“Brilliant. But I need you to do it all, because Edwin and I need to pretend to be going along with Craftsman Primrose. When he awakens the stag-men, they will march on the factorium and take it by force. As they emerge from the forest, you’ll need to be ready to transmit the signal. But we must make sure the plan stays between the three of us. No one in the Guild can find out what’s going on or we risk Craftsman Primrose hearing about it.”

They fell quiet.

“This machine could kill dozens of personifates at the flick of a switch,” Edwin said quietly.

Prue nodded. “We have to get this right.”

“How about using the messenger tower? Agapantha could sneak away when all the craftsman and masters are busy at the pre-harnessing gathering. It’s the perfect place to transmit a signal from,” said Edwin.

“We don’t want to risk hitting the Guild personifates,” said Agapantha. “Including you.”

“They will all be helping at the factorium. As long as we focus the signal correctly with the parabolic reflector,” said Prue. “Meanwhile, Edwin and I will go ahead with Craftsman Primrose’s plan. We take, or break, his transmitter, so he can’t contact the stag-man on my farm. When the stag-men army is taken down, Craftsman Primrose will be powerless, and the masters can capture him. Then we send help to my parents and take care of the last stag-man.”

“What was that?” said Edwin.

“You mean, how do we take care of the stag-man?” Prue asked.

“No, I get that, I just thought I heard rustling.”

A box creaked nearby.

Prue put her fingers to her lips and they crept towards one of the boxes. Just as they reached it, the flaps burst open.

“Surprise!”

Prue’s stomach lurched.

Cora stepped out of the box and brushed herself down. “What interesting schemes of fantasy you all seem to be concocting! Honestly, you should learn to be more careful with your correspondence: throwing that note in the library bin was pretty obvious.”

Prue stepped towards her. “Please don’t say anything, Cora – you don’t know what you’re messing with. Craftsman Primrose is dangerous, and people’s lives are at stake.”

“Dangerous? Craftsman Primrose?” Cora stifled a giggle.

“I know he doesn’t seem like it, but he is. He’s a personifate rights fanatic, and he’s got Prue’s parents hostage,” said Edwin.

“Craftsman Primrose wouldn’t harm a fly. You’re making up lies about a craftsman just to amuse yourself and your friends in your little fantasy. Perhaps I’ll tell Craftsman Primrose what you waste your time doing. Stag-men, ha! I think you might have actually wanted me to find that note, just so you could have an audience for your games.”

“Cora, it’s all true, I swear,” Prue pleaded.