The Dreaming Void v-1

by Peter Hamilton

  Macsen shook his head in dismay. Edeard gave Kanseen an apologetic shrug.

  'I went with you, she told him quietly. 'I got just as carried away. Don't try to claim this is all your fault.

  He nodded. Up ahead, Chae was still marching on, not looking round, his back rigid. Beside him, Dinlay was avoiding any communication with his friends. When they'd walked back to the market from the Great Major Canal, the three of them had been triumphant; now that whole mood was badly inverted. Right there, Edeard felt like turning round and heading off out of the city. It was going to be awful back at the station, he just knew it.

  'That's not the kind of attitude the returning hero is supposed to wear, Salrana told him, her longtalk conveyed a lot of concern.

  Edeard tipped his head up to give the sky a sheepish smile. 'I'm sorry. We did it, though, we actually chased off some thugs from a gang.

  'I know! I farsighted you the whole time. You were terrific, Edeard. I wish I'd chosen to be a constable.

  'Our sergeant doesn't share your opinion. And what's worse, he's right. We didn't behave properly.

  'Have you told the stall holder that?

  'That's not the point.

  'Yes it is, Edeard. You did good today. It doesn't matter how you did it. You helped someone. The Lady saw that, and she'll be pleased.

  'Sometimes you have to do the wrong thing— he mouthed silently. Some good cheer returned as he tried to imagine what Akeem would have to say about all Chae's rules and procedures. It would be short and very succinct, he knew.

  'What? Salrana asked.

  'Nothing. But thank you. I'm going to go back to the station now and do whatever it takes to put things right with my sergeant'

  'I'm always so proud of you, Edeard. Talk to me tonight, tell me what happens.

  'I will. Promise.

  * * * * *

  When they got back to the station Chae's temper seemed to have vanished. Edeard was expecting to be shouted at as soon as they passed through the big gates. Instead Chae stood there with a genuinely weary expression on his worn face; for once his shielding had slipped enough for Edeard to sense just how tired his thoughts were. 'Small hall, he told the squad.

  The others dutifully trooped into the building. Edeard waited until they were through the doorway.

  'It was my fault, he told Chae. 'I encouraged the others to follow me. I didn't listen to you, and I ignored procedure.

  Chae studied him, his own mind becoming inscrutable again. 'I know. Now would you like to guess what will happen if Setersis hears I gave you all a bollocking?

  'Er, he'd probably take our side?

  'He would. Now grow up fast, lad; learn how things balance in this city. Come on, I need to talk to all of you.

  The other constables rose to their feet when Chae came into the small hall. Dinlay saluted smartly.

  'Pack that in, Chae said. His third hand shut the hall doors. 'Sit down.

  The squad exchanged mildly perplexed looks. Except for Dinlay who was still keeping himself apart.

  'So how do you think we did? Chae said.

  'Wrong procedure, Kanseen ventured.

  'Yeah, wrong procedure. But we saved a stall holder's life. Some gang scum got a nasty surprise. And we recovered the stolen merchandise. Those are all the plus points. The constables will be popular in Silvarum's markets for a couple of weeks. That's good, there's nothing wrong with that. I'd even go so far as to say the rule of law was upheld. Edeard?

  'Sir?

  'Did your eagle follow them back home?

  'Er, yes, sir. I watched them go into Sampalok. It's a building not far from the Grand Major Canal. They haven't come out yet.

  'So we know which building they probably live in. What do we do about that? Do we put together a big squad and go in and arrest them?

  'Probably not.

  'Why? They've broken the law. Shouldn't they be brought before a court?

  'Too much effort for a minor crime, Macsen said.

  'That's right. So bring the eagle back, please.

  'Sir. He sent a command through the sky above Makkathran, and felt the eagle soar round, dipping on wing vertically back to the ground. It began to flash back over the big canal.

  Chae was giving him an odd smile. 'And you really can longtalk that far, can't you?

  'Sir?

