Alec nodded and went out.

Thero delved into one of his equipment trunks and returned to the desk with a leather envelope and a stylus made from a small feather. He carefully extracted a thin sheet of silver from the envelope and smoothed it on the surface of the desk. Using the stylus, he inscribed line after line of tiny characters on it, murmuring to himself. When he had filled the sheet, he drew his wand and rolled the foil around it, whispering more magic.

“This is a combination of the protective binding spell and a ward,” he explained as he unrolled it and cut the foil into five narrow strips. “Let me see your amulet, Micum.”

He pulled it from the neck of his coat, and Thero wrapped the foil tightly around the string above the golden amulet. “This should ward off demons.”

“Should,” muttered Seregil as Thero did the same with everyone’s amulet. “I’ve never liked that word.”

“It’s the best I can do.”

Alec returned with the boy, and Thero fixed charms to their amulets.

“Are you sad, Master?” asked Mika as Thero hung the amulet around his neck. “Your eyes are red.”

“I’m worried about Klia,” Thero replied.

“I am, too,” Mika said, and hugged Thero.

The wizard still did not seem completely comfortable with being hugged, but he smiled and patted Mika’s back. “Thank you.”

“We’ll save her, Master.”

“Yes, we will,” he replied, but Seregil heard the doubt and concern in his voice. “Alec, are you up to going in now?”

“Of course. All I need is some food and my sword. I’ll put on those rags I got on the other side and hope they turn back into clothing. If not, I know where to find more.”

“Do you need me to come with you?” asked Mika.

“Not this time,” said Alec. “If I can’t get back then you’ll have to come find me, right?”

Mika nodded.

“Good. You’re very valuable, you know.”

“I just want Klia back.”

“We all do,” Alec replied with a smile. “Look after everyone for me while I’m gone.”

“I will.”

“And I think I’ll try my luck down by the river, where you went through, this time.”

“Just go to the rock,” Mika advised. “That’s where I saw the boy and after that I guess we just got in without me noticing until later.”

Thero and Seregil walked with Alec to the cook’s area and watched as he put a few turnips, some hard-boiled eggs, a loaf of bread, and a skin of water into a sack.

Thero stepped away and returned a moment later with a live chicken flapping as he held it by the legs.

“What’s that for?” asked Alec.

“You couldn’t walk through with me in the palace. I’m curious as to what would happen if you carry something living with you.”