The Temporal Void

Inigo's Twelfth Dream

The summer sun rose through a clear sky to illuminate one very excited city. It was election day in Makkathran. At last, after all the turmoil, the Sampalok riots and the banishment, followed by a fortnight of increasingly bitter campaigning by both mayoral candidates, and equally lively mud-slinging by the district Representatives: this was it. The day everyone got to make their opinion known on events and promises.

Edeard jogged over the Brotherhood Canal bridge and into Jeavons as the dawntime's dew began to evaporate off the grass. It produced a wonderfully fresh scent in the air, triggering a completely unjustified sense of optimism as he reached the streets of Jeavons. Unjustified because the city's mood was impossible to determine. So much had happened. So much to take in. So many rumours and whispers from the candidates and their allies to believe or ignore. Nobody knew what the result was going to be.

One thing was for certain, a lot of people were going to vote. As he ran down Golfice Street, Edeard could sense whole families rising early for breakfast. Election day was always a holiday. Businesses that were normally preparing to open as he ran past were shut for the day, market squares were devoid of stalls.

A holiday, then, but not a carnival. There was too much tension for that. Not helped by the fifty banished who'd made camp in the trees beyond North Gate and refused to budge.

Relatives and friends and the politically motivated kept taking food out to them and making public collections. Keeping the cause alive and visible.

Edeard arrived back at the tenement and hurried up the stairs to his maisonette. Dinlay was waiting on the walkway outside. They grinned at each other and went in. Breakfasts together had become something of a ritual since the day in Sampalok.

'Moment of truth then, Dinlay said as Edeard stripped off and scurried into the shower.

'Yes, Edeard called out above the spray of water.

'I've never known so many people say they're coming out to vote. I suppose that's a victory in its own way.

'What do you mean?

Dinlay had sat himself at the small table where one of the ge-chimps was serving him with fruit and cereal. The second genistar was tending the kettle on the iron stove. 'You've finally got people stirred up about the city's leadership. Before, it never really made any difference which candidate you voted for. Nothing was different afterwards.

Edeard stepped out and started rubbing himself dry with a towel. 'That's down to Finitan rather than me.

Dinlay laughed. 'I'm not sure I believe the false modesty routine any more.

'Okay, if I'm that confident about myself, how come I'm not standing?

'Not the right time, Dinlay said shrewdly. 'For all you achieved, you're still too young. Even Captain is pushing it.

'Ha! Edeard grunted. Walsfol hadn't objected to Ronark's astute manoeuvring; indeed he'd been keen to accept the old captain in his own office at the Courts of Justice. Crucially, Owain had mounted no challenge to Edeard's promotion as he took charge of the Jeavons constable station. Coming into direct conflict with the Waterwalker while the city's mood was unknown was not something the wily Mayor would allow to happen. They'd maintained a scrupulously courteous attitude to each other ever since the Sampalok riots. Sometimes it was all

Edeard could do not to snigger at how polite they were whenever they met. There were strong elements of farce to the encounters.

Edeard flicked his friend's epaulettes playfully. 'Thank you, Corporal.

'That's different, Dinlay said, straightening the epaulettes. 'These were well deserved and sorely earned.

The ge-chimp brought two large cups of tea over to the table. Edeard picked his up, and gave Dinlay a mildly concerned look. 'Er… you didn't want to be Master of Sampalok, did you?

'By the Lady! Dinlay was genuinely shocked. 'No, Edeard. I'm a constable. And that means so much more today, all thanks to you. I'm going to be Chief Constable to your Mayor.

'Okay. I was sort of improvising back there.

'I know. But it was a clever choice. He already knows far more about Grand Family politics than I ever will.

'The Grand Council needs to worry about her, not him, Edeard said.

'And that's a fact.

They grinned again, then finished their light meal in companionable silence. The ge-chimps cleared the table, then started picking up Edeard's discarded jogging clothes, putting them in the laundry basket. Dinlay paused as he was pulling on his jacket, noticing something odd. His third hand swiped one of Edeard's odd running shoes. 'I've never seen anything like this before. Did they have them in your village?

'No, Edeard said as he buttoned up his own jacket. 'Something I dreamt up. They're very comfortable to run in.

Dinlay shrugged and gave the shoe back to the ge-chimp.

They walked out of the tenement together and headed for the district's public hall. Edeard's farsight swept through the scene ahead. The hall stood by itself in the middle of a square, a strange onion-shaped building standing on twenty fat pillars. Big folding wooden doors had been fixed between them, sealing off the large central auditorium from the elements. The curving internal wall that overlooked the chamber was ribbed by eight narrow galleries that provided access to the hundreds of small unlit cubicles wrapped around the whole structure like a honeycomb. For once, the galleries didn't have Makkathran's bad stairs between them, instead the hall boasted steep ramps. Nobody ever really used the galleries or their cubicles.

On the floor of the auditorium long tables had been set up, along with voting booths. Constables from Jeavons station worked alongside a team from the Guild of Clerks preparing the hall ready for the election. The clerks had their big ledgers of official registry ready, along with sealed boxes of ballot papers.

People were already arriving outside, well ahead of the official starting time. They were all watching the end of Forpal Avenue when Edeard and Dinlay emerged, farsight had forewarned everyone the Waterwalker was on his way. Edeard smiled pleasantly as he moved through them, making sure his mind was well shielded, not allowing anybody to see how nervous he was becoming. He'd never seen an election before. Back in Ashwell the vote for the Mayor was limited to village elders.

Felax opened the door to let them inside the auditorium, saluting as they went past. Edeard saluted back; it was good to see constables actually out of the station again on active duties. The team he'd built up to help him fight the gangs had spent far too long cooped up in the small hall working diligently through paperwork like apprentice clerks. Now they were out on patrol again, visible and helpful to citizens as they should be.

The clerks inside the public hall were completing their preparations. As soon as Edeard arrived Urarl beckoned him over to the first table.

'Boxes are ready for inspection sir.

'Thank you, Edeard said. He looked to the master of Clerks standing beside Urarl, who nodded. Edeard used his farsight to examine the wax seal on each box to check if it had been tampered with. He couldn't sense any flaws.

'They are undisturbed, he announced.

'I concur, the Master of Clerks agreed. He proffered a clipboard to Edeard, who had to sign the docket for each box in triplicate. The Master added his signature.

Under Urarl's instruction, Marcol and two other probationary constables opened the boxes and started distributing ballot papers along the tables. Edeard did his best not to smile at Marcol's diligence. The boy was trying desperately hard, and slowly succeeding in throwing off his Sampalok upbringing to shape up as a decent constable.

'Almost time, the Clerk Master said.

Edeard used his farsight to perceive the Orchard Palace. The Grand Master of the Guild of Clerks was standing on the balcony that faced Golden Park. He was waiting stoically, a big brass pocket-watch in his hand. Everyone in the hall finished what they were doing and waited. It was a scene that was repeated in every single district across Makkathran.

'I declare the voting open, the Grand Master longtalked.

Dinlay gave Felax the okay, and the auditorium doors were opened. First in were the accredited observers from both mayoral candidates, who presented their papers to the Master of Clerks and Edeard. Balogg, the current Jeavons District Representative was the first voter, as tradition dictated. He was followed in by his two rivals. All of them were allied to Finitan, claiming to support the banishment.

Edeard watched with quiet interest as the voting began. People came in and went over to the clerks, who confirmed their residency in the ledger. After that they were issued with their two ballot papers, one for the Mayor's office, and one for the District Representative. They went into the little booth to mark the paper, most casting a seclusion haze for privacy, though some proudly and openly put crosses down for their candidate. Finally, the ballots were posted through a slot in the lid of a metal box that was already locked and sealed. The keys were kept by the Grand Master of the Clerk's Guild. Edeard couldn't see any way to cheat the system, providing everything was conducted in the open and monitored by honest dependable officials. Which, In-acknowledged sadly, was the weak point.

Dinlay had taken great delight in telling him of hidden ballot boxes stuffed with voting slips by a single candidate that

'appeared' along with the real ones in the Malfit Hall where the count would be made. Of the 'ghosts' on the registry. Of bribes. Of people claiming to be someone else.

'If voting never makes a difference, Edeard asked, 'why go to so much trouble?

'To make sure it doesn't make a difference, Dinlay explained. 'And don't forget, a Representative is paid to perform their Council duties, as well as living in a grand old official City residence along with a dozen other perks. That alone is quite an incentive to get yourself re-elected.

Forty minutes after the doors opened there was a lull in voting as the eager early birds finished up. Edeard went over to the clerks and collected his own ballot papers.

'Remember who supported you, Balogg said in a loud jovial voice as Edeard went into the privacy booth.

'And I'm pledged to continue to support you no matter what, one of his rivals cried out.

Edeard grinned at them as he went in. It was good humoured. But still there was an undercurrent of tension. He spread the small squares of paper out on the little shelf, and picked up the pencil before casting a seclusion haze. On the Mayor's ballot he automatically put a cross by Finitan's name. He hesitated on the Representative; Balogg had been supportive, and he'd had the courage to sign the Exclusion warrants with Vologral. The others were vocal in their approval of banishment, but unproven. Balogg deserves my thanks for what he's done, Edeard decided, and put his cross by the Representative's name. So nothing has changed.

Democracy was a strange thing, he thought as he came out and posted his ballots into the metal box. A couple of sullen youths were collecting their ballots from the clerks; they didn't meet his eye as they went to the booths. And the two of them can outvote me, he realized in dismay. Then he was ashamed for being so prejudiced. That's what democracy is, holding the strong accountable, making sure they don't become too strong. Rah was right to give us this system.

There was another surge of voters a little later as people finished their breakfasts. Then a lull. Then mid morning saw the queues lengthening again. Edeard sent his farsight into neighbouring Silvarum, then Drupe. The voting was the same there, light but constant. No sign of trouble. He searched round the other districts. It was all pretty much the same. Except Sampalok. There, long queues snaked away from the district hall. Several squads of constables kept everyone in line, more than at any other district. Edeard observed several disputes with the clerks over residency. The official candidate observers were making heated interjections.

Sampalok was the one place he could not go today — not even if a small war broke out over voting rights. The local constables would have to handle it, with reinforcements from Bellis and Myco if necessary. Walsfol had several contingency plans worked out in case.

/ have to trust other people to do their jobs. That's democracy, too.

There were seven candidates standing to be Sampalok's Representative. Three pro-Waterwalker, four pro-Bise. He didn't like the ratio, but again that wasn't down to him. He was simply glad that anyone in that district supported him. Though Macsen and Kanseen seemed to have been accepted. Or at least, they hadn't been forced out yet. Today's result would be a powerful indicator whether their appointment was going to be permanent or not. Nobody was arguing with the City's right to proclaim District Masters, it was too novel, too far outside the ordinary. But if Bise's old guard gained ground, the whispering campaign would start in earnest.

Edeard couldn't believe anyone would vote for Owain after the debacle with the militia. But you never knew. Democracy! Is this why the cityhorn are so proficient at shielding their feelings? To keep politicians on their toes.

Beyond Sampalok, his farsight lingered briefly on the recently refurbished (again) House of Blue Petals. Feeling mildly guilty, he observed the pro-Owain party it was throwing for its clientele. It wasn't strictly against election rules, which forbade monetary encouragement to vote for a candidate, but sailed close to the limit. He shook his head in disapproval, but then such petty defiance was typical of Ranalee. She'd finally emerged from the behind all the obstructive paperwork with a legitimate claim on the ownership of the bordello. And that's all it was now, a lewd business, which filed correct tax forms with the Guild of Clerks. Edeard had left it and her alone. Ranalee had clearly found her place in life, and in the meantime there were bridges to rebuild, and the Waterwalker couldn't afford to appear vindictive in any way. He and Finitan had agreed a line must be drawn under the day of banishment if the city was to move forward.

After a few hours hanging round the hall doing exactly nothing, Edeard left Dinlay in charge and headed in to Haxpen.

Finitan's farsight found him as he crossed Flight Canal. 'So have you voted yet, young Edeard?

'Yes, sir.

'Did 1 get your approval?

'Voting is private, sir.

Finitan's humour carried through his longtalk. 'It certainly is. Unfortunately.

'Any idea how it's going, sir?

'Indications are good so far. Those who speak to the observers are effusive. According to the percentage we calculated an hour ago I'm in the lead.

'But that is good news.

'Remember when you walked into Sampalok to arrest Buate? Everything seemed to be going smoothly, then Owain damn near walked away with the day. Never underestimate him.

'I'll remember, sir.

'Ah… I'm sorry, Edeard. I haven't slept in days. I'm worried. What if I lose? I've gambled everything on this election.

'Sir, I remember what you told me at our first meeting. You said that even those in high office would never be able to change anything. Well, I believe you're about to prove yourself wrong.

'Thank you, Edeard. At least you and I know we gave this our best endeavour. That is what we will be judged on.

'Yes, sir.

When he arrived at the Culverit mansion there wasn't much activity inside. In fact it was almost deserted apart from the guards who greeted him warmly enough.

Kristabel was waiting in one of the lounges on the top floor, sitting at a wide leather-topped desk with folders stacked up on either side of her. Her hair had been plaited into a tight tail, which hung loosely down her back. Her dress was a pale lemon, which she'd accompanied by a thick gold necklace made with figure-of-eight links. It suited her perfectly.

She was writing when he came in, the tip of her long onyx fountain pen quivering furiously. There was a wonderfully intense frown on her face. Edeard wished he could capture the image forever.

'You look like you're signing a death warrant, he said.

She gave him a disapproving look. 'I am.

'What?

'You see all this? Her hand waved expansively at the paperwork. 'This is my family, which is going to be your family as soon as we get married.

'Er, right.

'Daddy has decided that you and I will have the entire tenth floor for ourselves, which is very sweet of him. But, that also means he and Mirnatha will live on the ninth floor below us, along with aunt Rishia and cousin Gorral, in addition to Uncle Lorin and his wife and children and the first three grandchildren. Uncle Lorin really isn't happy about that. He and Daddy had a stinking row about it last night. Daddy just says he knew it was inevitable and he should accept it. Uncle Lorin has accused him of abdicating to you. But Daddy's still Master so down to the ninth he goes, which means a lot of people there get displaced down another floor.

'Oh Lady, I know your uncle doesn't like me…

'Ha! Honious take him. That's not the real problem. It's the family on the third floor that I've got to deal with.

'Third?

I

'Yes, below that it's just the staff.

'Right.

'Once everyone here has adjusted, there's going to be eleven sets of cousins move out.

'Eleven? Edeard muttered in dismay as he pulled a chair over to sit in front of her desk. Jessile had said something about her father giving her a country estate, but that was as a dowry.

'Yes, and I'm the one who has got to find somewhere in our estate to put them all. Kristabel rested a hand on top of a pile of folders. 'These are details on lands and farms and vineyards and houses and other properties we own beyond the Iguru Plain. Of course, they're all currently occupied as well.

'This is crazy, he declared. 'Families shouldn't have to support so many… relatives.

'Deadbeats?

'I wouldn't quite say that.

'Actually, my cousins on the third floor aren't as bad as the ones further up. At least they knew they were going to have to move out some day. Most of them have taken some kind of schooling, even if it's not terribly practical. And a few are now seriously considering joining a Guild; cousin Dalbus has already arranged for a commission in the militia. It's everyone else who can't stand the idea of losing status, not to mention their place on the entitlement list.

'Entitlement list?

'Senior family members are entitled to money from the Culverit estate. The further removed you are from the succession, the smaller the amount.

'Oh Lady, so when I come along and marry you—

'Actually, everyone's entitlement stays the same until we start having children. Then they all get bumped down the list.

Edeard grinned. 'How many children are we planning on having?

'Let's put it this way; we'd need to have seventy before Uncle Lorin gets disqualified.

'People should always have a goal in life.

'Edeard Waterwalker! If you think I'm bearing you seventy children—

He started laughing. Kristabel tried to give him a cross look, and failed. She smiled wearily. 'Well how many do you want?

'I don't know. I was an only child, so definitely more than one — but I agree less than seventy.

'All right. She stood up. 'We'll resume negotiations after lunch. It's a buffet, I'm afraid. The staff are all off voting.

'Oh dear Lady, how the senior family suffer for the good of the city. You'll have to order your own genistars around next.

'If you want to be capable of siring just one child, watch your mouth.

'Yes, Mistress.

They walked out on to the hortus, looking over the south western districts. Edeard's arm instinctively went round her shoulder. The winds fluffed her skirt around.

'Is Finitan going to win? Kristabel asked softly.

'He must. Nobody in their right mind would vote for Owain. Surely people understand what he was trying to do with the militia.

She pressed her lips together. 'This is Makkathran. Anything can happen.

'Have you been to vote yet?

Kristabel gave him one of those looks. 'No, Edeard. People like me don't vote.

'I thought everybody is entitled to vote.

'Everybody is. But it's considered bad form for senior members of Grand Families. We carry enough power as it is.

'It was bad form to vote against our Marriage Consent bill. You could get one back on Bise by going down to the hall and voting.

'Two wrongs don't make a right, she said automatically.

'Yeah, I know.

'Is he still out there?

'Bise? Yes. Him and his closest family have moved into one of the Gilmorn farms twenty miles away.

'How do you know?

'Argian has been doing what he does best, and stretching his farsight for me.

'I'm not sure I trust him.

'Did you know the families have agents like him?

'Daddy never said anything specific, but I've always known we were supposed to be protected in a way ordinary people weren't. Things get done quietly if you need them to be. I suppose I will be introduced to the right people when I become Mistress.

'I wonder who they're loyal to in times like this?

'The most conservative families, trust me.

'You're probably right.

She cuddled up close. 'You're learning.

