The Dreaming Void

INIGO'S SEVENTH DREAM

Edeard woke with a mild hangover. Again. Last night was the third in a row he'd been out with Macsen and Boyd.

He sat up in bed and ordered the light on. The high curving ceiling started to shine with a low cream radiance. One of his three ge-chimps hurried over with a glass of water and a small compaction of powder he'd got from Doctor Murusa's apprentice. Edeard popped the little pellet on to his tongue, and took a drink to swallow. His mind drifted back to that morning years ago in Witham where Fahin had mixed his awful concoction of a hangover cure. It was still the most effective he'd ever had. Edeard was sure the pellets were little more than placebos, providing the apprentice with a small regular source of income. He finished the water quickly. Fahin had always said water helped flush away the toxins.

The circular bath pool in the maisonette's bathroom now had a series of small steps at one end so Edeard could walk down into it. He immersed himself up to his neck, settling into the seat shelf, and sighed in gratification. A ge-chimp poured in a soap liquid which produced a lot of bubbles. He closed his eyes again, waiting for the hangover to ebb away. The water temperature was perfect, exactly body warmth. It had taken him a couple of weeks experimenting to get that right; the bathing water in Makkathran was normally quite chilly for humans. He'd also remodelled the hole in the floor which served as a toilet. Now the ubiquitous wooden box employed by every Makkathran household had gone, replaced by a simple hollow pedestal which the room had grown for him. So much easier to sit on.

Various other little modifications had turned the maisonette into quite a cosy home. The standard too-high cube-shaped bed was now a lot lower, its spongy upper surface softer and more accommodating. Alcoves had shelves in them. One deep nook in the kitchen area was permanently chilly, allowing him to keep food fresh for days just like the larger city palaces did.

That was the greatest blessing of being in the constables' tenement rather than the station dormitory. Edeard could finally choose what he ate again. Half of his first monthly pay had gone on a new iron stove to cook on. He'd installed it himself, adapting the hole the previous tenant had hacked into the wall for the flue. It had pride of place in the kitchen, along with a growing collection of pans. There was even a small basin which could be used for washing up, rather than dumping everything into the bath pool as most people did. He liked that innovation enough to consider sculpting another one in the bathroom just for his hands and face. Although that really would let everyone know he had the ability to rearrange the city's fabric, sculpting it as easily as he once had genistar eggs.

Everyone who visited the maisonette.

So, no one, then.

Macsen had brought a girl back from the theatre last night. One of the dancers! As pretty as any of the grand family girls, but with an incredibly strong, supple body. He knew that because of the revealing clothes she wore when she danced on stage. Edeard gritted his teeth and tried not to be jealous. He and Boyd had struck out again. Though overall it had been a pleasant evening. Edeard enjoyed the theatres a lot more than just sitting round in taverns getting drunk. There were often several musicians up on the stage. Always Guild apprentices. Young and with passion. Just listening to some of their songs, so full of contempt for the city authorities, made him feel wickedly disloyal to the Grand Council. But he knew the words to many of the popular ones, of which several were Dybal's compositions. It was loud in the theatres, some of which were no more than underground storerooms. He'd been startled the first time he heard drums being played, it was as if the musicians had somehow tamed thunder.

One day they'd go and see Dybal playing, so Macsen promised. Edeard hoped it would be soon.

The bubbles started to disappear from the pool as the water cycled through the narrow slits around the bottom. Edeard groaned and climbed out. A ge-chimp had a robe waiting for him. He pulled it on as he walked though into the kitchen area and sat at the small table. It was right next to a cinquefoil window, giving him a view over the rooftops towards the centre of the city.

A ge-chimp placed a glass of apple and mango juice on the table, along with a bowl of mixed oats, nuts, and dried fruit. The juice was nicely chilled; the ge-chimps knew to leave it in the cold nook for an hour before serving it. He poured milk (also cold) into the bowl and started to eat, looking out across the city as it came to life under the rising sun.

