The Dreaming Void v-1

by Peter Hamilton

  His farsight swirled round the shifting commotion, contracting on the centre. Men were running, their arms flailing wide as people swarmed round. Hands gripped long metal blades, swiping wide, keeping everyone away. Overtones of fear bubbled into the clamour of longtalk.

  'That's us! Sergeant Chae shouted. 'Come on. Constables! Clear the way! Constables coming through. His longtalk was directed to warn people sauntering between the stalls at the same time as he shouted. He began to run. Edeard immediately followed, as did Macsen and Kanseen.

  'Move! Move aside!

  After a moment of shock, Boyd took off after them. Dinlay had frozen, his mind radiating dismay.

  Edeard was running hard now, keeping close to Chae. People were jumping out of the way, pressing themselves against the stalls to open a path. Women were screaming. Children shouted, excited and fearful. The theft ahead was still kicking up a hurly-burly.

  'Remember: act together, Char told them all with remarkably calm longtalk. 'Minimum of two at all times, don't get separated. Keep your shields up.

  Edeard sent his ge-eagle streaking through the sky, heading towards the edge of the market where the thieves must surely emerge. Every street beyond the rippled roof of canopies had a covering of pleasant saffcherry trees, their pink and blue blossom clotting any view of the pavement and people below. His farsight was still concentrating on the criminals as they sped from the scene of the robbery. There were four of them, three wielding the blades, while the fourth was lugging some kind of box. From what Edeard could sense it was full of metal. And plenty of the stalls around him were displaying jewellery.

  Chae drew his truncheon as they burst through a group of people gathered round a couple of overturned stalls. A man lay on the floor groaning and thrashing about, blood pooling beside him.

  'Lady! Chae exclaimed. 'All right, stay back, give him air. He scrambled for his medical pack and knelt beside the fallen stallholder.

  'A doctor? Chae's longtalk demanded, rising over the general clamour. 'Is there a doctor in the Silvarum craft market? Wounded man.

  Edeard's farsight was still following the criminals. 'Come on, he yelled at Macsen and Kanseen.

  'Where? Macsen demanded. 'I've lost them.

  'They've just reached the edge of the market. Albaric Street. I can still sense them. He ploughed on through the clutter of bystanders.

  'Edeard, no! Chae yelled after him.

  Edeard almost stopped at the command, but he just couldn't ignore the fleeing thieves. We can still catch them. It would be their first real arrest. So far all they'd ever done in their four probationary months was clear drunks off the streets and break up fights. Never any real constable duty. He charged along a narrow passage between rows of stalls. Macsen and Kanseen were racing after him.

  'Come back, Chae bellowed.

  Ignoring the sergeant sent a flash of wicked glee along Edeard's nerves.

  Stallholders were cheering the three probationary constables as they sped on through the market. Edeard and Macsen were using their longtalk to order people aside. By and large it was working. They were closing the gap on the fleeing thieves.

  Edeard's ge-eagle swooped low over the saffcherry trees of Albaric Street, its wings skimming inches above the waving blossom. The four thieves were pounding along the pavement underneath, heading straight for the Great Major Canal. Their blades had been sheathed so as not to draw attention. Even so, the minds of people around them pulsed with curiosity and alarm.

  'Where are they going? Kanseen demanded.

  'Got to be the canal, Macsen replied. There was a lot of exhilaration flooding along his longtalk voice.

  Edeard finally saw the end of the market up ahead; the striped canvas roof gave way to the hazy radiance of blossom-filtered sunlight. 'Can you locate any other constables? he demanded.

  'Lady, it's all I can do to watch where I'm going, Macsen complained.

  'What are you planning on doing? Kanseen asked, all apprehension and doubts.

  'Stopping them, Edeard said. Wasn't that obvious? What was wrong with her?

  'There's more of them. And they've got blades.

  'I'll take them down, he growled. Her uncertainty flowed away from him, as if it was another landmark he'd left behind.

  They were closing fast now. Albaric Street was almost deserted compared to the busy market, allowing the constables to race onwards, weaving round the occasional recalcitrant pedestrian.

