I'm a long way from Figgin's dosshouse now! she thought, breaking into a grin.

Tab waited for the council meeting to be finished and then approached the Chief Navigator as she swept along the corridor. ‘Excuse me, ma'am, I'm wondering – how is Torby?’

Tab had not seen her young friend for a few weeks. After the two of them escaped from Tolrush, the Chief Navigator had whisked him into confinement. Publicly she said the child was exhausted, and Tab thought that was partially true, but Torby also had powerful gifts, and Tab guessed that was the real reason for Stelka's interest in him.

Stelka frowned. ‘Torby suffers a great deal. Nobody knows how long he was tortured by the Tolrushians.’

Tab rubbed the palm of her hand where she bore an ugly scar – a souvenir from her own experience in Tolrush's dungeons. ‘Maybe if we could visit…’ she began.

The Chief Navigator cut her off. ‘His mind is broken. He has very little control of his gifts. Right now he is a danger to himself and others.’

‘But…’

‘Torby cares for you a great deal. He is grateful that you rescued him, but right now his focus is on healing and mastering his powers with the guidance of magicians versed in the ancient arts. I assure you that he is not alone at any time.’ And with that the Chief Navigator hastened down the stairs and away.

During the next few hours the three youngsters sat around a table in one of the palace antechambers thrashing out a game schedule. The broad doors were open and Tab could see lines of young recruits forming in the square. Officers from the Sky Sailors’ Guild took their names and formed them into training teams. Even Tibbid, the town crier, helped out, standing as tall as his crooked frame would allow, directing traffic from atop an upturned barrel.

‘Over here for lokey spokey.’ Tibbid pointed. ‘The line in the centre is for baubles only. Baubles will be provided, but any children with their own set of knucklebones should join the queue on the left and advise the officer when they get to the front. We are still short on hooey balls. All equipment will be returned or replaced with an item of equal value.’