The Temporal Void v-2

by Peter Hamilton

  'Excellent idea, Kanseen said.

  'Julan has to get the vote through Council first, Edeard complained.

  'It's considered bad form to vote against a Consent bill, Dinlay said. 'There hasn't been a nay vote for over three hundred years.

  'Really? I didn't know that.

  'We know, they said in union.

  * * * * *

  Edeard was supposed to spend the evening choosing the suit to wear at the charity ball thrown by the District Master of Nighthouse. Due in a fortnight's time, it was given every year to raise funds for city hospitals. Kristabel had accepted his excuse that there was just some constable work which had to be done at night. 'Be careful, she told him, which almost made him feel guilty. Almost.

  It was certainly the first time Edeard had ever been grateful to Buate; but the gang lord had arranged a meeting with several others on their One Hundred list. A get-together of that magnitude couldn't be ignored.

  As dusk fell he led the squad out of the station. All of them were immediately aware of the three ge-eagles overhead, and a couple of small ge-dogs loitering down the street. It had been a while since the gangs had used actual people to spy on their comings and goings from the constable station.

  'I want to try something, he told the others. 'We're not going to use the tunnels for a while.

  They followed him over Marble Canal bridge into Drupe, where the streets grew narrow, and the buildings tall. The ge-eagles kept level with them, drifting and soaring on the night air.

  'I've been reading your book, Edeard said. 'Apparently, after marriage, I shouldn't complain to Kristabel about events relating to managing my estate if they go poorly.

  'Yeah, I always avoid that when I'm with Saria, Boyd said. 'It's for the best.

  'Nor should I be querulous about the proportion of the household budget spent on her wardrobe. Apparently it's her duty to always look her best for me, and support me in public'

  'Quite right, Kanseen said.

  'And I must not feel inadequate if I cede an argument to her.

  'That has to have been written by a woman, Dinlay pronounced.

  It was already dark at the foot of the buildings when they walked into Moslet Avenue, little more than a deep crevice between walls six storeys high. Small vaulting tube bridges linked the two sets of buildings, with slender orange light slits on their underside shining a week orange glow down on to the pavement. The alley was a series of sharp corners, which restricted farsight; while its narrow width made anyone following them highly conspicuous. Precisely the kind of place that usually provided Edeard with excellent cover while he vanished down into the tunnels below.

  He ordered the orange light strips on the bridges to dim down, turning the darkness to a claustrophobic force. A sweep round with his farsight showed him they were alone as they went round the first corner. Then he followed that up with a more subtle look, using the technique Finitan had gifted him. Someone was sneaking into the alley; registering in his mind as a grey swirl, like a small bubble of fog. At the core was the outline of a man.

  'Keep going, he told his friends. 'We need to hurry.

  They started to jog forwards. Edeard observed the figure behind them quicken his pace.

  'Okay, stop here. he ordered as they went round the second corner. They were directly under one of the small bridges, invisible to the ge-eagles above. The concealed pursuer hurried round the corner, to see the squad huddled together as if performing some illegal act. Edeard's arm came up, pointing at him, cloak swirling to follow the move.

  The narrow alley was suddenly drenched in brilliant white light. A terrific bang ricocheted off the confining walls.

  Edeard's miniature thunderbolt struck the figure square in his chest. He was flung backwards to sprawl on the ground, concealment vanishing in the blink of an eye.

  'Great Lady, Dinlay gulped.

  Edeard was watching the figure keenly; the man was twitching but making no attempt to get up. Farsight revealed he was still alive, his thoughts chasing an agitated sleep pattern. The thunderbolt must have knocked him unconscious, though his heart was still pumping wildly, and not entirely regularly. His thick leather jacket was smoking from a burn spot where the discharge had struck.

  'Take care of the ge-eagles, Edeard told Kanseen as his third hand lifted the inert figure, and drew him towards the squad. The birds would have witnessed the flash, he couldn't help that. But they would have been dazzled. Their owners still wouldn't know what was going on in the alley.

