The low murmur of Finn’s conversation with Palemon suddenly returned, becoming louder. Chloe’s breath caught. As soon as the two men entered the room, she realized it was too late to leave Dion’s side. With a shaking hand she dipped her stylus and started making marks on the parchment, pretending to be taking note of her surroundings, including the chained-up man beside her.

But then there was a new sound of approaching footsteps and she heard a strong, female voice.

‘Sire,’ the woman called, her speech as sharp as a knife, telling Chloe that she was someone who had no qualms about interrupting her king. ‘I need to speak with you. Alone.’

‘This is Zara,’ Palemon said to Finn. ‘I am sure you will have no problem taking note of her appearance.’

Chloe glanced up and her eyes shot wide open.

The cold-faced sorceress she’d faced on the Maltherean Sea stood barely a dozen paces away. The woman was exactly as she’d been when they’d faced each other in a contest of wind: straight, midnight-black hair, high cheekbones, brilliant blue eyes, and skin like stone. If she saw Chloe’s face . . . the deception would be over.

‘Who is this, sitting there with the half-breed?’ The sorceress’s eyes narrowed when she saw Chloe. Chloe kept her head down, like a lowly scribe should, allowing her long, dark hair to fall around her face.

Finn’s voice sparkled with forced jocularity. ‘She is my scribe, and documenting the physical features of your captive – eye color, hair color . . . I’m sure you understand. However, I am here to chronicle, not to impede. Scribe, you are finished. Come.’

The sorceress glared, but Chloe continued to keep her head down and back to the woman. She collected her possessions and then hurriedly followed Finn out of the chamber.

‘Well?’ Palemon raised an eyebrow, but Zara waited until the fool and his scribe had departed before she spoke.

‘I have news, sire. It is as we predicted. A great fleet is embarking from Lamara. King Kargan leads personally.’

Palemon looked out at the sea. ‘So, sorceress, the moment presents itself, our crisis and opportunity. Everything hangs in the balance. You are certain you can expose the sunken city?’

‘Not all of it, of course, but from Cape Cush I believe we can hold the sea at bay while we explore the vault beneath the Great Tower of Aleuthea.’

‘Hmm.’ Palemon rubbed his eyes; his sleep had been even worse lately, visions of his people in Necropolis making him cry out in the night. ‘Let us say for a moment that we are successful – if we are not, then nothing will help us. Let us say that we find dozens of magical chains. How would you suggest we capture so many eldren? It has been a long time since a half-breed turned up in the city.’