wondering if I’dhave thestrengthtobindherthistime.ButbeforeIcouldattack,LizziesprangtoherfeetandglaredatHorn.Shelookedwild,closetoinsanity,andamixtureofbloodandsalivadribbledfromhermouthtooozeintotheslimeonherchin.

‘You’ve crossedmypathonce toooften.Youweremeant todiea slowandpainfuldeath,butnowyou’lldiefast!’shecried,raisingherlefthand,palmtowardsHorn,fingersspreadwide.Thensheclosedherhandintoafistasifcrushingsomethingwithinit,whilemutteringanenchantmentintheOldTongue.

Theabhumanscreamedandburiedhisfaceinhishands.Tomyhorror,Iwatchedhisheadbegintocrumpleandcollapseinonitself,rupturingandsendingoutgoutsofblood.Horndroppedtothegroundatmysidelikeasackofstones,hisshrill,agonizedscreamgivingwaytoafinalgaspandthensilence.Hisheadwasreducedtoabloodypulp.

Istruggledtoholddownthecontentsofmystomachandmykneesbegantotremble.‘Now,where’sthatdaughterofmine?’Lizziedemanded,ascowlfurrowingherbrow.I found ithard tobelieve thatshehadn’t foundAlice.Wherecouldshebe?I tookadeepbreath to

calmmyselfandshrugged.‘Idon’tknow.I’mheretolookforher,’Isaid.Lizziepulledasharpknifefromthefoldsofhergown.‘Thebugganewillhavetomanagewithoutthis

time,’shesaid.‘I’vehadenoughtroublefromyousoI’lltakeyourbonesnow.Comehere!’Againstmywill,Ifoundmyselfmovingtowardsher.Itriedtodrawthesilverchainfromthepocket

ofmycloak,butmyarmwasparalysed!Ibegantosweatandshakewithfear.Itookadeepbreathtocalmmyself,butmylegswerenolongerundermycontrol.Itookanotherstep,andthenanother,untilIwassoclosetothewitchIcouldfeelherfoulbreathwarmuponmyfaceandIalmostretchedagain.

Lizzieseizedmylefthandwithherrightandlifteditbeforeme.‘Takealastlookatthatthumb,boy.It’llbeboilingandbubblinginmycauldronsoon!’

Wasthisit?WasItodiehereafterallI’dbeenthrough?Withherlefthandthewitchbroughttheknifedowntowardsmythumb.Itriedtobreakfreeofhergrip

butwaspowerless.Iflinched,expectingtofeelanagonizingpain.Butthebladefailedtomakecontactwithmyskin.Insteadthetorchesflickeredanddieddown,andashimmeroflightappeared.Suddenly,tomyutterastonishment,Alicewasstandingthere,infrontofme,holdingoneoftheshaman’sgrimoires.

AllatonceInoticedthattell-taleshimmerofanapparition–itwasn’tAliceintheflesh;itwasherspirit.She’dprojecteditherefromsomewhereelse.Iwasfilledwithsuddenhope.Wasthisaresultofherstudyoftheshaman’sbooks?

‘If youhurtTom,you’ll never get your handson this!’Alicewarned, her image flickering. ‘I tookBarrule’snotebookandstudiedit.Ilearnedthatthereallyusefulstuffisinthisgrimoirehere!’

‘Mighthaveknownyouwereuptosomething,girl,’Lizziesnarled.‘Tellsyouinherehowtotapthepowerofthecachedirectly,buthewroteitdownincode.You’ve

gottotakebitsfromlotsofdifferentpagesandlinkthespellstogether,’Alicesaid.‘Withoutthisbookand

myknowledgeyou’llneverknowwhattodo.You’dstudyforyearsandgetnowhere.Ain’tthatso?’Lizzie’sfacetwistedwithangerbutshedidn’treply.‘If youwant this book andwhat I know, come and get it. I’m down in the long roomwhereLord

Barruleandhisgamblingcroniesused tohave their funandgames.BringTomwithyou,butdon’tyoudarehurtahaironhisheadoryou’llnevergetyourmuckyhandsonthis.’Aliceraisedthebooktowardshermother.

Shevanishedandthetorchesflaredupagain.Lizzieturnedtome.‘Lookslikeyou’lllivealittlelonger,boy!AtleastuntilIgetmyhandsonthat

book…’

Keepingatightgriponmyarmandholdingherknifeattheready,Lizziedraggedmedownthestepsofthekeep,throughtheguardroomandalongtheundergroundpassages.Aswepassedthecells,Inoticedthatallthedoorswerenowshut,asiftheycontainedprisoners.

Thelongroomwasalmostindarkness–justacoupleoftorcheswereflickeringintheirrustywallbrackets.LordBarrulestilllaythereonthestonefloor,andtheplacereekedmorestronglyofdeaththanever.

Aliceappeared,walkingoutoftheshadowstofaceLizzie.Shewascarryingthegrimoireinherlefthandandmystaffinherright.

‘LetTomgoandthenI’lltellyouwhatIknowandgiveyouthebook,’shesaidcalmly,thecornersofhermouthtwitchingupintoagrin.

Lizzie pushed me roughly towards Alice. ‘Give me the book and start talking! Make it fast. Mypatienceisstretchedtobreakingpoint!’shesnapped.

‘You’rewelcometothebook,’Alicesaid,andshetossedittowardsher.Lizzie reachedout tocatch it,butbeforeher fingersclosedon it,witha loudwhoosh, it burst into

flames.Thewitchflinchedawayanditfellatherfeet,thepagescurlingandblackening.HerexpressionwasnowblackasthunderbutAlicewassmiling,alookoftriumphonherface.The

witcharchedherback,pointedher finger straightatherdaughterandmuttered somewords in theOldTongue.For amoment Iwashorribly afraid forAlice, butnothinghappenedandher smilegrewevenwider.

‘Usedthecachetoprotectmyself,’shesaidtoLizzie.‘Youcan’thurtme,andnowTom’satmysideyoucan’thurthimeither!ButIcanhurtyou.PushmeandIcanhurtyoureallybadly.Ifyouweren’tmymother,I’dkillyounow!Butyou’regoingtodoasyou’retoldanddoitrightaway.Givemetheshaman’sthumb-bones!Hand’emovernow!’

