The bird inclined his head as if he understood, then plucked the dead boar from its resting place. With a flap of huge feathers, both bird and beast were gone into the green gloom.

“Come. Hedd shall carry our dinner ahead of us. This morning, I was not sure if you were up to the tasks I had set to you, but now I am forced to praise you!”

“Why? I stood still, worked out how to use a mirror, and stabbed a poor creature to death. That’s not going to save the wood, is it?” Ark felt nauseous.

“Your Holly Woodsmen preach about be-leaf. Maybe you need some of that faith right now. You and your friends might become a force to be reckoned with.”

Corwenna had a point, though Ark’s hands felt dirty. “I suppose I did all right. It beats plunging toilets any day.” Then he remembered the way the boar looked at him as the knife went in.

“If you are to succeed, you must become friends with death. That is what lies ahead of you, if you are willing.”

“My best friend is probably dead. Isn’t that enough for you?” He was sick of the fight, sick of the way Corwenna plucked thoughts from his mind like a scavenging crow. The afternoon’s events were catching up on him. He felt his body tremble all over, as if his limbs were turning to jelly.

A few hours later, and with a bowl of boar stew sitting comfortably in his stomach, Ark lay back in bed.

Corwenna sat with him. It felt strange. His mother … his other mother was the one who normally came to sit by his bed.

“What do you mean about becoming friends with death?” The words twisted around his head, like this strange wood that now held him in its grip.

“You’ll see. This training is not for nothing. It is part of a journey you have been destined to take since the day you were born. I hope you are up to it.”

Ark didn’t like the sound of that.

“I’m sure you don’t. Ark, I am old and frail, and you are Arborium’s future. Soon, all shall become clear.” She nodded her head once and stood. “Whatever prayers you have, use them now before you sleep. I shall leave you.” She swept out through the open door, which shut behind her as quickly as it blew open.