I will prepare myself carefully. It will take time and I will continue this letter as I make my preparations because writing these pages has made me feel close to you. I will leave this journal here when I go, just in case you return, but I will take the key with me because I swore I would always wear it around my neck. At least I can keep that promise …

There was a sound at the door, and I looked up to see Freya enter with a tray of food. ‘I knocked but you did not hear me,’ she said apologetically.

I waved her to set down the food on the bedside table and asked, ‘Did you leave a parcel here for me?’

She nodded. ‘Fian came by with it this afternoon. He said it was Jacob’s journal and he asked me to see that you got it. It is hard to believe it was scribed by the very man who built Obernewtyn. Ceir said he was completely alone here at the end. I cannot imagine how he endured it.’

The thought came to me unbidden that the worst loneliness must be to long for someone whom you knew could never come, but I only asked, ‘Is Fian still about?’

Freya shook her head. ‘He had some errand at the Teknoguild caves but he said he would come and see you tomorrow before he goes back down to the White Valley, to get any message you might scribe for his master.’

After she had gone, I went back eagerly to the journal and reread the last words.

I will take the key with me because I swore I would always wear it around my neck. At least I can keep that promise …