Lizziebegantoshake,andbeadsofsweatbrokeoutonherforehead.Herfacewastwistedwiththeeffort of trying to resist Alice’s command but she wasn’t strong enough. I remembered how she hadcontrolledus,butnowthingswerereversed.NowshewasforcedtodoAlice’sbidding,reachingintothepocketofherdressandpullingout thebones that she’dcut from thedeadbodyofLordBarrule.Theywerewhitenow,cleanbones,thefleshboiledoffaspartoftheritualtotapintotheirfullpower.

Aliceheldoutherhandtoreceivethem,andoncemoreLizzietriedtoresist,herwholebodyshakingwiththeeffort,butthen,withagasp,shefinallyletthemfallintoAlice’spalm.

Thatdone,withashriek,thewitchrantowardstheundergroundtunnelandscrambledinside.

‘Wemustgoafterher,Alice,’Isaid,headingforthemouthofthetunnel.‘Wecan’tletherescape.It’smydutytobindher.’Aliceshookherhead.‘SorryIlethergo,Tom.CouldhavekilledherthenbutdespitewhatIsaid,I

wasn’thardenoughtodoit.She’smymotherafterall.Whatkindofgirlwouldkillherownmother…?‘Itain’tsafetofollowherthroughthetunnelsnow.EventhoughIwasstrongerjustthen,Lizziestill

controlsthebuggane.She’llbeabletofindawaytothesurfacebutshecan’treturntothekeep.Lockedallthecelldoors,Ihave,justtomakesureshedon’ttrytodoubleback.I’lllockthedoortothisroomtoo,’shesaid,holdingupakey.

‘ThenweshouldheadtowhereweleftAdrianaandSimonandtrytocutheroff!’Alicenoddedbuthereyeswerefearful.‘What’swrong?’Iaskedher.‘ThefurtherwegetfromGreebaKeep,thelessI’llbeabletodrawonthepowerofthecache.Aftera

fewmilesit’djustbemeagainstLizzie,andshe’sboundtobestronger.’‘Allthemorereasontodealwithherbeforeshegetstoofaraway,’Isaid.Wehurriedoutofthekeep;itwasdesertedandweheadeddirectlyforAdrianaandSimon.Theywere

stillwaiting at the edge of the trees, sowe quickly explainedwhat had happened andmade ourwaytowardsthechapel,watchingcloselytoseeifLizzieemerged.

Butwewatchedandwaitedinvain.Twohourslatertherewasnosignofthewitchandwebegantogrowdispirited.Hadshealreadyescaped?

‘Can’tyousniffherout,Alice?’Iasked.Sheshookherhead.‘Beenherebefore,shehas,andherstenchiseverywhere.Can’ttellwhat’sfresh

’causethere’ssomuchofit.’Itwasthen,asthelightbegantofail,thatIsawafigureapproachinginthedistanceandmyheartsank

rightdownintomyboots.There’dbeareckoningnowallright.ItwastheSpook,andashedrewnearer,Isawthathewasscowling.ItwasAdrianawhospokefirst.Shesteppedforward,placingherselfbetweenhimandus.‘Itwasmy

idea,’shesaid.‘WehadtotryanddealwithLizzie.Iknewyou’dneveragree.It’sallmyfault.’TheSpooknodded.‘Aye,’hesaidangrily,‘you’veputabadtasteinmymouthinmorewaysthanone.

But we’ll deal with all that later.’ He turned to me, his expression grim. ‘We need to get down to

practicalities:tellmewhathappenedandmakeitquick…’AfterI’dfinished,mymastershookhishead.‘It’sabadbusiness.Weneedtofollowthewitchand

dealawithheronceandforall.Butnowthatshe’sgoneandnolongerhasaccesstothepowerhere,ourfirst priority is the buggane. I’ve been thinking – and ifwe can destroy it, eventually the tunnelswillcollapseandthecavernwiththatcacheofpowerwillbeburied.That’llstopservantsofthedarkfromvisitingitinspiritform.They’llnolongerbeabletotapintoitdirectly.Andthatincludesyou,girl!’hesaid,turningonAlice.‘Dealswitheverythingnicely.’

‘That’snotfair!I’dbedeadbynowbutforwhatAlicedid,’Ishouted.‘Shestilluseddarkpower–andnotforthefirsttime,asyouwellknow.Butwewon’tspeakofthat

now.We’llgodirectlytothechapel–that’satthecentreofthebuggane’sdomain.It’llsenseusthereandattack.’

‘Whataboutthedogs–won’ttheyhelpus?’Iaskedmymaster.‘There’snotimeforthatnow,lad.Ileftthematthemill,andwe’vegottodealwiththiscreature.’TheSpookturnedandbegan towalkaway.AliceandIwereathisheels,withAdrianaandSimon

closebehind.Suddenlymymasterspunroundtofacethem.‘Thisisspook’sbusiness,’hesaid,holdinguphishand.‘Dangerousworkforjustmeandthelad.It’s

best if youwait here untilwe’ve dealtwith the daemon.And thatmeans you too!’ he said, glaring atAlice. She openedhermouth to protest, but then shookher head.Therewould be no arguingwithmymasterafterwhathadjusthappened.

SotheSpookandIheadeddirectlyforthechapel.Despitehiswishes,IhopedAlicewouldn’tbeveryfarbehind.Shecouldn’taffordtodistanceherselffromthebloodjar.Wearrivedattheruinsandwaitedjust inside the trees,within sight of those crumblingdark stonewalls.Theminutes passedbut nothinghappened;Lizziewouldbegettingfurtherandfurtherawaywitheverysecond,Ithought.

Itwasacold,crisp, clearnightand thegrasswaswhitewithhoar frost.Halfawaningmooncastdappled shadows on the ground.Occasionally an owl hooted, but apart from that allwas silent; therewasn’tevenabreathofwind.

‘Whydoesn’tthebugganeattack?’Iasked.‘It’snearby–Icanfeelitinmybones–butit’snotshowingitself,’theSpookanswered.‘Mostlikely

it’llbedown theslopeclose to thewater’sedge–aplacewewant toavoid. It’ll take theshapeofawormeonthatmarshyground,andwormesarehardtokill.Butwhatchoicedowehave?Let’sgetitoverwith!’

Ifollowedmymastertowardstheincline.Iwasgrippingmystaffnervously.ThelastthingIwantedwastofaceawormeagain.Irememberedthewaytheycouldspitpoisonandbiteoffanarmorlegwiththoserowsofsharpteeth.