It would have been a fine life indeed if he could just stop brooding about all the lawlessness haunting the streets and canals he could see. The squad had finally managed to get some convictions in the court over the last few weeks. But nothing important; some shop thieves in their early teens, a mugger who was drunk most of the time; once the Guild of Clerks sent them out to arrest a landlord defaulting on taxes. They had no impact whatsoever on the gangs who were at the heart of Makkathran's problems.

'You ready? Kanseen longtalked as Edeard buttoned up his tunic.

He pulled his boots on. New, costing over three days' pay — but well worth it. 'Coming.

She was waiting on the walkway outside, an oilskin cloak slung over her arm. 'Going to rain today, she announced.

He eyed the wide clear sky. 'If you say so.

She grinned as they started down the awkward stairs. Every morning he was 50 tempted to sculpt them into something less dangerous — write the miracle off to the Lady.

'This'll be your first winter in the city, won't it? she asked.

'Yes. Edeard couldn't quite imagine Makkathran being cold and icebound, the long summer had been gloriously hot. He'd become a good football player (he considered), with his team finishing third in Jeavons' little park league. Most taverns had seats and tables outside, where many pleasant evenings had been spent. There had even been a few days when he'd started sketching again, not that he showed anyone the results. After saving up some coinage, he and Salrana had finally taken a gondola ride around the city.

'It'll be fun, Kanseen said. 'There's loads of parties leading up to New Year. Then the Mayor throws a huge free ox-roast in Golden Park for lunch on New Year's Day — except everyone is normally so hung-over they're late. And the parks and plazas all look so clean and fresh when they're covered in snow.

'Sounds good.

'You'll need a thick coat. And a hat.

'On our pay?

'I know some shops that sell quality for reasonable prices.

'Thanks.

'And don't forget to get in an early supply of coal for your stove; the buildings are never quite warm enough in midwinter and the price always go through the roof after the first snowfall. The Lady will damn those merchants, it's criminal what they get away with charging.

'You're happy this morning.

'My sister's having her boy's naming ceremony this Saturday. She's asked me to be a nominee for the Lady.

'Nice. What's she going to call him?

'Dium, after the third Mayor.

'Ah, right.

'And you haven't got a clue who that is, have you?

He grinned broadly. 'Nope!

She laughed.

That was the way it was between them these days. Best friends. Any discomfiture left over from that night after the graduation had long faded. Which he was sort of pleased about. He didn't want them to be awkward round each other, but on the other hand he couldn't quite forget about that kiss, nor the way both of them had felt. He'd never quite had the courage to bring up what they'd said. Neither had she.

Which had left him wrestling with his thoughts about Salrana, who was always so sunny and generally lovely. It was now incredibly hard to ignore how feminine she'd become. And he suspected she knew that. Of late her teasing had taken on quite an edge.

The rest of the squad were waiting in the main hall at leavons constable station, sitting around a table finishing off their breakfast. Unlike Edeard, few of them cooked for themselves. Macsen had on a pair of glasses with very dark lenses, not too dissimilar to those Dybal wore. Kanseen took one look at him and burst out laughing. 'Were you boys out in the theatres again last night?

Macsen grunted, and scowled at her over his cup of strong black coffee.

Edeard desperately wanted to ask him what Nanitte, the dancer, was like. It must have been a fantastic night to leave him so wrecked. But friends though they were, Kanseen didn't have much tolerance for that kind of all-boys-together talk.

'Some news for you, Boyd hissed, checking round the rest of the hall's bench tables to make sure no one was paying attention.

'Go on, Edeard said as he drew up a chair. There was something almost comical about Boyd's behaviour.

'My brother Isoix is being leaned on again. They came round the shop yesterday evening as he was shutting up, and said they wanted twenty pounds to "put out the fire". They're coming back this morning to collect.

