‘What is your next –’ began Belatiel, as Denima said, ‘What have you got next –’

They stopped talking at the same time and both gestured to the other to continue.

‘Please, go on,’ said Belatiel, but Denima was saying, ‘After you, sir.’

Clariel took out her paper, consulted it and said, ‘I have “Matters of Law, Royal, City and Guild” in the Crooked Room. But I don’t know where it is.’

‘That’s my next lesson too,’ said Denima. ‘I’ll show you the way. Come on, we don’t want to be late.’

She started off, with Clariel and Belatiel following, the latter talking as he walked.

‘I’ve got “Money Counting”,’ said Belatiel, making a face. ‘Tower Room, with Master Fincher. But I really do want to talk to you, cousin, about … about a very important matter concerning our family, the Abhorsens that is. I hesitate to ask, after Aronzo, but my motives really are straightforward and honest, so I wonder if we could meet after the lessons today …’

‘I really am busy,’ said Clariel, giving him the benefit of the doubt. ‘I have Charter Magic lessons this afternoon, and tomorrow I have to go to the Islet to try to find a colourful fish.’

‘So you don’t hold with only servants doing Charter Magic,’ said Belatiel, with a pleased look.

As before, Denima spoke at almost the same time, so their words overlapped. ‘A colourful fish? Who for?’

‘The King,’ said Clariel. ‘I’m not much of a Charter Mage and I don’t particularly want to be one, but I don’t think it should be left to servants … What?’

Denima had stopped in mid-stride and swung around to face Clariel so they nearly ran into each other, and Belatiel had also crowded close, and they were both staring at her.

‘The King?’

‘You’re seeing the King?’

‘The day after tomorrow,’ said Clariel. ‘The fish is for a kin-gift. It’s traditional, apparently.’

‘But no one sees the King,’ said Belatiel. ‘Not for years.’

‘No one,’ repeated Denima.

‘I was told he keeps up some of the old traditions,’ said Clariel, uncomfortably. ‘Like the kin-gift, and I’m his cousin so I have to see him to give him the present –’

‘I’m a cousin too, and I’ve never been able to get an audience,’ interrupted Belatiel. ‘I was supposed to present the kin-gift when I first got here last year, but the King refused to see me. Or someone refused on his behalf.’

‘Mother seems to think we’ll get in,’ said Clariel. ‘I wish I understood what is going on here. There’s clearly all kinds of machinations afoot and I really don’t want to get caught up in them before I can …’