Aswedescended,theslopebecamesteeperandourbootssquelchedinthesoftground.Isoonfoundithardtostayonmyfeet.Below,themurmuroftheriverwaseverlouder,thoughasyetIcouldn’tseeitthrough the trees.Theygrewcloser togetherhere, interspersedwithdensebushesandsaplings,makingourprogressdifficultandforcingustomakefrequentdetours.

‘Spreadout!’theSpookcommanded.‘Givingitmorethanonetargetwilldistractit.’Ididashesaid,obeyingwithoutquestionandmovingawaytotheleft.Mymasterwastheexperthere

and,havingalreadyfacedaworme,IknewitwasthesameadvicethatBillArkwrightwouldhavegiven:he’dbeenthespecialistonallcreaturesthatlivedinmarshandwater.

Wewereverycloseto theriverbanknow,andtheSpookwashiddenfromviewbybushesandtallreeds,thoughIcouldstillhearthesuckandsquelchofhisboots.

ItwasthenthatIheardanothernoiseinthereeds;aheavywetslipperysound,almostasifsomeonehadfallenonto theirbackandwasslidingdown thesteepslope towards thewater.But thesoundwasgettinglouderandmovingcloser–uptheslope,directlytowardsus.Myheartlurchedwithfear.

Allatoncesomethingburst throughthereedsdirectlyaheadofmeandlungedformyhead.I threwmyself sideways, catchingaglimpseof somethingabovemebefore itwithdrewback into the reeds: along,sinuousbodylikeafatsnake,smallfierceeyesandamouthfuloffangedteeth.

Itcertainlywasn’taworme–atleastnotthetypethatI’doncefought–andtheonlysnakesI’deverseenweresmallgrasssnakesand,morerarely,adders.Butthiswashuge.Ithadtobethebuggane,andithadtakentheformofagreatserpent.

Inablindpanic,Istruggledtomyknees.Iwasonlyjustintime.Itattacked,andthistimeIjabbedatthecreaturewithmystaff.Ithissedandretreatedagain.Icamecautiouslytomyfeetandheardascuffletomyright.ThentheSpookshoutedsomething–Ididn’tcatch it thefirst time,butwhenherepeated it, Irealizeditwasacryofwarning.

‘Hydra!’Fromwhatmymasterhadtaughtme,Iknewthatwewereinserioustrouble.Thereweremanyforms

of hydra, some real, some just fantastic creaturesmade up by storytellers. The one referred to in theSpook’sBestiarywasacreaturecalledaScylla,whichhadsevenheads.Allhydracertainlyhadseveralheads–andthisonewasattackingmymasterandmesimultaneously.

Again I heard that slithering sound, and the snake-like head surged towardsme along the ground,partingthereedsbeforerearinguptowardsmythroat.ButthistimeIwasready,andIusedmystafflikeaspear, ramming thebladepast its teeth and right down its throatwith allmy strength. It screamed andconvulsed,andbloodsprayedinanarcfromitsfangedmouth.Itretreatedimmediately,almostdraggingthestaffoutofmyhand,butIheldontightandthedaemon’sheadslidaway,itsmouthgushingblood.

I followed it through the reeds towards the water’s edge. Once on the riverbank I could see thebugganebythelightofthemoon.Itsbodywashiddenunderwaterbutitsmanyheadsrearedandwrithed,lungingtowardsme.Iquicklycountedtonine,but thengaveupbecause theyweremovingtooquickly.Theonenearestmehunglimp,darkbloodissuingfromitsgapingmouthandswirlingawayinthecurrent.ThatwastheoneI’djustspeared.TheSpookwasnowontheriverbanktoo,jabbingfuriouslywithhisstaff.Butathereweresomanyheads,allroaringandhowlingeerily.Howcouldwedealwiththem?

‘Tome,lad!’criedtheSpook,plungingintothestrongrivercurrent.‘Itsheart–weneedtocutourwaytoitsheart!I’llgoforthebodywhileyoutackletheheads!’

Isplashedalongtohisside.Thewaterreachedourwaistsanditwasastruggletostayonourfeet.The grey body of the hydra surfaced briefly before submerging again. That sight filledmewith hopebecause it didn’t seem to have the hard defensive scales of aworme andwould be vulnerable to ourblades.Nodoubt thedaemonhad sacrificed that defence in favour of the attacking capability of thosemanyfangedheads.Ikeptswingingmystaffinanarcandjabbingdirectlyatanyraveningmouththatcametooclose.

TheSpookbegan toattack thehydra’sbody,drivinghisstaff indeepand leaningagainst itwhile Idefendedusbothagainstthoseheadswiththeirdangerousteeth.

HowlongthatstrugglewentonIdon’tknow.AllIrememberisthewater,darkwithblood,andthose

daemonic heads shining silver in themoonlight as they sought to put an end to us.At onepoint Iwasalmostoverwhelmed–teethandraveningjawswereallaroundme–andtheSpookhadtohalthisattackonthebodyandhelpmefightofftheheads.ButthenIheardacryfromthebank,andsawAlicestandingthere,wavingtheshortbladeandshoutingatthebuggane,tryingtoattractitsattention.

Several of its heads immediately lurched towards her. I was afraid for her, but the daemon wasdistractedanditgaveusourchance.FuriouslytheSpookrenewedhisattack.Withinmomentshissilver-alloybladehadfoundthedaemon’sheart.Therewasablastoffoulair,andthenwaterroseupbeforemeinahighwaveandIwentunder,stillgrippingmystaff.MomentslaterIfloateduptothesurface.

EventuallytheSpookandIdraggedourselveswearilyoutontotheriverbank.Alice’sfacelookedfullofrelief.Istoodtherebesideher,shiveringanddrippingwet.

‘It’sgone,lad.Notonebitofitremains,’saidtheSpook,bendingover,exhausted.‘Andasforyou,girl–willyouneverdoasyou’retold?’

‘IfAlicehadn’tdisobeyedwe’dprobablybothbedeadnow,’Ipointedoutindignantly.Mymastergaveagrudgingnodbutdidn’tcommentfurther.HeknewwhatIsaidwastrue.‘Nowit’stimetodealwiththewitch,’hemuttered.

Oncewe’drejoinedAdrianaandSimon,theSpookwastednotimelookingforsignsofBonyLizzie.Iknewhewasanexpert tracker,butwithonlymoonlight torelyon,wouldhefindLizzie’s trail

when even Alice couldn’t sniff her out? We watched him pace around the wood, checking itsystematically, bit by bit.Every so often he paused and knelt down, studying the ground.Maybe therewasn’tanythingtofind?MaybeLizziewasstillhidinginthetunnels?

