‘So how do I bait the trap?’ asked Clariel.

‘I will tell you in a moment, and Belatiel, for you will both be part of it.’

He slowed as they reached a small guard chamber beside the outer door, where Gullaine was waiting, another key in the massive, bronze-bound lock, but not yet turned, and the two bars above and below still in place. ‘We will pause here a moment. Gather round.

‘When we go out, the Islet lies to our left, some three hundred and fifty paces away, the last hundred across a causeway that will be a little awash, the tide being on the ebb but not yet low. The path is marked by large stones; stay within them. Now, I am going to draw the spell of unseeing off Clariel and Belatiel, for it is you two who will go to Marral’s hut, looking for bright fish –’

‘Bel is to accompany me?’ asked Clariel. ‘But Roban is my guard.’

‘We will need Roban to help if the creature does come forth in its full strength,’ said Kargrin. ‘If it does, you and Bel should withdraw and observe. If we are overcome, you must retreat, back to the main South Gate, not this postern. The guards there are with us, and will protect you. Get under the aqueduct, for this will also lessen the creature’s power.’

‘You mean we just back off and leave you, Roban and Gullaine to fight it?’ asked Bel. ‘I didn’t come along to flee at the first –’

‘Belatiel, you promised to follow orders,’ said Gullaine, in a voice that brooked no opposition.

Bel opened his mouth, and raised one hand falteringly, then lowered that hand and shut his mouth.

‘Good,’ said Kargrin. ‘Now. As I have said, Clariel and Bel will go first, and will be seen. There will be people about on the Islet. Ask them where Marral’s hut is, though so you know, it is the furthest hovel on the northern side, set somewhat apart. It has a kind of curtain made of shark teeth in its doorway. We will follow, unseen. When you get to Marral’s hut, do not go in. Ask him to come out. If, as I suspect, the creature is within Marral, it will reveal something of itself to Clariel.’

He paused and bent his head to look directly at Clariel, speaking with measured force.

‘You may feel it in your mind, Clariel, or see something that wasn’t there beforehand. As soon as you do, call out and back away. We will either bind it quickly, or if not, you will soon see the way matters go. If they go ill, as I have said, run for the South Gate. Run as fast as you can, and do not look back. Do you understand?’

‘Yes,’ said Clariel and Bel together.