  Once Kanseen had confused the already flustered genista is overhead, Edeard asked the city to let him into the drain tunnel below the street. The squad sank down, taking their captive with them.

  Once they were safe below the surface, Edeard examined the man his third hand was still holding above the trickle of water. He was plain enough, probably in his late forties, with dark curly hair and a small, neatly trimmed beard. 'Anyone know him?" Edeard asked.

  'I don't remember him from any of our lists, Dinlay said.

  Macsen let out a pained sigh. 'He won't be, look at how he's dressed.

  Edeard gave the unconscious man a closer look. The clothes were simple, a black leather jacket worn over an indigo shirt, and beige suede trousers. Ankle length boots with discreet silver hooks for the laces. The kind of garb that could be worn anywhere in Makkathran without drawing undue attention. However, these days Edeard was familiar enough with the city's tailors to know quality when he saw it. 'Expensive, he said.

  'Certainly not cheap, Macsen said. 'So we know he's not from the gangs, not directly.

  'The families?

  Macsen's face produced a pained expression. 'Again, nothing you could ever prove, not that he'll tell us anything.

  'What then? Boyd asked. 'Come on, you obviously know something.

  'Look exactly where we are and how we got here, Macsen said with the kind of serious, level voice that was unusual for him. 'And that blast of light you knocked him out with, Edeard, that's something new. There's rumours that your maisonette is different. A fall off a tower can't kill you. Small wonder the families are extremely interested in you.

  'The families can throw light like that, Edeard said defensively. 'I just have greater strength.

  'No, it's more than just strength. Can anyone else see souls? Can they talk to the city itself? Nobody can. You stand above us, Waterwalker. A long way above.

  'So? Dinlay said. 'We've always known Edeard is far more talented than the rest of us put together.

  'This goes way beyond psychic talent. Macsen gave Edeard a level stare. 'You frighten people, Waterwalker. Even I'm nervous of you, and I know you better than most in this city. I don't think you'll abuse the power you have. But, face it, what's to stop you? That's why you're drawing this kind of attention.

  'I would never… Edeard broke off, appealing to his friends. 1 want the city to work, to be a home we can all depend on, a place where everyone can be safe. You know that; that's why you're helping me. Isn't it? he asked, aghast that they might not share his ambition.

  'Yes, Kanseen assured him. 'But you have to admit, Macsen has a point. Not only have you got your talent, but you're popular as well. I bet if you stood for Mayor, you'd get a sizeable amount of the votes.

  'I don't want to, I support Finitan.

  'I know that, she told him. 'The point is, the Grand Families see how much support you have, and they know you want to instigate change. Change for them, a return to more democratic rule, the introduction of accountability, will diminish their power, and Lady help them, their wealth, too. That's what the city's entire political structure is geared around: preserving and expanding their estates. If you wipe out the gangs, you'll go after them next, and the way they've distorted and abused Rah's constitution. That's inevitable.

  'Some people say you are Rah, Boyd said. He shrugged. 'It's true. I'm often asked. They think you've come back from the Heart to restore the city to the haven it was in the beginning. The gangs and the bandits we're plag
ued with right now, that's the kind of chaos Rah led his followers away from.

  'Oh Dear Lady, Edeard gave Dinlay a desperate look.

  'People have asked me, too, Dinlay said apologetically. 'But I know you're not going to declare yourself emperor. That's stupid. They'd never say that if they knew you properly.

  Edeard felt incredibly weary. After everything he'd done, all he'd endured, to find he had created a huge source of mistrust and suspicion was a hideous revelation. 'I just want people to be safe, he cried. 'I want the killing to stop. I want the fear to end. I want people to know their leaders and constables will protect them.

  Kanseen put her arm around his shoulder, 'I think that's what disturbs the families most of all; they can't believe someone with your strength can be honest. But you are, and I will stand by you to the end because of that.

  'Me too, Dinlay said.

  'I trust you, Edeard, Boyd said.

  They all turned to Macsen.

  'Hey! Goes without saying.

  'Say it anyway, Kanseen said.

  'I'm with you.

  'Thank you.

