“Additionally, as you discovered this morning, we have the small matter of preparing one hundred personifates by the blood moon, so the start of your apprenticeship is going to require fast learning. We’ve decided to give you introductions to as much as we can manage over the coming week, then it will be all-hands-on-deck for the next few moons. You won’t see as much of us as you should, but we’ll do our best. We’ll need all the help we can get with the hundred, although your tasks will of course be limited due to your inexperience.

“You may wonder why I have chosen to take your lesson outside,” said Master White.

The three exchanged questioning glances. She smiled. “Curiosity is a great motivator, so I will tell you the answer lies at the top of that chimney.”

The three apprentices gazed up at the soaring structure.

“How do you all feel about heights?”

For once, Agapantha’s cheeks didn’t fill with red, but her face became alabaster white.

“No objections? Excellent. I’ve turned off the artificial smoke for us. Let’s get climbing!” said Master White, striding towards the highest chimney of the factorium. Edwin leapt behind, but Agapantha didn’t move.

Prue put her arm around Agapantha’s shoulder. “Someone once told me that if you do one brave thing, the next one will be easier and before you know it, you’re climbing mountains. Sometimes you’ve just got to go for it – come on.”

Agapantha smiled weakly and let Prue grab her hand, pulling her along after the others.

They began climbing the exterior metal staircase spiraling up to the top. It had a sturdy railing, although Prue went behind Agapantha to help her feel safer. Agapantha moved rigidly and she kept a firm grip on the handrail.

As they climbed higher and the staircase twisted around the back, Prue looked down to see an orchard and great vegetable patches behind the factorium with what appeared to be the mole personifate, Abel, busying around, although Prue couldn’t be sure from this distance.

“We pride ourselves on being self-sufficient and grow all manner of things at the factorium,” Master White called.

By the time they reached the top rim, they were hot and thirsty. Although the rim had high-bricked edges almost to their shoulders, Agapantha stayed equally distant from either side. Master White laid out a picnic blanket and passed Prue and Agapantha cups of elder water. Prue leant her elbows on the wall. The views were breathtaking: Medlock’s great towers and spires glimmered like crystals and to the sides were lush green hills and sun-soaked valleys.

“Who can tell me what lies in a straight line eastward?” asked Master White.

Edwin tapped Prue’s leg. “May I?”

She smiled and nodded, and he jumped up on to her shoulder to see over the walls.

“The city of Gawthorpe,” he said.

“Indeed. How about in the west?”