The Dreaming Void v-1

by Peter Hamilton

  In theory the cost wasn't too bad. But in practice every constable needed two tunics, and at least three shirts. Then there was a constant supply of flaked soap for the dormitory's ge-chimps to wash everything. Edeard gained considerable kudos when the others found how good he was at instructing the ge-chimps with laundry tasks. After the first week Chae stopped trying to find fault when they turned out in immaculate uniforms each morning.

  The daily routine hardly varied. In the morning they would have various physical and telepathic teamwork training sessions, followed by lectures. In the afternoon they would be taken out on patrol under the alarmingly vigilant eye of Chae. Sometimes their division captain, Ronark, would accompany them. Evenings were theoretically all their own. Study was advised at least during the week.

  Edeard always hated it when Ronark did come out with them to 'check on progress'. The man was in his eighties, and was never going to rise any higher than his current position. His wife had left him decades ago, his children disowned him. That just left him the constables, which he believed in with a religious fervour. Everything was done according to regulation; variations were not permitted, and such infringements were subject to severe fines, restrictions and demotions. Jeavons station had one of the lowest recruitment rates in the city.

  Nobody paid any attention to them when Chae led them out of the station at one o'clock precisely. Ronark was standing at his curving fish-eye window above the big double gate, observing the shift change, clocking the patrols in and out on his ancient pocket watch. Out on the narrow pavement, a squad was double-timing back to the station, its corporal red faced and panting as they tried to minimize their delay. Three ge-dogs scampered along beside them, happy at the run.

  Probationary constables were not permitted genistar support. Thankfully, Chae kept a discreet silence about Edeard's ge-eagle, which now lived with two others in the station's rooftop aviary.

  Jeavons was a pleasant enough district. It even had a small park in the centre which a team of city ge-monkeys kept in good horticultural order. There was a big freshwater pond in the middle, with exotic scarlet fish measuring a good two feet long — they always seemed sinister to Edeard who disliked their fangs and the way they looked up at everyone who stood by the rail watching them. But the park had a football pitch marked out, and he occasionally joined the games at weekends when the local lads ran a small league. He rather enjoyed the fact that Jeavons didn't house many grand families; its buildings were on a relatively modest scale, though the mansions along Marble Canal were regal enough. The carpenters, jewel smiths, and physicians all had their Guild headquarters there. It was also the home of the astronomical association, which had been fighting for Guild status for seven centuries, and was always blocked by the Pythia, who claimed the heavens were a supernatural realm, and astronomy verged on the heretical. Boyd, of course, was full of gossipy facts like that as they walked the winding streets; he probably knew the layout better than Chae.

  Today Chae led them over Arrival Canal and into the smaller Silvarum district. The buildings here were oddly curved, as if they were once clusters of bubbles that had somehow been compressed. Squeezed-up insect hives, Boyd called them. None of them were large enough to be palaces, but they all belonged to wealthy families — the smaller merchants and senior Masters of professional Guilds. The shops all sold goods far beyond Edeard's dwindling coinage.

  As they passed over the ornate wooden bridge Edeard found himself walking with Kanseen.

  'So you're not going out tonight? she enquired.

  'Nah. I don't have much money left, and I really need to study.

  'You're serious then, about turning this into a career.

  'Ask me again in a year's time. In the meantime I'm not going to blow it by being stupid. I need to graduate.

  'All of us do, she said.

  'Humm. Edeard eyed Macsen, who was lingering on the end of the bridge, exchanging some good-natured words with a gondolier passing by underneath. The gondola's benches had been removed, replaced by a simple slatted platform carrying a pile of wooden crates. 'For someone supposedly thrown penniless on the street, Macsen seems to have a lot of coinage.

  'Didn't you hear? she said with a superior smile.

  'What?

  'His mother has been taken up by a notorious Master in the Musician's Guild. She's living in a nice little maisonette in Cobara district. Apparently he's a hundred and ten years older than her.

