‘Which is in about five days, I think,’ said Clariel, counting on her fingers. There had been a half moon when she slept in the forest, the night before last. ‘Not long. If Aziminil can take me through a waterfall, can she also move me swiftly? To fly like a Paperwing or become some sort of mount? I need to be in Belisaere as soon as I can. I have to rescue my aunt. And kill Kilp and Aronzo.’

‘Free Magic can shape itself to almost any need,’ said Mogget. ‘Swift travel, unseen passage, impenetrable armour, unbreakable weapons … It will all be at your command. You simply will whatever is needful.’

Clariel thought of that, for a moment. Sorcery that did not need laboriously memorised Charter marks, learned over years, or the disorienting plunge into the Charter … simply to will something, to use raw power. It was a heady temptation. But she must be careful …

‘What if I need to imprison Aziminil again,’ said Clariel. ‘I can’t do it with Charter Magic, I do not have the skill or knowledge. Could I force her into a bottle and secure it just by the force of my will?’

‘You could,’ said Mogget. ‘As I said, I can tell you have the strength. You remind me of some of the earlier Abhorsens, who had much to do with Free Magic entities.’

‘You remind me of one of mother’s apprentices,’ said Clariel. ‘All flattery and guile. You said you would help me for love of mischief, and maybe more … and I see you think it is more. What do you hope to gain?’

‘Freedom,’ whispered Mogget. ‘Freedom from my enslavement.’

‘You mean you want me to take your collar off?’

‘Only the Abhorsen can remove my collar,’ said Mogget. ‘And the Abhorsen has the means to put it back on again. I need some greater manumission.’

‘So how will you helping me forward your ambition?’

‘A small stone cast from a hilltop may dislodge larger stones,’ said Mogget with a sly glance. ‘And the larger stones may move great … stones … and then the whole hillside might come tumbling down.’

‘What does that mean?’ asked Clariel.

‘That things change, and an opportunity might present itself that otherwise would not,’ said Mogget, his tail twisting around almost as much as his words.

‘And what would you do with your freedom?’ asked Clariel.

‘Who can say?’ replied Mogget evasively. ‘But I would no longer be a prisoner, no longer a slave. I think you understand that, do you not?’

‘Perhaps,’ said Clariel. ‘But I am not sure I should think of you as I would a person enslaved.’

‘Why not?’ asked the affronted cat. ‘Am I a piece of furniture? A block of wood?’

‘I do need your help,’ said Clariel. ‘But I won’t do anything actively to release you. There must be a reason you are bound to serve the Abhorsens.’