Edeard didn't like it. Three times in the last few months Boyd had told them about gang members harassing his brother at the family bakery. There'd never been any specific threat, just warnings about falling into line. Softening him up. Well, now the demand had been made. 'That's very stupid of them, he said slowly.

'What do you mean? Dinlay asked.

'They must know Isoix's brother is a constable. Why would they risk it? There are hundreds of shops in Jeavons without that kind of connection.

'They're gang members, Dinlay said. 'Greedy and stupid. This time, too greedy and too stupid.

'The ones that turn up won't be important, Kanseen said. 'Thugs who're affiliated, that's all.

'Are you saying we shouldn't help him? Boyd asked hotly.

'No, Edeard said. 'Of course not. We'll be there to make the arrest, you know that. What Kanseen is saying is that this arrest alone won't stop the problem.

Macsen hooked a finger over his glasses and pulled them down to look out over the top of the rims. 'We've got to start somewhere, he croaked.

'You make it sound like we're the ones who are going to break the gangs, Kanseen said.

'Somebody has to. I don't see the Mayor or the Chief Constable doing it.

'Oh, come on!

He shrugged, and pushed his glasses back up. They all looked at Edeard.

'Let's go, he said. 'And make sure you're all wearing your drosilk waistcoats. I don't want to have to explain casualties to Captain Ronark.

Boyd's family bakery was at the northern end of Macoun Street, not far from the Outer Circle Canal. The street was narrow and twisty with baroque buildings lined up on either side, making direct observation difficult. At ground level, the sharp turns limited the squad's farsight. The three-storey bakery itself had a central square tower with a soft-ridged mansard-style roof. Tall crescent dormer windows protruded above a mid-storey balcony, while beneath that the lower floor was reached by several flowing steps from the street leading to a wide entrance arch between two curving bay windows. Each one was filled with racks of loafs and cakes. Three ugly metal chimney stacks from the coal-fired ovens rose out of holes hacked into the tower eves, blowing thin smoke into the dampening air.

Edeard positioned his squad carefully. The gang would want a fast exit route, so Macsen and Dinlay were in a shop between the bakery and the canal. Kanseen was covering the other end of Macoun Street, wondering round the stalls of a small arcade, her cloak covering her uniform; while Edeard himself settled down in the first floor living room opposite. It belonged to a family who ran a clothing shop on the ground floor, and were close friends with Isoix. Boyd himself had returned home for the day, and was helping out in the bakery, dressing for the part in white apron and green cap. Edeard was uncertain if he should use the ge-eagle. In the end he settled for having it perch in a deep guttering furrow on the bakery's tower, almost invisible from ground level. It scared the ruugulls away, but no one else noticed it.

'At least we won't have to escort them far to the Courts of Injustice, Macsen pointed out as they started their vigil. Edeard could actually see one of the conical towers of Parliament House through the living room's balcony window.

They waited for two hours. Between them, they raised the alarm five times, only to be proved wrong on each occasion. 'So many citizens look so disreputable, Kanseen declared after a couple of adolescents ran down the street after their third hands snatched up oranges from a grocery shop display. 'And act it.

'We're all paranoid today, that's all, Macsen longtalked back. 'We see the bad in everyone.

'Is that a song title? Dinlay asked.

Edeard smiled at the banter. There was a lot to be said for being squad leader. He was sitting in a comfortable arm chair, drinking tea which the wife of the shop owner kept bringing up for him. She brought a rather nice plate of biscuits each time, too. His good humour faded as the young hooligans turned a corner out of sight. Foreboding rose into his mind, strong enough to make his skin tingle. He knew that awful sensation from before. 'Oh shit, he whimpered.

'Edeard? Kanseen queried,

'It's happening.

'What is? Macsen asked.

'They're here. It's about to start.

'Where are they? Boyd asked. 'Which ones?

'I don't know, Edeard said. 'Look, just trust me, please be careful. I know we have to be. He could sense the uncertainty in their minds, they weren't used to him saying such things. It was difficult to get to his feet, his body was reacting so badly. When he did press up against the balcony window he found it hard to concentrate on the street below.