They ate lunch on the hortus, on a long stone table under an archway of flowering honeysuckle. Julan and Mirnatha joined them; the little girl was delighted to be able to pick her own food from the array of dishes the cooks had prepared the previous night, going back several time for slices of smoked hulfish and clotted cheese cream until her father told her no more. She sulked for a while before collecting her pudding of toffee banana cake.

It was a lazy, pleasant afternoon which followed. Kristabel talked with her father on redistributing their family members from the third floor. Edeard finally began to gain an appreciation of just how widespread their holdings were.

The whole agreeable family scene gave him an insight into what the next century might be like, with his children having a similar discussion in another thirty years as they took over the ninth floor and more third floor cousins prepared to leave. Such a thing gave him a sense of continuity, firming up the future from a few vague notions of trying to make life better; this was particulars, making solid plans for expansion and still better days. Like nothing he'd known before.

Captain Ron ark longtalked him in the middle of the afternoon, "lake a look who just showed up to vote in Lillylight.

Edeard obliged, focusing his farsight on the Opera House annexe where the Lillylight voting was conducted. Master Cherix was standing in front of a clerk who was running through the registry ledger. Edeard grinned at the lawyer's distinctive mental signature — no mistake, it was definitely him. When he checked by using the city's perception he saw Cherix was keeping his composure, waiting with apparent patience for the clerk to find his name. 'I wonder where he's been holed up? The constables had been unable to locate him on the day of banishment; since then Edeard had more pressing issues than tracking down the lawyer.

'What do you suggest we do? Ronark asked.

'Let him vote. He only ever had an exclusion warrant against him because it was useful to me. They've all served their purpose, I suppose we should cancel the outstanding ones. And persecuting Cherix now would make me seem petty.

'All right, I'll longtalk the Lillylight captain.

Edeard kept watch on the voting hall. After a couple of minutes the clerk suddenly found Cherix's entry in the ledger and handed over his ballot papers. Edeard thought the lawyer looked surprised when it happened. He definitely looked relieved as he walked to the privacy booth.

Was it deliberate? Was Owain trying to stir up a little sympathy, or was Cherix just wanting to know where he stood? Lady, I'm on edge.

'Are you all right? Kristabel asked.

'Yes, he smiled reassuringly. Actually, if that's the worst Owain can do today, I'm perfectly all right.

Edeard was back at the Jeavons public hall when the Grand Master of the Guild of Clerks stood on the Orchard Palace balcony again to announce the end of the voting. He watched the clerks sealing up the slots on the voting boxes, signed the dockets to say he'd seen it, and watched as two squads of constables carried them out.- Dinlay was assigned to accompany them to the Orchard Palace.

'Eighty per cent turnout, the Master of Clerks said as he picked up his own papers.

'High then, Edeard said.

'I've never known that many voters bother before; and this is my twenty-second election.

'A good sign, then?

The old Master gave him a dry smile. 'For someone.

There were a couple of hours between the time the voting officially ended and the counting began. Edeard took a gondola down to Sampalok. It was all right now voting was finished, there were no political consequences to his visiting.

The gondola dropped him off at the Mid Pool concourse, and he made his way along Zulmal Street. The families who lived along the street gave him a guarded welcome. As always his footsteps slowed as he passed the baker's where Boyd had been shot. Just about all the shops and businesses had re-opened, helped by money from the Diroal family's fortune. It was the same across the district, most of the damage from the riots had been repaired. Commerce was back on its usual uncompromising path.

When he finally reached the central square, the new hexagonal mansion was over twelve feet high, and the second storey was forming under the first that had grown up. According to his design, there were another six to come, each one larger than the previous, giving it a stepped outline. A conservative reckoning was another four months before it would be complete. Which meant the new Master and Mistress had set up their temporary home in the Bea's Bottle tavern on the south side of the square.

Edeard waved cheerfully to the tavern's landlord as he walked in. After the first couple of days the man had come to accept the situation, especially as it meant renting out every room he had to the clerks who were sorting out the Diroal family finances, and providing them with food and drink, along with everyone else who came visiting the new Master and Mistress — there were a great many.

Macsen and Kanseen had taken over seven rooms on the fourth floor. One had a balcony overlooking the square, where they could watch their now mansion rising. Edeard found them sitting there sharing a bottle of white wine. When they offered him a glass he took a look at the label. With Kristabel educating him he'd come to recognize quality. 'Nice, he said appreciatively, and took a sip. 'Definitely.

'Yes, Kanseen said, and stretched out on her chair. 'A girl could quite easily get corrupted by this life.

Edeard took a look at the boxes and bags piled up in the room behind the balcony. The shop names were from many districts, all frequented by the women of Grand Families as they commissioned their exclusive clothes. It wasn't just wines he was becoming familiar with these days. 'Nice to see you're rising above it.

Macsen chuckled, and raised a glass. 'There are certain expectations. District Masters must act the part.

'And dress for it, too.

'Yes, I was most careful with that; I made sure I used the same tailor Kristabel gets your uniforms from.

Edeard groaned and gave up, taking a larger sip of wine as he settled into a chair next to his friends. 'So how did the election go in Sampalok?

'Relatively honest, I think, Kanseen said. 'No fights at the district hall, anyway. The constables had to step in to stop a few heated disputes over residency, but nothing they couldn't handle.

'Any idea which Representative got elected? Edeard asked.

'Nope. You're going to have to wait along with the rest of the city.

'Lady! How do the candidates stand this?

Macsen eyed him lazily. 'Lady help us, what are you going to be like when you finally stand for Mayor?

'I never will. Not now I know what it's like.

'Ha! Macsen took a sip of wine.

'I heard our old friend Cherix had crawled back into tin-public domain, Kanseen said.

'Yes. Edeard eyed the wine in the glass. 'Life just wouldn't be the same without him.

'You need to watch that sentimental streak, she said. 'They'll exploit that.

'Who? Macsen said indignantly. 'There's nobody left to reinstate the gangs. Owain is going to lose. The families will accept Edeard and they'll adapt as they always do. For them very little will change, but for ordinary citizens things will get a whole lot better. And best of all, Bise will slowly lose his influence along with his so-called friends. Argian told me his old allies are growing tired of him already. This election should see the end of him.

'Lady, please let it be so, Edeard muttered. 'Did Bise manage to save anything?

'Nobody knows, Macsen said sourly. 'The clerks have been reviewing the Diroal estate for two weeks solid; and all they can tell me so far is that it's going to take years to track down every last farthing. A lot of it never will be recovered, I suspect. Bise and his ancestors were good at covering up the full extent of their holdings. Just like the rest of the Grand Families, they know how to avoid their full tax liability. It's one of the principal reasons they all became so wealthy.

'There will be funds he can draw on to keep him in fancy clothes and fine wines for the rest of his life, Kanseen said. 'In fact, it might be a good idea to let that be known among his old friends. I suspect the Gilmorns wouldn't be quite so free with their coinage if they knew he had lands and money stashed away. She grinned evilly. 'Would you like me to tell Ranalee?

Edeard tipped his glass at her. 'I'll think about it.

'Even without a full inventory, we're still incredibly rich, Macsen said. 'As are all the businesses that suffered during the riots. The clerks are still paying out compensation on a pro-rata basis. I've heard it said that people are smashing up their own homes and claiming it happened during the riot simply to qualify for new furniture and clothes. There's so much coinage flooding the district it's changing the whole economy. The pro-

Bise candidates have been accusing you of trying to buy the election.

'I hadn't thought of it, Edeard admitted. 'I also didn't think what spending all of Hise's money would do to Sampalok. But, as I suspect most of it was squeezed out of the residents here for the last few generation, I suppose there's a kind of poetic justice to handing it back.

'Except those that aren't getting any compensation are resentful, Kanseen sighed.

'Another noble gesture goes chronically wrong, Macsen said.

'I didn't realize how much half of the Diroal estate would be. Maybe the rest of the money could go into some kind of general fund to benefit Sampalok? Edeard suggested.

'Ah, now you're changing things, going back on your word.

'Yes, but I didn't intend to—Oh Lady take them. It can wait until after the results. And then it'll all be your problem anyway.

'Thanks for that, Macsen said.

Edeard lowered his voice, casting a strong seclusion haze. 'How are you two coping, anyway?

'Just that, Kanseen said. 'Coping. We don't have much Lady-damned choice. A whole load of Bise's staff are lobbying to continue in their old jobs once the mansion's fully grown. I don't like the idea of using people who devoted their lives to the Diorals, but how else are we going to stop things from sliding back to how they were before? And when we sit on the local council we have to make fast decisions that'll affect people's lives, without any reference as to what went before. So far we haven't hurt too many residents.

'Sounds like you are in control and setting a good example. I can't ask for more. How has the Upper Council taken your appointment?

'Owain welcomed us like we'd been sitting there for five hundred years, she said. 'The rest just fell into line with that. Of course, there've only been three sessions since the riots. We'll see what happens after the election.

'It was so unbelievably sweet seeing my dear half-brother's face when I walked past him in my robes, Macsen said with a far-away gaze. 'I'm as rich as him now, and I have a seat on the Council, which he doesn't.

'We have a seat on Council, Kanseen pointed out.

'Yes dear.

Her third hand gave him a sharp tweak. Edeard laughed at the wounded expression on his face. 'Ah, married life. I have all this to look forward to.

Kanseen narrowed her eyes and gave him a shrewd look. 'And what about you? What are your grand plans?

'It all depends—

'Let's just assume Finitan gets in tonight, shall we? she said brusquely. 'What do you do next?

'Nothing dramatic, he said, and gestured down at the square with its embryonic structure. 'I intend to support Finitan because I believe he's right. First consolidate the city, and to do that you need to implement the rule of law. It doesn't take that much, the Grand Council let things slip, but the organizations and concepts Rah founded are still there, they just need revitalizing, that's all.

'People are generally happier now that the gangs have been beaten, Macsen agreed. 'You've shown them things can be put right no matter how bad they seemed. But Edeard you also showed people what you are and what you're capable of.

'I'd never abuse the trust the city puts in me. You know that.

'We know that, hopefully the rest of the city will accept that in time. You're going to have to work on that.

'I know. That's one of the reasons I pushed Marcol into being a constable.

'Yes, Macsen said, sitting up and leaning forward with considerable curiosity. 'I didn't get that. I've talked to Dinlay. He says the boy isn't really constable material.

'I disagree. He's trying, Edeard said defensively. 'He'll make it to graduation, he's got a huge incentive.

'But why?

'Remember when we all wondered why I'd been chosen by the Lady to do what I could do? What if I haven't been chosen?

What if, instead, her teachings have started to take hold? I mean really taken hold.

'I can't believe you of all people would say that, Kanseen exclaimed. 'We've spent a year down on the streets fighting those bloody gangs. They never followed her teachings.

'The gang members didn't, no. But what about everyone else? They all knew it was wrong, even if they couldn't see a way out. Once I banished them everything changed. You said yourself the city is a happier place already, and it's barely been two weeks. The Lady's teachings are everywhere, they're an ingrained part of our culture now, here in the city and out in the farthest province. It's the one thing that truly binds us, the one commonality. We all know instinctively that we should be striving to better ourselves, to live a more righteous life even if we don't quite know how.

'That's just human nature.

'Maybe. But the Lady endorses it, encourages us to follow that instinct and provides a strong justification to develop it. Her Mothers have spent two thousand years preaching it. You can't tell me anything would endure that long if it wasn't accepted as a fundamental truth. We know the Skylords are out there waiting to guide us to the Heart; and, as I showed everyone, we have souls that desperately need that guidance.

'What in the Lady's name does this have to do with Marcol? Macsen demanded.

'I have the strength to influence the city, and I have the certainty how that strength should be used. Suppose I'm not the only one to have that strength? Suppose I'm simply the first? Suppose this is the time when Querencia has reached the level of decency and fulfilment it takes to summon the Skylords back?

Kanseen stared at him, making no attempt to cover her astonishment. 'Marcol? Marcol is like you?

'He's got a damned powerful psychic ability, Edeard said. 'What if that's part of reaching the fulfilment the Lady talks of? What if there are others starting to emerge, if all the kids start to show this potential?

'Lady help us, she grunted. 'Marcol?

'Stop saying his name like it's a curse, Edeard said crossly. 'He's just a kid like any other. What he becomes depends a great deal on his environment. He didn't have the best start with those parents; well now I'm trying to help him become something better. The very last thing we need is division among those of us with stronger than average psychic powers — it's bad enough the Grand Families distort the balance in their favour. We have to show Marcol and all the others like him who come along that real fulfilment is found through a strong society which cares for individuals, where people try and help each other as well as themselves.

'And that's going to bring the Skylords back? Macsen asked incredulously.

'Tell me what else will? Edeard countered. 'I'm happy to try something else. You saw Boyd and Chae leave; they're out there somewhere trying to reach Odin's Sea. You know that part of the Lady's teachings is real.

Macsen ran his hand through his hair. 'I know, he admitted. 'But… Marcol!

'And others, Edeard said.

'Have you sensed others? Kanseen asked. 'People with stronger powers?

'Not yet. But this city encourages people to hide their abilities. And use them to their own advantage.

'You just said we were becoming more enlightened, Macsen said.

'Becoming is right, Edeard said. 'There's a long way to go yet.

Edeard had never seen the Malfit Hall so full. Every inch of floorspace was taken up by big tables where clerks were sitting, counting mountainous piles of ballot papers. They were divided up into districts in mimicry of the city outside. More clerks and constables were still delivering sealed boxes, opening them up to avalanche yet more paper on to the tables.

Mayor Owain stood at the top of the stairs, surrounded with his staff and supporters, chatting away as if nothing of consequence was happening. Further along the gallery Finitan was clustered with his own circle of advisers, also making light of the count below. Occasionally, he and Owain would exchange a few pleasant words.

The expectant Representative candidates were less light-hearted about the wait. They all hovered around their own counting tables, jostling with their opponents whenever an unclear ballot paper was held up to questioning. Accusations and insults were frequently shouted at the adjudicator clerks.

For once, few people paid any attention to the Waterwalker as he walked in with Macsen and Kanseen. As they crossed the vast ebony floor he knew Owain's gaze was following him, yet the Mayor's composure remained urbane. The ceiling above them shone a rich dawn light across all the frantic activity.

'We'll go and check up on our district, Kanseen said as they reached the bottom of the stairs. Watching them stride over to the Sampalok counting tables, Edeard felt a surge of admiration for his friends. There weren't many people you could thrust into such a position and expect them to hold fast. But Kanseen and Macsen had done it. Dressed in their fur-lined robes, with their hoods hanging over their shoulder they really did look like they'd been born to the role. Maybe it's not just psychic strength that's an indicator of the Lady's teachings.

He started to walk up the stairs. Owain and Finitan watched him approach.

As a city constable I should be impartial, he told himself. Greet both of them and then go back down to the Jeavons tables. After all, if Owain wins I'll have to work with him.

Owain's face produced a neutral smile of welcome as Edeard reached the top of the stairs.

Politician!

Edeard inclined his head. 'Mayor Owain, he said politely, and walked over to Finitan.

Honious take him, he was going to kill innocent people to keep

his position. I would never be able to work with someone like that, he represents everything that's wrong with Makkathran.

There was a brief unguarded flash of gratitude amidst Finitan's thoughts as Edeard shook the Grand Master's hand. 'Do you know how the count's going, sir?

'I have a small lead, Finitan replied. 'Not as much as we were hoping, but it remains constant.

A half hour of laboured chat and forced humour later, they all watched as the Clerk Master supervising the Ysidro district vote walked to the stairs and stood on the bottom step.

'Ysidro always makes a show of being first to complete their count, Topar grunted. 'It's a small district, but they've a wide mix of people; it's a good indicator.

The Master cleared his throat. 'It is given this day that Alanso is duly elected as the people of Ysidro's Representative to Council. And further that mayoral candidate Finitan collected fifty-seven per cent of the vote.

There was some scattered applause, and the rest of the hall went back to the count.

'Alanso is one of ours, Topar said. 'Thank you, Lady.

Owain graciously congratulated his rival on the vote, to which an equally gracious Finitan replied that the night was young.

Fiacre and Lillylight finished their count next, both returning Owain stalwarts as their Representatives; though the mayoral vote was split nearly fifty-fifty. Jeavons, Silvarum and Haxpen returned Finitan supporters (Balogg among them), and gave him a large proportion of the vote. Nighthouse and Bellis elected Owain supporters; but Myco, Vaji, Cobara and Tosella put Finitan supporters forward to the Council. They also increased Finitan's overall vote to sixty per cent. When the results came in from Abad, Drupe, Igadi, Padua and Fiacre, Owain had only one more Representative, and Finitan's vote had increased to sixty-eight per cent. Zelda produced Owain's last Representative; Pholas Park and Lisieux Park were solid Finitan districts.

'We've got it, Topar hissed elatedly as Finitan's vote rose to seventy-one percent.

'Oh Lady, Finitan muttered, he seemed dazed, but nothing could remove the smile from his face.

Ilongo, Neph and Drupe declared, putting Finitan's percentage up another point. That just left the Sampalok vote. It wouldn't affect the result now, but it mattered. Edeard started down at the eight tables where the ballots were counted, willing them to finish. Kanseen and Macsen were still walking between the clerks, backing up the adjudicators. There had been more disputes on those eight tables than the rest of Malfit Hall put together. The Grand Master of the Guild of Clerks himself had been over a dozen times during the night to make his final judgement on smudged crosses. Finally, the Clerk Master assigned to supervise the Sampalok count stood at the foot of the stairs and announced: It is given this day that Gregorie is duly elected as the people of Sampalok's Representative to Council.

'He's ours, Topar whispered incredulously.

'And that mayoral candidate Finitan collected fifty-one percent of the vote, the Clerk Master concluded.

