Belinda and Gillian couldn’t hide their uncertainty as they listened to Ghislain's talk about recruiting new forces. His plans were always outside the bounds of conventional thinking.

‘It’s hard to believe… but it’s the first time he’s explained anything to us at all,’ Belinda thought.

‘If the young master says so, then I’ll follow,’ Gillian decided.

Neither of them fully understood, but there was nothing else to do but follow his lead. Ghislain had been more considerate by explaining his plan, but it was essentially an announcement of what he was going to do. When had Ghislain ever acted by …