The Spellcoats by Diana Wynne Jones

it,” she said. “The sea rises twice a day and comes up the River.”
    â€œOh, we know all about that,” Hern said. “We—er—we were just seeing how high it came up.”
    â€œOf course,” she said.
    â€œWe know it’s different by the sea,” I lied.
    â€œOf course,” she said. I know she was laughing at us as she slipped away behind the chimneys.
    We felt very foolish and very scared. When Robin and Duck learned we were sharing the roofs with Heathens, they wanted to row away in the dark, but we gave up that idea because we could not see where the two lines of trees were by then. Instead we threw our fire into the water and got into the boat. There we did not sleep for a long time, but we never heard a sound from the Heathens.

7

    We did not hear the Heathens go, but we were the only people on the roofs in the morning. Hern and I climbed a tower in the middle and made sure of it.
    â€œNow, please,” said Robin as we were all getting into the boat, “let’s decide where to stop. What kind of place do we want to live in?”
    â€œWe’re going down to the sea first,” said Duck.
    â€œSurely not,” Robin said. She gestured to the pink clay brother in the bows of the boat. “Think of Gull.”
    At once it was certain that Duck, Hern, and I were all settled on going to the sea. “I do think of Gull,” said Hern. “I want to see that magician—if there is a magician. I’m going to flood him out with real things. I shan’t believe a word he says. That’s the only way to deal with magic.”
    â€œI’d have thought more magic would be better,” said Duck. “But I’ve got to go there, too.”
    My thought was that we would find a magician by the sea and he would prove to be Tanamil. I growled like a dog, I was so angry—angry with Tanamil and angry with myself for believing anything he said. “I’m going to see that magician,” I said, “and I’m going to rescue Gull.” I knew I had not the power to do that. I took up the One and shook him, I was so angry. “He’ll help,” I said. “He’d better!”
    â€œTanaqui!” said Robin. “You mustn’t threaten the Undying! I think you’re all mad or—or something.”
    â€œDon’t you start on about being the eldest and knowing best!” said Hern. “We’ve all decided.”
    â€œI wasn’t,” Robin protested. “I don’t know best. I don’t know anything anymore. All I know is that it’s dangerous. If I didn’t know it was quite as dangerous in Shelling, I’d ask to go home.” She bent her head, and tears dripped. Hern sighed.
    â€œWe’ll find a really nice home when we’ve been to the sea, Robin,” I said.
    It took us four days to come near the sea. It might have taken longer if the wind had not backed to southwest and come hurling over the plains of water, bringing ruffles like gooseflesh. With that we made speed even when the tide turned and flowed up the River. Each day it flowed more strongly, until we came to expect it, as we expected the sun to rise. We found it useful, for it showed us where the River truly ran. There were no more trees to mark the River after the first day. Instead there was a very confusing landscape.
    I think more people had lived in that part of the land than I knew existed before. It rose into humps and lumps everywhere. The flooded River flowed round them in lakes, in strings of shallow pools, and in a multitude of smaller rivers. Often the first sign we had that we had missed the main River was that we found ourselves sailing beside the posts of a fence. There were houses on nearly every hump of land and more houses half underwater. Not all these houses were burned, but there were no people anywhere. We risked staying in an empty house one night, but none of us felt comfortable there.