‘Yes, I did.’ Liska cut him off. ‘And we are going. This might be Arborven’s only chance. Somebody has to try it and it clearly isn’t going to be the adults. But we were wondering . . . would you be able to come with us? As our guide?’

Elowen did the clappy thing with her hands again, and this time added in a happy dance. ‘I was hoping you would say that! How exciting . . . of course I’ll come!’

‘Hang on,’ said Lug. ‘Doesn’t she have to ask her parents first? Don’t we have to ask our parents?’

‘If we ask them, they’ll say no,’ said Liska. ‘In fact, my mother will probably lock me in the Noon Fort until I’m eighteen. And then I’ll never get a stripe.’

‘And I, Master Lug,’ said Elowen, ‘am five hundred and seventy-eight years old. I don’t have to ask anyone’s permission to do anything.’

‘Yes, but I . . . I mean, my parents . . .’

‘Lug,’ said Liska, taking him by the shoulders again. ‘I’ve explained how amazing this could be for the vermispexes. We’ve both seen that nobody except us is willing to try it. And we all know that, if somebody doesn’t act soon, Arborven and the Undrentree are doomed. Now. Are you going to give up and come along with us, or do we have to tie you up and kidnap you? Because those are your only two options.’

‘You’ll be very safe,’ said Elowen. ‘I’m sure things outside the city haven’t changed too much in the last five hundred years.’

Lug opened and closed his mouth a few times as he tried to think of another excuse. He looked like a beached fish gasping for air. Both girls just stared at him, hands on hips, as immovable as the granite of the Shield Mountains.

In the end, all he could do was slump his shoulders and sigh.

‘We’ll take that as a definite “yes”,’ said Liska, grinning, and led them all back out of the Cryptwood.

*

They paused at the entrance to the old wood to say their goodbyes.

‘It was so nice to meet you,’ said Elowen. ‘I can’t even remember the last time I had a visitor. When shall we leave upon our adventure?’

Lug looked as though he was about to say ‘never’, so Liska quickly spoke over him. ‘As soon as possible,’ she said. ‘Tomorrow maybe?’

‘But how will I know what medicine to bring?’ Lug wailed. ‘There could be things out there I don’t know I’m allergic to! And how do we actually get out of the city?’

‘Oh, that’s simple,’ said Elowen. ‘I know a pathway through the mountains to the east, just below the Stormfort. We need only bring blankets and spare clothing. And some food and water for you both. I myself do not need to eat or drink.’