'I think I see them, Boyd said.

Two youngish men were walking up the steps into the shop, while a third stood outside. Through Boyd's eyes, Edeard and the rest of the squad watched them swagger into the shop. Isoix straightened up from behind the counter. 'I told you before, he said. 'I don't have that kind of money.

'Yes, you do, the first man said. His gaze kept darting nervously to Boyd who was standing at the other end of the counter from Isoix.

Wrong, Edeard knew. Why would a gang member be worried about a shop assistant?

'Boyd, he knows what you are, Edeard sent in the most direct longtalk he could manage, praying the gang members wouldn't pick it out of the general background of Makkathran's telepathic babble.

'Huh? Boyd grunted.

The gang member glanced at him again, then turned back to Isoix. 'Give me twenty pounds, or we'll torch this place, he said loudly.

'No, Edeard said. The hairs on his neck were standing proud. 'No no no. Wrong!

'You, Boyd said. He pulled his apron aside to reveal a constable's badge pinned on his waistcoat. The two gang members turned to face him.

'I am a city constable, and I am placing you under arrest for threatening behaviour with intent to extort.

'How do you like that, you bastards? a gloating Isoix shouted.

'Everyone, close in, Edeard ordered. He pushed through the narrow door on to the balcony. The gang member left on the street glanced up. And smiled.

'Oh shit, Edeard growled.

'It's him, the gang member declared in a powerful longtalk. Then he started running.

Inside the bakery, the first gang member pulled out a small knife. He flung it at Boyd, who swayed backwards. His third hand just managed to push the blade aside. Isoix snatched up a much larger knife, and threw it at the gang members as they fled through the doorway. It whirled out into the street, narrowly missing a woman who was walking by. She screamed.

Edeard vaulted over the balcony rail and dropped to the street below. Landed badly, rolling as his ankle gave way. His shoulder smacked into one of the steps leading up to the clothing shop door. He yelled at the bright pulse of pain, tears squeezing out of his eyes.

His farsight caught Boyd leaping over the bakery counter. Kanseen was sprinting up Macoun Street, her cloak abandoned on the ground by the stalls. Macsen and Dinlay were moving out of their shop, confident and eager. Their shields combined as they stood in the middle of the street, blocking the way. All three gang members were racing towards them.

'Let them go, Edeard ordered.

Macsen's face registered bewilderment that came close to anger. 'What?

Edeard had regained his feet, he started to totter down the street. 'Leave them.

'You can't be serious. The three gang members were barely twenty yards from Macsen and Dinlay.

'It's a set-up. They knew we were here.

'Crap, Dinlay sent. 'I can scan them completely, they've got a couple of small blades between them. That's all.

'There'll be more, somewhere, waiting for us. Please, just let them go, I'll track them with the ge-eagle.

Macsen hesitated. He took a step towards the side of the street.

'No! Dinlay hissed fiercely. He opened his arms wide as the three gang members charged towards them.

'Dinlay, stop it, Edeard yelled. He was running now, ignoring the pain in his ankle. Kanseen wasn't far behind, charging along like a warhorse, her teeth gritted in determination. Boyd came skidding down the steps from the bakery, and took off after them.

'Stop, Dinlay proclaimed loudly, holding out a hand as if that alone would bring the whole city to a halt. 'You are under arrest.

'Oh crap, Macsen growled under his breath, and instinctively started to move back towards Dinlay. They came together as the three gang members ran into them. Fists swung, legs kicked out. Third hands scrabbled and pushed. Macsen went down with one of the gang members sprawling on top of him, his head cracked against the pavement. Dinlay was shoved hard against the wall of a hat shop, flailing wildly to regain balance. Then the gang member on top of Macsen was scrabbling to his feet, and fled with his companions. Dinlay started to chase after them.