  The ge-eagle flashed over the last saffcherry tree. It showed Edeard the street ending abruptly at the edge of the Great Major Canal. The big waterway stretched away on both sides, cutting the city in half. Away to the west was the Birmingham Pool, intersecting the Outer Circle Canal, while eastwards the High Pool formed a junction with Flight Canal and Market Canal. There were only two bridges between Silvarum and the Padua district on the other side, one beside each pool. Like every bridge over the Grand Major Canal they were narrow and steep; most people preferred to use a gondola to cross the hundred and fifty yard width of water. Several were bobbing at a mooring platform where the street ended.

  'Got them, Edeard exclaimed. 'They just ran out of street. His jubilant mood suddenly dropped as the four criminals sped down the wooden steps to the platform and hopped on to a waiting gondola. It looked scruffy and badly maintained compared to the craft that normally slid along the city's waterways, with dull scratched paint and a drab awning. There were two gondoliers standing on the back, both holding a pole. 'Oh Honious!

  'What? Kanseen demanded, she was red-faced and breathing heavily, but still keeping up.

  'Boat, he gasped back at her. 'Come on, we can still catch them. Right in front of him a very grand-looking old lady in a billowing black and white dress and her entourage of younger handmaids were leaving one of Albaric Street's high-class restaurants. His longtalk demands to move didn't seem to be registering with any of them. He dodged round the old lady, cursing. A third hand swatted at him as one might an annoying insect. He flashed her an exasperated look.

  The ge-eagle spiralled up, watching the shabby gondola ease out from the mooring platform and into the multitude of craft flocking along the big canal. Downbeat the gondoliers might have been, but they knew their watercraft. With two punts available, and working in harmony, they were soon moving a lot quicker than anything else on the water. The four thieves flopped down on the benches, and started laughing.

  Edeard, Macsen, and Kanseen came hurtling up to the canal bank, coming dangerously close to toppling down into the water as they stopped at the top of the mooring's wooden steps.

  'Bastards! Macsen shouted at them.

  One of the gondoliers raised his green and blue ribboned boater in mocking salute. They were already twenty yards downstream. Edeard knew with grim certainty they'd be going all the way down to Sampalok, and the wounded stall owner would be ruined. 'Help us, he called down to the gondolier who was left moored below. 'Take us after them. This gondola was a fancy craft, its black paintwork shining in the afternoon sun, the awning embroidered with a scarlet bird crest. Somehow Edeard just knew it belonged to the old woman behind.

  'Not a chance, pal, the gondolier called back. 'This is Mistress Florell's private gondola.

  For a moment Edeard considered shoving him into the canal, and commandeering the craft to set of in pursuit. Except he didn't have the first idea of how to use a punt pole.

  'Somebody help, he called with his voice and longtalk. It drew a few interested looks from the gondoliers out on the canal. But no one even asked what he wanted.

  A chorus of jeering carried over the water. Thirty yards away, the criminals were leaning over the gunnels to wave and gesture. Edeard stared at his tormentors with a rage that chilled his blood. He smiled back savagely. Some hint of his fury must have flashed out. Macsen and Kanseen swayed back. The jeering stopped.

  Edeard reached out with his third hand and plucked the box from the man holding it. Hands grasped empty air in futility as lie lifted it ten feet above the gon
dola. The thieves exerted their own third hands, trying to prise it back. 'Is that the best you can do? Edeard taunted. They never even managed to unsettle his grip.

  People on nearby gondolas watched in silence as the box drifted sedately through the air. Edeard's smile turned malicious as it landed softly at his feet. He crossed his arms and gloated. 'Don't come back to our district, he longtalked to the departing gondola. 'Not ever.

  'You're fucking dead, you little shit, came the answer.

  Edeard pressed his third hand down against the bow of the gondola, causing it to rock alarmingly. But it was too far away now for him to capsize. And the six of them hurriedly erected a strong enough shield to deflect him.

  Macsen started laughing. His hand came down hard on Kdeard's shoulder. 'Oh Lady, you are the greatest, Edeard, the absolute greatest. Did you see their faces?

  'Yeah, Edeard admitted with a malign grin.

  'They won't forget today, Kanseen said. 'Heavens Edeard, you must have frightened the life out of them.

