Childermass nods again, stepping back and straightening himself now that Norrell has seemed to settle once more. "You will need a plan," he says. "To prepare yourself against what may come. You have sent word to Daybreak and to Hillingdon to gather aid. You will need to gather what you can together and use everything you can to your advantage. It is as you said, sir. They will not go down without a fight. It is a fight that you must prepare yourself for."

Childermass knows Norrell, after all. He has been in his service for many years now. And 'fight' is hardly within the man's vocabulary. But if he is to climb the ladder as he would like, then he must learn, for better or for worse.