'Come back! Edeard howled in frustration. He reached Mac-sen who was struggling upright, hand clamped on the back of his head. A trickle of blood was running down his fingers.

'What do we do? Macsen demanded, wincing against the pain.

Edeard's farsight could follow Dinlay easily enough as he ran towards the northern end of Macoun Street. The three gang members were ten yards ahead of him. 'Save him, he growled out, furious with Dinlay. He sent a single clear thought to his ge-eagle, who immediately took flight.

Kanseen was slowing as she approached Edeard and Macsen.

Her face red. Boyd was charging up behind. 'Come on, Edeard said, and took off again. Kanseen flashed a look of exasperation, and hurried along.

'You okay? Boyd shouted as he ran past Macsen.

'Yeah. Macsen took a breath, and started running.

The ge-eagle streaked along Macoun Street, swiftly overtaking Edeard and Kanseen. It shot forward, rising high above the roofs, looking down to see Dinlay racing on, his glasses askew. The three gang members had almost reached the end of the street. It came out just below Birmingham Pool, where a silver-blue bridge connected Jeavons with the lower point of Golden Park. As always, Birmingham Pool was thick with gondolas. A half-dozen moorings lined the edge beside the junction with the Outer Circle Canal all host to several waiting gondolas. The ge-eagle dipped down to the moorings as Edeard tried to work out which of the glossy black craft belonged to the gang. If this was a trap, they'd have their escape well planned.

Just before it happened, the ge-eagle was aware of two other birds, close and closing. It pivoted on a wing, looking up in time to see its attacker plummeting down towards it. Another ge-eagle, bigger, with talons clad in sharpened iron spikes. The impact punched it savagely. Gold and emerald feathers burst out of the collision point. Spikes sank into its front wing shoulder, slicing through skin and muscle, severing veins. Then the bigger ge-eagle twisted to try and snap the central wing bone. Edeard's ge-eagle fought back, writhing round to clamp its jaw on its attacker's rear wing. The two of them tumbled, falling fast. Then the second attacker hit, iron-blade talons ripping into flesh. Edeard and his ge-eagle screamed as one as its wing broke. Edeard saw talons rake towards his face, and ducked. His ge-eagle's mind abruptly vanished from perception, all that was left was a falling mass. The other two ge-eagles hurtled away over Birmingham pool. Edeard was sure he heard the splash as his bird's body hit the water.

'What happened? Kanseen cried.

'Dear Lady, they are waiting for us. Edeard pulled his perception down to find Dinlay emerging from the end of Macoun Street. 'Stop! Dinlay, for the Lady's sake, I'm begging you. He pushed his tired legs harder, sprinting for the end of the street. Thirty yards.

'I see them, Dinlay replied gleefully. He gifted the squad, who saw the three gang members clustering above one of the moorings. They grinned barbarously. For the first time, there was a pulse of uncertainty in Dinlay's mind. He slowed to a halt, ten yards away, on the edge of the pool. Still the gang members did nothing but wait. 'Stay there, Dinlay told them, taking big gulps of air after his helter-skelter dash, and waving a finger like an ancient schoolmaster dealing with a naughty class. They laughed at him.

Edeard burst out of Macoun Street. Directly to his left was the Outer Circle Canal, with the silver-blue bridge ahead, arching over the side of the pool directly into Golden Park. On his right, the buildings ended to provide a curving alameda round the side of Birmingham Pool. Neat stacks of crates were piled up above the various moorings, with shopkeepers and ge-monkeys sorting out their goods with the gondoliers. Tall weeping hasfol trees formed a long line between the edge of the pool and the alameda $ crescent facade, their blue and yellow tiger-stripe leaves starting to crisp with the end of summer. A lot of pedestrians were strolling around.

'Dinlay, Edeard shouted as he ran as fast as he could towards his isolated squadmate.

Dinlay glanced round, a hand adjusting his glasses.