  'All right. Now, I'm not mad at you, any of you. So just relax, and for the Lady's sake try to listen to what I'm about to tell you. What you did today was what you joined up for, preventing criminal activity and protecting the people of this city. That's good, it shows you have a sense of duty, and loyalty to each other. Technically, it's my duty to get you all through the next two months; then you're on your own, and I start with the next batch of hopeless youths. My responsibility to you ends then. But what I have got to try and instil in you before you go out by yourselves is a sense of proportion, and maybe even some political awareness. Let's think about this. Those gang members are going to be a little shaken by Edeard's strength, and furious that they came back empty handed after taking so much risk. Next time they go out, they'll want to make sure their crime produces some results. So they'll go the extra mile to make sure. Boyd, what would you do in their shoes? How would you make certain?

  'Take a pistol?

  'Very likely. So whatever constable patrol tackles them, is going to get shot at.

  'Hold on, Edeard said. 'We can't let that stop us. If we become so afraid of cracking down on the gangs that we do nothing, they've won.

  'Correct. So?

  'Next time, we chase them out but that's it, Macsen said.

  'Good option. Though actually your response was about right. 1 didn't behave too well out there, myself — mainly because I was worried about you lot running off like that. There's an old natural law that says for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. If those gang members come into a market in broad daylight and use a blade on a stall holder, then they must expect a reaction from the constables. They were the ones who overstepped the mark on this occasion. But that still doesn't mean three of you can go chasing off after four of them. With or without blades and pistols, you were outnumbered. That has «tragedy» written all over it. So that was wrong. It was also wrong to leave a member of the public injured and unattended. You didn't stop to assess, which is the most critical thing to do; you also let raw instinct override my orders, which is the greater crime no matter how much you thought yourselves in the right. I'm supposed to be training you to respond to situations in a professional manner, and I clearly haven't drilled it in hard enough. Now I'm quite prepared to write today's lapses off to first-time excitement and the general confusion. You need experience more than you do theory, so nobody's getting disciplined and there'll be no recriminations. But understand this, it must not happen again. Next time we encounter a criminal act in progress you follow procedure to the letter. Do I make myself clear?

  'Yes, Sergeant, they chorused.

  'Then we understand each other. So take tonight off, get yourselves down to the Olovan's Eagle for a drink or ten, and be back in this hall for another dose of theory first thing tomorrow morning. I'll also go against my own policy to tell you something: unless you completely screw up your graduation exams you will all pass your probation.

  * * * * *

  'I was useless, Dinlay complained. 'I just froze. I was just so useless. He gulped down more of his beer.

  Edeard looked over at Macsen who simply shrugged. They'd been in the Olovan's Eagle for an hour, and Dinlay had said very little else. It was a small miracle they'd got him to join them in the first place. He hadn't said ten words since Chae dismissed them from the small hall.

  'You froze for a couple of seconds, that's all, Kanseen said. 'That means you were close to Chae when he ordered us all to stop and help the stall keeper. You couldn't do anything else.

  'I should have ignored him like you did. I didn't. I failed.

  'Oh sweet Lady, Kanseen grumbled and sat back in her own
chair. She was wearing a blue and white dress with orange flowers. It wasn't the most stylish garment Edeard had seen in Makkathran, nor the newest, but she looked good in it. Her short hair still set her apart from all the other girls, who wore theirs fashionably long. But he rather liked it this way, it suited her, setting off a flattish nose and thin dark-green eyes. Now he'd known her for a few months she wasn't quite as intimidating as she had been at the start. Not that he thought of her as anything other than a colleague and friend.

  'Nobody failed, Edeard said. 'This afternoon was chaos, that's all. And you helped Chae with the stall holder.

  'I froze, Dinlay said wretchedly. 'I let you all down. I let my family down. They expect me to be the station captain within ten years, you know. My father was.

  'Let's have another drink, Macsen said.

  'Oh yes, that'll solve everything, Kanseen said sourly.

  Macsen gave her a wink, then shot a longtalk order to one of the tavern waitresses. Something else must have been said. Edeard caught her flash him a mock-indignant smile.

  How does he do that? It's not what he says, it's his whole attitude. And why can't I do it? Edeard sat back to give his friend a critical examination. Macsen was sitting in the middle of a small couch with Evala on one side, and Nicolar on the other. Both girls were leaning in towards him. They laughed at his jokes, and gasped and giggled when he told them what happened in the market, an extravagant tale of thrills and bravery Edeard didn't quite recognize. He supposed Macsen was quite handsome, with his light brown hair and flat jaw. His brown eyes were constantly filled with amusement that bordered on nefarious, which was an additional attraction. It helped that he always dressed well whenever they went out. Tonight he'd pulled on fawn-coloured trousers cut from the softest suede, belted by woven black stands of leather. His sky-blue satin shirt just showed under a dark-emerald frock coat.