  'But you've got to admit, everything you can do, it's way beyond anything Querencia has seen before; and I include Rah in that. Blasphemy or not.

  'Yeah, Edeard admitted sheepishly.

  'So… Dinlay queried. 'Are you Rah?

  'No!

  'So why you? Macsen asked. 'You must be something special.

  'Really, I'm not.

  'You were chosen, Kanseen said. 'We know everything the Lady says in her Scriptures is true. You showed us Chae's soul — and haven't you got to love the irony in that? Him of all people. So if we have souls, and Odin's Sea is the path to the Heart, there's a lot more to this universe that we know.

  'Chosen? Edeard repeated dumbly.

  'I don't know by who, or by what, but there's no way you with all your abilities came forth at a time like this purely by chance. The Heart, or our ancestors, are speaking to us through you.

  'Maybe not them, Edeard said, thinking of his dreams. 'But I can hardly deny what I can do, whoever gave me the gift. And I promise you, I'll do what I think is right with it. And if any of you disagree, then for the Lady's sake tell me. He looked down at their unconscious captive. 'Which brings us back to him. Who is he?

  'The families have their own methods of maintaining order in the city, Macsen said. 'After all, they could hardly rely on the constables, now could they? Not before the Waterwalker came along.

  Dinlay bridled. 'The constables have always brought law and order to Makkathran. We were established by Rah himself.

  'Rah allowed District Masters to police their districts, Macsen replied equitably. 'Independent citywide constables weren't introduced until a lot later.

  Edeard held a hand up to silence a glowering Dinlay. 'You're saying there's another police force in Makkathran?

  Macsen shook his head. 'That's too strong a word. The true Grand Families are as old as the city; as soon as they established themselves they sought methods of consolidating their interests. Families have their own guards, for instance, they also have clerks, lawyers, doctors; a long list of employees to cover every requirement. Well there are also people who look after political interests, too, which is a very broad-ranging term. You've seen the grandest families are not subject to intimidation by the gangs. There estates are immune. Why is that?

  'Because they work with them? Edeard asked.

  'No no, you're thinking too literally. There is an understanding, nothing formal, nobody ever sat round a table and thrashed out boundaries. But the families take care of themselves at every level. If a gang was ever stupid or arrogant enough to overstep the mark, then certain members of the family would put a stop to the violation straight away, and in a fashion the gangs would comprehend.

  'But… Mirnatha, Edeard said.

  'Yeah. The biggest shock to hit this city since our day.n Birmingham Pool. I hate to say it, but: cause and effect.

  'Are you one of them? Dinlay asked. 'One of these family agents?

  'No.

  'You seem to know a lot about them.

  'Actually, I don't. One of my father's cousins hinted a couple of times that there was a group of relatives that might be interested in welcoming me as an associate. That was as far as it ever got. Father died, and well, you all know how my family treated mother and myself after that.

  'It makes a lot of sense, Edeard said. 'Except I think it's mow than a vague accord as far as some families are concerned. I know from personal experience that the Gilmorns are heavily involved with Buate's organization.

  Macsen nodded down at the man Edeard's third hand was still holding. 'There have been two well-executed attempts to get rid of you. They won't stop now, especially as your abilities still seem to be growing.

  Edeard thought back to that last conversation with Ivarl. 'You may be right. In which case we're not leading events the way we thought we were.

  'Welcome to Makkathran, Macsen said.

  'Where it's always about politics.

  'Good, you're starting to understand.

  Edeard inhaled through his nostrils. 'So what do we do about our friend here?

  'The ge-eagles have shown the family agents that you possess their lightning trick, Kanseen said. 'And you can plainly see through concealment now. The next time they come after you, it's going to be with everything they've got.

  'That didn't answer my question.

  'Why, what were you planning on doing with him?

  'I don't know. I just disabled him because I had to.

  'He won't crack under interrogation, Macsen said. 'He has too much faith in his own kind. That doesn't leave us with a lot of options.

  'There's a place I can put him where there is no way out, Edeard said, wondering if Macsen was testing him. 'That will serve until we can decide what to do.