Arminel stepped out from behind one of the hasfol trees, fifteen yards from Dinlay. He had a revolver in his right hand. Edeard watched helplessly as Dinlay finally realized the danger, and began to turn. Arminel brought the pistol up.

'No! Edeard bellowed at his adversary. 'It's me you want.

Dinlay opened his mouth to cry out in horror.

Arminel fired. He was smiling as he pulled the trigger.

Dinlay's shield wasn't strong enough to ward off a pistol shot. Arminel's aim was excellent. The bullet struck Dinlay in the hip, just below his drosilk waistcoat. Half of the pedestrians around Birmingham Pool yelped at the blast of pain flooding out from Dinlay. Then the vile heat of the bullet's penetration faded rapidly. Dinlay looked down disbelievingly at the blood pumping out of the wound. He collapsed.

Edeard was with him in seconds, falling to his knees, skidding into his limp friend. Dinlay's eyes were wide, he was panting in short gulps, one hand clasped over the bullet hole, skin covered in blood. 'I'm sorry, he whimpered.

A mass of screaming had broken out along the alameda. People were racing for cover. Families hugged each other, cowering away from the gunman.

Right in the centre of all the commotion, Edeard heard the revolver's mechanism snik. He widened his shield to encompass Dinlay. The bullet smacked into his side, shunting them over the rough ground. But his shield held. He snapped his head round to snarl at a disconcerted Arminel. 'Not so fucking easy, is it? he yelled defiantly. Arminel fired again. Edeard groaned in effort as the bullet hit his neck. The shield held. Just. Then someone else fired a shot.

Bastards. I knew this was an ambush.

Amazingly, his shield held. If anything it was easier to maintain now. His heart was pounding hard. Anger had washed every other sensation away, making it simple to concentrate on the shield, to see his mind's power, to channel it correctly.

Two more revolver shots thudded into his shield as he lay there, arms hugging Dinlay protectively. They shunted the pair of them a few inches over the ground, but that was all.

'Die, you little shit, Arminel shouted.

Edeard felt the man's third hand shove against him. He wasn't nearly powerful enough to get through Edeard's shielding. Edeard laughed. Then another third hand was pushing, a third. The three gang members they'd chased joined in. Edeard gasped as he and Dinlay started to slither over the ground.

'Edeard, Kanseen cried.

'Stay back, he commanded.

The gang members gave a final push. Edeard and Dinlay were propelled over the edge of the pool, and dropped three yards into the water. The impact broke Edeard's grip on Dinlay. He thrashed about just under the surface, trying to catch his friend again. Water occluded his farsight, making it difficult to perceive. He just made out Dinlay's wretched thoughts drifting down below him, close to extinction. His own clothes were saturated, weighing him down. It was relatively easy to swim downwards, following Dinlay's slow descent to the bottom of the pool.

'Edeard. Dinlay's thoughts were weakening.

It was dark. Cold. Edeard could make out a shadowy mass, or maybe he was perceiving it. He pushed himself further down, kicking with boots as heavy as lead. His lungs were burning now, making every stroke painful. He would have called the city to help, but he knew it could do nothing. Water was pushing into his nostrils, scaring him.

His hand snagged something. Through the gloom he could see faint dots of light. Dinlay's polished tunic buttons! His fingers groped frantically and he got a grip on some fabric.

Now all I've got to do is get to the surface.

When he tilted his head up, he could see the silver-mirror surface. It seemed a long way above him. And his lungs didn't hurt quite so much any more. His vision was surrounded by red speckling, pulsing in time with his heart. When he kicked his legs they barely moved. His boots were pulling him down.

Oh Lady, help.

Something knocked into his shoulder. His farsight perceived it as a slim black line.

'Edeard, the combined longtalk of Kanseen, Macsen and Boyd shouted at him. 'Edeard, grab the pole. They were a long way off.

The end of the punt thumped into his shoulder again. Edeard seized it. Abruptly he was moving upwards. It was a huge effort not to let go of Dinlay. Then the water was growing brighter.

