They were just leaving the sapsmiths’ circle when Lug gave a shriek. Liska skidded to a halt, spinning round almost on the spot. Expecting to find her friend tumbled over a tree root or tangled in a patch of ivy, she was horrified to see him clutched in the grip of a black-robed figure.

Is that . . . Noxis? Her first thought made her hackles rise and she bared her fangs, a fierce snarl building in her throat. But then she peered closer and saw that this mage wasn’t quite tall enough to be an adult and beneath his hood was a mop of black hair.

‘Odis,’ she said. ‘Here to do some of your traitor-father’s dirty work?’

For a second the boy’s eyes boggled as he was faced with a talking mythical animal, and his grip on poor Lug tightened. Then he realised who – or what – Liska was. He let Lug fall to the floor and stood, shoulders slumped.

‘No,’ he said. ‘No. I’m not going to hurt you. I just wanted to get your attention. I’ve come to warn you.’

‘About another attack from Daddy’s friend Bitterblight?’

Elowen had helped Lug up from the ground and then pushed him behind her, shielding him. Liska flared her wings wide, green eyes flashing with fury. ‘Too late. It’s already started. The whole of Arborven is in danger. Are you happy now?’

Odis clenched his fists and slammed them against his thighs. ‘Just listen, will you? It’s you that’s in the most danger. All three of you. And it’s . . . it’s my fault.’

Liska snorted. Her eyes flicked around the surrounding trees looking for enemies, worrying that she’d led them into a trap. ‘Explain yourself,’ she said.

‘I heard you,’ said Odis. ‘You and the worm boy. Talking outside the Undrentree. I heard what you said about the Cryptwood, so I followed you. And then I heard you talking to that . . . that girl.’ He glanced at Elowen and then looked away quickly, as if the sight of her unnerved him.

‘Oh, yes?’ said Liska. ‘And what did you hear exactly?’

Odis shrugged. ‘About your plan. About the other tree in the north and how you were going to get its heart. It sounded stupid, you know. Everybody’s heard about that dumb legend, but no one believes it.’

‘You must,’ said Liska. ‘That’s why you’re here to stop us. What’s going to happen? Are some seepers going to jump out and get us?’

‘I’m not trying to stop you! I’m trying to save you!’ Odis clenched his fists again, but this time he seemed more upset than angry. It even looked like he was about to cry.