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to the Jade Circle?’ she asked, a little more calmly.
    ‘If we push it, we can make six leagues by nightfall,’ said Jensen. ‘And if we can keep the pace up we’ll make it ta Sylvaris and the Jade Circle in five days.’
    ‘Five days!’ protested Charlie. ‘There’s no way I can leave my gran alone for that long. No way, no how. I’m sorry, but I thought we could get this sorted a lot quicker, but if we’re talking five days or more then I’ve got to go home.’
    Jensen shook his head in sorrow. ‘Charlie, lass, if ya go home now, Bane is gonna get ya. Yer of no use ta anyone if ya get eaten, and that’s wot’ll happen if ya return. Please trust me: the Jade Circle is the only way to help yer family.’
    While Charlie was thinking about his words, Jensen turned back to the group. ‘Lentol, come over here and take a look at the bump on Charlie’s noggin. The rest of ya, pack yer bags – we’re going back to Sylvaris.’
    Jensen supervised the packing as everyone sprang into action. Water was flung on the fire, food hastily wrapped and fresh water taken from the river. In a very short space of time the Tremen were ready. Bags slung across backs and over shoulders, they began to trudge towards the forest. The pink birds scattered, breaking into flight at their approach.
    Stodel, a young, enthusiastic-looking Treman, held a hurried conversation with Jensen by the edge of the clearing. Giving up his heavy backpack, he accepted a lighter bag and several flasks of water in its place. Shouting out his good-byes, he then jogged down the path, his topknot bouncing from side to side.
    Charlie turned to Kelko. ‘Where’s he off to?’
    ‘We’re sending Stodel ahead to give the Jade Circle the heads up.’
    She nodded, then peered behind for a final view of the waterfall. The path leading up the cliff face was her only way back home. Racked with sudden indecision, she turned to Kelko.
    ‘What’s Sylvaris?’
    ‘It’s our city, lass. The home of the Tremen. “The Flower of Deepforest”.’
    ‘And that’s where I’ll find the Jade Circle? They’ll answer all that I need to know about my parents … and about Bane?’
    ‘Yes, lass.’
    Charlie sighed. I’ll be home as soon as I can, Gran , she promised. With Sic Boy striding by her side, she then turned her back on the cliff and marched boldly into the forest.



6
    An Education
    Bane watched as the door that led to the other realm swung shut behind him. Flexing his shoulders, he marched down the stone-flagged corridor. The Shades, no longer needed by their master, disappeared through the low archways on either side. Approaching the end of the corridor, Bane clapped his hands together and the two mighty red-panelled doors in front of him opened. Cowled servants, dressed in magnificent blood-red livery, bowed in unison as Bane strode into the lushly carpeted hall. Several approached him bearing fruits, spiced cakes and liquors to refresh him after his journey. Bane dismissively waved them aside.
    ‘Just bring me my robes of office,’ he growled. ‘I have no time to dawdle.’
    Two of the footmen removed Bane’s travel cloak and replaced it with a magnificent black hooded robe that was decorated with gold embroidery. A third footman approached and placed a heavy gold chain round his neck. Its dark red stones flickered and glowed with a soft light.
    Checking his image in a polished brass mirror, Bane grunted his approval, then marched from the hall, his giantstride carrying him quickly along the passages. Opulent furnishings lined the way: great paintings depicting ancient battles, jade vases, marble statues, jewel-encrusted weapons and more hung from the walls. Bane thumped past with uncaring eyes. Opening a portcullis, he entered a large, dank room with a circular pit in the middle. Mildew covered the sandstone walls and fires had been lit in braziers in an attempt to keep the oppressive cold at bay. A heavy, rusting metal grate covered the pit’s