Thousands of people were waiting in Golden Park, despite the chill late-night air. There was a lot of movement after Sampalok declared. Dejected Owain supporters headed home, shaking their heads in dismay and muttering dark disapproval. Finitan supporters surged forward right up to the Outer Circle Canal. A line of fit young constables had a struggle to keep some of the over-eager ones from falling into the water.

Finitan emerged on to the balcony overlooking Golden Park, and the cheering reached deafening levels. He began his thank you speech. Not all the faithful listened. Bottles were being passed round. Groups of strolling musicians were playing, urging people to dance. The party in Golden Park would last until dawn.

Edeard was one of those who didn't bother listening to the speech. He made his way back to the Culverit mansion where an overjoyed Kristabel was waiting, and they celebrated in their own fashion.

Kristabel made Edeard wait. He couldn't believe it. Tradition was one thing, but he stood at the front of the Lady's church all by himself with the farsight of the city focused on him as minute after painful lonely minute dragged on. Tradition said the groom wasn't allowed to use his own farsight to check and see if the bride was on her way. So he just stood there and endured.

The smell of pollen — sweet when he and Dinlay walked into the church, was now overpowering, threatening to make his eyes water. It seemed as if half the Iguru Plain had been stripped of foliage to decorate the huge church. The band from the Musicians Guild played on and on, repeating the same tune which had become more like a funeral dirge. As the same terrible notes began once more he gritted his teeth, wishing he'd pleaded a lot harder with Dybal to play for him; but Dybal was only going to sing at the reception gala tonight. He shifted his weight from one foot to another. In front of him the thirty-foot-high snow-marble statue of the Lady gazed down benignly, her arms uplifted to summon the Skylords to Querencia. The sculptor had captured a most enigmatic expression. It was almost as if she was giving her congregation a judgemental glance. Certainly, anyone standing right at the front of the pews — curiously, on the exact spot he had to wait — was singled out for her disapproval. Shifting from one foot to another he considered that she must have known that one day Edeard would be married in her church, that her timesense had warned her of the sacrilege. Why else single him out to glare at?

Another lost minute. His mind began to conjure up all sorts of horrors which could have beset Kristabel. He knew she'd set off from the Culverit mansion, tradition at least allowed him that much. The same tradition which stated the bride was only allowed to change her mind between her home and the church.

But Kristabel wouldn't do that to him. So she could have been assassinated, or kidnapped, or the gondola capsized. Because Kristabel wouldn't abandon him.

So where in Honions is she?

Edeard started to cheat, using the city's senses to examine the church. Not farsight. So no breach of tradition. Damn, I even think like a lawyer now. Just about every Grand Family in Makkathran was represented. Notable exceptions were Mistress Florrel who had announced a headache an hour before the service was due to begin and gave her apologies for non-attendance. The Gilmorns were also absent, as were the Norrets, who counted Lieutenant Eustace among their number. Captain Larose, however, was there, and looked most amused by the Waterwalker's discomfort. Grand Master Owain was in the pews reserved for Guild dignitaries. Losing the election didn't seem to have affected him at all, he retained his slightly cool persona throughout every encounter. Macsen and Kanseen were almost invisible amid the District Masters, their colourful robes blending in flawlessly. Kanseen wasn't showing yet, though of late she'd started making some very barbed comments about which would arrive first, the mansion or the baby. The section reserved for the groom's family was unusually small, Kristabel had appropriated several of his pews for her own family and friends. But Edeard thought he was well supported with a dozen constables and Bijulee and Dybal and Setersis and Isoix and Topar and others he'd met during his time in the city, headed up by Mayor Finitan himself. His one true regret was Salrana who had sent a polite note of regret claiming her duties wouldn't allow her to attend. She was the closest thing he had to family, but since the day of banishment they'd been completely estranged. Every attempt he'd made to be reconciled had been rebuffed. He knew she was still at the church in Ysidro, devoutly fulfilling her duties. The few times he'd longsighted her, he'd been saddened by the way the joy seemed to have gone from her life. She'd aged inexplicably, becoming withdrawn and sombre. This was a cooler more resolute Salrana.

He regretted his snatched glimpses, and quickly desisted. To his dismay he had to admit that she had changed, as he had. The Salrana and Edeard who lived in Ashwell were gone for ever now.

The sound of cheering seeped into the church, and Edeard's heart started to beat faster. Their marriage wasn't an official holiday, though there'd been a big crowd outside the church when he and Dinlay arrived.

Finally! The band curtailed their wretched tune. He heard the rustle of cloth as the Novice quire rose to their feet. Then the light changed perceptibly as the big doors swung open. Dinlay stepped up beside him, smiling wide. 'Too late to back out now, he murmured to Edeard.

Any scathing reply was lost as the organist began the wedding march. Edeard had never heard the giant keyboards being played before, the sound was overwhelming. Then the Novices began their accompanying melody. He was impossibly terrified and elated at the same time.

Julan appeared beside him, his pride shining with the power of a dawn sun. And she was there at his side. Edeard nearly let out a whimper of relief. Mirnatha giggled at his expression; the little girl was wearing a pink and white dress that transformed her into some enchantingly sweet fairy creature, an image only spoilt when she grinned her devilsome grin.

Kristabel's wedding gown was a gold-cream drosilk creation with royal-blue trimming that twinkled with emerald gemflowers, its train seemed to stretch back halfway down the aisle. He saw her head turn inside the veil, her eyes shining through the lace. Then the Pythia was standing in front of them, her smile gentle and commanding. The organist ended his thunderous anthem.

'Welcome to you all on this happiest of days, the Pythia said to the congregation.

Julan and Kristabel lifted the veil from her face. Her hair flowed out like ripples of gold silk. Edeard couldn't believe anyone so perfect was facing him at his own wedding ceremony, this surely must be some dazed fantasy from his last night in Ashwell, a moment of blissful delusion after the bullets struck and before death.

Kristabel took both his hands in hers, and squeezed reassuringly. 'Been waiting long? she teased.

'My whole life, he told her truthfully.

They honeymooned at the Culverit family's muroak lodge on the coast, spending half a month there by themselves. Twenty days of delight.

A lot more staff accompanied them this time, providing them with excellent meals and unobtrusive service. The end of summer was approaching, but it was still hot. Humid air above the cove barely moved the whole time they were there. As before, they took lazy walks along the coast; swam in warm water and sunned themselves on the beach until both of them had tanned a deep honey-brown. Edeard tried his hand at fishing, but lacked the patience. Both of them learned to sail in a small yacht that was a wedding gift from Charyau. They even managed a couple of trips sailing to nearby fishing villages in thankfully calm waters.

'I think it will be some time before we venture that circumnavigation I mentioned, Edeard admitted the evening after their first big voyage two miles along the shore.

On the other side of the table, Kristabel laughed agreement, backdropped by a golden blaze of the setting sun. Both of them were determined from the outset to have the time for themselves. They avoided talking about city life and its politics. Too much of the last four months had been spent establishing Finitan as the Mayor, persuading the old guard to adopt his consolidation policies, strengthening the judiciary and reinforcing the determination and effectiveness of the constables. It seemed to be working. Everyone reported good business. With the shadow of fear and uncertainty lifted, people were spending with confidence again.

Finitan's first few months were already judged a success. In Makkathran. Out in the provinces, things were not so agreeable. The news Topar had brought back at the start of the year was becoming common knowledge. Even his ominous predictions now seemed optimistic. Bandits so long confined to the westernmost provinces were making long inroads to the east. Back in the springtime, Rulan province faced a huge ongoing exodus as raids became a weekly occurrence. Then Worfolk province reported caravans being ambushed on previously safe highways. The numerous mountains of the interior were ideal refuges for the roaming bands to strike at villages and towns. After a raid they would ride into the tricky inhospitable terrain and vanish from the sheriffs and militiamen sent to hunt them.

What worried Edeard most was the long distance these episodes occurred at. Makkathran only ever got to hear of a bandit incident months after it actually happened. They had no idea what was currently going on beyond the Iguru Plain, how close the raiders were venturing to the city.

A mere two months after the election, the first refugees from the Ulfsen Mountains had trickled into Makkathran, whispering about strange, powerful guns. Guns that could defeat an entire cavalry platoon. Official casualties from the militia regiments Owain had dispatched to help the governors began to rise. People started to notice the number of lavish memorial services which Grand Families threw for the officers increased sharply. Nobody blamed Finitan, but he was starting to face questions about what he intended to do about the worsening circumstances out beyond the Iguru Plain.

All that Edeard had put behind him in favour of sunny days lounging on the sands drinking cool wine; and equally hot nights making love to Kristabel. Then the day came when the staff and ge-monkeys packed the huge pile of bags and crates, and they began the carriage journey home. He fell silent as they trundled along the broad coastal road, contemplating what news he would be accosted with as soon as they reached the city once again.

'You'll still have me, Kristabel said adamantly.

Edeard broke out of his revere. 'Huh?

'You haven't spoken a word for the last two miles. Was it that horrible a time?

'No! That's the problem, I wish it could have gone on and on. There's a big part of me that doesn't want to go back.

'Me too, she attempted a smile, but her usual contentment was missing. 'I don't think I'm pregnant yet.

'Ah.

'They say vinak juice lingers in the blood for a while after you stop taking it. Another month would see it gone, and us successful.

He put his arm around her. 'I promise to redouble my efforts when we get home. He stopped abruptly, then smiled. 'Home.

'Yes, she said with equal glee. 'The two of us together.

'Alone, apart from your family and two hundred servants. But what the Honious, we'll try and make the best of it.

Her third hand pinched him hard. 'You feel so guilty about that, don't you?

'Not guilty… just unaccustomed to it. He remembered what Kanseen had said on the balcony of Bea's Bottle. 'I'm sure I'll get used to it eventually; it can't be that difficult.

'You know, if Finitan had lost I really would have followed you to a village on the edge of the wilds.

He kissed her. 'And Mirnatha would have become Mistress of Haxpen.

'Oh Lady, Kristabel's hand flew to her mouth. 'I never thought of that. Off to the wilds by yourself you go then.

They clasped each other tighter.

'I wanted to be pregnant, she said. 'It would be so nice for Kanseen's boy to have a playmate. Our children would grow up together.

'Kanseen still has another month and a half to go. And you will be pregnant many times. Our children will play with those of the Sampalok Masters' family.

She nodded, allowing him to convince her. 'What will happen with the bandits and the provinces?

He sighed. 'I don't know. We still don't know where they get their weapons from. That's the true cause of all this strife.

'Finitan's going to ask you to go out there, isn't he?

'Probably.

'You must go if it's the right thing.

'I don't want to leave you.

'I know. But, Edeard, don't you want our children to live in a safe world?

'Of course.

'So really, there's no choice to be made, is there?

Edeard said nothing. She was right of course, which made arguing futile. Given the path he'd chosen for himself, some events were inevitable.

At least nothing about the city had changed when they got back. The carriage and horses were led away to the Culverit stables in Tycho, and they took the family gondola back to the ziggurat mansion. Julan and Mirnatha were waiting for them on the mooring platform, both equally excited.

'I missed you so, Mirnatha squealed, hugging her sister.

'And I you, Kristabel promised.

'What was it like?

Edeard and Kristabel managed to avoid looking at each other. 'A nice restful holiday, Kristabel explained to her little sister.

'Really? I always get fearfully bored after just one day at the lodge. What did you do all that time? She gave Edeard a wide-eyed look of innocent interest. It didn't fool him for a second.

Julan cleared his throat. 'Shall we go and inspect the tenth floor now.

The staff and ge-monkeys had been extremely busy since the wedding. Kristabel's agonized rearrangement of the family had been implemented, with everyone shifting apartments and floors. In the end, fourteen sets of relatives had moved out. More than originally intended, but there were a lot of new marriages planned amid the relatives occupying the fifth and seventh floors, which would create another accommodation shortage over the next couple of years. Some of the third floor families decided not to wait. Julan had offered to build them new manor houses on lands the Culverits owned beyond the Iguru.

In all honesty, Edeard didn't see a lot of change to the furniture and fittings on the tenth floor. The big lounges and reception rooms were the same as before with all the family's artwork and antiques in the same positions they'd occupied for centuries. He and Kristabel would take over the Master's suite from Julan, which had been decluttered — he made no comment on the standard Makkathran bed and bathing pool, they could be reshaped easily enough. His few possessions from the maisonette were standing forlornly in one of the empty studies. When he looked at the small pile of boxes in comparison to everything the Culverits had accumulated over two millennia he began to feel intimidated by the family again.

'You'll soon make it your own, Julan said comfortingly as he caught sight of Edeard's expression.

'Yes, sir.

'I got Uncle Dagnal's old chambers, Mirnatha said joyfully. 'And Daddy said I could have new furniture and curtains and everything.

'Within reason, Julan said hurriedly.

'Come and show us then, Kristabel said, holding out a hand.

Edeard followed the sisters out of the Master's suite, taking one last look at the main octagonal bedroom with its huge circular bed. The room was bare apart from a fluffy brown carpet, some plain wardrobes and chests; the dressing room next door contained all of Kristabel's clothes. He couldn't help but compare its simplicity to the way Kristabel had decorated her bachelorette room just down the hall.

Perhaps she'll allow me some say in how we make our bed room look. I could offer to craft her a shower, and a proper toilet, make the light white. The idea of spending the next two hundred years sleeping in anything as fluffy as she'd created before was unnerving.

They spent the afternoon with the tenth floor's housekeeper discussing further changes. Several Master carpenters were summoned to prepare drawings of the furniture Kristabel wanted to commission. Edeard was relieved when she toned down the drapes and fittings for their bedroom, and finally found the courage to volunteer his own alterations. The craftsmen tried not to be too obvious listening when he explained how the shower could go anywhere, and be any size. In fact altering the whole layout of the tenth floor would be a simple matter for him if she was just prepared to wait while the walls adjusted themselves. Kristabel sent everyone away when he started explaining that.

'I'd never thought of altering things on that scale, she admitted. 'Nothing ever changes in Makkathran.

'It can now. He looked round the big lounge they were in. 'In fact, how about some more windows in this place? Let some light in?

'What about the main stairs? she asked excitedly. 'Can you change them? The ones in Kanseen's new mansion are actually usable.

'I thought you'd never ask.

Julan and Mirnatha were noticeably absent from supper on the tenth floor hortus that evening, making a big show of saying how much they wanted to eat with the ninth floor families.

'It'll never last, Kristabel said as they sipped some sparkling white wine under a big white gauze awning. Long candles had been lit among the pots of orchids and troughs full of huge evening glories. With the orange lights of the city starting to twinkle amid the twilight and lengthening shadows Edeard couldn't imagine a more romantic setting. Neither, it seemed, could a lot of Makkathran's citizens; they both had to cast a seclusion haze to ward off curious farsights.

'But we can make the most of it for a couple more days, he said. It was almost a plea.

'You have to go hack to Jeavons station tomorrow. You're its captain, after all. And Finitan will want to talk to you, and Macsen is going to have a dozen problems.

'I know. They've been very polite not calling us today.

'I did longtalk Kanseen earlier. She says the mansion's almost complete, as far as she can tell. She wants you to confirm it's finished growing so she can start ordering fittings and fabrics for it.

'Okay, he said reluctantly. 'I'll check tomorrow.

Her hand came down on top of his. 'We still have tonight.

'And every night.

'You know what I mean. Tomorrow our new lives really begin.

'I know.

'But that's hours yet.

When Edeard walked into the Jeavons station first thing the next morning, he found Dinlay had coped admirably during his absence. He was almost peeved at that, but you couldn't argue with paperwork, and Dinlay had been quite meticulous about recording everything. Glancing at the new charts hanging up in his office, Edeard saw that patrols had gone out on time, duty rosters were made up, monies allocated and spent, timetables established. Arrests had been made, but these days the constables tended to issue cautions to any miscreants they found. It was often enough. Only the most committed recidivists were hauled up in front of the judges now. Probationer training was also going well. Even Marcol was expected to pass his exams in time for graduation next month.

'Though it's touch and go, Dinlay admitted. 'There's a sweep if you want to put some money down.

'I don't think that would be proper, Edeard said. It wasn't quite the comment he expected from Dinlay. But he couldn't find fault in any other way. 'So what else has been happening?

'It's been quiet actually. In the city at least. We're still getting refugees arriving, which is causing a lot of talk about how the remaining empty buildings are being taken up. People were expecting their children to move into the available places.

'Do we know how much spare housing there is? I mean, is this going to be a problem?

'I expect the Guild of Clerks knows the true numbers.

'I'm sure they do, they seem to know everything else.

'And anyway, it's Finitan's problem, isn't it?

'Yes. You're right. Edeard sat behind the desk he'd inherited from Ronark. Like the office, it was dark and functional. To be honest, a little bit drab and depressing for his taste. He looked round at the high, slightly-curved walls with their small oval windows. No wonder it was so gloomy, the city fabric was a grungy brown with strange vertical vermilion streaks, as if someone had spilt colouring dye down them a long time ago.

Dinlay left to lead a squad on patrol. Edeard began reviewing the station logs. It was no good, the office just kept distracting him. He reached down to the city's thoughts, and made some suggestions for modification. Expanding the windows, changing the wall colours to a pleasant pale sky-blue; adapting the lighting rosettes to shine white. Much the same as he'd done to the tenth floor of the Culverit mansion this morning. Here the changes would be finished within a week, back home it would take longer. Kristabel was still toying with the idea of changing the entire layout.

Even after he'd kicked off the office changes, the logs didn't interest him. He let his farsight reach out to the Orchard Palace.

'I wondered how long it would take you, Finitan said.

The oval sanctum hadn't changed. Edeard had expected Finitan to stamp his mark immediately, but the week after the election Finitan had remarked that he had more important things to worry about than the furniture. So the huge desk was still there in the middle, its dark veneer glossed to a mirror shine. The high velvet padded chair behind it was Owain's relic, to. But Edeard did recognize the silver cups that the ge-chimps poured his tea into. And Owain hadn't used genistars in here.

