‘Yes, free us!’ shouted the Praetor, his voice cracking. ‘We were meant to be collectors of knowledge, not nursemaids! Vail will seal the borders. He will prevent the influx of immigrants. I bear the Domechildren no enmity, but preventing them from entering will give us the time, the space to finally do what we were meant to do. We will be—’

‘So that’s what you were after all along,’ said June scornfully. ‘Power. All that posturing and preening, and talk about service to the people and—’

‘I am not here to answer ridiculous accusations,’ said the Praetor haughtily. ‘I merely came to inform Father of the decision of the people, as is my duty, since he was not present at the time of the results.’

He turned to Hook-Nose’s companion. ‘You! Go and make sure that everyone’s left for the Square.’

‘Everyone’s left.’

The Praetor looked hard at him. ‘Then go and make sure that there are no stragglers here. And be quick about it! Lord Vail wants everyone in Sanctuary present at the Square as he shares with us his vision for the future. Every single person. He made that clear. And, as for you, wait with your companions outside. Guard this door. I shall ask Lord Vail what he wishes to be done about the former Council after he has finished speaking. And the prisoners—although Ucho has already made it clear he will settle for nothing less than the harshest penalty for all four of you.’

‘Better tie ’em all up,’ said the hook-nosed one.

The Praetor frowned, then nodded. ‘Very well. Tie up the prisoners, then. Only the prisoners. We need not worry about the former Council helping them—they know only too well the penalty such an act would carry. But let no one enter or leave this room till you hear from me. I shall speak with my lord and send instructions for you.’

‘Is that what he wants to be called now?’ said June, a derisory look on her face. ‘Lord Vail? He thinks he’s a lord now?’

‘He asks nothing of us,’ said the Praetor quickly. ‘It is we who choose to call him our lord, he who will lead us into a new age.’

He waited long enough to watch the guards tie them to their chairs, and then turned around, walking towards the exit, and turned around again, as neither of the soldiers showed any sign of moving. ‘Well, what is it?’

‘Can’t leave just two men to guard ’em,’ said Hook-Nose’s companion.

‘Oh, really?’

‘Aye. We need three men here.’

‘And why is that?’ said the Praetor in a withering voice. ‘They are tied up. Can two trained soldiers not handle a few prisoners, an old man and a woman? No? Then be done with this insubordination, and run to the task I have given you!’