He was holding a big iron key.‘Jack, the doors to the Dark House are open now. I can no longer prevent your coming and going. You are your own master now. But follow me, if you please – this one last time . . .’Jack was confused. The Magus was his enemy. Why was his enemy talking like a friend?Jack followed the Magus into the house and into the laboratory. There was a vessel on the floor sealed and wrapped in sacking. Some of the smaller tongs and bellows and stirrers and jars were packed in cases. Wedge was there, frantically wrapping and stacking.Then Jack saw his mother. She had been carried into the laboratory.‘I was about to put her with the other statues,’ said the Magus, ‘but as she is your mother, you may decide for yourself.’‘She is not stone,’ said Jack, a cold fear creeping through him.‘Is she not?’ replied the Magus mildly, and then he grabbed Jack’s arm, and pulled him to the brazier that leapt with green flames. Jack realised that his own physical strength had greatly increased, and that he could throw off the Magus if he chose to, but because he was afraid, he did not do so.‘Jack,’ said the Magus, ‘how different it might have been if you had served me.
