The pain and tiredness is slow to recede, but Sabriel smiles fit to burst as she sees her two children sitting in the boat and coming closer, illuminated by the light of the Charter Mark she had cast. Everything is more powerful down here, and the clean, silvery light is no exception.

It makes a refreshing change, but opening her arms to hug Sam and Ellie with Touchstone nearby is restoring in a way that all the magic in the kingdom could never be.

It's almost nice to be fussed over the way Ellimere does it, but Sabriel draws the line at showing them the mess of her leg - they don't need that image, ever if she has anything to do with it.

"A wound from the Dead rots quickly, I'm afraid," she says ruefully, making it matter-of-fact.

"All will soon be well."