‘It is an old book, but then berserks have been around a long time,’ said Gullaine. ‘It contains directions for various exercises of the mind, which can be tedious, but work well. There are also some Charter spells that help contain the fury, though you will need help learning those, I think. Read the book soon.’

‘I will,’ promised Clariel. She meant it too, having been alarmed by her recent experiences. She had experienced the rage twice in three days … it felt as if it was closer now, easier to call upon. Or worse, likely to rise up and boil over at any time, like a stew that had now been moved to a hotter part of the kitchen fire.

But it wasn’t only the berserk fury that troubled Clariel. It was her experience with the Free Magic creature Aziminil, the sense of triumph she had felt when she had entered the creature’s mind, when it had begun to bend to her will. She’d never felt anything like it before, nothing so ecstatic, not even after a day stalking a deer and then the perfect true flight of her arrow, striking exactly the right spot …

Clariel shivered.

‘Are you feverish?’ asked Gullaine, with concern.

‘No,’ said Clariel. ‘No. Just … thinking about what happened today.’

‘Few people have encountered such a creature and survived to speak of it,’ said Gullaine. ‘You did well.’

‘Well enough for Kargrin to keep our bargain?’ asked Clariel. ‘To help me leave Belisaere?’

She had another reason to be gone from the city now. Clariel did not want to meet the Free Magic creature again. Not because of what the creature might do to her, but because of what she might do to it.

‘Yes,’ said Gullaine. She hesitated then added, ‘You will be paid, and you will be helped on your way. Kargrin thinks it would be best that you leave. After you have seen the King.’

‘I suppose,’ said Clariel. ‘The creature … Do you think you will find it, and bind it?’

‘I am sure of it,’ said Gullaine, who was indeed very sure, for reasons not yet to be shared. She watched Clariel carefully as she spoke, but the younger woman didn’t notice. She was looking at her bandaged hands.

‘It won’t … It won’t come looking for me?’

‘It is extremely unlikely,’ said Gullaine. ‘If it does, five of the dozen guards in your house tonight used to be in the King’s service, all bear the Charter mark, two are quite accomplished Charter Mages. There is also no easy path to get to this house without passing one or more Charter Stones, and the creature cannot or will not do that.’

‘I wonder …’ Clariel said slowly. ‘I wonder if I should stay to help you find it.’

‘That won’t be necessary,’ said Gullaine. ‘Don’t you yearn to be free of the city? Magister Kargrin certainly thought you did.’