‘I’ve never … I’ve never let it get so far beyond …’ faltered Clariel. ‘I’ve never hurt a … a person!’

‘It is not simply the rage itself, and the violence that may come with it,’ said Kargrin. ‘It is also an indicator of an affinity with Free Magic, which is governed by emotion and raw will. All those who have the blood of the Five have some natural ability with Free Magic, but it is usually counterbalanced by an innate connection and understanding of the Charter, a desire to be part of its all-encompassing nature. Tell me, do you like to be alone?’

‘Yes.’

‘You would prefer to be alone, than to be in company?’

‘Yes …’ said Clariel slowly. ‘But I do not feel alone, not in the Forest. I feel part of it, though I may have no company save the beasts and the birds. But in this city … I feel surrounded, and seek solitude. Or I would, if anyone would let me!’

Kargrin’s brow furrowed slightly as he took Clariel’s hand and helped her stand. She felt weak and a little dizzy, and had to sit on the bench. It was the one she had a dim memory of throwing, now back in its place. But how could she have thrown such a heavy piece of furniture, which must weigh three times what she did?

‘Free Magic often appeals to the solitary, those who wish to order their lives without the constraint of others. The rage is similar, in that it throws off the constraints of your normal self, your normal physicality, rationality and emotion. In fact, it is possible that the berserk state is itself a form of Free Magic, or is derived from some ancient effect of that magic.’

‘I never really understood what Free Magic actually is,’ said Clariel. ‘Our teacher just said it was evil, something to fear, and warned us to seek help should we ever encounter any. Not that she told us how we would know.’

‘You would know,’ said Kargrin. His teaching voice was coming on again, and he gestured with his huge hands. ‘Free Magic is not necessarily evil as such, it is merely unconstrained, though this difference may be hard to understand. It is a raw power. It resists consistent ordering and may be shaped and directed by will alone. Most so-called Free Magic constructs or entities are relics or leftovers of an ancient age, things that for various reasons were not subsumed in the making of the Charter. They tend to see anything of the Charter as their enemy, which is to effectively say all life. To make it worse, over time many such entities have become impressed with a limited range of human feelings, usually the baser ones, without any counterbalancing better nature. But it is their desire for total freedom, regardless of others – including other Free Magic creatures – that leads them to kill and wreak havoc.’