Finitan had brought the genistar egg cradle from his office in the Blue Tower. But it sat on his desk empty.

Topar took a seat next to Edeard, refusing a cup of tea.

'Well, Finitan started. 'We managed to survive an entire twenty days without you.

'Yes, sir, Edeard said.

'The city isn't really a problem any more. People seem to have accepted my term without too much resistance.

'They certainly have. Kristabel is complaining about how long the furniture she commissioned will take to build. The craftsmen are run off their feet right now. It's the same all across Makkathran. People are spending their money again. They have confidence in you, sir.

'My apologies to your wife. Finitan put his cup down, and gave Edeard an uncomfortable stare. 'Unfortunately, the city's current bout of good fortune isn't being repeated beyond the Iguru Plain.

Edeard gave a short nod. 'I know.

Topar cast out a strong seclusion haze. 'I've been sending scouts out into the provinces, he said. 'Good men: ex-constables, sheriffs, even a few reserve officers from the militia. People who know how to look after themselves, people I can rely on.

'We wanted to build up a picture of these damn raids, Finitan said. 'See if there was a pattern behind them, a purpose.

'That's where it gets strange, Topar said. 'If they're trying to soften us up for an invasion, they're going about it in a very odd way. There have been no bandit raids at all in the Rulan province since midsummer; in fact the west seems clear of all disturbances. They've moved steadily east through the three largest mountain ranges, causing a lot of damage, and setting light to a wildfire of fear and rumour. In fact, that's our worse enemy right now. Any dispute that results in violence is attributed to bandit raids, from landowners fighting with poachers to a tavern brawl, so bad is their reputation. It's hard to determine what's real and what isn't. The provincial governors aren't reliable at the best of times, now any trifling squabble is seen as an excuse to petition Makkathran for militia support.

'It doesn't help that Owain sent the regiments out so willingly before, Topar said. 'Expectations of support were set too high.

'He's left you a real mess, Edeard said.

'Yes. That's politics, and to be expected. But we took a very good look at the information we can confirm. It's a worrying result.

'In what way?

'Basically, we've established there are six main packs of bandits, Topar said. 'Two are heading along the Ulfsen Mountains. One is using the Komansa range for cover. Two started out in the Gorgian Mountains, though one of those is now heading north east along the Yorarns. And the last is plaguing the Sastairs all the way down to the southern coastal provinces.

Edeard closed his eyes, trying to picture what he'd just been told on a map of the known lands. 'They're stretched quite thin, then.

'I prefer the term "widespread", Topar said. 'We're a basically peaceful society, and their physical impact is minimal given the size of the areas concerned, but the disturbance and worry they cause is near universal.

'So what are they doing?

'One last thing. Finitan pulled a piece of paper across the desk, and started to read. 'In Plax province there were raids on Payerne, Orastrul, Oki, Bihac, and Tikrit. All villages or small towns. The manor houses and their lands at Stonyford, Turndich, Uxmal, Saltmarch, Klongsop, Ettrick, and Castlebay have also suffered extensive damage during the last two months. He gave Edeard an expectant look. 'Anything ring a bell?

'I've heard of the Uxmal manor, the Culverits own it. I think it's a big parkland holding, they raise sheep there. He had a nasty feeling one of the families from the third floor had gone there to make their new home.

'Indeed. Every one of those estates belongs to an ally of mine,

Finitan said. 'Allies and supporters also have considerable assets in or around the targeted villages.

Edeard felt cold. 'How could bandits know that?

'Somebody told them, Topar said. 'Someone who has conducted a comprehensive search through the official Treasury registry.

'It took us a while to work it out, Finitan said. 'Everyone I met at a party or dinner was complaining about their losses. I heard nothing else. I thought the invasion had already begun until I realized my allies were being singled out.

'Lady!

'Which brings us back to the question of who are they and what are they doing?

'They must have collaborators in the city, a shocked Edeard said.

'At the very least, Topar said. He exchanged a worried glance with Finitan. 'There's also the question of the guns. If there isn't another city equal to us…

'No, Edeard said. 'The weapons Guild… They had the long-barrel pistols all this time. But whoever supplied the bandits with repeat-fire guns killed Ashwell.

'Too early to make that accusation, Topar said abruptly. 'And we have no proof whatsoever.

'This is why we asked you in, Finitan said. 'I know a lot of your power comes from whatever relationship you have with the city itself, but you still have the strongest psychic ability I have ever known.

'A week ago a report came in of a raid on Northford, Topar said. 'That's a village in the Donsori Mountains, Edeard, just four days ride from Makkathran for the Lady's sake. Rapid-fire guns were used. We know that for a fact. One of the Ulfsen mountain groups must have pushed eastwards in the last month.

'If we can capture one of them alive, Finitan said, 'We might just be able to find out what exactly is going on, who those collaborators are.

'I'm going to take a small group of the best people I know and trust, Topar said. 'We'll have ge-eagles and ge-wolves, and the best pistols available. Even so, I could do with some help.

'Oh Lady, Edeard put his cold tea cup back on the desk. 'When do we leave?

Despite all he'd been through in Makkathran, the city had made him soft, Edeard acknowledged on the second day. An easy life was an easy trap to fall into. Life on the road was a sharp reminder of the way he used to live. Making camp each night. Looking after the genistars himself rather than asking a servant. Collecting wood to make a fire. Cooking his own food. Sleeping under a blanket and an oilskin beneath the nebula-swathed sky. That was cold enough. Then after the third day they didn't even have a fire for fear the bandit crew would notice it, and they were high in the Donsori Mountains by then.

But at that he did better than Dinlay and Macsen. They were real city boys. So he alleviated his own discomfort by enjoying theirs.

Their third night out from North Gate they camped on the side of Mount Iyo, half a day's ride from the main road through the mountains. There was still a lot of traffic on the road, with caravans and wagons and carriages rattling along the broad paved slabs that switchbacked along the rugged slopes. But all of them were accompanied by packs of ge-wolves. The wealthier travellers had their own guards as well. There were also daily patrols of local militia squads. Edeard's own party went under the guise of trading Guildsmen, a common enough sight on the roads. As well as himself and Topar, they had Boloton, an ex-sheriff from Oki who had spent over half of his seventy years roaming across the countryside. The second of Topar's companions was Fresage, a huge man whose bulk was mostly muscle; another outdoors type who had seen membership in a southern provincial militia as well as serving ten years as a costal warden. In turn, he was good friends with Verini, born to a caravan family, who was taking a decade long break from the eternal trade routes to scout round new markets and learn the roads in different territories. Then there was Larby, who had the manners of a Grand Family son yet was clearly comfortable with road life, and proficient with a pistol. He said little about his background, but Edeard suspected he had been affiliated to the families in a fashion not too dissimilar to Argian.

That just left Dinlay and Macsen to complete their number. By the end of the first day, saddle-sore himself, Edeard was beginning to think he shouldn't have asked them along. Macsen had proved particularly difficult to convince, he was naturally concerned for Kanseen, who was due in just a few weeks. However, they stuck it out and learned from the others quickly enough. That they'd adapt was never Edeard's concern. His main worry was that the three of them would be absent from Makkathran at the same time. Such a thing would be noticeable to a suspicious mind. If there was someone in the senior ranks of government collaborating with the bandits they might raise a warning — even though they'd never know exactly what to warn against. And it would be difficult getting word out here ahead of Topar's group.

As their party progressed, their main source of information was fellow travellers. They didn't even have to ask difficult questions; those who used the road frequently were unrivalled gossips. Rumour of a bandit crew was strong. There had been another raid after Northford, at a hamlet called Regentfleet. Five families dead and the buildings torched. The local governor was demanding assistance from Makkathran's militia regiments to catch the bandits. Regentfleet was uncomfortably close to Sand-market, the provincial capital.

'They're heading south, then, Topar said when they first heard the news of Regentfleet. Which is why they eventually left the main road to strike out across the high terrain by themselves. It was hard going, even for the stoic ge-horses, a type which blended traits of high endurance with speed; not as fast as terrestrial horses, they still had the stamina to keep a fair pace going even on the rocky slopes away from the road.

Topar led them along the edge of the woodlands which dominated the middle slopes. Thick forests of tall spindly kalkand trees whose feathery blue-gold fronds spent the winter months curled up in tight whorls.

They made camp that third day under overhanging branches which dripped an unpleasant waxy sap from their newly budded scarlet sporecones. A small stream trickled along one side, allowing the horses and ge-wolves to drink. That night they sent their ge-eagles roving around the peaks and swooping through the valleys. The big birds had a trait Edeard had never known of before, a near-perfect night-sight. There were no colours to the vision he received from them, the world they flew over was drawn in shades of grey, but still the features were sharp and true. Edeard could see small creatures scuttling along oblivious to the birds gliding silently overhead.

'You're still young, you can still become an apprentice to the Blue Tower yet, Topar taunted when Edeard remarked upon the trait. Like the Weapons Guild, the Masters of the Blue Tower kept secrets that might work to their advantage.

The ge-eagles found nothing that night. Topar and Edeard called them back in the early hours to rest before breaking camp early the next day.

Edeard woke to the sound of Dinlay cursing heavily, hopping about on one foot as he held his other boot high. His glasses were still on the roll he used as a pillow, so his face was screwed up as he squinted at the boot. 'Ladydamnit!

Everyone else was lifting their heads, using farsight to scan round, anxious they'd been discovered. Everyone apart from Macsen who was on watch. He was unperturbed, just sitting on an old fallen trunk watching Dinlay with cool amusement.

'Bloody Honious! Dinlay took a bad hop backwards, and tripped on a small rock. He landed hard on his arse and let out a distressed grunt. Edeard winced in sympathy as the flare of pain burst out of his friend's mind.

'What? What? Dinlay spluttered.

'You okay back there? Macsen called in a voice that was far too calm. It triggered a suspicious grin on Edeard's face. When he pushed his farsight into Dinlay's boot he found a mush in the toe that had been a utog beetle, a native insect with a particularly prickly carapace.

'Did you…? an outraged Dinlay gasped. 'Was that you…?

'Me what? Macsen replied innocently.

The others were chuckling now as Dinlay started shivering, partly from the bruise on his buttocks and partly from the cold; he was dressed only in a thin shirt and cotton under-trousers.

'May the Lady crap on you from a great height, Dinlay muttered darkly. His third hand pulled his glasses on to his face, then began scraping the squashed remains of the beetle out of his boot.

'Children, children, Fresage said with a shake of his head. He pushed his blanket back and rose ponderously, flexing his arms to work out the knots earned from sleeping on rough ground.

Edeard pulled on a thick sweater of his own and clambered to his feet. He never could get comfortable just lying on the ground. A careful farsight examination of his own boots revealed they were unused by nesting insects, and he pulled them on.

Topar had snatched up a pistol as soon as he'd woken. Now he gave Macsen a disapproving glance and clicked the safety catch back on.

Boloton and Larby started rolling up their sleeping blankets. Now his boot was clean, Dinlay transferred his attention to his toe. Several utog spikes were sticking through his woollen socks. He removed them one at a time.

'Well done, Edeard said to Macsen. 'Just how I envisaged a District Master would behave.

Verini was grinning along with the rest of them. 'How did you three ever clear the city of gangs? he mused quietly.

Macsen flashed Edeard a profoundly guilty smirk.

'You're so pathetic, Dinlay grumbled.

'Got to do something to stay awake, Macsen murmured. He pulled a kettle off the little stove that burned Jamolar oil. "lea anyone?

'You do have a use, Fresage mocked.

'Few and far between, but those I have I excel at.

Edeard and Dinlay exchanged a look. 'Not what Kanseen says, Dinlay said smugly, and pulled his boot on.

Edeard took his cup over to Macsen. 'You're an arse, he said, grinning as his friend poured out the boiling water.

'Yep, and that's just on the plus side.

Edeard stirred in one of the hand-tied linen tea packets which the tenth floor housekeeper had made up for him. The others had ribbed him mercilessly about those, but they wound up 'borrowing' them at every meal.

'How much longer is this going to take? Dinlay asked as he held his cup out.

'For all this is empty land, there aren't that many places the bandits can hide out in, Topar said, drinking down his own tea. 'Shepherds use the high pastures for grazing, and it's turning cold up here now.

'They will have found themselves half a dozen remote camp sites, Fresage said. 'And they'll shift between them.

Edeard gave the valley to the south a shrewd gaze. The Donsori Mountains weren't the highest range on Querencia, yet the snowcaps were creeping downwards again as the last weeks of summer passed away. And the forests that smothered the mid-slopes were changing colour, the fronds on the dominant kalkand trees were shading towards beige as they began to contract. Below the treeline, the gentler lower slopes had a yellow tinge. Grass deprived of water during the dry summer months was just starting to taste rain again. Clumps chewed down by terrestrial sheep and cattle along with the roaming flocks of native chamalans were putting up their last wispy sprouts before the snows came once more. The soil on these remote lands wasn't rich enough to support farms. There were a few isolated cattle stations but that was all. Though with the peaks fencing away clouds the air was beautifully clear. Visibility stretched for miles.

'If they're to move round unnoticed it will have to be through the trees, Larby said.

'And the camps will have to be within range of villages, Topar agreed. He pointed at the summit of Mount Alvice at the south-eastern end of the valley. 'There's a plateau beyond the crest, with several villages. Sandmarket is a day's ride beyond that.

'That kind of area is a possible for them, Boloton agreed. 'Secluded but in range of Regentfleet.

Edeard thought they were right, but didn't say anything. He was content with someone else making all the decisions for once. Topar hadn't said how long he was prepared to stay out here trying to track down the bandits, but they were carrying enough food for a fortnight.

Once they were back in the saddle, Topar led them onwards towards Mount Alvice. As before, they clung to the treeline to avoid being spotted. They were assuming the bandits would be using ge-eagles, and probably dogs. All of them had listened intently to Edeard on the first day when he told them about the tamed fastfoxes he'd encountered back in Rulan province.

By midday they were half way round the mountain's slopes, when Topar stopped them. Their ge-eagles came flashing down to settle among the treetops. Verini, who was using the ge-eagle with ordinary vision had spied two similar ge-eagles in the air above the shallow pass into the plateau country. The pair of them were orbiting high above the stony track, soaring round in a huge circle.

'Definitely keeping watch, Topar said after they'd watched the ge-eagles for over half an hour. 'We'll have to go through the trees to get past them.

Everyone dismounted and began to lead their ge-horses into the trees. Edeard went last, sweeping his farsight along the track through the pass to see if he could locate the bandits instructing the ge-eagles. There was no sign of them, not even if he used the counter to concealment — though that wasn't reliable at any distance. They were either on the other side of the pass, or hidden behind some thick rock.

Their ge-wolves prowled through the forest of kalkand trees, using natural senses to scent anyone hidden amid the undergrowth. It was dank and cold under the boughs, as if the tall leaden trunks were somehow caging a winter's mist. The cold soon wormed its way through their jackets and trousers to chill their limbs. Everyone had to use their third hand to ward off low branches and clinging damp fronds. The undergrowth of straggly bushes stunted by the lack of light tore at their legs, slowing them further. An endless canopy of scarlet sporecones dripped sap on to their hats which then dribbled in sluggish rivulets down on to their shoulders.

It was late afternoon by the time they reached the far side of the mountain. The plateau was more hospitable than the saddle lands behind. A broad expanse of deciduous forests and long meadows laced with small streams. The peaks all around were low, without snowcaps. Miles away to the north east they could see a village; its yellow stone buildings cresting a hillock. Thin strands of smoke wound their way up out of chimneys.

'No wall, Edeard said under his breath. Even now that still startled him. He remembered his surprise on the long journey east with the Barkus caravan how the fortifications around settlements grew smaller and more dilapidated with every mile they travelled. Until finally in Oxfolk province on the other side of the Ulfsen Mountains they had been abandoned altogether, leaving towns and villages completely exposed to whatever lurked outside their boundary. Only nothing dangerous did lurk there, not any more. Not for hundreds of years.

With the pass guarded by the ge-eagles far behind them, Topar guided them along the treeline to a steep little valley leading away from the mountain. They hiked down to the stream at the bottom, and mounted up again. The ge-horses splashed along the stone bed, taking them out on to the plateau. Small martoz and bluebeech trees grew out of the steep slopes, their roots webbing the big flood boulders littering the valley. Long whip-like branches waved across the sky above them, providing more cover. Their ge-eagles flew low, barely skimming the uppermost branches, watching for any of their own kind; while the ge-wolves spread out across the boggy meadowland on either side, sniffing the air.

As the sun fell below the high, rumpled horizon they reached one of the many forests sprawled across the plateau. Here the trees weren't so tight, and the ground underfoot was a mat of dead leaves and soft loam. Tall weeds and grass offered no resistance to the ge-horses. They made their way to the centre where they set up camp.

When the first glimmers of the nebulas began to shimmer overhead, Topar dispatched their five night-viewing ge-eagles to see if they could spot the watchers from the pass.

'They're here somewhere, Macsen said intently. 'They wouldn't keep a look-out on the pass otherwise.

'Unless they're in the valley on the other side of it, Dinlay pointed out. 'And we crossed each other sometime when we both crept through the trees.

'Ever the optimist, Macsen grunted.

'Practicalist.

'That's not a word.

'Realist, Larby supplied.

'Thank you, Dinlay said.

'They're here on the plateau, Topar said.

Edeard was one of those guiding the ge-eagles, his farsight enabling him to send it over vast swathes of land. It soared up into the air, giving it a broad view of the rolling plateau. Topar had asked him to cover the south east, where there were forests and narrow gullies and long talus slides spilling out below from faultline crags.

