“Like I say, if it was you, which it wasn’t, I would tell you that security is paramount at this time. Fear not, you’ll be perfectly safe to take part in the catching of the spirit lights this evening, so have fun.” Craftsman Primrose flipped back the mouse painting and opened the door. “Oh, and I’m pleased to report that all is ahead of schedule for the blood moon, and I can’t say more, but Master Woolstenbury has confirmed that Sahwen celebrations should go ahead as planned.”

*

That evening the releasing and catching of the spirit lights was much quieter. Most apprentices were being drafted in for last-minute work on the hundred; so it was only the newest apprentices, Liddy, Lavender, Queen Adelaide, Abel and a few flying personifates from the messenger tower who made their way to the lawn. Prue, Agapantha and Edwin couldn’t help but glance nervously at the forest edge as they walked.

They released the previous lights, which flitted away and disappeared like blown candles into the night.

“I’m pleased to have met you, Prue Haywood,” said Luella, sitting on Prue’s shoulder.

“I’m pleased to have met you too, Edith Scamp.”

“It’s a funny thing … how paths cross, so many ifs and buts and chance throws of the dice. I guess what I’m saying is I feel … very lucky … if luck is a thing.”

Prue gently stroked the pigeon’s head.

The lights began appearing. Luella took flight, and everyone started leaping around the great lawn catching the new lights.

After a while, Prue sat down to catch her breath while the others continued jumping with their nets. She pulled her cloak around her. It would be winter soon. In the dusk, the treeline looked like skeleton fingers reaching for the sky. The shadows of the forest were impenetrably black. Prue was glad she was nowhere near the forest edge.

Then, Luella suddenly dived into the grass close by. For a moment, Prue thought she was trying out some new aerial manoeuvre, but she didn’t rise again – the grass was still. Then fear gripped her stomach.

Prue ran over. “Luella! Are you all right?” she called. Her eyes found Luella’s bright shape in the grass, still as the night air. “Luella?” Prue said, panic making her voice high-pitched. She frantically looked around. “Ag, come quickly!” Prue scooped Luella up in her hands and said breathlessly, “Luella, wake up. Are you all right?”

Agapantha joined her.

“Ag, maybe she’s sleeping?”

“Prue, personifates don’t sleep.”

What was wrong? She slowly turned Luella over, but her body was intact. “I just modified her wing. Did I do something wrong?”

Agapantha rested her arm on Prue’s. “I think it was just her time. She’s being showing signs that her qwortzite was failing for a while.”

“But I just fixed her,” Prue whispered.