For a moment, seeing consternation and doubt flash over Talon’s face, she thought she had got through to him. But then the councillor’s face paled until the painted circles on his cheeks stood out like red chrysanthemums.

The other councillors muttered and shook their heads.

“You are making a very bad mistake,” said Talon, and Storm’s heart sank. He did not – perhaps could not – believe her.

“I am sad to find that you are not as clever as I thought,” Talon said. “Perhaps it is merely that you are young and unsophisticated. You haven’t had time to understand what you are throwing away. I think we have something to show you that will change your mind.”

Talon watched her through narrowed eyes, letting his words settle. Then he barked at the guard standing beside the door. “Bring him in!”

The guard left the room. A breath later, the door opened and two more guards strode into the room, dragging a bound and bedraggled figure between them. It was Cloud.

His face was bruised, his arms tied behind his back, his tunic dirty and torn. Gripping him by the arm, holding him on his feet, was Tolbar. Her eyes flashed at Storm, as if to say, This time I win!

Talon beckoned, and Tolbar shoved Cloud forward, pushing him on to his knees in front of the chief councillor. She stood over the kneeling boy, her hand gripping the hilt of her sword, as the head of the Fifteen rose to his feet and locked eyes with Storm.

“Mistress Storm. You and this boy are accused of unlawful use of magic within the precincts of Bellum Town. The penalties are severe. Do you have anything to say in your defence?”

“Unlawful magic?” He could not mean the attack by the Fire-witch?

“You used Air-magic to vandalise a gaming master’s stall. You broke his table and injured two visitors to our island.”

So that was it! How long had Talon had this ploy planned? “My friend and I were attacked by drunkards. I was defending myself and him in the only way I could.”

“With magic.”

“Magic given to me by the Elementals. Do you persist in picking a quarrel with them? And is it not the responsibility of the town and its councillors to ensure that honest folk may visit your town in peace without being attacked?”

“Vandalism is always illegal. And then there was the damage caused by a certain Fire-witch.”

“We did no damage! You say yourself it was the Fire-witch.”

“Witnesses report that she was attacking you. You obviously have a quarrel with her. That makes you equally responsible for that damage – extensive and expensive damage to the pavement of the square in the resulting earthquake. The Tortoise, I imagine.”

“If so,” said Storm, “I should consider your own position very carefully before you proceed against me. The Tortoise protects his own. As do the Albatross and Dolphin.”