It was almost an hour before my master found something and waved us over. There were threefootprintsinthemud.Theywerefreshandmadebypointyshoes…

‘Theyain’tmine,that’sforsure,’saidAlice.‘Gotbigfeet,Lizziehas.Muchbiggerthanmine.’‘Soshe’sheadingsouth-west,’saidtheSpook.‘That’sthewayweshouldgo—’‘I’dliketoknowsomething…’Aliceinterrupted.‘Whatisit,girl?’demandedtheSpookimpatiently.‘We’venotgotallday,sospeakup!’‘Youain’tgoing tobindLizzie–you’regoing tokillher,aren’tyou?’sheasked. Itwasn’t reallya

question.Icouldtellfromherfacethatsheknewthetruthofitandshedidn’tlookhappy.TheSpooknodded inconfirmation,hisexpressiongrave. ‘I’venochoice,girl.She’smurdered too

manyinnocents.Ican’tleaveawitchlikeheratlarge–especiallyonewithsuchambition.Ifshe’dhadherway,thiswholeislandwouldhavebeenplungedintoherruleofdarkness.Whoknowswhatelseshemight attempt in the future?Best thingwould be for you to stay here untilwe return. She is still yourmother,afterall.Noneedforyoutobethere.You’vedoneenough,girl.GetyourselfbacktothemillwithAdrianauntilit’sover.’

ButIknewAlicewouldrefuse.I’msureshedidn’twanttobeawitnesstoherownmother‘sdeath,butifshewaitedhere,she’dbebeyondtheprotectionofthebloodjar.Shehadtoaccompanyme.

Sheshookherhead.‘Ineedtobethere,’shesaidquietly.‘I’m going after Lizzie too,’Adriana told the Spook. ‘Youmight needmy help – are youwith us,

Simon?’SimonSulbynodded.‘Yes,’hesaid,lookingdetermined.‘We’regoingtospendtherestofourlives

togethersowe’lldothistogethertoo.’

Wewentasfastaswecould,butafterhalfanhourwe’dseennosignofthewitch;mymasterwasgettingworried.

‘We’vegottocatchBonyLizzie,lad,’saidtheSpook,‘andputanendtoheronceandforall.’‘Perhapsweshouldgobacktothemillforthedogsnow,’Isuggested.‘They’dsoonhuntherdown.’‘Notime.She’salreadygottoomuchofahead-start.’Mymasterkneltdownandsearchedtheground

nearbybeforeshakinghishead.‘Waithere.I’llseeifIcanfindhertracksagain…’Hewanderedoffintothetrees.Asbefore,hekeptpausingandlookingdowntoscrutinizetheground,

buttherewasmorecloudnowandthemoonlightwasintermittent.‘Canhefindheragain?’Adrianaaskedme.‘He’s an excellent tracker but it’s really hard,’ I said. ‘The Pendlewitches can cloak themselves,

usingdarkmagictoconcealtheirtrail.Aseventhsonofaseventhsoncanstillfollowthembutit’snoteasy.Ifhedoesn’tpickuphertrackssoon,she’llgetcleanaway.’

TheSpookwasnowoutofsight,butwithinfiveminuteshereappearedontheedgeofacopseoftreesandbeckonedusover.Whenwereachedhim,hegaveoneofhisraresmilesandpointeddownatapatchofmudclosetoatreetrunk.Thereweretwoclearprints.Pointyshoesagain…

‘Atleastwe’vegotconfirmationofherdirection.She’sstillheadingsouth-west,’hesaid.‘Nodoubtshehopestomakeherescapebysea–compelsomepoorfishermantocarryherwesttowardsIreland.’

Wesetoffevenfaster.TwicemoretheSpookfoundLizzie’stracks,butthenhelostthetrail.Adriana thought she’d probably bemaking for either PortErin or Port StMary,where therewere

vesselscapableofmakingthetripwestwardseveninaroughsea.Wewerepressingonthroughthedarkasfastaswecouldwhenasuddenvividflashoflightninginthe

distanceturnednightintoday.Thiswasfollowedbyalowrumbleofthunder,andthenthewindbegantofreshen.Astormwasheadingourway.Andwhatastorm!Withinminutestorrentialrainhaddrivenustotakeshelterinagroveoftrees,whileafuryofthunderandlightningeruptedfromthecloudsabove.

‘IfIdidn’tknowanybetter,I’dsaythatLizziehadsentthisstormtoholdusatbay!’saidtheSpookaswewaitedforittosubside.

Cutofffromthecacheofanimas,shewasunlikelytohavehadthepowertounleashsuchastorm,butshewasstillstrong–aswesoondiscoveredtoourcost.

Thestormnowabatedjustasquicklyasithadarisen.Thecloudswerescurryingawaytotheeast,andweweresuddenlybathedinmoonlight.

Wewerejustabouttoleavetheshelterofthetreeswhen,inthesilenceafterthestorm,weheardacacophonyofsquealsandshrieksapproachingfromthewest.

‘Rats!’Simonshouted.Moments laterhewasprovedcorrect.Ahordeofhuge, fierce ratswith longwhiskersandsinuous

tailssurgedintoview.Iknewawitchcouldsummonratsanddrinktheirblood,butI’dneverheardofthembeingused toattackherenemies.Weweresoonfighting forour lives.We laidaboutuswithourstaffs,beatingatthegroundtosquashtherodentsanddesperatelypluckingthemoffastheyracedupourlegs,bitingandscratchingastheymadeforourthroatsandfaces.

IheardAlicescreamandturnedtofindhercoveredinrats.Shewastryingtoprotectherhead,butshewaslosingthebattle.Itoreabigratoffherhead,hurledittothegroundandstampeditunderfoot.

Waveuponwave of grey rodents continued to attack us; then, suddenly, theywere fleeing, leavingbehindamassofdeadanddyingbodies.

Luckilyweweremoreexhaustedthanhurt.‘ThatwasLizzie’sdoing,’Isaid.

‘Aye,lad,there’slittledoubtaboutthat,’repliedtheSpook.‘Butwhytheybrokeoffandfledwecanonly surmise.MaybeLizzie doesn’twant to useup toomuchof her power.Couldbe she’s saving theworstforlater.’

Atdawnwehaltedandrested foracoupleofhours.Simonoffered tokeepwatchwhile the restofusgrabbedsomesleep.TheSpookwastheonlyonewhomanagedtodoze.Hisnapdidn’tlastlongeither;heawokegroaningandsweating.Lizziehadbeenspeakinginsidehisheadagain.