He broke surface with an almighty gasp of air. Someone jumped in beside him, and held on to Dinlay. They were right beside a mooring platform. Hands clutched at his uniform, and he was hauled on to the planks, coughing and spluttering.

Kanseen's incredibly anxious face loomed large over him. 'Oh Lady. Edeard, are you okay?

He nodded, which set off another bout of coughing. Hands slapped hard on his back as he rolled over onto his side, and vomited up a thin disgusting liquid.

Macsen and a couple of gondoliers were dragging Dinlay dragged onto the platform, blood still pumping out of his hip wound. Boyd was in the water, his face pale.

'Dinlay, Edeard called weakly.

'We've longshouted for a doctor, Kanseen assured him. 'You just lie back.

Edeard didn't. He watched Macsen start giving Dinlay the kiss of life. This was the third time his life had been struck by the force of anarchy and destruction. First the ambush in the forest on the way back from Witham. Then the death of Ashwell. Now this. And that was too many.

'No, he spat. Not again. I will not allow this to happen. People cannot live like this.

'Edeard sit back, Kanseen ordered sternly.

'Where is he? Where's Arminel?

'Stop it.

He clambered to his feet, swaying slightly as he looked round, taking deep breaths. The edge of the pool was crowded with people, all looking down at the mooring platform. He turned towards Birmingham Pool itself. Most of the gondolas had come to a halt as the drama played out.

One was moving. Fast.

Edeard blinked the salty pool water from his eyes, sending his farsight lashing out.

Arminel was standing on the gondola's middle bench. He gave Edeard a rueful shrug, his thoughts glowing with a cheery regret. It was as if he'd lost a football game. Nothing more. Certainly nothing important. They'd play another game one day, and that time the result might be different.

Edeard's rage left him, dropping away like the water dripping off his soaking clothes. He felt eerily calm.

One of the gondoliers looking over Macsen's shoulder took a frightened step backwards.

'Edeard? Kanseen said in a subdued voice.

He hadn't known such a thing was possible, he simply did it. There was no choice. As before, Arminel's gondola was moving too quickly. They'd never catch him, never bring him to justice. Edeard's third hand reached out to the water beside the mooring platform and steadied it.

'I'm finishing this, he declared forcefully. 'One way or another.

Edeard stepped on the patch of water he was controlling. An astonished gasp went up from the spectators around the edge of Birmingham Pool. Edeard grinned viciously, and took another step. Another. He moved his third hand's grip smoothly, always keeping the leading edge of the stabilized patch just ahead of himself.

Arminel's humour shattered. At the rear of the gondola, the two gondoliers stopped manoeuvring their punts and stared fearfully as Edeard walked across the pool towards them. There was absolute silence as he strode purposefully towards the craft. Every gondola in Birmingham Pool was now stationary. Gondoliers and passengers stared in awe and trepidation as Edeard walked past.

'Move! Arminel yelled furiously at the gondoliers. 'Get us out of here.

They didn't respond. The two gang members sitting on the bench with Arminel slowly put their hands up. They edged away from Arminel.

Edeard was ten yards away when Arminel dropped a hand to his waist where the revolver was tucked into his belt. He could sense the man's uncertainty, his fright. The animal backed into a corner. Nobody had any choices left now.

As he covered the last few yards to the gondola, Edeard opened his mind and longtalked with all his might. 'SO THAT EVERYBODY KNOWS. SO THAT NO JUDGE OR LAWYER IS IN ANY DOUBT OF THIS DAY. And he gifted them his sight.

Makkathran, from the Mayor in his Orchard Palace down to the sailors in the port district, saw a gondola with four men cowering, hands clamped over their ears. The fifth man stood straight, loathing on his face as his hand gripped the revolver sticking out of his belt. They felt Edeard's mouth move. 'Okay gang man, your time in this city is now over. If you think different, give it your best shot.

Arminel brought the revolver up. Makkathran en masse flinched as the muzzle steadied not two feet from Edeard's eyes.

