Understanding flooded through Danny. When I make a gate, I don’t push the gate, I invite it. My own body is controlled the way a mage gets his heartbound to obey: by invitation, by trust, by willing obedience.

Danny, Pat murmured. I think we barely know our own bodies. I think we ride them like leaves on the wind, blown about by the body’s desire, and only rarely persuading the body to follow a higher plan. You knew how to block your body’s fulfilment of desire—that’s how you resisted the girls who wanted you. How you resisted me. But resisting your body is not the same as knowing it.

Right, replied This One.

I can’t expel Set, thought Danny. So I can’t stop him from interposing himself between my body and my will.

But that idea was immediately set aside by This One. Or rather, Danny immediately felt sluggish-minded and stupid, which is how he experienced This One’s “no.”

I can stop him from getting between me and my body. By making sure they are not two separate things. By truly becoming one with my body. So there’s no interval into which Set can push through and block me.

But if I do that, Set will give up and leave, and then we won’t know where he is.

Tomorrow’s battle, Pat answered. Your freedom, your control of your body: today’s battle.

This One said nothing.

I think I can’t learn how to do this here, away from my body, thought Danny North.

That is right.

Please make an exception to the rule and let Pat and me go back to our bodies. We will learn how to know our bodies better, so no one else can come between us, so that our bodies will respond perfectly to our will.

And how will I explain this to all the wights who have asked for exactly that, and been denied?

Explain that I will try to make the worlds safe from Set.

You are already one of the great ones here, Danny, replied Pat. I saw it the moment we returned. They knew you, they remembered you. They rejoiced to see you but they were also puzzled, because you haven’t yet done the work appointed for you.

How was I ever supposed to do that work if no one ever told me what it was?

We choose our own works, said This One.

Am I choosing well? asked Danny.

You are choosing, and noticing your choice, and taking responsibility for it.

But is it the right way?

Why do you think there is only one right way to do your chosen work?

Because there are so many wrong ways!

You want me to always tell you what’s the right way so you never get it wrong. But if you come to count on me, then once again, am I not the one doing it, and not you?

Yes, you’d be doing it, and I’m content with that! Let me help you. Please don’t make me guess.