Adriana suddenly started to shiver; Simon turned to her, concerned, and put his arm around her.‘What’sthematter,love?’heaskedher.

‘I’vegotthatfeelingagain,’shesaid.‘ApremonitionthatI’venotgotlongforthisworld.’‘Butyoufeltlikethatbeforetheyrolledyoudownthehill–andyousurvivedthebarrel,didn’tyou?’I

pointedout.‘Idid,butthistimeit’sstrongerthanever.I’mcertainthatI’mgoingtodiesoon.’Needingtokeepupourstrength,weboughtbreadandcheesefromacottage.ItwasthenthatAdriana

offeredtotryherpowersagain.TheSpookdidn’tlikeit,buthehadnobettersuggestiontooffer.Shecuppedherhandsandgaveahighwhistlingcry.Withinminutes,inanswertohersummons,apair

ofsparrowhawksdroppedoutoftheskytolandonhershoulders.Shestrokedthemgentlywiththetipofeachforefingerandwhisperedtothem,hervoicesolowthat,eventhoughIwasstandingclose,Icouldn’tcatchwhatshesaid.

They flew off but returnedwithin the hour. This time they circled overhead before flying off in adifferent direction.When they repeated themanoeuvre exactly,Adriana pointed in the direction they’dtaken.

‘They’vefoundher,’shesaid.‘That’stheway.She’smakingforPortErin.’Adrianawasabirdwitchallright–hermagichadsucceededintrackingdownBonyLizzie.Notlongafter,theSpookdiscoveredanotherpointyfootprintinthemud.Wewerehotonthewitch’s

trailagain.AndthenAliceconfirmedit:shecouldnowsniffhermother’spresence.Finally,attwilight,wesawLizzieinthedistance,anddespiteourexhaustion,increasedourpace.

Shewassomewhereaheadofusinthegatheringdusk:weglimpsedheroncemore,littlemorethanhalfamileaway,butitwasnowalmostdark,andasuddenshowerexplodedfromtheheavens,soakingustotheskininthefiveminutesittooktoblowitselfout.

AdrianaandSimonweresprintingalongsidemeandAlice, theSpookjustbehindus,andwewereclosinginonthebonewitchwitheverystride.SoonIheardtheangryroaroftheseainthedistance,andtherhythmicalpoundingofwavesagainsttherockyshore.Atlastthemooncameoutfrombehindacloud,bathing the scene in silver light, and I sawLizzie less than a hundred yards ahead of us.ThenSimonnoticedsomethingontheground:apairofpointyshoeslyinginthegrass.Lizziehadkickedthemoffinadesperateattempttogainmorespeed.

‘She’srunningstraightfortheheadland.We’vecutherofffromtheport.She’snowheretogonowbutthesaltysea!’shoutedtheSpook.

Hewasright.Lizziewasrunningdirectlytowardsthecliffs.Verysoonwewouldfacethelastofherpower.Howstrongwasshestill?Wouldthefiveofusbeabletoovercomeher?Itwasfarfromcertain,butwehadtotry.

Itwas then thatdisaster struck.Aliceslippedon thewetgrassandwentdownhard. I stoppedand

helpedherup,butwhenshetriedtoputweightonherleftfoot,itbuckledunderherandshefelltoherknees.AstheSpookracedpastus,heturnedtoshoutatme:‘Leavethegirl,lad!We’llcomebackforherlater.Ineedyouwithme!Now!’Heranontowardsthecliffs,hisfootstepsfadingintothedistance.

‘Yes, leaveme,Tom!My ankle’s sprained.He’s right – he’ll need all the help he can get to beatLizzie.She’sstillstrong.’

‘No,Alice,westicktogether,’Itoldher,puttingmyarmunderherleftshoulderandliftingherbackontoherfeet.‘Youknowwhywecan’triskbeingseparated…’

Alicecouldonlylimpforwardslowly,gruntingwithpain.Thewitchhadnowhere left to run.She turnedherbackon the sea to face theSpook,Adrianaand

Simon.They’dslowedtoawalkingpacebutcontinuedtoadvancealonganarrowspurofgrassthatjuttedoutabovethesea.Thewavescrashedontotherocksbelowbeforedrawingbacktosurgeforwardoncemore.

Atfirstnothinghappened;then,verysuddenly,likeablowtomysolarplexus,IfeltLizzie’spoweragain.Ittookmybreathaway,almoststoppedmyheart.Butitwasn’tdreadoranyotherspelldesignedtoimmobilizeuswhileshetookourliveswithherblade.Itwasaspellofcompulsion.Iwasconsumedbyastrongurgetorunforwardandthrowmyselfoffthecliff.Iwantedtofallontotherocksandbreakintolittlepieces;tobecomenothing–asifI’dneverbeenborn.

Ifoughtbackbutshewastoostrong.Isawthewavesfarbelow.Ihadneverwantedanythingsomuch.Farahead,theSpookhadfallenintoacrouchingposition,hisstaffstillinhislefthand.Withhisright

hewasclutchingatussockofgrassasifthatwouldsomehowanchorhimtothecliff-top.Butthen,tomydismay,Simonsuddenly sprinteddirectly towards thecliff edge. I realized thathewasgoing to throwhimselfover!

IheardAdrianascream,alongwailofanguishandloss.Simonhadjumpedoutintonothingness,andwasgone.UnderthecompulsionofLizzie’sdarkmagiche’dhurledhimselfovertheedgetohisdeath.

Ahead,Adrianawas stretchingher arms aboveher head andpointing towards the sky, archingherbackjustasLizziehadearlier.Thenshebegantochant,hurlingherwordsupintothefirmament.ShewasspeakingintheOldTongue,gabblingfartooquicklyformetounderstand.

In answer came a peal of thunder and a flash of sheet lightning, and suddenly, far above us, theheavenswere filledwithbirds.Therewerecrows, ravens,black-birds, finchesandswallows–andasinglemagpie…oneforsorrow.

AliceandIhadalmostreachedthecliff,andIheardAdrianautterfourmorewordsveryslowlyandclearly.EvenwithmypoorcommandoftheOldTongue,thesewereeasytotranslate.Itwasacommand:‘Peckouthereyes!’

Fromthesmallesttothelargestthebirdsobeyed,swoopingdowninunisontoattackthewitch.ForamomentLizziewashiddenfromoursight,buffetedtoandfrobythefrenzied,screechingbirds.