'Fuck you, Arminel snarled. He pulled the trigger.

The single unified scream which rang out from the city was later said to be heard halfway across the Iguru Plain. When everyone gathered their breath, and realized they were still alive, they saw the bullet. It floated motionless six inches in front of Edeard's face.

Edeard's mouth moved again, this time into a thin smile. Arminel's expression was frozen in shock.

The last of the gifting allowed Makkathran's citizens to experience Edeard shaping his third hand into a fist. He slammed it forward into Arminel's face. Bone went crunch as the man's nose broke. Blood spurted out. His feet left the bench as he was thrown backwards. He landed with an almighty splash in the water, which closed over him.

'You're all under arrest, Edeard announced.

It was pandemonium on the side of Birmingham Pool as the gondola made its steady way to the mooring platform where Kanseen, Boyd and Macsen waited. On the Jeavons side they were crammed fifteen deep around the edge. Frenzied kids were running over the blue and silver bridge from Golden Park, hanging over the railings, cheering and waving. Over a hundred constables stood behind the mooring platform waiting; half of them were Dinlay's family. People were still pouring out of the surrounding districts on to the alameda to see history as it unfolded. Bolder lads were shinning to the top of the hasfol trees to get a better view.

Edeard walked slowly behind the gondola, praying to the Lady that he wouldn't screw up now, that his telekinetic strength would hold out, and he didn't fall ignominiously back into the water. Out there in the crowd surrounding the pool he saw Setersis and Kavine standing in front of a big contingent of Silvarum market stall holders, leading the applause. A huge array of well groomed family girls greeted him with shrill saucy laughter as they flashed their petticoats and bloomers. Isoix and his family were there. Evala, Nicolar, and all the girls from the dressmaker's, waving frantically and screaming to attract his attention. He even thought he saw Dybal and Bijulee laughing excitedly among the crowd, but by then he was definitely feeling tired.

The gondola's prow touched the mooring platform. Constables steadied it. Captain Ronark quickly took charge. Chae and several of the largest constables from Jeavons station handcuffed Arminel and his accomplices. A path was cleared across the alameda, and the prisoners marched back to the station.

Edeard finally stepped up on to the platform. His legs nearly gave out. He was trembling from exertion. Captain Ronark snapped to attention, and saluted him. Kanseen gave him a huge kiss to the delight of the crowd. 'You Lady-damned idiot, she whispered into his ear. 'I'm so proud of you. Macsen pounded his back. Boyd gave him a fierce hug.

'Dinlay? Edeard asked.

'The doctors have him, Macsen yelled about the thunderous sound of the crowd. 'He'll be okay. The bullet didn't hit anything vital. Not that he's got anything vital in that area.

'You scared the living crap out of us, Boyd said, wiping the tears from his eyes. 'What a stunt, you madman.

'Look around you, Edeard, Kanseen said. 'Make sure you see it all. This will be the day you tell your great-great-grandchildren about.

'Wave to them, you dick, Macsen ordered. He grabbed Edeard's hand, and held it high, waving and shouting wordlessly.

The cheer that erupted as Edeard grinned sheepishly up at the worshipful horde was scary in its power. The mental strength of so many people united in veneration was overwhelming, verging on a physical force. His grin broadened as Macsen swung him round so the other side of the alameda could see him.

'If there was an election today you'd be Mayor, Boyd said.

'Listen to them, Macsen said. 'They love you. They want you. You! He laughed uproariously.

Edeard stared over at the blue and silver bridge, convinced the kids hanging over the railing would fall they were leaning out so far. They were chanting something. At each call, their fists punched the air in unison.

'What's that? Edeard asked. 'What are they saying?

'You, Kanseen shouted back. 'They're calling for you.

Then Edeard heard the cry in full, and laughed.

'Waterwalker, the crowd chanted in adoration. 'Waterwalker. Waterwalker. Waterwalker.