The hob was delighted to see William safe and unharmed, but his happy mood quickly faded when William told him that the attempt to bind the demon had failed.
“Maybe it will go away now that it’s free,” the hob said hopefully. He was still invisible, but William could see the hollow in the straw where he was sitting.
“It might,” William said, stroking Matilda’s face. But somehow he didn’t think it would.
The hob was silent for a while. The straw rustled, and something long and dark moved through the air as if of its own accord. To his surprise, he saw that it was a bone whistle.
“I found this and thought you could play it until Shadlok makes you a new flute,” the hob said.
William took it from him and turned it over to inspect it. The bone was dark and shiny from years of use. He put it to his lips and softly blew a wavery note. He felt for the holes and blew again. The whistle was a crude instrument and had fewer holes than his flute had, but after a few attempts, he managed to play a recognizable tune.
“Where did you get it from?” William asked.
“It was in a wooden box in a shed,” the hob said, sounding very pleased with himself. “There were spider’s webs all over the box, and dust. I don’t think anyone wants it, so you can have it now.”
“Hmm, I’m not sure that’s such a good idea,” William said. Stealing from Sir Robert, even if it was only a long-forgotten whistle, was not a wise thing to do, but perhaps he could borrow it for a while.
“Play the summer song,” the hob said.
William rolled his eyes, but couldn’t help smiling. “Very well, but just the once.”
“Or maybe twice,” the hob said.
William leaned against the wooden partition and began to play.
At dusk, Shadlok came to find him.
“I have been looking for you,” the fay said. Matilda whickered with pleasure at the sound of his voice. He stood beside her and stroked her neck.
“I’m keeping out of the way,” William said. The hob was curled up beside him, still safely invisible, sleeping off a meal of hazelnuts and apples, which he had found in one of Sir Robert’s well-stocked storerooms, and a great deal of cuckooing.
“That is probably for the best,” Shadlok said. “Rumors of what has been going on here today are rife, and word is out that Sir Robert is ill. It is fair to say we are not popular,” he added wryly.
William made a face. He had no doubt about that. “How is Sir Robert?”
“There is nothing wrong with Sir Robert’s body,” Shadlok said. “The demon has blighted his mind. He is conscious now, but he mumbles and mutters and does not know who or where he is. I think there is very little the monk can do for him, and whether or not he will recover remains to be seen.”
“Is Dame Alys here?”
“Why would she be?” Shadlok asked sharply.
“Master Brice was going to send for her.”
“Well, if he did, she did not come.”
“Is the demon still close by?” William asked.
“No, it seems to have gone, but I am sure we have not seen the last of it.”
There were a couple of apples in the straw, left over from the hob’s meal. Shadlok helped himself to one and held it on his flat palm for Matilda. Her soft lips scooped it up and she munched it contentedly, her eyes half closed. A small smile touched the fay’s mouth as he watched her.
William glanced down at the patch of straw where the hob was snoring softly. “We’ll stay here in the stable tonight.”
“Very well.” Shadlok gave Matilda a last pat. “We will set out for Bethlehem at dawn. Be ready.”
William nodded and settled himself deeply in the straw. For now, he felt reasonably safe. The demon had gone for the time being and apart from Sir Robert’s illness and the burnt circle in the floor, had done no damage. It was not how William had feared the summoning would go. Nevertheless, as he felt sleep creep over him, he pushed away the frightening thought that the demon was simply biding its time. Sooner or later, it would be back.