Butshewasnottobedefeatedsoeasily.Therewasanintenseflashoflightandablastofhotairthatmademe closemy eyes.When I opened them again, the birdswere screaming, falling out of the sky,wings aflame. Some dropped, blackened, burned and twitching, onto the cliff-top; others fell downtowardsthesea,trailingsmoke.Lizziehadblastedthemoutofthesky.

Adrianaletoutagreatsobandrushedtowardsher,but thebonewitchseizedherbythethroatandliftedheroffherfeet.

Iknewwhatwasgoingtohappen:IletgoofAliceandstumbledforwardtotryandhelpher,butthe

worldwasstillspinningaboutmeandIwasforcedtomyknees,hardpressedjusttostayonthecliff-top,stillconsumedbythedesiretothrowmyselfontotherocks.

AsIwatched,horrified,LizziehurledAdrianaoverthecliff.Asshefelltowardstherocks,shegaveashrillcrylikeabird.Thenshewasgone.

AgloatingsmilesettledoverLizzie’sface.‘Doyouknowwhytheboystayedbehindwiththegirlinsteadofcomingtohelpyou?’sheasked

theSpook.‘Doyouknowwhyhedisobeyedyou?Heneedshermorethananythingelseintheworld,andshe’sjustassoftonhim.YourapprenticesoldhissoultotheFiend,andnowtheonlythingthat’skeepinghimandthegirlsafeisabloodjar.That’swhytheyhavetostaytogether.He’susingdarkmagictosavethebothofthem.That’sjustonestepshortofbelongingtothedark!’

TheSpookstaggeredtohisfeetandlookedatme,andasoureyesmet,Isawonhisfaceamixtureofsadnessanddisappointment.I’dlethimdown.Iwasn’ttheapprenticehethoughtIwas.

Lizzielaughedlongandloud,andtheuglysoundwasfilledwithtriumph,withtheknowledgethatthedarkhadwon.

Butthebattlewasn’toveryet.Adrianawasdead,butherfinalcryhadn’tmerelybeenoneofpainandshock;ithadbeenacommand.Freshraucouscawssoundedoverhead,andIsawalargeflockofcirclingseagulls–thefierceaggressivebirdsthatAlicehadoncecalled‘ratswithwings’.

Suddenly theyswooped towards thewitch, theirharshpiercingscreams filling theair.BonyLizziewavedherarmstoscarethemoff,whirlingthemaboutlikeawindmillinagale.Perhapsshe’dexhaustedherpower,ormaybetherewerejusttoomanyofthemandsheneverhadtimetogatherherselftowith-standtheattack.Thegullsdivedstraightforher,eagertalonsoutstretched.SoonallIcouldseewasbirds,achaoticturmoilofbeatingwingsandstabbingbeaks.

For a moment I glimpsed Lizzie’s head again. Her hands covered her face and blood ran downbetweenherfingers.Shestaggeredtowardsthecliffedge,leaningbackatanimpossibleangle.Hereyeswere black sockets in the moonlight, her mouth wide open in a scream, the sound lost amongst theshriekingofthebirds.Theseagullsobscuredheragain;whentheysoaredupwards,shewasgone.

Irantothecliffandpeereddown.Foramomentherbrokenbodywasvisiblebelow.Thenabigwaveengulfedher,itsebbdraggingherintothesea’ssaltyembrace.Thebonewitchwasnomore.

‘Well, that’s theendofher, lad,’ theSpooksaid,walkingup tostandbesideme. ‘Ifshe’snotdeadalready,thatsaltyseawillkillherquickly.Thenshe’llbefoodforthefishes.They’lleat theheartandeverything.Shewon’tbecomingback.’

‘PoorAdrianaandSimonhavegoneaswell,’Isaidsadly.Icouldseenotraceoftheirbodiesontherocksbelow.Theseahadtakenthemtoo.

Mymasternodded.‘Aye,thatwasabadbusiness,lad–butthatgirlhelpedtosaveourlives.Shewas

awitchallright–nodoubtaboutit!’‘Butwhatkindofwitchwasshe?’ Iasked. ‘Shedidn’tusebloodorbonemagicanddidn’thavea

familiar.’‘Shewassomethingnewtome,lad.I’vecertainlynevermetherlikebefore.Maybeshesimplyhada

specialability,onethatcan’tbelearnedandpassedontoothers.’‘Adrianawasabenignwitch,’Iinsisted.Mymasterdidn’treply.Iknewhedidn’tagree.Adrianahadusedsomekindofmagictokill.Tohis

way of thinking, the fact that she’d killed Lizzie, a malevolent witch, was irrelevant. She had stillemployedthedark.

I heard a noise behind us, and turned to seeAlice limping along.TheSpook looked at us in turn.‘WhatLizziesaidaboutyousellingyoursoulandemployingabloodjar…pleasesetmymindateaseandtellmeshewaslying,’hesaidquietly.

‘Ican’t,’ I said,bowingmyhead. ‘It’s true. Iowe theFiendmysoul.Alicemadeablood jar, andthat’s theonly thingkeepinghimaway.That’swhy I couldn’t leaveherbehind. If I do, theFiendwillclaimherinrevengeforsavingme.’

‘Whydidyougivehimyoursoul?’heasked,frowningatme.‘WhatsortofafoolwouldsellhissoultotheFiend?’

‘IdiditatMeteora,inGreece.It’salongstory,butwithoutthatwe’dallbedeadnow,andthewholeworld–notjusttheCounty–wouldbeatrisk…’

TheSpooksighed;itwasasoundfilledwithsadnessandahintofdespair.‘We’llfindsomewheretorest,’hesaidquietly.‘I’mweary.We’lltalkinthemorning.’

Hisheadbowed,heturnedandbegantowalkaway,headingbacktowardsthemill,whereweneededtocollectourbags.Oncehehadhisbacktous,Aliceputherhandinthepocketofherskirtanddrewoutsomeobjects,flingingthemoverthecliffandintothesea.Theygleamedsilverinthemoonlightastheyfell,thesamecolourasthetearsthatglistenedinhereyes.

Theywerethethumb-bonesoftheshaman.

***

Luckilywequicklystumbledupontheruinofacottage.Therewerejustthreewallsstanding,andnoroof,butitprovidedsomeshelter,andfortunatelyitdidn’trainagain,sowesettleddowntherefortherestofthenight.

