‘There’s something funny about this hawk,’ said Geirrod. ‘Have a look at his eyes.’

I closed my eyes and tried to look asleep.

‘Who are you?’ said Geirrod. ‘Name yourself.’

I, of course, did no such thing.

He tried a cantrip then – a named thing is a tamed thing – which, if I had been a regular bird, would have confirmed my innocence. But, though I did not reveal my name, my ability to hide it from him told Geirrod all he needed to know.

So he opened the cage again and grabbed me tightly by the throat. I struggled and tried to bite him, but Geirrod was used to handling hawks.

‘I know you’re no ordinary bird,’ he said. ‘Tell me your name, or you’ll suffer.’

I guessed I’d suffer a whole lot more if he suspected he was being had. And so I continued to play dumb, and said nothing.

‘All right,’ said Geirrod. ‘I can wait. We’ll see how you feel in a week’s time.’ And he opened a massive, iron-bound chest and thrust me, struggling, inside. Then he slammed down the heavy lid and left me there, in the airless dark.

Not Yours Truly’s finest hour. The chest was locked. I was hungry and scared. I couldn’t change Aspect; my glam was low, and I was using all of it to conceal myself from my captors. I waited for them to release me, but time passed and I realized that Geirrod’s threat had been sincere; he meant to leave me there for a week, starving and dizzy from lack of air, unless I agreed to cooperate.

It was like Thiassi all over again, except that this time I’d chosen my fate. I was exactly where I’d meant to be, but after a few days of captivity I was starting to wonder if my plan hadn’t been a little foolhardy. Of course, I needed to make Geirrod believe that he’d broken me for real; the problem was, I wasn’t sure whether I could last the course.

Days passed without reprieve. I was hungry; thirsty. Then, after seven days, Geirrod opened up the chest and grabbed me by the throat again.

‘Well? Are you ready to show yourself?’

I took a desperate gulp of air. It felt good, but I was alarmed at how weak I’d become over seven days. Much more of this and I wouldn’t have the strength to go on. And yet I clung to my hawk Aspect, knowing that if he suspected my game, I would be helpless, in his power.

‘All right. That’s earned you another week,’ he said, and slammed the chest shut again.