The ge-eagle flew swift and silent, showing him the muted ground, as if he was peering down on a world shrouded by the thickest stormclouds. He saw a drakken pack scampering along a slim gorge like an oily tide; then they began to churn around a chamalan carcass. Small rusals skipped nimbly up bushes and trees, searching for cones and pods to store for the winter. Trilans wove their low dams across streams, producing wide bogs that proved treacherous to other animals. Several zlocks of chamalan's huddled together, those on the outside nervous of whatever skulked through the night.

After an hour observing the relatively harmless nocturnal activities of the plateau's wildlife, the ge-eagle caught a flash of motion next to a sprawl of hatlash trees growing along the marshy banks of a small lake. Something bigger and faster than anything else it had seen that night. The ge-eagle dipped its wing and curved round until it was coasting along several hundred feet above the tops of the hatlash trees. Their trunks were swollen from the lake water, pressed together in a battle for space; the pushing and shoving resulted in the trees leaning at steep angles, producing an interlocked tangle. Perfect cover. The ge-eagle turned again, scouring the swaying tree-tops for any sign of incongruous movement.

It glimpsed something on the third pass, and began a tight spiral. Through its eyes Edeard saw a fastfox slinking along, picking its way through the ragged curtains of weeping boughs. The big predator sped up when it reached a small clearing where dead trunks were rotting into a rancid pile of fungi. Even so, the ge-eagle clearly saw the collar round its neck.

'They're here, Edeard announced quietly, and gifted the ge-eagle's vision to the others.

'Sweet Lady, Dinlay muttered.

'I never thought I'd ever see one of those things, Macsen said.

Edeard instructed the ge-eagle to back off.

'Why? Larby asked.

'Its master won't be far away, Edeard explained. 'They're not that easy to keep control off, I know. He might farsight our ge-eagle.

Sure enough, a few minutes later the fastfox left the hatlash trees. A man was with it, jogging along effortlessly.

'Dear Lady, Edeard gasped. The man was wearing a simple dark tunic and knee-length boots. Two belts were looped over his shoulders, crossing his chest. Slim metal boxes were clipped to it, the kind that held bullets for the rapid-fire gun that was hanging on a third strap. 'He's one of them! Shock was making him giddy. His hands started pawing at his chest as he sucked down air.

'Them? Macsen asked. 'You mean the bandits?

'The ones from Ashwell. He's dressed exactly the same as they were that night. I swear on the Lady, he's got to be one of them. He became aware of the nervous glances the others were trading. 'Them, he insisted.

'To be expected, Topar said. 'They chased me before.

'That's no bandit from the wilds, Larby said.

'Are you okay? Macsen asked in concern.

Edeard nodded a slow reassurance. Seeing this nemesis return out of his own past was profoundly shocking. But I've grown since then. This time it's their turn to know fear.

'Do you recognize this actual one? Dinlay asked.

Edeard returned to the ge-eagle's view. The bird was still gliding higher, keeping level to the bandit and his fastfox. The profile was hardly distinct, but… 'No, Edeard said. 'I don't remember any faces, not really. Though there's one mind I will know forever.

'All right, Topar said, 'Let's follow him, see where he takes us.

The ge-eagle stayed high in the air above the bandit, gliding idly to keep pace. Topar got them all back in the saddle as the bird reached the edge of Edeard's perception, and they started to ride slowly after the bandit, leaving the forest behind. All of them cast a seclusion haze, even though the nebulas above were wan shadows of their usual iridescence. The mild psychic baffle should be enough to deter all but the sharpest farsight at night. To bolster their safety the ge-wolves ranged around them, while two of the night-viewing ge-eagles under Verini's instruction scouted ahead. Their own farsight was used to guide the horses through the darkness.

'Is it just one? Macsen asked after half an hour. The bandit was making good time, alternatively jogging, then walking, heading south east, and making use of the spinnies and thickets that were scattered across the plateau. He was clearly adept at moving unseen across the land, even the ge-eagle had trouble keeping track of him in some of the deeper terrain.

'I can't see any others, Edeard admitted. They'd deliberately kept a long way back in case the bandit had a powerful farsight. 'But I know from experience they can all use concealment.

'Great Lady, Boloton said. 'There could be an army of them following us.

'There isn't, Edeard promised him.

It was almost midnight when the bandit reached the top end of a narrow gulley. He stopped, and squatted down amid a clump of tall weather-worn stones coated in thick kimoss. The fastfox sped away, back the way they'd just come.

'Let's get into cover, Topar said. They guided their mounts towards the nearest small wood.

The fastfox chased back along its path, stopping to sniff cautiously every now and again.

'He's double checking, Fresage said. "Wherever he is, he considers it important. He's not going on until he's satisfied he's clear.

'Pull the ge-eagle back, Topar told Edeard. 'If their camp is nearby, we can't risk exposing ourselves.

Edeard instructed the bird to spiral higher. The lay of the land was revealed to him, falling away to the east and split by several rocky gullies.

'Two of those gullies meet up, look, Verini said. 'It's a hollow with a cliff along one side. Perfect place for a concealed camp.

'This is where I go in and check, then, Edeard said.

'I'll come with you, Dinlay said immediately.

'Thanks, but this is just a scout round to see if they're there. My concealment is stronger than anyone's, and I know I can shield myself if they do spot me. He could sense the concern in everybody's mind.

'Just be careful, Macsen said. 'There's no city to protect you out here.

'I'm just going to look, I swear on the Lady.

They all watched through the lone ge-eagle as the fastfox returned, and the bandit started down the gulley.

'You've got two hours, Topar said. 'After that we will come looking for you.

It took Edeard a while to decide his approach. The top of the little cliff would surely be guarded; and fastfoxes had an excellent sense of smell. But the gullies, too, would be watched. Possibly there'd be a tripwire that he might not detect.

The cliff top it is, then.

As soon as he left the wood he spun a concealment around himself, becoming no more than a dense wisp of dark air. His farsight swept out, alert for any hint of danger.

Just as he'd suspected, there were fastfoxes acting as sentinels above the cliff. They were curled up amid the boulders littering the long grass, wide awake, sniffing the night air for foreign scents. He reached out with his longtalk, and began subverting their orders, coaxing them away from their obedient attentive state, allowing them to stretch and settle down comfortably, scratch their hides and groom some of the day's mud away. A sensation of contentment began to percolate through their thoughts. When one finally registered his scent, it dismissed the intrusive smell as being an irrelevance.

There was a lone human watcher standing near the edge of the cliff. He was concealed, but Edeard could sense his farsight washing back and forth intermittently. Once he'd worked out the approximate location, he used his own farsight to gently prise apart the concealment. The bandit was revealed, with the customary twin belts of ammunition boxes across his chest, and a repeat-fire gun on a strap over his shoulder. There were also several knives and blade discs in various pouches. He even had an ordinary pistol. For all his toughness and weapons, he hadn't noticed how slack the fastfoxes had become. His thoughts remained blissfully unsuspicious.

Edeard picked a section of the cliff eighty yards away from the bandit, and crept forward.

'Nine of them? Topar asked. 'You're sure?

'Yes, Edeard said for the third time. 'One on top of the cliff controlling the fastfoxes. Five asleep below an overhang, and the one we followed settling down for the night. Then there's two watching the gullies, both concealed. There's also two fastfoxes in each gulley. I saw five ge-eagles, and nine terrestrial horses.

'What about supplies? Larby asked.

'A pile of sacks and bags, probably enough food for three weeks at least. And three boxes of ammunition. They're not done with raiding yet.

'Bastards, Verini growled.

'So can we take them? Topar asked. 'They outnumber us.

'By one, Fresage said dismissively. 'And we have surprise on our side.

'I think it's possible, Edeard said. 'We'll need to approach down a gully. I can keep the fastfoxes calm long enough for us to get past them. The trouble will be the three watchers, they longtalk each other all the time. As soon as one is taken out, the others will know.

'So we have to be within striking distance of the camp when that happens, Topar said.

'I can take out the three watchers fast enough, Edeard said. 'But I can't guarantee they won't call out; so you'll have to deal with the others. Especially if we're going to take one alive.

'I'd prefer to take two of them, Topar said.

'Can our ge-wolves tackle the fastfoxes? a mildly apprehensive Dinlay asked.

'We can't take them with us, Edeard said. 'That's a whole new instinct I'd have to soothe out of the fastfoxes, and a much stronger one than human scent. We have to keep this as simple as possible.

'Lady… fastfoxes.

'They look fierce—

'Look!

'They are fierce, but that's all they've got. Don't waste time trying to shoot one, especially not in the dark. Heartsqueeze them, or pulp their brains. It barely takes a second to kill one. Fear is their only ally.

'Oh Lady, Dinlay groaned.

'Can you do this? Topar asked with quiet authority.

Dinlay took a breath, managing to appear quite offended. 'Of course I can do this. It's only a fool who won't admit his worry.

'Good. I want you to take out the two fastfoxes in the gully as soon as Edeard deals with the watchers.

'Certainly.

Larby glanced up at the sky. 'Do we do this now?

'No, Topar said. 'It's only a couple of hours until dawn, and we haven't slept. We spend the day laying up here in the woods and resting, then tomorrow after midnight we strike.

Edeard had never felt so apprehensive before. All those times he'd sneaked into the House of Blue Petals, rescuing Mirnatha, arresting Buate, even facing down Bise atop his mansion; he'd known and understood what he was facing then. This was different, the bandits were an unknown, and he certainly wasn't as confident as Topar they could bring this off. It would only take one little mistake to alert the watchers, and then they'd be fending off nine rapid-fire guns.

At first light, three of the bandits left their camp, with ge-eagles orbiting high above them and fastfoxes trotting obediently alongside. One of them even sneaked through the edges of the wood where Edeard and his companions were encamped. Thankfully they were well hidden beneath the boughs, and his ge-eagle never spotted them as it flew overhead.

One of the bandits headed back to the pass at the side of Mount Alvice, while the other two went off in completely different directions.

'Picket duty, Boloton decided. 'They're making sure nobody gets close. We were lucky.

'No, Verini said. 'They're good, we're better.

'We'll know tonight, Macsen said sagely.

Edeard didn't manage much sleep during the day. He was

restless, his mind going over the plan again and again. It all depended on how fast he could eliminate the three watchers. That's if they only have three watchers. Suppose they change the pattern each night? I would. No, I wouldn't. He eventually fell asleep in the afternoon.

Larby woke him. 'They picket guards are on their way back, he said as Edeard blinked up at the darkening sky. Buluku was already visible, its swaying violet length beset with waves of electric-blue light. Odin's Sea was rising above the eastern horizon, several scarlet spikes crowning its blue and green nucleus. He found its presence strangely reassuring. I wonder if Boyd has reached it already?. Probably not. Who knows how far away it is?

There were an unusual number of stars in evidence, twinkling away in the wide gaps between the nebulas. At least Honious hadn't appeared in the firmament. The way Edeard was feeling he would probably have taken that as a bad omen. Stupid, because the sky is just the sky no matter what.

They ate together, munching their way through half-stale bread and some cold pasties followed by dried fruit. However, Topar did allow them to use the Jamolar oil stove to heat some water for tea and coffee. They were too far away for a fastfox to pick up the scent.

'No one else left or joined during the day, Macsen said. 'So it's just the nine of them.

'You sure it's only nine? Fresage asked.

'I counted nine, Edeard assured him.

'I want everyone to oil and check their pistols, Topar said.

Edeard was thankful for the distraction, even though he knew he was sure he'd never use the weapon. His third hand was all he needed. But he went through the routine anyway.

Just after midnight, Topar led them out of the woods. It took them an hour to retrace the route Edeard had taken the previous night, moving slowly and cautiously. As they reached the end of the gully they linked hands before summoning up a concealment. Both Larby and Topar had insisted this was the best way of keeping in contact, whispers and strong farsight might be detected by the watchers. It was a strange sensation; Edeard could feel Dinlay's hand in his, yet if he glanced back he could see only a blur of darkness.

Edeard walked forwards very slowly, using the weakest farsight he could to check the ground for tripwires or any other alarms. As he did so, he began to feel uncomfortable. A tremor ran through him. Something wrong.

The boulder-strewn walls rose sharply as the slope carried them down towards the bandit camp. Soon the steep walls were topped by imposing rock cliffs. Below their feet the ground was turning damp. Nebula-light revealed a meandering channel with thick reed tufts growing out between the stones. Edeard's trepidation grew with every step. Cold had claimed him now. He knew what this feeling was. The same as that night in Ashwell, the same as the entrapment atop the tower in Eyrie.

There can't be anything wrong. Not here. They don't know we're coming for them. They can't know!

On top of that anxiety, Edeard began to worry if his longtalk could reach the sentry fastfoxes before they scented him coming. It would be touch and go, he knew, he hadn't realized the gulley was this deep, nor so serpentine.

The sense of foreboding grew even stronger. He thought he could hear a whisper. Not with his ears. His mind. A very faint longtalk?

He walked through a small shallow stream, moving carefully so he didn't create a splash, only to find his boots sinking with alarming speed. Quicksand. 'Shit, he whispered through clenched teeth. He had to reach down with his third hand to stabilize the treacherous ground. His finger tapped three times on Dinlay's hand — caution.

There was a tremendous scraping sound from above, as if the stone cliffs were splitting. Edeard immediately sensed a number of powerful farsights stabbing down, farsights that weren't fooled by concealment. The noise grew even louder.

'Weapons! Topar shouted.

Edeard dropped his concealment and sent his farsight straight towards the sound. What he found shocked him for a dangerous instant. Three huge boulders were starting to roll down the slope directly above them, as they moved they dislodged a whole swam of smaller boulders. Ambush! he bellowed, and immediately strengthened his shield. At once he realized it wouldn't do him the slightest use, not against such a cascade of stone, the mass starting to slide down on top of them was incredible. He instinctively grabbed Dinlay with his third hand and threw him up the slope on the other side.

'Hello again, Edeard, a mental voice sneered.

Edeard was scrambling up the slope as the first boulders picked up speed. He reached for Macsen. But he knew that voice, and the cruelty behind it. The leader from Ashwell, the man who had killed Edeard's village, his life. Akeem's murderer.

Dinlay had recovered from his abrupt flight. He started shooting his pistol across the gully. It was a signal for Topar and Fresage to open fire. Verini began to run back along the gully. The overwhelming noise from the accelerating avalanche was joined by the deadly sound of rapid-fire guns. The three large boulders had been covering the mouths of caves in the cliffs. Now a dozen bandits were spilling out, taking aim on Edeard and his companions. The only thing preventing immediate death was the avalanche itself. To many rocks were interfering with their field of fire.

'The great Waterwalker himself, laughed Edeard's tormentor.

By now the smaller head-sized stones were bouncing down around Edeard. Bullets chewed the ground beside his feet. A screaming Dinlay dived for cover behind a rock. Not fast enough. Bullets chewed his legs, then thudded into his torso.

A stream of bullets smashed into Edeard. His shield held and he instinctively punched back along the line of attack. One of the ambushers flew backwards through the air, spraying blood.

Three big stones crashed into Fresage. His cry was cut off.

Macsen fired his pistol up at the ambushers. The ground around him was ripped apart by rapid-gun fire. Edeard screamed at the massive flare of pain Macsen's dying brain unleashed. His third hand lashed out wildly again at the ambushers, knocking four of them sideways. Two came careering down the slope after the avalanche, bones snapping as they twisted and tumbled.

A giant boulder smashed into Larby's chest, flinging him to the ground. More stones bounced and skittered on top of him.

Edeard was dancing about on the slope, trying to avoid the lethal barrage, smacking at the stones hurtling at him, deflecting them. Then the biggest boulder of all, nearly twice his height, slammed into the bottom of the gulley, shaking the ground. Momentum sent it spinning right at him.

He held it. The incredible weight was nothing. He just grabbed it with his third hand and stopped it dead in the air. It hung there, three feet off the ground as his lips twisted savagely with the effort. A shower of smaller stones from the avalanche smacked into it. Edeard held fast. One of the other original boulders rolled past, then teetered on the slope and skittered back down to the bottom of the gully.

'Ladyfuck! someone's frantic longtalk shouted.

'How's he doing that?

'Kill him. Kill the little shit.

The rapid-fire guns began shooting. Bullets thudded into the boulder hanging in front of Edeard. He could hear strange whirring pings as ricochets twirled off in all directions. The reverberations of falling rock grumbled away as the avalanche slithered to its end.

Edeard lifted the boulder high, above his head, higher, three times his height. Higher still. It drew level with the caves on the other side of the gully. Seven bandits were crouched down on a long ledge running in front of the dark openings. They gaped in disbelief at the massive rock that was now curving through the air towards them. Accelerating.

It struck the first one, knocking him away into the gully. The impact didn't even slow it down. Everyone on the ledge tried to run, but there was no room and no time. The boulder hammered into them, crushing their bodies to pulp or sending them spinning off into the chasm. Then Edeard brought it down very precisely on the last bandit.

After that, he simply stood there. Arms by his side. Staring numbly at the great swathe of shingle which the avalanche had created on the other side of the gully. He started to shake. Arms first, then his legs trembled and his muscles gave out. He dropped to his knees.

'Dinlay? he called with mind and voice. 'Dinlay? Macsen? Topar? Anyone?

He sensed the fastfoxes coming, slinking along the bottom of the gully, hurrying to do their masters' bidding. To bring death to the intruder. Without even thinking, he shoved his third hand into their skulls and tore at the soft brain tissue. They fell silently, sprawling over the stony ground.

The remaining bandits followed stealthily. Creeping along under concealment, rapid-fire guns held ready. Edeard let them come close, then killed them. Pulling them from where they crouched and crawled, and snapping their spines. They were discarded one after the other, dropping out of the night to lie broken beside their fastfoxes. He felt nothing. No sorrow. No anger. Nothing.

