‘It seems that many of Foeless Landwalker’s inner circle are members of the Night Riders,’ Fragrant said. ‘Union authorities believe that he is either being used by them or has aligned himself with their cause, and they are worried about the escalation in popular support for his crusade. Merchants are donating food and water and other supplies to his camp, and people all over the New Territories have been sending him money.’

‘He is gaining support in the Union, too,’ Poppy said. ‘He has discovered something people want to believe in, and is using it to challenge the Mother’s grace.’

‘It is more important than ever to find out if he’s a prophet or a charlatan,’ Fragrant said. ‘What the visitors’ intentions are, if he really has met them. What his intentions are, if his claims are outright fabrications.’

‘You told Teal that Foeless Landwalker’s propagandist tried to recruit you after your master’s death,’ Poppy said. ‘We think that you can use that connection to infiltrate Landwalker’s inner circle and win an audience with him. Find out everything you can.’

‘It could help us to win proper recognition as scholars,’ Fragrant said. ‘Access to the Library of All People. The right to publish in its journals.’

‘And if you help us, we can give you the help you need to finish your late master’s research,’ Poppy said.

Somewhat later, Gentle said he was surprised that Pilgrim had agreed to help the Invisible College so readily, given the risks involved.

‘It isn’t likely that I’ll get anywhere near Foeless Landwalker, given that Intrepid Windrush is no friend of mine, and I’ve twice turned down his invitation to join the cause,’ Pilgrim said. ‘But Noble Seatree took all my papers. My master’s notes, my own writings, the map … In short, everything I need to finish my work. My last and only hope is that these women will make good on their promise to help me after I have done my best to help them.’

‘I wouldn’t mind helping you retrieve your stuff,’ Gentle said. ‘Especially if I can get the constable on his own for a minute or two.’

‘I don’t think we can safely show our faces in Stonehaven for a while,’ Pilgrim said. ‘And repaying violence with violence does no one any good. Besides, if I do manage to win an audience with Foeless Landwalker, I know something about the visitors that may help to determine if there is any truth to his ravings.’