‘But I am going to get out of Belisaere, no matter what I have to do to escape!’

Clariel had finally decided. She would steal from her parents after all, take a few bags of coin from the strongbox, a gold bar from the stock waiting to be worked, some of the lesser jewels that were waiting to be set …

‘You need money,’ agreed Kargrin. ‘But you will also need help to leave the city, to evade Kilp’s people here and on the roads.’

‘Kilp’s people?’ Clariel asked. She’d thought of her parents sending someone after her, but hadn’t considered anybody else would. If Governor Kilp ordered her arrest, then there would be all manner of guards and agents and Guild people after her, in every town on the way, and the major roads. ‘I didn’t think anyone would bother …’

‘Perhaps we can help each other,’ said Kargrin. ‘We can provide you with money and a Charter spell to change your countenance, clothes and weapons, a horse … In return you will help us lure the Free Magic creature into revealing itself.’

‘I need two hundred and fifty gold bezants,’ said Clariel, mindful of the amount Mistress Ader had said would be required for her first five years. It seemed an enormous sum. Considering Ader was calculating on Belisaere rates, she’d probably need a lot less in Estwael. But as in all bargaining Clariel thought she might as well start high, and be prepared to settle for whatever she could get.

As she said the amount, Clariel felt like she had finally stepped over a threshold where she had been dallying for weeks, neither turning back nor going ahead. Whatever sum of money they arrived at, or even if she still had to steal from her parents, the decision was made. She would leave Belisaere. Leave her family. Start the new life she had always wanted.

The only thing was, now that it seemed likely to be possible, she was not as sure she wanted it.

‘Done!’ boomed Kargrin.

‘What?’ asked Clariel.

‘You are a brave and sensible young woman!’ declared Kargrin. ‘Now, we must focus your mind on Charter Magic, for there is no small danger in the task ahead, and you are currently ill-prepared. I believe we have another two hours of your time today, do we not?’

‘We do,’ sighed Clariel. ‘But …’

‘No buts!’ cried Kargrin. ‘Do not fret. It is simple stuff we will do, the very foundation work you have neglected!’

The prospect of studying Charter Magic for two hours was not something Clariel relished. But despite that she felt a fizzing excitement, for at last she had a plan of escape that was more than just a daydream. She could see a path forward now, out from behind the walls that loomed so high above her, back to the quiet, green world of the Great Forest.