  'No! Edeard knew he shouldn't be interested in this gossip, but such talk was Makkathran's second currency. Everybody had some piece of hearsay or rumour about the District Master families that they couldn't wait to share. And scandal was the hugest currency of all.

  'Oh yes. He used to be in one of the travelling bands which tour round the Iguru and villages in the Donsori Mountains. She leant in closer to murmur. 'Apparently he had to stop touring some while ago because there were so many offspring in those villages. Now he just tutors apprentices at the Guild building and plays for the families.

  Some little memory surfaced in Edeard's thoughts; late night talk in a tavern several months ago that he wasn't supposed to hear, and she had said notorious. 'You're not talking about Dybal?

  Kanseen's smile was now victorious. 'I couldn't possibly say.

  'But… wasn't he caught in bed with two of the Lady's novices?

  'That's part of his myth. If he wasn't so popular with his satire songs they'd have thrown him out of the Guild decades ago. Apparently they're very upbeat. The younger members of noble families idolize him, while the older ones want him to wind up in the bottom of a canal.

  'Yeah, but… Macsen's mother?

  'Yes.

  Kanseen seemed disturbingly pleased with herself, mainly because of his incredulous reaction. That was the way with her, always coming on just that little bit superior. He didn't buy it, that was just her way of coping with the probationary period, establishing a reasonable barrier around herself. It couldn't be easy being a girl in the constables; there certainly weren't many.

  Chae started off heading directly for the plaza where the Chemist Guild headquarters was situated. The pavements between the buildings were a reddish brown in colour, with a central row of thick cones rising to waist height. They were filled with soil and planted with big saffcherry trees whose branches created a verdant roof between the bowed walls on either side. Pink and blue blossom was just starting to fall, forming a delicate carpet of petals. Edeard tried to keep searching the pedestrians for signs of criminal activity the way Chae kept telling them. It was hard. Akeem's memory had remained crystal clear and true on one aspect of city life: the girls. They were beautiful. Especially those of the noble families, who seemed to use districts like Silvarum to hunt in packs. They took a great deal of care about how they appeared in public. Dresses which had plunging necklines, or skirts with surprising slits amid the ruffles; lace fabric which was translucent. Hair styled to look carefree. Makeup skilfully applied to emphasize smiles, cheekbones, huge innocent eyes. Sparkling jewellery.

  He passed one gaggle of maidens in their mid-teens who wore more wealth with the rings on one hand than he would earn in a month. They giggled coyly when they caught him staring. Taunted:

  'Can we help you, Officer?

  'Is that really your truncheon?

  'It's a long truncheon, isn't it Gilliaen?

  'Will you use it to subdue bad people with?

  'Emylee is very bad, Officer, use it on her.

  'Hanna! She's indecent, Officer. Arrest her.

  'Does he have a dungeon to throw her in, do you think?

  Third hands performed indecent tweaks and prods on private areas of his body. Edeard jumped in shock before hastily shielding himself, and turning bright red. The girls shrieked amusement at his behaviour and scuttled off.

  'Little trollops, Kanseen muttered.

  'Er, absolutely, Edeard said. He glanced back — just to make sure they were causing no trouble. Two of them were still checking him out. More wi
ld giggles rang down the street. Edeard shuddered and faced front, hardening his expression.

  'You weren't tempted, were you? Kanseen asked.

  'Certainly not.

  'Edeard, you're really a great bloke, and I'm glad to be in the same squad as you. But there's still a lot of the countryside in you. Which is good, she hastened to add. 'But any family girl would eat you for breakfast and spit out the pips before lunch. They're not nice, Edeard, not really. They have no substance.

  Then how come they look so gorgeous? he thought wistfully.

  'Besides, Kanseen said. 'They all want District Master first sons for husbands, or guildsmen or, if they're desperate, militia officers. Constables don't come close, not in status or money.