  'Let's hope, eh. He smiled at his friends, very content with the way they'd bonded that little bit more from the shared event. A frilly parasol hit the side of his arm. 'Ow!

  It belonged to the old woman they'd pushed past. 'In future, young man, you will display the correct courtesy due to your elders and betters, she snapped at him. 'You could have knocked me over the way you were charging about with complete disregard for anyone else. At my age, too; I would never have got up again.

  'Er, yes, madam. Sorry.

  'Mistress Florell! she said, her wavery voice rising an octave with indignation. 'Don't you pretend you don't know who I am.

  Edeard could hear Macsen chortling behind him, it was muffled as if a hand was over his mouth. 'Yes, Mistress Florell.

  Her eyes narrowed with suspicion. Edeard thought she looked at least as old as Master Solarin. 'I shall be reporting you to my nephew, she said. 'There was a time in this city when the constabulary had decent people in its ranks. That time is clearly over. Now get out of my way.

  He wasn't actually in her way, but he took a step back anyway. She brushed past with a swirl of her tent-like skirt to descend the steps to the mooring platform. Her entourage followed with immaculately shielded minds. A couple of the handmaids flashed him amused grins. They all settled in the gondola.

  'See, Macsen said, sliding his arm round Edeard's shoulders. 'That's our true reward, the respect of a grateful populace.

  'Who is that? Edeard whined.

  Which set Macsen off laughing again.

  'You really don't know, do you? Kanseen said incredulously.

  'No.

  'Among other family connections, Mistress Florell is the Mayor's aunt.

  'Oh. I suppose that's not good, then?

  'No. Every Mayor for the last century is some relative or other to her. She basically decides who the Grand Council will elect.

  Edeard shook his head and checked the gondola below. Mistress Florell had vanished under the awning. The gondolier gave him a wink, and cast off.

  'Let's get back, Edeard said.

  A cheerful Macsen bent over to pick up the box. He shot Edeard another look as he felt the weight. 'I can sense a whole load of necklace chains in here. Must be gold.

  'I hope he's all right, Edeard said.

  'Chae? Kanseen asked. She sounded slightly nervous.

  'No. The stall holder.

  'Oh yeah. Right.

  High above the Grand Major Canal, the ge-eagle soared lazily on a thermal, keeping the shabby gondola in sight as it hastened towards Sampalok.

  * * * * *

  Most of the crowd had gone when Edeard and his companions returned to the scene of the crime. Several stall holders in their distinctive dark-green aprons were fussing round the stalls they'd righted, restoring the display of goods. Boyd and Dinlay were helping fix the awning directly overhead which had ripped free when the stalls were shoved over.

  The wounded stall holder was still on the ground. A woman was tending to him, a doctor's satchel open at her feet as she knelt beside her patient. Two young apprentices were aiding her. Between them they'd bandaged the stall holder's chest, now the doctor was holding herself perfectly still, eyes closed, her hands pressed gently on the bandages as her telekinesis operated on the torn flesh underneath, manipulating blood vessels and tissue. Her distinguished face was puckered with intense concentration. Every now and then she would murmur some instruction to her apprentices, who would apply their telekinesis as she directed.

  Edeard watched intently, trying to sense with his farsight as well. Old Doc Seneo had never used her third hand to operate with; though Fahin had always said the technique was in the Doctor's Guild tuition books.

  'You three okay? Boyd's longtalk asked.

  'Of course, Macsen retorted.

  Boyd glanced over to where Sergeant Chae was talking to a group of stall holders. 'Careful, he mouthed.

  Chae marched over, his face set in a furious mask. Edeard thought his boots were going to leave imprints in the grey-brown market pavement he was stamping them down so heavily. By some process Edeard didn't quite understand, he was now standing ahead of Macsen and Kanseen.

  'I believe I gave you a direct order, Chae said in a menacingly level tone.

  All Edeard's good humour at recovering the box faded away. He'd never thought Chae would be quite this angry. For once the sergeant was making no attempt to shield his feelings. 'But Sergeant—

  'Did I or did I not tell you to stop?

  'Well… yes. But—

  'So you heard me?

  Edeard hung his head. 'Yes, Sergeant.