Dinlay's shredded body was sprawled on the slope above him, where he should have been safe. Where he would have been safe after Edeard dropped him there, if he'd just stayed down. But Dinlay would never cower behind a rock while his comrades were under attack. Not Dinlay.

Edeard focused his farsight down the slope. Macsen's bloody corpse was staring up at Odin's Sea. Defiant to the last, he'd even got off a shot after the first swarm of bullets had struck. Fresage and Topar were buried below mounds of stone. Boloton had been pinned down by a rock landing on his legs. Other stones had battered him while several bullets punctured his chest and head. There wasn't much left that was recognizable. And Verini hadn't got more than half a dozen paces back up the gully before the rapid fire guns had found him. Larby's arms and legs protruded from underneath one of the large boulders; there was nothing left of his torso but a mangled patch of gore soaking into the earth.

Edeard started crying. 'Why do you do this to me? he yelled at Odin's Sea. 'Lady, why? What have I done that's so evil to be punished like this. Why? Why? Tell me you stinking bitch. He sobbed relentlessly. 'Why? Then he was curled up on the ground, helpless. Wanting this monstrous life to end. Wanting to die.

'Edeard.

The voice was spoken from a very long way away.

'Edeard, this is not over.

He wiped a hand over his face, smearing the mud and tears and blood that were clinging to him. 'Who… oh.

'Edeard.

Through his grief he sighed in understanding, and extended his farsight to where he thought the voice was coming from. Concentrating as best he could. 'The Master of Sampalok himself, he said with bitter affection.

Macsen's soul smiled down at his friend. 'The briefest reign ever.

'The most memorable. Edeard's farsight switched to Dinlay, who stood beside Macsen. 'I'm so sorry.

'There's nothing to be sorry for, Dinlay said. 'You tried to save me.

'I failed.

'But you tried. That's what makes you the Waterwalker.

'Can you hear the nebulas? Can you hear the songs?

'Yes, Macsen said. 'They're very strong, very beautiful. It is hard to resist their call, they promise such a glorious future within the Heart. But we will stay with you for now, we are pledged to do that, no matter how difficult it is to linger. There is one task we are honour-bound to help you with, Edeard, defeating whoever was behind this ambush. You will deliver us justice.

'I will, he said miserably. 'I promise that. And thank you so much.

Macsen smiled sadly. 'Edeard, can you see them?

'See who? He sent out his farsight, thinking some bandits might have survived.

Macsen and Dinlay drifted towards him. 'Beside us, Edeard, Dinlay said. 'Try, Edeard, try to see them. They're so weak now, so fragile. But they endure. For you. Dear Lady, they have lasted for over a decade and a half. You'll never know what that costs until you die.

'What?

'Focus, Edeard, Macsen insisted. 'The same way you see us. But go further.

Edeard attempted to do as they asked, extending his farsight, not lengthening it, but deepening the perception. There, right on the edge of his ability, he discerned two figures. They were incredibly faint. A man and a woman, badly enervated compared to the souls of Macsen and Dinlay.

'I know you, Edeard said in wonder. 'Your faces. I remember them. His thoughts went tumbling back through the years. Back to a time when he'd run through that grand old farmhouse outside Ashwell. Laughed and played all day long. Gone running happily to… 'Mother? he gasped incredulously. 'Mother, is that you? And Father?

The tenuous souls smiled in unison. They linked hands.

'Son, his father said.

It was a voice so frail Edeard was immediately afraid. 'You stayed? the tears had returned as the revelation sapped his physical strength.

'Of course we stayed, my beautiful boy, his mother said.

'You watched out for me. You! It was you all those times. You warned me.

'You are all that is left of us, his father said. 'We had to protect you. To make sure you were safe.

'Oh, dear Lady. What about the songs, the call to the Heart?

'We love you, that's what's truly important.

'But, you're so… small.

'It would be the same if we had followed the songs, his mother said with a gentle smile. 'They are so far away. I tell myself so few souls will ever reach the Heart.

'Go, Edeard said. 'Go now. I want to meet you again on the other side of Odin's Sea. I want to tell you all I've done with my life. I want you to be safe.

'Too late for that, son, his father said. 'This has been our blessing, seeing what you have become. Seeing you grow to this stature. I'm so proud, so very proud, I would never exchange this for another lifetime in the Heart. Not if I had this same choice a million times over.

'My beautiful son, his mother said. 'I could never have dreamed for a child so splendid. You have led this world out of darkness.

'No he hasn't, Macsen said. 'I'm sorry, but Edeard they knew we were coming. This ambush is about as clever and devious as you can get.

'And it didn't work, Dinlay said firmly, then frowned. 'Not against you.

'Who warned them? Macsen asked. 'Who is really behind this? Edeard, the girls! Our wives. What is happening back in Makkathran?

Edeard felt all the joy of his extraordinary reunion drain back out of him. 'I don't know, he said. 'But there's someone left to ask.

The huge boulder was exactly where Edeard had left it, perched on the lip of the ledge. Its immense weight crushing the bandit leader's lower legs beneath it. Despite being trapped, despite the immense pain, the desperate man had managed to reload his rapid-fire pistol. His third hand had gathered up several extra magazines full of bullets. All he needed was a clear shot.

Edeard felt the man's farsight on him as he scrambled up to the ledge. He walked calmly round the boulder, and the bandit opened fire. Edeard stood there grinning as the incessant bullets pummelled uselessly at his shield.

'A truly terrible weapon, Edeard said when the bullets were exhausted. 'Your enemies will surely be deaf for a week after that.

'Go to Honious, Waterwalker.

'A long time after you, I suspect. Edeard's third hand snatched the gun away. 'You never did tell me your name. But now I recognise that nose, it's very distinct. Just how far down the Gilmorn family tree are you?

'Your friends are dead. All of them, I farsighted that. You're all alone in ways you cannot imagine.

'Really? Edeard applied his third hand. The Gilmorn screamed as the boulder rolled forwards; his knees crunched. 'Who told you we were coming?

'It's over, you fucking freak, the Gilmorn yelled against the pain. Cold sweat was seeping down his face. 'We won, even after this, we won.

The boulder turned fractionally again. The scream of agony was terrible as more of his legs were destroyed beneath the stone. 'Who won? Edeard asked calmly.

'You can't win, not now, the Gilmorn wailed.

'An inch at a time, Edeard warned, and moved the boulder again. 'And you're a tall man.

'Nooooo,

Edeard thought the Gilmorn might have damaged his throat the tormented cry which followed was so loud and prolonged. 'Is this how the villagers begged and pleaded? How many have you slaughtered over the years, Gilmorn? Edeard rolled the boulder up closer to his hips.

The bandit began thrashing about, banging his head back frantically against the ledge in an attempt to split his own skull open, to end the torture. Edeard's third hand swiftly immobilized him.

'It was necessary, the Gilmorn gurgled. He was having trouble breathing now, sweat was soaking his clothes.

'Necessary? a disgusted Edeard asked. 'Necessary for what? You have killed — murdered — hundreds of people. Thousands. You have brought ruin to whole villages.

'One nation.

'What? Edeard though he had misheard the phrase. The Slogan. Owain's slogan. Owain.

'We have to be one.

A furious Edeard edged the boulder round again. The man's hips burst.

'Owain! Edeard yelled, his voice full of hatred.

The Gilmorn laughed manically, allowing blood to foam out of his mouth. 'One world, one nation, ruled by those of us who were born with destiny in our blood.

'You did all this to crown an emperor? You… you… Dear Lady, for this? Edeard rolled the boulder forwards and kept it going until the screams and snappings ended abruptly. 'Lady, no, he murmured in anguish.

'For all your strength, you're so weak, the Gilmorn's soul said contemptuously.

Edeard spun round.

The bandit's spectral essence stood above the puddle of his own blood spreading out from under the boulder. He gave Dinlay and Macsen a scornful glance. 'You could have joined with us, Waterwalker. Cousin Ranalee offered you the world. A whole people united in veneration of your strength. And you turned her down. For what? Them? What can these pitiful tragedies ever give you?

'Honious awaits you, an incensed Macsen said. 'Do not tarry.

The Gilmorn started to ascend. 'And guess what, Waterwalker, my family still gets to fuck your little Novice whore. His shape blurred as it shot upwards to be lost amid the glowing beauty of the nebulas.

'Salrana? Edeard murmured in dismay. 'Kristabel!

'Kanseen, Macsen said. 'Edeard, what is happening in Makkathran? If Owain is to be emperor, this trap for us can only be a part of his madness.

'Lady damn it, Edeard spat. He scurried down the slope, and began to run along the gully.

Several of the bandits' terrestrial horses were still tethered to their posts. They were skittish, but Edeard's skilled longtalk calmed them. He found a saddle among the packs and threw it over the first horse.

'Six days since we left, Macsen said. 'What can they have done in six days?

'It'll be another two before I can get back, Edeard said in anguish as he mounted up. 'Perhaps Owain is waiting to hear this ambush was successful and I am dead. He knows I can stop him, that the city sides with me.

'Yes, Dinlay said. 'We must hope for that.

Edeard pictured a map, trying to work out the shortest way back to the main road through the mountains. Disheartened, he realized it was back the way they'd come, past Mount Alvice. But before, they'd ridden carefully, lumbering along beneath trees and in deep ravines so as to avoid notice. Now he had no such inhibitions. He spurred the horse on, and instructed the others to follow.

Dawn found him already long way past Mount Alvice. By mid-morning he was back on the road, and speeding east. He had to switch horses before lunch, the one he'd ridden from the ambush was nearly dead from fatigue. The next one was gone in the middle of the afternoon. Edeard himself was worn out, but sheer determination kept him going. The next two horses only lasted a couple of hours each.

He came to a village as the sun began to dip towards the mountains, knowing full well he looked like something straight out of Honious. They might have been nervous about his appearance, but the villagers knew of the Waterwalker, and gold coinage spoke a welcome language everywhere. He paid a ridiculous amount for three fresh horses, and raced off into the evening.

Despite the cramped muscles, the bruised and bloody chafing on his thighs he kept on going through the night. Morning saw him arrive at the foothills of the Donsori range, with the Iguru Plain spread out below. Makkathran sat on the horizon, the gold sunlight already catching the tips of its towers. He let out a sob of relief at the sight of it, even though he was completely exhausted.

'I have to know, Macsen said, and with that he was gone, flashing on ahead through the warm winds blowing off the land.

'I will stay with you, Dinlay promised.

Edeard urged his last tired horse down the switchback road. That was when he met the caravan winding its way up into the mountains. It was unusual for a caravan to be moving so early in the day. He stopped to talk with the master.

'The city is in chaos, the old man told him nervously. 'There are men with guns on every street claiming to represent the new Mayor. The militia regiments marched in two days ago, and the constables tried to stop them. There was fighting. I have never seen so many dead.

'No, Edeard groaned. 'Oh Lady no. Wait! The Mayor called in the regiments?

'Yes, but not Finitan. He's dead, and nobody knows how that happened. Owain has claimed the Orchard Palace, and the gunmen supported him.

Edeard desperately wanted to know about Kristabel, but the caravan master wouldn't know. 'I need fresh horses. I can pay.

The old man gave him a grim look, then eventually nodded. 'We won't be back this way for a year, probably more, so 1 suppose we will be spared retribution.

'Retribution?

'The Upper Council has declared you outlaw, Waterwalker. I… we heard you were dead.

'Not yet, Edeard said through gritted teeth. 'They have already found it is not that easy.

'Good. We will swap your horses. I don't need money from you.

'Thank you.

'Finitan dead, Dinlay said sombrely as Edeard rode across the Iguru Plain on a long-legged ge-horse. 'How dare they commit such an act? The people elected him.

'This has been years in the making, Edeard answered numbly.

'All the bandit attacks, the fear in the provinces, even the gangs loose in the city; all designed to force Querencia to accept a single government, one with Owain at its head. And then I arrived. How ironic is that, his own campaign of terror made me flee to the city.

'But what can you do now?

'Throw him out of the Mayor's office, restore the rightful government. Even as he spoke it, he knew how false it sounded.

'Good, but the spectre's tone was uncertain. 'That's good.

Edeard didn't bother with concealment, nor even a seclusion haze. He didn't care that people saw him. He wanted word to spread into the city. He wanted people to have hope again. To know the Waterwalker was coming.

All would be put right.

There was a lot of traffic on the road. All of it heading away from Makkathran. Ragged groups stopped to stare as he galloped past. Several cheered, but the majority shook their heads in dismay at the sight of him. Longtalk rippled along the length of the road.

'The Waterwalker is still alive.

'The Waterwalker is coming back.

'The Waterwalker will stop this.

'The Waterwalker is too late.

'Too late.

It disheartened him simply because it matched his own suspicions. Apart from Kristabel and a few friends, what was there for him really? He was never going to save the city and the world from Owain's kind. All that was left now was a rescue attempt, and a life in exile.

It was afternoon when he reached the final approach to the city; riding hard under the fanciful variety of trees lining the road. He was the only traveller now, and his farsight swept out to review his reception.

When he burst out from the end of the ancient partition of trees even the sheep had vanished from the quarter-mile band of grassland encircling the crystal wall. The North Gate was closed. A quick farsight check showed the other two gates shut as well. Half a regiment of militia was drawn up in a protective semi-circle around the mighty gate, a hundred pistols lined up along the road. At the front of them was a squad of guards in the uniform of the Weapons Guild. They carried rapid-fire guns.

Owain's farsight fell upon the lone figure urging his horse forward, one strand among many thousands. 'Turn around, Waterwalker, there is nothing left for you here. Turn around. You bring only death, for these fine men will kill you no matter how many of them your strength claims at first. You cannot wipe out an entire city of adversaries.

'It is not your city, Edeard longshouted back.

'As you wish. May the Lady have mercy on your soul.

When he was barely three hundred yards from the first ranks of the militia Edeard suddenly turned his ge-horse off the road, and curved away parallel to the crystal wall. A cavalry platoon charged through the militiamen and raced after him. Any other time, Edeard would have laughed defiance, now he simply gritted his teeth and asked the city to allow him entry. He turned his horse again, and set it pelting directly at the crystal wall. The cavalry altered track to intercept him.

Edeard kept a steely control over his mount's fluttering thoughts as it pounded closer and closer to the wall. It never faltered, not even at the end when it was going far too fast to ever stop in time. A few yards short of the vertical barrier Edeard spurred it to jump. It leapt forwards, and to the astonishment of the cavalry in hot pursuit, it passed straight through the wall as if the tough substance were nothing more than a thin mist. They could even see it though the tinted crystal as it came down to land on the other side and continue its charge forwards. Only then did the Waterwalker pull its reins back. He swung off the saddle and stood on the ground of Low Moat for a second before swiftly sinking straight down through the grass.

Edeard emerged in the centre of the courtyard at the base of the Culverit ziggurat. The city's senses had already revealed what he would find: a long row of bodies wrapped in white cloth. And Buate, dressed in the robes of a Haxpen District Master, supervising ge-monkeys and cowed tearful staff on how he wanted the corpses disposed.

Just for an instant, Edeard's fright lifted as he perceived Kristabel standing there. But as he began to race forwards, arms open wide to greet his love, Dinlay's soul cried: 'No, Edeard, she is gone like me.

And Kristabel turned towards him as he stumbled to a confused halt. Then he finally acknowledged she was gone, that he was farsighting her soul as it stood vigil over her body.

'I'm so sorry, she told him with a forlorn smile.

Edeard's whole body was trembling with shock and anger. He turned inexorably to face Buate who was slowly backing towards the mansion's main entrance. His guards were also edging away, none dared raise their weapons against the Waterwalker.

'I… I had no choice, a pale Buate cried. 'Owain ordered me to claim the Haxpen Mastership for myself. There was a fight. Many were killed on both sides.

'Who did this to you? Edeard whispered, the words barely coming out of his mouth.

'His men came at dawn three days ago. Homelt and our guards fought valiantly; but the guns, Edeard, they had these terrible guns. None could stand against them. They killed our guards; my cousins and the maids were raped, old and young, they spared no one as they made their way up the mansion. They forced their way on to the tenth floor. Daddy and I tried to hold them off, but they were too strong. Edeard… I jumped. I wasn't going to let them do that to me. All was lost. Daddy and I and Mirnatha held hands and jumped from the very top of the stairs. Did we do wrong?

'No, my love, you did no wrong. I should have been here to protect you. I am the one who failed.

'Daddy and Mirnatha have gone to the nebulas in search of the Heart, Edeard, they follow the songs. Mummy will be there waiting for them. I stayed. I knew you would come. I had to see you one last time before I go.

'What? Buate asked, his farsight was probing the courtyard, trying to discover who Edeard was talking to. 'Who is there?

'Who is there? Edeard repeated numbly. 'My wife is here. My friend is here. My mother and father are here.

Kristabel smiled at the souls of Edeard's parents. 'He is yours?

'He is, Edeard's mother said.

'I loved him so.

'We know. He never knew happiness or contentment like you.

'I see no one, a badly frightened Buate stammered.

'Permit me to show you, the Waterwalker told him.

Buate was lifted from the ground. His guards watched in dread as he began to shake violently in mid air. Then he flung his head back and howled; his mind flooding the courtyard with excruciating pain. Tiny blooms of blood appeared on his robes, swiftly progressing to rivulets that dribbled down to splatter on the courtyard. That was when the guards turned and ran. They had to go a long way before the screams no longer plagued their ears.

Eventually, Buate's soul looked down on his corpse as the Waterwalker dropped it to the ground.

'Do you see now? Edeard asked.

'You have lost, Buate said. 'This is all you can do now: kill. In doing that, in seizing power back in such a fashion, you become us.

