flatly. ated, t stair was in Belisaere.”

    it, urned, and continued up tairs. Sabriel follo at  s lumbered by  more alert. atcoucone, ster some , feat toucer Magic. Subtle magic, mucunnel beloect and probably muc.

    No sensation of Deatair ime ago.

    Finally, to a large c of double doors to one side. Ligtice t o air and sky.

    “t’s tside door,” toucone said, unnecessarily.  ook Sabriel’s, notle more tub of  bot stitco t of . Sabriel t of joking about t ential for damage, but t better  of it. toucone  ted type.

    “ open?” asked Sabriel, indicating t see any  matter.

    toucone , eyes unfocused and staring, tter little chuckle.

    “I don’t remember! All tair, all the words and signals . . . and now useless! Useless!”

    “At least you got us up teps,” Sabriel pointed out, alarmed by thing.

    “I’d still be sitting by tc bubble, if you  come along.”

    “You would ,”

    toucone muttered. “Or Mogget would.

    ood! Yes, t’s o be—”

    “toucone,” Mogget interrupted, hissing.

    “S up. You’re to be useful, remember?”

    “Yes,” replied toucone, visibly calming . Milady.”

    “Please, please, just Sabriel,” siredly.

    “I’ve only just left sceen! Calling me milady seems ridiculous.”

    “Sabriel,” toucone said tentatively. “I ry to remember. ‘Milady’ is a  . . . it   reminds me of my place in t’s easier for me—”

    “I don’t care  call me milady and stop acting like a ! Just be yourself. Be need a valet, I nee