  'So you disobeyed me. Not only that but you put the safety of yourself and your colleagues in danger. Those men were gang members, and armed. Suppose they had pistols?

  'We got it, Macsen announced defiantly.

  'What?

  'We got it back from the bastards, Macsen said loudly. He turned slightly so he was facing the gaggle of stall holders, and held up the box.

  The burst of amazement emanating from the market folk surprised Edeard. It also silenced Sergeant Chae, though he continued to glare at the constables. Macsen walked over to the people closest to the wounded man. 'Here, he said, and proffered the box. One of the younger men in a green apron stepped forward. 'I am Monrol; Kavine is my uncle. This is what they stole from him. He turned the lock dial with several precise twists, and the lid popped open. 'It's all here, he said with a smile. He showed the open box to the market. 'All of it. They brought it back. The constables brought it back.

  Someone started clapping. They were soon joined by the onlookers. Whistles of approval split the air, then the three constables were abruptly surrounded by the men and woman in green aprons. Their hands were shaken, their backs were pummelled. A beaming Monrol gave Macsen a hug, then moved on to Kanseen. Edeard, too, was swept up in his embrace. 'Thank you, thank you.

  'Sergeant Chae, a deep voice boomed.

  The stall holders fell quiet as Setersis came forward. Edeard had seen him a couple of times before, normally when he was complaining to Chae about the infrequency of constable patrols through the market. Setersis was the head of the Silvarum stall holders association, and through that had a seat on the city traders council; as such had almost as much political influence as,i Guild Council Master.

  'Did I hear right? Setersis asked. 'Did the constables finally come to our aid?

  For once Chae looked uncertain. 'We were able to assist. He slopped glaring at Edeard, and produced an almost sympathetic expression. 'I was about to ask the more reckless members of my patrol to report what happened on the chase.

  'Reckless members, eh? Setersis grinned at the three probationary constables. 'Yes, you are young, aren't you? Good for you. If we had more constables with balls we wouldn't be in the sorry state we are. Your pardon, my girl.

  'Granted, Kanseen said graciously.

  'Come then, so tell me what happened on the chase. Did you manage to accidentally drop the
scum into the canal?

  'No sir, Edeard said. 'I'm afraid they got away on a gondola. They headed down towards the port. Something made him hold back from mentioning his ge-eagle was showing him the thieves had already passed through Forest Pool and were approaching Sampalok.

  'None of the gondoliers would help us, Macsen blurted. 'We asked them.

  'Ha! Fil-rats in human guise, Setersis grunted. 'Still, you did a good job. I can't remember the last time a constable returned stolen goods. He gave Chae a meaningful glance. The sergeant's lips tightened. 'You have my thanks. I'm sure my fellow stall holders will show their appreciation next time your patrol ventures into the market.

  Edeard knew he was grinning like a fool. It didn't matter, so were Macsen and Kanseen. Then he finally caught sight of Dinlay, who looked like his closest family had just died.

  * * * * *

  Once the doctor announced Kavine would be all right, Chae declared that the patrol was over and they were going back to Jeavons station. He led them out of the market without another word. Edeard couldn't work out if they were in serious trouble or not; the sergeant's mind was perfectly shielded.

  Macsen shot Boyd a direct longtalk query, which he shared with Edeard and Kanseen: 'What did Chae say?

  'Nothing much, Boyd replied, equally furtive. 'He was yelling for you to stop. When none of you came back, he just concentrated on helping the stall holder. I had to hold the flesh together to slow the bleeding down. Lady! I thought I was going to faint there was so much blood. Monrol said they hacked him a couple of times with those blades to make him let go of the box. I wish I'd gone with you instead, but I just hesitated for that first second. I'm sorry.

  'Don't be, Edeard said. 'The more I think about it, the more stupid I was. Chae was right.

  'What! Macsen exclaimed out loud. He glanced at Chae, but the sergeant didn't seem to notice.

  'There was four of them, and they had blades; six if you count the gondoliers. We could have been killed, and it would be my fault.

  'We got the box back.

  'Luck. That's all. Pure luck. The Lady smiled on us today. She won't tomorrow. We have to act like proper constables; stay together, work as a team.