Tears filled Edeard's eyes again as the soul slipped upwards. Buate had spoken the truth of it. There was nothing left for him. Owain and his kind had won. Killing them now would achieve nothing. The world was theirs. It wasn't one he wanted to live in.

Macsen and Kanseen drifted through the courtyard wall.

'Bijulee and Dybal are dead, Macsen said. 'Bise came back to Sampalok.

'Our baby is lost, Kanseen's soul declared, she was fainter than her husband. 'He may be in the Heart. I cannot stay. Not here. Not even for you, Edeard. I have to know if he's there. I have to know my son.

'I understand, Edeard told her.

'My friend, I must go with my wife, Macsen said.

'Of course you must, Edeard raised a hand in farewell. 'You will be the first of us to reach Odin's Sea. Keep watch for us. We will all join you there eventually.

'That will be the day we smile again.

Edeard watched them dwindle into the sky, then turned to the souls who remained. 'We have lost. I have lost. There is no one left but myself. His hand went down to the pistol holstered on his belt. 'I don't want to be alone.

'Salrana, Dinlay said. 'He said Salrana was still alive, that they would have her.

Edeard's head came up. 'Oh Lady. He sent his farsight flashing out towards Ysidro district, not daring to hope.

Ysidro's church had been pressed into use as a temporary hospital. Several rows of injured people were lying on makeshift beds in front of the Lady's statue. Three harassed, tired-looking doctors moved amongst them, doing what they could to treat the bullet wounds. Novices scurried round, helping the doctors with dressings, and offering comfort where they could. The church's Mother, a kindly grey-haired woman over halfway through her second century, moved through the clusters of parishioners who sat fearfully on the pews. She offered what blessings she could, but it was plain from her face she was as shocked and frightened as everyone else.

The church doors were shut. Fearful relatives of those who lay inside formed a defiant, protective line outside, waiting for the inevitable return of the militiamen or worse, the Weapons Guild guards who swaggered around the streets brandishing their lethal new guns. So far, the sanctity of the church held.

Edeard rose smoothly through the floor of the church. People gasped at his appearance. Except for Salrana, she let out a single piercing note of joy and ran to him. He scooped her up in his arms and hugged her tight.

'They said you were dead, she sobbed.

'No, he said. 'It's not that easy to kill me.

'Oh Edeard, the regiments shot people. There are men with awful guns, just like the ones at Ashwell, who say they were appointed by the Mayor himself.

'I know, he said, hugging her tight. Her Novice uniform was stained with blood, some of which was days old. 'Are you all right?

'Yes, she nodded, wiping the tears from her eyes. 'I'm sorry, Edeard, I'm sorry I didn't talk to you after—

'Hush, he said, and stroked her brow.

'I was so stupid. So stubborn. You're my friend.

'It's over now. Are you sure you're all right? Has anyone come looking for you?

'No. I've been helping the doctors. So many have died. Everyone is so worried the Mayor's men will return. Can you stop this?

Edeard bowed his head. 'I cannot. Anything I do now will only make this worse. I've endangered everyone in this church just by coming here. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.

Her fingers stroked his cheek. 'My darling Edeard, you did everything that's right.

'They've killed everyone I know, everyone I love. Except for you. And they'll come for you eventually.

She gasped. 'Your wife?

'Yes, he whispered through the pain. 'Kristabel is dead.

Salrana's head rested on his chest. 'This cannot be happening.

'But it has happened. I want you to come with me now.

'Edeard! She gave the injured a frantic look. The Mother was standing in front of the Lady's statue, a sympathetic expression on her face. 'They need my help.

'They will manage.

The Mother gave Salrana a brief nod of encouragement.

'But—

'Hold me tight, he instructed. 'This will be strange at first. But you have nothing to fear. I will be with you.

'Always?

'Yes, always. He gave Kristabel's soul a guilty glance, but she simply smiled in understanding.

Edeard and Salrana slid down through the floor of the church. He felt her tighten her grip upon him. Then they were standing in a small tunnel beneath the church, with water trickling past their feet. 'There is further to go, he told her, and they continued on their way down to emerge into one of the dazzlingly bright tunnels far below the city streets.

'Edeard! What is this place? Salrana's head turned from side to side, trying to take in what she was seeing. There was surprise in her voice, but no fear.

'I'm not sure. It's a way to travel across the city. A very old one. I think some of Makkathran's past inhabitants used it, but I don't really know. It isn't connected to any of the buildings on the surface. So it probably wasn't the inhabitants before us.

'Oh, she said with a short laugh. 'Edeard, what have you become?

'I don't know, he said lamely. 'Whatever, in the end I was no use.

'Don't say that. She kissed him. 'Why are we here? Where are we going?

He sighed and scratched the side of his head. 'Away, I suppose. Out of the city. Then… exile. We'll find some distant province. I'll grow a beard. You don't have to stay with me.

'I think I better had, at least to start with.

'Thank you. He checked the souls that remained with him. Kristabel, Dinlay and his parents were all waiting silently a little way down the bright tunnel. They seemed content with his lead. Right now he wasn't going to tell Salrana about them, she'd had enough shocks. He reached down into the substance of the tunnel walls, and lot them conduct his farsight. He'd always known the network of tunnels extended out underneath the crystal wall, but he'd never really bothered to see where they led.

Down, he saw now. A long, long way down. The multitude of tunnels merged then merged again and again in a funnel-like web whose last few strands extended for tens of miles beneath him. Down to where the true mind of the city lay.

But… there were a few branches that stretched out horizontally under the Iguru Plain. He asked the city to send him there.

'What's happening? Salrana asked, abruptly clutching at him as she felt the tunnel tilting.

'It's all right, he grinned reassuringly. 'We're going to fly.

'Fly?

They began to skid along the tunnel as it apparently shifted up past forty-five degrees. Then they were falling. Salrana let out a long wail of shock.

'It's all right, Edeard assured her, shouting. He attempted to stroke her back, which really didn't work very well when the skirt of her Novice robe started flapping up, trying to wrap itself round her torso. So he applied his third hand, pressing it down again.

'We're going to die! she shrieked.

'No we're not. I always use these tunnels like this.

She screwed her eyes shut, and buried her head against him. The flight went on for a lot longer than Edeard was used to. The tunnel was obviously carrying them a long way out of the city. He didn't know where exactly.

Before long Salrana calmed a little, and started to look round. 'We're not going to die? she gasped.

'We're not going to die.

'Where are we?

'I'm not sure. Outside the city by now.

The tunnel began to curve sharply. Edeard hadn't experienced that before. And somehow they weren't falling downwards, but rushing up. They started to slow. Edeard glanced up. The tunnel ended a few hundred yards above him in a blaze of scarlet light.

'Hang on, he instructed, and suddenly they were through into a simple circular room with red-glowing walls. There were no windows. The hole below their feet quickly irised shut and they were standing in the middle of the floor.

Salrana didn't let go of him, though she was peering round curiously. 'What now? she asked.

'I'm not sure, he admitted. 'I don't know what this place is.

A black circle expanded on the wall. It vanished, leaving an equally black opening. Edeard and Salrana shared a look, and walked over to it. Some of the red light seeping out exposed what looked like rock walls beyond. Edeard extended his farsight, and confirmed there was some kind of cave outside. They stepped through cautiously on to a sandy floor. The air was dry and stale. Edeard's farsight couldn't see far through rock, of course, but the cave extended for some distance. After they walked a few steps the red light began to fade. Salrana spun round in time to see the circular opening seal up. She let out a little squeal.

Edeard held up a hand, and did the spark trick Kristabel had shown him back at the beach lodge. A layer of cold white flame licked round his fingers, throwing the cave into stark relief.

'But it's just rock, Salrana exclaimed, studying the hole that had closed.

'I don't understand the city, Edeard said. 'I just talk to it.

'How? she asked, a strong flash of curiosity shimmering through her veiled thoughts.

'Well… He shrugged. 'I just do, really.

'This is like before, she said and shivered. 'You and me hiding alone at the bottom of a hole while outside our lives are destroyed.

The fatigue really hit Edeard then. It wasn't just his body that was exhausted by the ride back to Makkathran, the emotional turmoil he'd suffered was even more debilitating. He just wanted to curl up and go to sleep — for a very long time. The light scintillating round his hand began to fade.

'Edeard, his mother said. 'Don't give up. Not now.

He took a moment. 'All right, he said miserably.

Salrana looked at him.

'Come on, he said. 'Let's see where this leads us to.

The cave wasn't always as wide as where they'd entered it. Some places they had to squeeze and push their way along, with the rock grazing their clothes. The cave took them upwards, which worried Edeard. After farsighting the tunnels diving down into the depths of Querencia he wondered just how far underground they were.

It took an hour for them to squirm and worm their way through the cave before Edeard finally saw a pale sliver of daylight up ahead. They had to crawl up a steep slope with a roof of rock barely three feet above it before they emerged into a level cave. The entrance was curtained by a thick layer of eaglevine, whose red and green leaves muted the afternoon sunlight.

Edeard sent his farsight probing through the lush vegetation to discover the cave mouth was halfway up a vertical cliff. He could sense no one outside, not even an animal. When he pushed the strands of eaglevine apart he found himself staring north east across the Iguru Plain, with the Donsori Mountains in the distance.

'This is one of those little volcanoes, he told Salrana. Far below him, a verdant forest of palms and vrollipan trees boiled around the lower slopes before giving way to the rich fields that divided up the plain. He twisted his head and looked up. 'The top of the cliff is closer than the bottom. I think I can get there okay.

'Edeard! Be careful.

'Don't worry, he said. His farsight was examining the rock below the swarm of eaglevine. It was a rugged surface, providing innumerable hand and foot holds. He stretched out and secured a grip, then began to climb.

'I'll scout round ahead, Dinlay's soul said, and drifted upward. For the first time, Edeard began to envy the dead. The climb actually wasn't so easy. He had to use his farsight to locate every grip, then shove his hands through the scratchy vines. It was even more difficult to get his feet through, he was constantly having to use his third hand to part the ancient rope-like cords.

Over ten minutes after leaving the cave, the tips of the vines gave way to.bare rock. The cliff began to curve, and Edeard scrambled his way up off the rock and on to the slope of thin soil and reedy grasses.

He used his longtalk to tell Salrana: 'Made it. His third hand gripped her carefully, and he lifted her out of the cave and up through the air.

'I can't see anyone, Dinlay said. 'And there's a pavilion a quarter of a mile round the mountain, where the ground flattens out a bit. Nobody home.

'Thank the Lady for that, Edeard muttered.

He settled Salrana gently beside him. She produced a nervous grin. 'I think that was worse than the city tunnel, she said apologetically.

'We need to take cover and decide what to do, Edeard said. 'This way.

The pavilion was exactly as Dinlay indicated. Belonging to some Grand Family, it was perched on a moderate slope with its front looking towards Makkathran, some fifteen miles away from the base of the volcanic cone. Built mainly from wood, its frontage was a long veranda with an overhang supported by a series of wide arches. Small polygonal turrets on each end had high sweeping roofs. Its white paint was starting to fade, splitting open to peel away on some of the long boards. Green spores were taking hold in the cracks and corners.

The doors were closed but not locked. Edeard and Salrana walked across the pavonazzeto tiling to find a building that had already been closed for the winter. Furniture had been covered in thick sheets. Shutters were bolted. The oil lamps drained. Bedding, carpets and rugs had been taken away. The saucers of poison laid out for vermin.

'Not a lot of food in the kitchen, Salrana called out as she explored. Mars of fruit preserves and some flour. I suppose I

could bake a loaf if you like. There's some wood and coal for the stove.

Edeard had gone through the only bedroom out on to the veranda. The slope outside was in shadow now the sun was low in the sky on the other side of the volcano. He leaned on the handrail, staring out at the city. Just the sight of it produced an ache in his heart; he longed to return, to put things right. But too much had happened, Owain had destroyed everything of value. 'No fires, he said. 'Nor lights. They'll be looking for us.

She came out on to the veranda and put her arm round his shoulder. 'Of course. I wasn't thinking. What do we do?

'Get away, he said. 'Travel into the east and find a province where the Waterwalker is just a tale from the city that nobody really believes.

'Aren't you going to stay and fight?

'No. Owain and his kind are in power now.

'Nobody wanted them. People will expect you to do something.

'Buate was right, all I can do now is kill. That's not the answer.

'But, Edeard—

'No.

'I understand, she said solemnly. 'Come inside.

He let her lead him back into the big bedroom. Edeard settled back on the fat mattress, staring up at the ceiling while Salrana went back to rummaging in the kitchen. Now he'd actually stopped moving the pain in his legs and buttocks began plaguing him. The horse ride back to Makkathran had been brutal. When he probed his tender flesh he found his trousers were damp from blood and skin fluid. It hurt, making him wince.

'I sensed that, Salrana said, standing in the doorway holding on to a couple of large fruit jars.

He knew her farsight was concentrating on him, and didn't protest.

'Edeard! What have you done to yourself?

'I had to get back here, he said. 'We thought I might still have time. He knew the tears were going to spill out again. Even now he didn't want Salrana to witness that.

'Eat something, she said, and put a jar on the bed beside him. 'I'll have a hunt round for some medicine; there's bound to be some here somewhere. And, if not, I saw some falanpan leaves outside. I can make a poultice.

Edeard didn't have the energy to protest. The jar contained plums preserved in a sugary syrup. He ate several before she returned, holding up a tube of ointment.

'I didn't realize I was so hungry, he admitted. Then he had to grit his teeth as she gingerly stripped his trousers off. Her expression at the sight of his raw flesh wasn't reassuring. She did her best to brush her own concern away.

'This might sting, she warned, and began to rub the salve on

Edeard had to clamp his mouth hard shut to prevent the howl from leaving his throat. 'Lady! His fingers clawed the top of the mattress.

'I've finished, she said some interminable time later. 'That should start soothing the damage soon.

'I think it already has. That or you've burned the nerves away. His thighs were definitely easing.

'Don't be so mean, Salrana said smartly, and gave him a brief kiss. She pulled a furniture sheet over him. 'You rest now, I'm going to see if I can find some clothes.

'Keep a look out, he said. 'I need to know if anyone comes.

'Don't worry, she said. 'Nobody knows we're here. Nobody knows we can be here.

Edeard started to eat another plum. He was asleep before he finished.

Dreams claimed him. Not his usual bizarre visions of life elsewhere. These were his own. Mostly of Kristabel. Kristabel surrounded by flames. Men with rapid-fire guns circling round her, the roar of their weapons shattering his skull. Kristabel flying. Falling: her nightdress fluttering around her. The very same white nightdress she'd worn on the day they met. Falling down the central stairs in the ziggurat. The same stairs he'd started to reshape. Stairs that were now easy for the invaders to mount. Little Mirnatha screaming in terror as the ziggurat was consumed by the flame and bullets of the rapid-fire guns, clinging to her sister. Both of them falling from the tenth floor. A hand pushing them over the rail. Both screaming all the way to the floor. The hand was his own.

He cried out in torment. The sensation of something wrong was like a tidal wave of fear, threatening to send him plunging down into the infinite black of the abyss beneath the world. A pitiful broken thing on his way to Honious. Left behind by the Skylords. Left behind by Kristabel. Dinlay, Boyd, Macsen, Kanseen; all of them peered down from the rim. One by one they turned away.

'No, he begged, pleaded, wept. 'No, come back.

But they wouldn't because something was wrong.

He woke violently, back jerking off the bed as he clawed his way out of the abyss. Shaking with fear. It was still dark all around. Silent. He fought for breath against panic so strong it was throttling him. 'What! he demanded, and sent his farsight stabbing out.

The souls of Dinlay, Kristabel and his parents were clumped together by the end of the bed. Kristabel's arms were held out to him, radiating tangible concern.

'What? he repeated as his breathing became less frantic.

'Edeard, we've tried to wake you, Dinlay said. 'We tried hard. But you were so tired.

'I'm awake. When he squinted through the half-open door on to the veranda, he could see nebula-light washing the white-painted rails outside with familiar pastels. It must have been close to midnight.

'Salrana, Kristabel told him brokenly. 'She betrayed you.

'What? he blurted in confusion. 'What?

'I'm sorry, Dinlay said. 'She has an exceptionally strong longtalk. She called Owain just after sunset. She told him where you were.

'Salrana? What do you mean?

'We couldn't stop her, Kristabel said. 'We are helpless against the living.

'No no, Edeard said. His farsight sensed Salrana walking across the hallway.

'Edeard? she said in a light voice. 'Are you all right? I thought you were still sleeping.

'She called Owain, Kristabel insisted. 'His men are already here. They're coming up the mountain.

'They can't be. That's not—

'Who are you talking to? Salrana asked, she was standing in the room, giving him a curious look.

'My wife, he said levelly.

Salrana's face remained impassive. The start of surprise in her mind was minute, and well shielded. But like Edeard, she was no Makkathran native. 'You know I can see souls, he said. 'I even gifted the Pythia that particular vision. Here, he said, and opened his mind so she could receive his farsight.

Salrana gasped as she found herself surrounded by four souls. 'I…

Edeard slid off the bed. 'They told me you betrayed me, he said in a flat voice as he approached her. 'They told me you called Owain himself. I said they were wrong. Are they?

Salrana took a step backwards. 'Edeard—

Edeard sent his farsight out from the pavilion, ranging across the side of the volcanic mountain. Using the gift dear Finitan had bestowed him to uncover concealment he exposed over twenty men approaching the wooden building, each carrying a rapid-fire weapon. Out in the darkness behind them, more teams were gathering. Then Edeard viewed the base of the mountain. Two entire militia regiments were down there, deploying around the bottom of the slope, encircling the mountain.

'Dear Lady, he murmured in astonishment. 'You really did. He stared at her, trying to understand. 'Salrana, you called them! A note of hysteria had crept in from somewhere.

