I’m standing now, but I’ve done it so suddenly that my head’s full of stars, and for a moment I can barely see. I stumble forward anyway, for there’s no time.

Ho ktistais

Ho ktistais . . .

The Willow Tree raises the dagger in the air. I’m only halfway there. A glint of candlelight from the knife blade hits my eyes. I won’t make it in time. The woman pulls the cloth from the tiny, squealing body, and I see a flash of pink skin as the knife comes down. There’s one last squeal.

I cry aloud as I fall hard onto my knees.

The Willow Tree’s head whips towards where I’ve fallen, but I’m back behind a pew. ‘Block the door!’ he whispers.

The woman’s already running for the entrance. If they’ll kill a babe in a Makerhall, what will they do to me if I’m caught? I squeeze my jaw shut to stop my teeth from shaking. I need another way out.

Behind the altar is the vestment room. Mayhap there’s a passage in and out for the Makermen. I scramble along the cold, stone floor beneath the pew towards the side of the hall. When I get to the end I listen. I only hear one set of footfalls: the fast pat of the woman near the entrance. I hazard a look. The Willow Tree is only paces away, and he’s still got his knife.

‘There!’ he hisses.

I dash out and make for the front of the hall. I hear the woman’s feet on the stone floor pursuing me. She’s faster than I am. I don’t know that I’ll make it.

Look to your advantage.

I don’t have any. But then I remember the Willow Tree’s voice. He’s kept it low and quiet. They don’t want any folk to hear what they’re doing. I cannot speak, but I can surely scream.

I open my mouth and hurl my voice wordlessly into the hall. The stones echo my scream back again and again. The woman freezes, her eyes widening. I don’t stop to see what she does next. I stumble into the vestment room. There’s a small door to my right. I race to it. I don’t know where I’m going, but in I go. The door swings closed behind me.

The passageway is narrow and completely dark. I keep my hands along the walls to feel my way. I make a turn and then another. I listen for the woman or the Willow Tree, but they must have fled when I screamed.