Weawokeatdawn,coldandstiff,andtheSpooksetaboutbuildingafirewhileIwentofftocatchrabbitsforourbreakfast.Ionlymanagedtogetone,whichIskinnedandguttedbeforeAlicecookedit.Therewasn’treallyenoughtogoroundbutittooktheedgeoffmyhunger.

Asweate,itbegantodrizzle,anddarkcloudsgatheredfromthewest.Therewasworseweathertocome.

Atlasttherecamethefullreckoning.‘Right,it’stimetotalk!’commandedtheSpook.‘Don’tleaveanythingout.Iwanttoknoweverything.

Idon’tcarehowbaditis,Iwanttoknowitall.Let’sstartwithyou,girl.Tellmeaboutthebloodjar.Didyoufashionit?’

Alicenodded.

‘AmIrightinthinkingyou’veputyourownbloodinit–thebloodofadaughteroftheFiend–andthebloodofmyapprentice,Tom?’

Alicenoddedagainandbowedherhead.‘Well,lad,I’mfindingthishardtobelieve.Youactuallygaveyourownbloodforthepurposesofa

darkmagicspell?’‘No!’Alicecrieddefiantly. ‘Ain’t true, that.TomwasunconsciouswhenI took it.Back inGreece,

therewasarock-fallinacave.Knockedout,hewas,soItookthreedropsofhisbloodandaddedthemtomine in the jar.Tomdidn’t evenknowabout it. Itwasonly later,when theFiendcame forhim, that Ipusheditintohishand.AfterthatTomhadtokeepitonhimtostoptheFiendcomingbackanddragginghimofftothedark.IhavetostayclosetoTomaswell,elsehe’lltakehisrevengeonme!’

‘Sotellmewhatyougotforyoursoul,’theSpookasked.IexplainedhowtheFiendhadgivenmethreethings:thelocationofourterribleenemy,theOrdeen;a

delayofonehourbeforesheawoke;and,finally,thelivesofhimandAlice,whowerefacingimminentdeath.

‘Notonlythat,heshowedmethefuture,’Isaid.‘Thousandswouldhavebeenmassacredthatday–men, women and children. Had the Ordeen won, the County would have been the next place to bedestroyed.InthepastI’veresistedthetemptationsof thedark–evenwhenthelivesofmyownfamilywereatrisk.ThistimeitwastheCountyindanger.Andyou’vealwaystaughtmethatweprotectit,andthatourfirstdutyistotheCountyanditspeople.Sointheendthat’swhyIdidit.NotforAlice,notforyou–fortheCounty.Itseemedworthmysoulatthetime.’

‘Showme,’theSpooksaidquietly.Ireachedintomybreechespocketandpulledoutthesmalljar.Ihelditinmyopenpalmsothathe

couldseeitproperly.‘Giveittome,’mymasterordered.‘It’sdangerouseventoletitoutofmypossession—’‘Handitover,lad!’hecommandedangrily,raisinghisvoice.NervouslyIdidasheasked.Hepeeredatitclosely,andforamomenthisfingersgrippedthestopper.

Onetwistanditwouldbeopen,andhecouldpourawaythedropsofblood.Myheartwasinmymouth.‘What if Iwere to smash this now,or drain it of its contents?’ he askedme. ‘Could thegirlmake

another?’‘Ain’tpossibletomakeanothertosaveTom,’saidAlice.‘Youcanonlyuseaspelllikethatonce.’‘AnditwouldbetheendofmeandAlice,’Iadded.‘TheFiendwouldcomeforus.We’dbedeadand

oursoulsdraggedofftothedark.Youtooprobably–hewouldn’tsparethelifeofaspook.’‘Don’ttrytoscareme,lad.I’lldowhat’sright,whateverthecost.’‘Iwasn’ttryingtoscareyou.Justtellingyouhowthingsare.I’vethoughtaboutitalot,’Iretorted.‘Wouldhecomerightaway?’askedtheSpook,lookingthoughtful.‘Tellmethat,girl.Youmadeit,so

youshouldknow.I’veneverencounteredthistypeofjarbefore.’‘Couldbehereintheblinkofaneye,’Alicetoldhim.‘Whatamiserableexistenceyou’vegotaheadofyou,’said theSpook,shakinghishead. ‘Living in

fear with just this little jar standing between you and a terrible fate. Then, when you die, which isinevitable, the Fiend will be waiting for you. He’ll collect your soul the minute you draw your last

breath.’‘NotifTommanagestobindordestroyhimfirst—’‘Andhowonearthishegoingtomanagethat?’demandedtheSpook.Aliceshrugged.‘Tom’smambelievedhewoulddoitoneday—’‘Didsheeversayhowitcouldbedone?’‘PerhapsthesecretisburiedamongstherpapersandnotebooksinMalkinTower,’Isuggested.‘Well,lad,thatmightbeso,butthelasttimeIwasthereIfoundnothinglikethat.AndMalkinTower

isalongwayfromhere,acrosstheseaandnowbehindenemylines.Ican’thelpthinkingthatifyourmamreallyhadknownhowtobindordestroytheFiend,she’dhavetoldyoubeforewewenttoGreece.Afterall,asherletterstoldus,shethoughtshe’dhavetosacrificeherownlifetodefeatherenemy.No,Ithinkshehopedthatyoumightdiscoverawaytodoityourself.’

Therewasalongsilence,andIthoughtaboutwhatI’dseenwithinmyself:maybethatwouldhelpmetofindaway…

ThenAlicespokeup.‘Icanthinkofsomeonewhomightknow–someonewho’sthoughtaboutitlongandhard:Grimalkin…’

‘Thewitchassassin?’Mymasterscratchedathisbeardinirritation.‘Itjustgetsworse!’‘SheoncetoldmehowmuchshehatestheFiend.Shesaidshethoughthecouldbeboundwithsilver

spears,’Alicewenton.‘What?Boundinapit?’‘He’dbeimpaledonthespears,’sheexplained.‘Thenmaybeyoucouldburyhimbeneathastonelike

youdowithboggarts.Wouldn’tthatwork?’‘Maybe,girl.WhenadaemonsuchasabugganeortheBanetakesmaterialformandyoupierceits

heart,it’susuallydestroyed.Ican’tseethatbeingenoughtofinishofftheFiend–he’smuchtoopowerful.Inanycase,wherewouldwegetsilver-alloyspearsfrom?’askedtheSpook,shakinghishead.

