“Were we too late?” Prue said desperately as she ran into the room and fell to her knees at the top of the staircase, her voice hoarse from the cold and her legs unable to take another step.

“No, they’re still there,” said Edwin.

Prue crawled to the window. She had no idea which of the stag-men was Francis.

The three of them watched from the tower as Master Woolstenbury walked confidently to stand before Primrose.

“Surrender in peace, or my army will advance and rip apart anyone in their way,” said Primrose.

“Charles, what exactly is going on? What are you trying to achieve?” Master Woolstenbury sounded shocked, but her voice remained forceful.

“We are here to take the Guild for our own, and the Sovereign Chancellery with it. You’ve made every decision for personifates for eighteen years; it’s time to redress the balance.”

“Charles, you know very well that I can’t just hand over the Guild to you. Come and talk, we can sort things out. Whatever you have become so aggrieved about can be addressed.”

He shook his head. “I tried to talk, eight years ago.”

“Eight years ago? What do you mean?”

“Don’t you remember? You told me I showed such promise. It turns out you were right.”

Master Woolstenbury took a step backwards. She put her hand to her mouth. “It can’t be?”

The rest of the masters joined Master Woolstenbury, and a line of personifates formed to the sides of them: Zareen, the guard bear personifates, a winged wolf and Gisella the golden eagle.

“Charles? What’s going on?” said Master White.

“Amelia, this is your final chance. You and the masters need to surrender the Guild. I don’t want to harm you unless I have to.” He raised an arm and the first line of the stag-men took a step forward.

Master White looked at Master Woolstenbury.

“We can’t let you take the Guild,” Master Woolstenbury said firmly.

“In a way, I was hoping you’d say that.” Craftsman Primrose let his arm fall; the stag-men began their advance. Master Woolstenbury nodded to Zareen and the lynx personifate surged forwards, followed by the other personifates in line.

“The rest of you get back inside the factorium!” Master Woolstenbury shouted to the crowd behind.