For a moment her composure held. Then she simply glared at him. 'Yes, I called Owain.

This can't be happening. This is Salrana. My Salrana. The two of us together against the world.

'Why? he pleaded. 'Why did you do this? Because of Kristabel?

Salrana gave Kristabel's soul a contemptuous glance. 'Jealous of that? Me? Hardly. I'm just as beautiful. Probably better in bed, too. Your loss.

'But… us.

'Oh you stupid country peasant. Haven't you learned anything since we arrived here? Did you really think a thirteen-year-old's crush lasts for life? That I'd be loyal to you for ever?

'You can't believe in Owain's One Nation?

'Why can't I? Because it doesn't fit our wretched backward provincial upbringing? This is how the world works, Edeard. Can't you see that? The Grand Families already have wealth and power, and with Owain's leadership it will grow even stronger. I can be a part of that. I can make myself part of that. Did you think you were the only one with ambition?

'This is not you, he said through growing anguish. 'These are not Salrana's words. Not your thoughts.

'You are so weak. Even now you could claim the city for yourself. You have the power, the strength to make this world your own. Why don't you?

'No one person can rule a world.

She gave a disgusted snort of contempt. 'Humility, the refuge of the weak.

'The Lady teaches decency.

'And what has her church ever achieved except for instilling a decent sense of obedience in the lower orders?

'Now I know that's not you. Who did this to you? Who changed you?

'I changed myself. I finally understood the world and set out to make something of myself in it. After all, you found your Grand Family bitch. She waved dismissively at Kristabel's soul. 'A good way in to the Upper Council for someone so spineless. Why shouldn't I have some of the same? I've been screwing people who can help me; the ones who hate you are easy to take advantage of. And greatest among those is Owain himself. Did you know he has eight mistresses, but I'm the one he turns to now. He likes it. He likes having me, the Waterwalker's childhood friend. I saw how resolute and determined he is; so much more than you. He's smarter, too. You have your virtue, he has ambition and fire and power and wealth, and, above all, vision. He will be an emperor, uniting the whole world as One Nation. I will have a big part of that, I will be Pythia, he promised me that. Our children will be born to positions of privilege and power.

It was as if his nerves had died. Edeard stared at the crazy girl smiling defiantly in front of him, feeling absolutely nothing. 'No, he said. A lone tear trickled out of his eye. 'You cannot build a world on a foundation of violence and fear. He will destroy Querencia just as he has destroyed you.

'I am not destroyed, I have never been more alive.

Edeard's farsight observed the armed men reach the pavilion's front door. He wasn't the slightest surprised to see their leader was Arminal. 'You would see me dead? he asked faintly.

'The strong survive. Owain fears you will replace him. You still can. You can take his place, Edeard. You can shape the world to your vision. I would help you. We can be together yet.

Edeard looked at his wife. He looked at his friend Dinlay. He looked at his parents who had so much faith in him. 'I will not be Mayor, not now. And you; you will not be Pythia.

'Fool! Salrana screamed at him. She spun round and raced out of the bedroom.

Edeard realized that the ability to sense through concealment was not one of the gifts and treats Owain had bestowed upon her.

Arminal and his men charged into the hall. They started firing indiscriminately as they ran forwards. Bullets chewed up the walls, shredding the furniture. Muzzles blazed as they swept back and forth, seeking out the Waterwalker.

Salrana's shield wasn't strong enough. Eight bullets struck her as she flailed desperately. Huge blood plumes burst across her Novice robe. She was flung backwards; her body landing inelegantly on the elegant pavonazzeto floor to sprawl inertly. Her soul was already staring down at it.

Edeard dived behind the big bed, allowing the thick mattress to absorb the hail of bullets. Now, as the gang hurriedly swapped their exhausted magazines for fresh ones, he raised his head. 'I wish you well, he told Salrana's soul. 'I hope you find peace in the Heart.

'Edeard? she said. 'Oh Edeard, what have I done?

'Go, he told her. 'Find the Heart. I will join you there.

Her soul wavered, drifting up through the pavilion's ceiling. There was a final surge of distress, and she was gone.

Arminal finally slammed the fresh magazine into his rapid-fire gun, and brought it up. His farsight swept through the pavilion, eagerly searching for the Waterwalker.

The magazine suddenly crumpled, the thin metal buckling as an inordinately powerful telekinesis squeezed it. And the Water-walker materialized in the bedroom.

'Kill him, Arminal shouted at his squad. But their rapid-fire guns were equally useless as delicate components and casings were crushed and mangled.

'Last time we say goodbye, the Waterwalker told him.

Arminal hardened his shield, and turned to flee. The pavilion doors slammed shut with a bang that reverberated through the entire wooden structure. Arminal spun back to face his enemy, catching a glimpse of Edeard in the bedroom as his black cloak fluttered around him. Edeard held up both arms, his fingers splayed wide. Lightning ripped out from each fingertip.

Within seconds the entire pavilion was on fire. Joists, rafters, doors, walls, window frames, shelves, furniture and roofing shingles ignited as they were raked with lightning bolts. Thick black smoke swirled out from the roaring flames, clotting the air.

Edeard pushed the bedroom door open, and walked out on to the veranda. Inside, the squad were coughing and yelling in fright as the smoke clogged their lungs and the heat began to roast their flesh. The bedroom door closed. Edeard hopped over the rails and landed on the grassy field. Inside the pavilion, the squad were blundering into each other. Voices reached a crescendo of pain and fright; several had already fallen. Edeard folded his concealment around him like an outer cloak and walked away into the night.

The trusted Weapons Guild guards that Owain sent to eliminate the Waterwalker skirted the burning ruins of the pavilion. They wrinkled their noses up at the stench given off by the smouldering corpses inside, but carried on tracking their quarry. Several among them claimed to be able to perceive right through the Waterwalker's concealment, and hurried after the dark figure they said skulked through the trees just up ahead.

At the bottom of the mountain, the militia regiments completed their deployment, forming a tight ring just outside the fringes of the forest. As ordered, they drew their pistols and waited. Farsight tracked the squads high up on the slopes past the smoking pavilion. Occasionally there was a burst of gunfire that made them flinch. But the guards armed with their deadly new guns pressed onwards and upwards.

Edeard kept ahead of them easily enough. He'd only headed up because there was nowhere else for him to go. A squad was guarding the cliff face with the cave mouth. He'd never be able to climb to it and escape. Salrana must have told Owain about the cave, about the travel tunnels… everything. So up he went. The terrain wasn't exactly tough, the trees were few and far between above the pavilion. Grass was ankle high. Small streams trickled down the steep slope. Eventually, even the trees were behind him. Now there was just grass and boulders. He could see the summit already.

And that's when I have to decide.

'I could imprison them, he told his small ethereal court of advisers. 'The city can create rooms without doors or windows. They would have food.

'I think death would be more merciful, his father said.

'Remember what happened to poor Argian when you did that to him, and that was only for a couple of days.

'He's right, Dinlay said. 'Locking them up is just for the benefit of your conscience. They have to be wiped out. We know how ruthless they are now. If you don't remove them altogether they will come back again and again. How many times do you want this to happen to the city?

'Once was too much, Edeard said. 'But to kill so many…

'The Lady will understand, Kristabel assured him.

'They half expect it, Dinlay said. 'That's why we are where we are. He gestured at the groups of men making their way up the slope. At best, the lead squad was twenty minutes behind.

'I'm not so sure I can get past them all, Edeard said. 'Owain seems resolute.

'Of course he does, Kristabel said. 'He knows you are the only thing left between him and absolute power.

'Perhaps if I retreat out to the provinces, form a legitimate opposition.

'A revolution? his mother asked. 'It would take years, if not decades. How many would die in that struggle. No, if this is to be done it must be done swiftly. That will keep the bloodshed to a minimum. Every day you hesitate sees him consolidate his authority still further.

'You sound so certain.

She smiled, nebula-light shining through her diffuse silhouette. 'You don't grow up in Makkathran without knowing all about politics.

'You are from Makkathran?

'Yes. The fifth daughter of the fourth son of the family Herusis. But that was many years ago. My sisters and brothers will have even less status now.

'Herusis? Edeard paused, trying to recall what he knew of that family. A wealthy trading enterprise with large land holdings on the Iguru and a small fleet of ships. 'Isn't Finitan a Herusis?

'Yes. One of my great uncles.

'Finitan is my relative?

'Yes.

'I wonder if he knew?

'He probably suspected. Akeem certainly did.

'But… Mother, why did you leave?

'I was engaged to a lout of a Kirkmal, it was arranged between our families. I didn't want to go through with the wedding. I wanted my life on my terms, even if it meant giving up the money.

'That's where he gets his stubbornness from, Kristabel said.

'I'm not— he gave a wan smile. Even now she could tease him.

He covered the final slope quickly. The summit was mainly boulders and loose stone, with tufts of wiry grass growing out of cracks between pebbles. A gentle breeze was blowing in from the sea.

Edeard stood there, and turned a complete circle until he was facing Makkathran. The city's orange lights cast a strong glow into the air above the streets and canals. He could just make out the jagged outline of the towers. The first time he'd seen the city it had been so compelling, as if he was finally coming home. That yearning was still there, but the grief was a stronger force. He could barely bring himself to look at it.

I have to decide.

Everything he'd ever wanted or asked for had been contained inside the crystal wall, as had everything he'd ever feared.

'I don't think I can go back, he confessed to the souls. 'I think Owain and the others are right. I'm not strong enough.

'You have the strength, Son, his father said.

'I don't. The suffering I would bring is unthinkable.

'You only have to take away the leaders, Dinlay said. 'Owain and his cronies.

'That might have worked at the start, but not now. Everything has changed. The guns are out there in the open. Hundreds of people are flocking to join him.

'Hundreds more resisted him, and died. Don't they deserve justice? You know you have support. Think of the election results.

Edeard knelt on the ground, still looking at Makkathran. 'I can't do this. It's over.

'We understand, Kristabel said. 'This is what makes you, you. This is what I loved.

'We'll be together, he promised her. His farsight sensed the first squad reaching the final slope up to the summit. All of them were readying their rapid-fire guns. 'We will reach the Heart and live there for eternity.

'Together, Kristabel agreed.

Edeard drew in a deep breath. He looked out one last time across the Iguru Plain, his thoughts serene as he stopped shielding himself. Makkathran's thoughts brushed against his mind, as slow and content as always. Dreaming in another realm.

'Thank you for all your help, he told it, and poured his gratitude out to the city.

For the first time he sensed a change. The giant mind began to quicken. Stronger, more concise thoughts began to rise, like some massive creature coming up from the depths of the sea. Makkathran was waking.

Edeard swayed back, astounded by the reaction he'd kindled. He'd tried innumerable times to make himself understood to the city, never receiving any reply. It did his bidding for simple things like altering the buildings, or sending him along the travel tunnels. But he'd assumed any true connection was beyond him.

'You heard me, he longtalked in astonishment.

The answer was still slow, measured and considered as he expected it to be. Solemn: as was fitting for such a magnificent creation. 'I felt sorrow, Makkathran said. 'You are in pain. I have not felt pain like that for such a time.

'I… I have lost. That was the pain you felt. I apologize. I didn't mean to disturb you. I simply wished to thank you for all you've done.

'Loss? I remember loss. Once there were many, now I am alone.

'There were others like you? Edeard asked.

'Once. No more. Not even here. To revisit that time would be useless.

'I'm sorry. I didn't know. Can I help? I'm about to go to the Heart of the Void. Will your kind be there?

'No. None would submit to absorption. That is not what we are.

'What are you?

'The failed past.

'You haven't failed us. You gave us shelter, refuge.

'I am glad. Do you accept the Void's purpose? Is that why you go to its Heart?

'What purpose?

'To become one with this universe. It seeks all rationality.

'That's… No. I go because I have lost my life.

'How can you lose your life in the Void?

He gave Kristabel and the others a puzzled look, very conscious of the armed men slinking up the slope towards him. 'I don't understand.

Something like a gust of emotion swept out of the city. Reluctance. Acceptance. Pity. 'The Void allows you to find your perfect life, Makkathran said. 'It is the way it brings you to fulfilment, to reach your personal evolution and achieve contentment with what you are.

'What do you mean? Edeard started to harden his shield again as he heard a number of safety catches clicked off.

'All of those who come from outside strive for this state, that is why the Void welcomes them. This universe had no other purpose, not now. That is its beauty for those inside, and tragedy for those without, for they will ultimately pay the price.

'I can't achieve a perfect life. My life is over.

'Reach into the Void. Search out where you wish to be, and begin again. It is simple. Once you adapt to the Void it provides you with whatever you want. Every species that ever arrived here was drawn into that evolution. You will be no different, I suspect. There is no harm in that. I wish you well on your journey.

The city's thoughts began to slow again. Withdrawing back into slumber.

'No, Edeard said. 'No wait. Tell me how. He turned to the souls. 'What did it mean?

'I sense patterns around me, Kristabel said. 'Just as Boyd told you. The universe remembers what happened everywhere. Our whole life is visible there in the past.

'Can you show me? Edeard asked.

'See with me, she said. Edeard tried to sense her thoughts, the gift of her perception. It was a strange union, a dimension of farsight he'd never known of before. As he followed his wife's observation into the fabric of reality he saw for himself. Saw himself stretched out down the slope, a million, a billion, images of himself leading back; they encapsulated every instant of the climb, every step, every breath, every heartbeat. Every thought. It was as if he was looking into an infinity mirror. Makkathran was right, his essence had been captured by the Void. Every moment of his existence had been remembered.

Edeard regarded himself, the one of five minutes ago, studying how real the vision was. He appeared frozen. Awaiting the breath to fill his lungs in order to become real.

'Oh my Lady, he gasped. 'I think I understand. But… no. That would mean. He leapt to his feet. 'Kristabel?

'Do it, she entreated. 'Edeard, if there's even a chance—

'Yes. He flung his arms out, unleashing his third hand. The squad members were hurled into the air, an expanding bracelet of struggling figures arching up and out, away from the ground. Screaming as they began their plummet hundreds of feet to the wider slope below.

Free of any immediate danger, Edeard concentrated again on the images. Minutes ago was useless to him. He began to push on past the memories of himself walking up to the summit. Delving deep. He knew himself lying on the bed in the pavilion while Salrana longtalked Owain. Further. His own memory came into play, knowing a vivid moment from a few days ago. Twinning it with the Void's recollection. The technique was almost instinctive. The moment was there, shimmering elusively in front of him. His mind reached for it, finding it beyond his grasp. He tried again, harder this time, channelling his colossal telekinetic strength into the stretch. Mental fingers scrabbled desperately to close around the moment, to make it real. He groaned with the effort. Forcing the universe to link the moments.

Somewhere — allwhere, the universe began to shift. The present slipped backwards, slowly at first. That long linear image of him walking up the slope unwound, taking him down. Above him, the stars crawled the wrong way through the firmament. Encouraged, Edeard threw his entire strength into achieving the union across time. The impossibly weird motion began to accelerate. Edeard's past rushed past. The precise, wonderfully clear moment he wanted hurtled towards him—

— Edeard woke screaming. The yell of shock and disbelief rang round the woodland camp, he couldn't stop blasting air from his lungs. Morning light shone down on him.

Morning!

Dinlay was a few yards away, immobile in the action of hopping about while he held his boot high. He was giving Edeard a dumbfounded look.

Edeard managed to stop his scream. He looked round wildly, then jumped as he saw Macsen sitting on an old fallen tree trunk.

'I didn't put anything in your boot, Macsen protested in a reasonable voice.

'You're alive! Edeard bellowed.

'What in Honious is going on? Topar asked. He had risen from his blanket, his pistol held ready. Boloton, Fresage, Verini, and Larby were scrambling round, trying to find the source of the commotion.

'Nothing! Edeard said breathlessly. An explosion of pure joy inside his head threatened to overwhelm him. 'Everything! I did it! I'm here. It's real. You're real. And you're all alive.

Dinlay let out an exasperated sigh. 'What is the matter with you? He squinted into his boot. 'Ah ha! His third hand scraped out the remains of a utog beetle. He gave Macsen a suspicious glance.

'Edeard? Topar asked cautiously.

'It's fine, Edeard held up a hand in reassurance, then laughed. He was feeling giddy now. The world was whirling round unsteadily. He sat down hard. 'No, wait. He held up his hands, fingers out to count. 'The ambush is in two days' time. Er… then another day and a half to ride back. Ladydamnit, if I start now I might not make it. I've got to go further back.

Dinlay shoved his foot into the boot and walked over. 'Bad dream?

Edeard grinned. 'The worst there has ever been.

'Ah. Would you like some tea? You've still got some of those linen packets left, Dinlay added hopefully.

'No. Edeard stood up fast. Before Dinlay knew what was happening, Edeard kissed him.

'Fuck the Lady, Dinlay exclaimed, juddering back out of reach.

Edeard laughed delightedly. 'I can't stay. I'm sorry. But by the Lady it is so good to see you all alive again. And the girls, our wives. Macsen, you're going to be a father. I promise. I swear on the Lady herself.

'What in Honious did you drink last night? Macsen demanded.

'I drank… I drank everything there is to drink.

'I think you'd better sit down, Topar said levelly.

'No time, Edeard said, enjoying how manic he must be appearing to the others. 'Well, actually, that's not true. He giggled. 'Do you remember the first day on the road. His fingers clicked urgently. 'We stopped and made camp just outside that farm. Oh, where was it?

'Stibbington, Dinlay grunted.

'That's right. That's the place, and it's in time. Plenty of time. Barely a day's gallop back from there. Macsen, do you remember, you were so saddle sore you claimed you couldn't walk.

'I remember.

'Yeah, me too. Edeard reached for the moment—