"And rightly so," he says quietly. "Your understanding was correct, Lady Pent. Abigail."

"There are dreadful risks in the trials, and a stern price to be paid for Lyctoral power. But it was my intention that those selected would have the opportunity to, as you say, study and understand exactly what they were undertaking."

"This is devastating news. Not only because of the loss of yourself and your husband, but because it means the whole matter is in peril."