‘No,’ Lann said, speaking out into the darkness. ‘I will not seek out danger. Not now.’ A conflict raged inside his head, and it took all his effort to push the words out as the sword and he fought for dominance. ‘There will be enough of that in the days and weeks ahead without our going to look for it.’

Nir-akuu!

‘No!’

Lann reached for the scabbard beside the bed. Picking it up, he plunged the blade into it until the hilt met the locket, holding it there with trembling hands as if he thought it might leap free of its own will. When he heard the handle to his door turn he spun around, only to see his aunt standing there, a candle in her hand.

The witch looked at the boy clutching the sheathed weapon and sighed. Stepping inside, she came over to his night light and relit it from her own before sitting on the edge of the bed.

‘It sensed something out there. Monsters.’ He took a deep breath. ‘I don’t think they are anywhere near … but it longs to attack them.’

She nodded. ‘I heard you talking. I thought you might be having a dream –’ she looked at the sword again – ‘or a nightmare. Put the sword down, Lannigon.’ He did so, and she smiled reassuringly at him. When she spoke again it was in the becalming voice she’d used when he’d first arrived at her house, blind and terrified. It was the voice she used when she spoke to the sick and those in need of comfort. It was like a small stream, bubbling over stones in a river that would itself eventually flow out into the sea. ‘You are new to majik. It is a dangerous thing and asking anything of it can lead to the asker being consumed. It is why it takes us so long to even begin to master the Art. Some people are unable to control it properly. Those who cannot, die, or lose their minds. The stronger the power, the stronger the wielder of it must be. The Dreadblade demands much of its bearer because it is itself so powerful.’

‘It wants me to go out there.’ He nodded towards the window.

‘But you have refused it.’ It wasn’t a question, more a statement of fact.

‘Yes. But it is not easy.’

‘No. It is not.’ She patted his hand and rose to her feet again. ‘You are wise to resist the blade’s demands. To do so now would divert us from our course, and it is vital that we reach the imprisoned king. Try to sleep now, Lann. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow. Your first day at sea. It will not be an easy voyage.’ With that, she closed the door again and left him.