‘He’s not my father any more!’ Odis screamed, drawing looks from all the passing mages. Then he buried his face in his hands. ‘He’s gone. Been taken over. My father would never order three children to be hunted down and killed. That’s when I knew. He has become someone else. Someone cold and dangerous. I ran back here and not long after the attack began.’

Liska watched the boy crying, wondering what it felt like to see his father become a different person, a stranger. It must have been horrific. ‘I’m sorry, Odis,’ she said. ‘You did the right thing.’

‘I’ve met her, you know,’ he said. ‘Thresher. She’s terrifying. She was the one who made my father leave. Bitterblight must have gotten to her first. Now she serves the shadow tree and she’ll never stop. Not until she’s killed you all.’

‘She won’t catch us,’ said Liska, trying to sound much braver than she felt.

Odis just looked at her with red-rimmed eyes. ‘She’s fought and killed wyverns,’ he said. ‘You three are just children. You’re not even proper mages. You don’t stand a chance.’

‘We’ll see about that,’ said Liska with a snarl. Another jibe about being children, she thought. Why does everyone in this place think our age is going to stop us?

‘What will you do now?’ Elowen asked. ‘You can come with us if you like.’

Lug and Liska stared at their new friend in horror but, thankfully, Odis shook his head. ‘I have to go and see the treekeepers. It’s time I told them everything about Father. All the things he’s said. His plans. Some of it might help them save the city. Maybe.’

Liska nodded. Even though he had put them in danger, admitting his father was wrong and trying to stop him was a brave thing to do. Odis nodded back, then he turned and left, jogging off in the direction of the Undrentree.

When he was gone, Lug let out a long, shuddering breath. ‘Well, that’s it,’ he said. ‘It was a nice idea – very heroic and everything – but there’s no way we can go now. Not with Thresher after us. We have to stay in Arborven, where it’s safe. I’ll just unpack my robes. And Mister Wriggles.’

Liska stopped him with a paw on his leg. ‘Not so fast! The plan is still on. Do you think we’re safe here? You might know this Thresher better than me but I got a good look at her. She won’t let the fact that we’re in here stop her. She’ll hunt us down wherever we are. Our only hope is to move faster than her.’

Lug let out a long, frustrated whine.