Opening a sliding door in the side of the bizarre vehicle, Foster ushered Grimm and the others inside. He directed them towards the banks of padded benches set along each inner wall of the machine and then slammed shut the door behind him.

Xylox was the last to sit down on the patched leather. He leaned forward in a conspiratorial manner, switching his gaze from one of the party to the next as he spoke: "I want all of you to stay alert for any hint of duplicity on Foster's part, or on the part of any other that we should meet at Haven. There may be attempts to control our minds-resist them as best you can, at all costs, but you must do your utmost not to show any hint of suspicion or distrust."

The senior mage's lip curled as if in distaste. "You, girl, are to keep your larcenous hands to yourself, and to keep your mouth shut during our visit," he said. "Questor Grimm, I hold you responsible for the child's behaviour; ensure that she does not jeopardise our mission."

Grimm felt the Grivense urchin, who had taken the seat to his right, stiffen as if intending to deliver a stinging rebuke to the senior mage for his harsh, imperious words. He put his hand on her left shoulder and squeezed it gently, yet with an unmistakeable hint of urgency. He felt a measure of relief that she seemed to take the hint, and she remained silent.

The interior walls of the vehicle were garlanded with a complex maze of cables whose purpose Grimm could not begin to fathom, but he understood the reason for the holes drilled into the structural rings and girders supporting the outer skin of the craft; they must be intended to reduce the weight of the supporting members. Weight must be a major concern with any machine designed to take to the air.

He heard thumping noises from under his feet, and he guessed that Foster was disassembling his marvellous hut and loading the component pieces into the belly of the helicopter in a piecemeal fashion. A decisive, louder clack seemed to indicate that the process was complete, and Foster climbed into the front of the vehicle.