  After the plaza they made their way along to the markets. There were three of them just a couple of streets away from the Great Major Canal which boarded Silvarum's northern side. Open areas not quite as big as the plaza, packed full with stalls. The first one concentrated on fresh food. A quilt of canvas awnings formed an undulating ceiling, stitching all the stalls together, whilst providing a strangely warm shade underneath. The still air was heavy with scents. Edeard stared at the piles of fruits and vegetables with mild envy as the stallholders called out their prices and promises of taste and quality. It had been a long time since he'd sat down to a truly decent meal like he used to eat at the Guild compound back in Ashwell. Everything at the station hall came wrapped in pastry; and none of the ge-chimps in the kitchen had ever been instructed in the art of making salad.

  'Those are melancholy thoughts, Kanseen said quietly.

  'Sorry, he said, and made an effort to be alert. Chae said markets were always rife with sneak thieves and pickpockets. He was probably right. Here, as always, the stallholders greeted them warmly, with smiles and the odd gift — apples, pears, a bottle or two; pledges of a good deal if they came back off duty. They liked the constables to be visible. It discouraged pilfering.

  Edeard had been dismayed by the reception they received in some districts and streets as Chae led them right across the city. Sullen expressions and intimidating silences, unshielded emotions of enmity. People turning their backs on them. Third hands jostling when they were close to canal banks. Chae, of course, had walked on undaunted, but Edeard had been unnerved. He didn't understand why whole communities would be repelled by law and order.

  They moved on to the second market, the one specializing in cloth and clothes. There was a dismaying number of young women strolling along, examining colourful fabrics, chattering happily among themselves. He kept a small shield up, and did his best not to make eye contact. Though there were some truly pretty girls that just begged for a second look. Macsen, had no such inhibitions. He chatted happily to any girl who even glanced in his direction.

  'You never said which district you come from, Edeard said.

  'I didn't, did I? Kanseen agreed.

  'Sorry.

  'You need to stop saying that, as well, she said, and smiled.

  'Yes. I know. It's just that all of you are used to this. He gestured round. 'I'm not. There are more people here in this market than ever lived in Ashwell. For a moment he was struck by real guilt. He thought about his home less and less these days. Some of the faces had faded from memory. Not Akeem, that never would; but Gonat now — did he have red hair or was it dark brown? He frowned from the effort of remembering, but no clear image came.

  'Bellis, Kanseen said. 'My family lives in Bellis.

  'Right, he said. Bellis was on the eastern side of the city, close to the port, and directly over the Great Major Canal from Sampalok. They hadn't patrolled round there yet. 'You've never been back to see them.

  'No. Mother didn't approve of my becoming a constable.

  'Oh. I'm sor— Shame.

  'I think she would have preferred me to take the Lady's vows.

  'Nothing wrong with that.

  'You really are from the countryside, aren't you?

  'Is that bad? he said stiffly.

  'No. I guess that's where the values this city used to have are kept alive, out there beyond the Donsori Mountains. It just gives me a shock to hear someone with convictions, that's all. You're rare in Makkathran, Edeard. Especially in the constables. That's why you make people uncomfortable.

  'I do? he asked, genuinely surprised.

  'Yeah.

  'But… You must believe in values. Why else did you join?

  'Same as half of us. In a few years I'll shift over to bodyguard work for a District Master family. They're always desperate for people with a constable's training and experience. Particularly one like me; female constables are veiy thin on the ground. And the noble ladies need protection as much as their husbands and sons. I can just about name my own price.

  'Oh. The notion surprised him, he'd never considered the constables as a route to anything else, let alone something better. 'Who do I make uncomfortable?

  'Well Dinlay for a start. He believes in truth and beauty just like you, and he's a lot noisier about it. But you're stronger and smarter. Chae's going to nominate you as squad leader.

  'You don't know that.

  She smiled. It made him realize how attractive she actually was; something the uniform normally made him overlook. But that smile was a match for any of the silly family girls swanning round the market.