‘Grimalkinwouldmakethem.She’saskilledblack-smith.Weshouldsendforher;bringherhere.’‘You’duseamirror,nodoubt,’saidtheSpook,hisfacegrim.‘Moredarkmagic…’‘What’s done is done,’ Alice snapped, ‘but the main thing is to keep Tom safe. And Grimalkin’s

resourceful.Warornowar,shewouldfindawaytogethere.’‘Ineedtimetothinkthisthrough,’saidtheSpook,handingthejarbacktome.‘Getoutofmysightfor

awhile–bothofyou!’Inoddedandwewanderedslowlyoffintothetrees,Alicestilllimpingbadly.Iwasrelievedtohave

thebloodjarbackinmypocket.ForalongtimeAlicewassilent,herlipspressedtightlytogether,herface amask. Then she began to cry, great sobs racking her body. I put my arms around her, offeringcomfortasbestIcould.

‘Ain’tcryingforLizzie,’Alicesaidat lastashergriefbegantosubside.‘NotevencryingforpoorAdrianaandSimon,althoughI’msorrythattheylosttheirliveslikethatandcanneverenjoythehappinesstheydeserved.No,I’mcryingforwhatIneverhad.Cryingforthemameverygirlshouldhave–someonewho’dhavelovedmeandcaredwhathappenedtome.’

Afterawhileshesmiledandwipedthetearsfromhereyeswiththebackofherhand.‘Thanksforsavingmebackthereinthedungeons,Alice,’Isaidsoftly.‘Thebugganewasdrainingme.

Icouldfeelmylifeslippingaway.Iwassocoldandweak.’Alicesqueezedmyhand.‘In theshaman’sstudy,assoonasIworkedouthowtocontrol thecache,

Lizzie’spowerstartedtowane.Iusedaspelltocloakmyself.Walkedrightpastherandshedidn’tseeme.Iwentintothetunnelsandstartedtoworkonthebuggane.Itwasinitsspiritform,whisperingtoyou,whenIfinallyreacheditwithmymind.Iwasjustintime,Tom.Itwasplanningtodrainyouinonego–asLizziehadordered.SoIcalledouttoyou;toldyoutofightit–and,justintime,youstartedtoresist.Then Iwent looking forLizzieagainandmanaged tostopher takingyourbones.By then Iknewwe’dwon.Iwasstrongerthanher…’

‘Haveyoustillgotthatpower,Alice?’Iasked.‘Isallthatdarkmagicstillatyourservice?’‘Stillgotabitleft,butit’sfadingfast.Power’sstilltheredowninthatcavern,butIcan’treachitno

more.’‘WhatdoyouthinktheSpookwilldecidetodo?’Iasked.‘OldGregorywill sendforGrimalkin,markmywords.Hewouldn’thavedreamedofsucha thing

once, but now he hasn’t any choice. He’s not theman hewas. Toomuch has happened: his library’sburnedtotheground,theCountyransacked,andnowthis–beingdefeatedbyapowerfulwitchnotjustonce but three times over. But for Adriana, I think Lizzie would have killed us all – Old Gregoryincluded.

‘Fromnowonyou’llgetstrongerandhe’llgetweaker.Ithappenstousalleventually.He’shadalonglifefightingthedark,butnowit’scomingtoanend.You’llbethenewspookandyou’dbestgetreadytoreplacehim.’

I nodded. Therewas some truth inwhatAlice had said, but Iwasn’t ready to take over frommymasterjustyet.Iputmyarmsaroundherandhuggedheragain.Oncemorewe’dsurvived,andtwomoreenemiesofthelightwerenomore.

Aswewalkedbacktowardsthecottage,wesawtheSpookwaitingforusinthedoorway.Whathadhedecidedtodo?Hisfacewasgrim,andIthoughtitlookedlikebadnews.

ButIwaswrong.‘Findyourselfamirror,girl,andsummonGrimalkin,’mymastersaid.‘Wehavenochoicenowbutto

attempttobindtheFiend.’

Onceagain,I’vewrittenmostofthisfrommemory,justusingmynotebookwhennecessary.WearestillontheislandofMonainthecold,dark,stormyheartofwinter,stayingattheabandonedcottageAdrianashowedus.Overthelasttwomonthswe’vebeenbusywithspook’sbusiness.

MymasterhasalmostfinishedrewritingabookaboutthePendlewitches,andAlicehasvolunteeredtoaddtothebeginningsofhisnewlibrary.She’sstartedonanaccountofthetwoyearsshespentbeingtrainedinwitchcraftbyBonyLizzie;itwilladdtoourknowledgeofthedark.

The tunnels beneath the chapel have collapsed, closing off all access to the Grim Cache. So mymaster,AliceandIhavehunteddownandslaineveryotherknownbugganeontheisland–fiveinall–topreventoneburrowingdowntofinditagain.NowMonaisasaferplaceforthosewhoworkforthelight.

GrimalkinagreedtojoinusinanattempttobindtheFiendonceandforall,butshehasnotyetarrivedandAliceisnolongerabletocontactherbyusingamirror.Shenowfearsthatsomethinghashappenedtothewitchassassin.Withoutherwecandonothing,andthebloodjarisouronlydefenceagainsttheFiend.

ThereisnogoodnewsfromtheCounty.Itseemsthatitisintheirongripoftheenemy.Andhereon

Mona,theRulingCouncilareassembledagainandstartedreturningrefugeesacrossthewater;thereisnonewsofhowtheywerereceived–orofCaptainBaines.Theyeomenarestillsearchingfor thosewhohaveavoidedtheirnet,andtheislandislesssafeforuswitheachpassingday.

TheSpookwasright.Thepeoplehaverevertedtotheiroldways.AtleastwithLizzie’sdeath,BillArkwrightwillhavefinallyfoundhiswaytothelight.IlongtogobacktotheCounty,buttheSpook’splannowistoescapewestwards,toIreland.Wego

withintheweek.ButwheneverIthinkofthatlandIremembermynightmareandthethreatmadebytheCelticwitch;IremembertheMorrigan.

InjustovertwoyearsI’llfinishlearningmytrade.Mymastertellsmethathemighttakeiteasierthenandletmedomostofthework.Asayoungspook,heworkedalongsidehisownmaster,HenryHorrocks,untilhedied,anditwastotheadvantageofboth.

It’shisdecision.He’s theSpookandI’mstill justhisapprentice.Soonwesail to takerefugeevenfurtherfromtheCounty’sshores.Nodoubtwe’llbeheadingintoevengreaterdanger.

ThomasJ.Ward