  'Sounds good.

  * * * * *

  When Edeard rejected Finitan's offer of an apprenticeship with the city's Eggshaper's Guild, he'd done so in the conviction that his skill was a match for any of the practitioners in the Blue Tower. Now, looking at the tiny ge-mouse nestling in his hand, he knew how conceited he'd been that day when he'd made his life-changing decision. The little creature was no bigger than the length of his fingers, its dark pelt as soft as any terrestrial kitten, and the three curving talons extended from each twig-like leg were sharp and hard, enabling it to scamper vertically up most of the walls in the city. But it's head was the true marvel, sprouting long ears that could hear a pin drop within thirty yards, while the eyes were miniatures of those indigo-tinged orbs belonging to ge-eagles, allowing it to see clearly in the dead of night.

  Finitan had handed it over with a little smirk of satisfaction. 'At least you'll appreciate my efforts. Kindly look after my creation with care.

  'Yes, sir, Edeard had said reverentially as he gingerly held the ge-mouse up, automatically soothing its agitated mind with balmy thoughts. Little eyes regarded him passively, and a sliver of trust manifested behind them. Edeard smiled back.

  'Ah, what an apprentice you would have made, Finitan said wistfully.

  'What's its lifetime?

  'Sadly, no more than a week.

  Edeard felt a pang of sympathy, but he understood how that was so. He'd never seen a genistar this small before; and their lifespan was always proportional to size.

  His admiration for the Grand Master's ability rose considerably. He had no idea how to go about sculpting such a thing. For a start, it was almost smaller than a two-week ge-dog embryo, which led to some interesting hatching questions. Akeem had always said that a standard ge-cat was the smallest possible genistar.

  When Edeard and the squad arrived underneath the house in Sampalok that Buate was holding court in, he'd taken the little-thing from his pocket and held it aloft. The city lifted it up from the tunnel to the lower cellar. Edeard longtalked into its mind, carefully directing it under the cellar door, and up the stairs to the mid-cellar. Its claw
s had to scrape at the hard city substance, finding minute crinkles to grip as it hauled itself up every curving shelf. There were two guards standing in the short, gloomy corridor above the stairs, both of them with pistols tucked into their belts. Neither of them noticed the ge-mouse scurrying past. Nor the man who was wrapped in concealment that Edeard perceived standing just inside the door.

  Buate was already in the room with eight other gang lords. They sat around a big old table, with bottles of wine and beer opened before them. The ge-mouse squeezed behind a tall cupboard in the corner, and scaled the ancient wood silently, emerging on to the top where someone had left a set of aged china crockery. From there it gifted Edeard its sharp sight and accompanying sound of the angry voices.

  Edeard shared the perception with the squad as they leaned against the tunnel wall far below the cellar floor.

  'That's Gormat and Edsing, Dinlay said. 'And that's Joarwel; he's shaved his beard off, look.

  'Are you sure? Kanseen asked.

  'Yes.

  'He's right, Boyd said. 'No one has reported seeing him for a couple of weeks, that's why. He's a smart one, that.

  'I know Hallwith and Coyce, Macsen said. 'But I don't recognise the others.

  Two more men arrived, giving Buate and the others a curt greeting.

  'So why are we here? Joarwel asked.

  'Because we're hurting, Buate said. 'For all we tell our men how everything is all right, that bastard Waterwalker is shutting us down one street at a time.

  'I don't need to be told that, one of the unknowns said. 'Thirty years I lived in my house, then some child constable comes along waving that Lady-fucking exclusion warrant in my face. It was all I could do not to shoot the smug little shit on sight. Thirty years!

  'It's going to get worse, Buate said. 'He's planning to arrest us all.

  'There aren't that many jails.

  'Not the men, just us. He's making a list; there's going to be a hundred of us on it."

  'Shit, Macsen grunted. 'How did he find that out?

  Edeard shrugged. He wasn't surprised.

  'Arrest us for what? Coyce demanded. 'I've barely made enough to feed myself this year. Three of my boys have gone and got themselves jobs in theatres for the Lady's sake.