  'Put money on it? she challenged.

  'Of course not, he said with mock indignation. 'That's bound to be illegal.

  They both laughed.

  'You two need a room? Macsen called over his shoulder. 'I know one that'll do cheap rates.

  Kanseen gave him a forceful hand gesture.

  He pulled a face. 'Wow, it's true; you can take the girl out of Sampalok, but you can't take Sampalok out of the girl.

  'Arsehole, she growled.

  'We're on patrol, Chae snapped. 'What does that mean?

  'Professionalism at all times, the squad muttered dutifully.

  'Then kindly remember that, and apply it.

  Macsen, Kanseen, and Edeard grinned at each other as they moved on to the third market, which featured crafts. Stalls displayed small items of furniture, ornaments, cheap jewellery, and alchemic potions. There was even a section selling rare animals as pets. The awnings here were all a uniform orange and white striped canvas arranged in hexagonal cones with centre poles swamped by eaglevine. It was warm underneath, but the full power of the sun was held back.

  Edeard stretched his farsight out across the Great Major Canal that ran the length of the city from the Port district to the Circle canals where the Orchard Palace was situated. Ysidro district was on the other side from Silvarum, wedged between the back of Golden Park and the Low Moat. It was where the Lady's novistery was sited.

  'This a good time? his mind enquired.

  'Hello, Salrana replied with a burst of good cheer. 'Yes, I'm fine. We're in the garden, planting summer herbs. It's so lovely in here. A gentle image gift came with her happiness. He saw a walled garden with conical yews marking out gravel paths. Vines and climbing roses painted the walls in bright colour. There was a broad lawn in the middle, which was unusual in Makkathran; it was trimmed so neatly Edeard wondered what kind of genistar they used to chew it down. A snow-white statue of the Lady stood at one end, almost as high as the walls. She was smiling down on the novices in their white and blue robes as they skittered about with wicker baskets full of plants.

  'Nice. Why don't you use ge-chimps to plant the herbs?

  'Oh Edeard, you have got to start reading more of the Lady's teachings. The purpose of life is to achieve harmony with your environment. If you use genistars for everything, you establish a barrier between yourself and the world.

  'Okay. He thought that was stupid, but clamped down tight on the emotion for fear Salrana would sense it. She was developing quite an acute empathy these days.

  'Where are you? she asked.

  'I'm patrolling Silvarum's markets. He let her see the bustle surrounding him, showing the ri
ch stall displays.

  'Arrested anybody bad?

  'No. They all run in terror from us.

  'Oh, Edeard, you feel sad.

  'Sorry. He caught himself and winced. 'I'm not. It's just boring, that's all. You know I'm actually looking forward to my exams. This'll all be over after I take them. I can be a proper constable then.

  'I can't wait to see your graduation ceremony.

  'I don't think it's that grand. The Mayor hands us a pair of dark epaulettes, that's all.

  'Yes, but it's at the Orchard Palace, and all the probationary constables from the city are there, and their families are watching. It's a big event, Edeard, don't knock it.

  'I wasn't really. Do you think you'll manage to get to it?

  'Of course I will. Mother Gallian approves of formal functions like that. I've already told her you're graduating.

  'Hey, those exams aren't easy, you know.

  'You'll pass, Edeard. I ask the Lady to give you simple questions.

  'Thanks! Can you get out this weekend?

  'I'm not sure. It's difficult with the main service on—

  Angry shouts up ahead made Edeard look round. His farsight could sense several minds inflamed with fury. Around them were minds were blazing with sour determination; they began to move faster and faster.

  Shouts reverberated under the awnings.

  'Stop them!

  'Thieves. Thieves.

  'Kavine is hurt.

  'Thieves in the market!

  Identical longtalk cries flooded into the aether. Jerky image gifts of faces clashed in Edeard's mind. Too many, and too poor to make any sense.