Jobby Jones floundered. His authority was being questioned! “I’ll deal with the rest of you later.” A stubby finger pointed at Mucum. “But you should be in jail!”

“Shut it, Grandad. I was locked up, thanks to you. You know what we call Dendrans like you? Sap-sucking traitors. I hope the reward was worthwhile.”

“No one talks to me like that.” The man’s face went purple as his eyeballs nearly burst from their sockets.

“I jes’ did. Our little conversation is over.” Mucum towered over Jobby Jones. The only thing that had ever held him back had been fear of losing his job. Too late to worry about that now. Mucum pulled his arm back and bunched his fist up. He was going to enjoy this.

The look of sudden terror on his boss’s face was good, but the crunch as the boy’s fist connected with that pompous nose was even better. The gristly sound was followed by a spray of poppy red blood soaking into the boss’s once white shift. Jobby Jones fell backward like a sapling snapped in half by a hurricane. The thump as he hit the ground echoed around the chamber.

“That was for my friend Ark and also for all the lads you treated like squit for too long!” Mucum felt pleased with himself. Justified violence made him glow all over.

Shiv clapped and jumped up and down on the spot. A cheer went up around the sewage station and suddenly he was surrounded by his fellow workers.

“Buddy holly, we thought you was skivin’ off,” said one of the lads.

Little Squirt piped up. “The guards kept comin’ round each day, givin’ us the evil eye and askin’ us where you and Ark both was. Real glad to find out he weren’t a ghost! But I didn’t say nothin’, not to no one.”

“All you lot, listen up. Ark and I need yer help,” said Mucum, wiping his hand on his tunic. “The country’s in danger and there’s gonna be a fight …”

Ten sets of ears pricked up.

“… a big one. Are you up for it?”

“Do boar squit in the woods?” said Little Squirt, speaking for them all.

“I fink they do!” Mucum responded with a smile. “That’s settled, then. Phlegm and Biley, tie up the old gaffer. Shiv, can you be ready to scream again?”

“Shall I do it now?” Shiv opened her mouth to reveal a terrifying black hole. Every apprentice put their hands over their ears.

But before Shiv could let rip, Mucum grabbed her and gently put his hand over her lips. Who needed weapons with a pair of lungs like that? “Later, my little lovely. I’ll tell you when. The rest of you gather around. We’ve only got a few hours. ’Ere’s what we’re gonna do….”