  See, I'd never have the courage to wear a combination like that, but he carries it off perfectly. The epitome of a grand family's junior son.

  In fact the rest of them looked quite drab in comparison. Edeard used to be quietly pleased with his own black jacket, tailored trousers, and knee-high boots. Now he'd been relegated to the poor friend who Macsen's girls felt sorry for and tried to pair up with their own charity case girlfriend. On which note… Edeard tried not to stare over at Boyd who was sitting on the opposite side of their table, his face bewitched. Clemensa was next to him, chattering away about her day. She was easily the same height as Boyd, and must have been close in weight, too. Edeard couldn't help the way his eyes always slipped down to the front of her very low cut dress every time she bent over, which was suspiciously frequent.

  The waitress brought over the tray of beer Macsen had ordered. Dinlay immediately reached for his tankard. Edeard fumbled with the money pouch in his pocket.

  'Oh no, my round, Macsen said. His third hand deposited some coins on the empty tray. 'Thank you, he said sincerely. The waitress smiled. Evala and Nicolar pressed in closer.

  Edeard sighed. He's always so polite, as well. Is that what does it?

  'Boyd, Macsen called out loudly. 'Close your mouth, man, you're drooling.

  Boyd snapped his jaw shut and glared at Macsen. A bright flush crept up his face.

  'You pay him no heed, Clemensa said. She brought a hand up to Boyd's cheek, turned his head and kissed him. 'A girl likes it when a man pays attention.

  Edeard thought Boyd might faint with happiness.

  'Got to go, Dinlay muttered. 'Back in a minute. He stood up and swayed unsteadily, then headed for the archway at the back of the saloon where the washrooms were.

  The fact that there were toilets on an upper floor was one of the many revelations about city buildings which had taken Edeard a time to get used to. But then a tavern which sprawled over many floors was also a novelty. As was the pale-orange light radiating out of the ceiling that was nearly as bright as daylight. The first night they'd visited the Olovan's Eagle he'd wondered why there was no straw on the floor. Life in the city was so civilized. Sitting here in the warmth, with a window showing him the lights outside stretching all the way to the Lyot Sea, good beer, comfortable with his friends, he found it hard to fit this with the crime and gangs who cast such a shadow over the streets outside.

  'What are you doing? Kanseen hissed at Macsen. 'He's had too much to drink, already.

  'Best thing for him. He's not a fighting drunk. Another couple of pints and he'll fall asleep. Next thing he'll know it's tomorrow and we'll be so busy he won't have time to brood. Tonight's what we need to get him through.

  Kanseen looked like she wanted to protest but couldn't think how. She looked at Edeard.

  'Makes sense, he admitted.

  Macsen placed another order with the waitress.

  'My liver has to sacrifice its life so we can get Dinlay through graduation, Kanseen complained.

  'In the constables we stick together, Edeard said and raised his tankard. 'To the memory of our livers. Who needs 'em?

  They drank to that.

  'Don't worry, Macsen said. 'I've made arrangements. Our beer is watered. Dinlay's has two shots of vodka in each pint.

  Even Kanseen had to laugh. She tipped her tankard to Macsen. 'You're so…

  'Beautifully evil? Edeard suggested, giving his tankard a mortified stare. This is watered? I couldn't tell; it tastes the same.

  'Spot on, she said.

  'I thank you. Macsen put his arms round the shoulders of the girls and pulled them in; kissing Evala first, then Nicolar.

  'Not just tonight we've got to worry about, Boyd said.

  'Does our Boyd need to worry about tonight? Macsen asked Clemensa.

  She gave Boyd a hungry look. 'He certainly doesn't. After what you did today, you're all heroes in my book. That needs a lot of rewarding.

  'He's going to want to prove himself, Boyd said. 'Nothing the sergeant said is going to hold him back. Next time we come across a fight or a robbery, Dinlay will be at the front and aching to take on the bad guy.

  'I figured that too, Edeard said.

  'We'll have to be ready, Kanseen said. 'We can't hold him back, that would make it worse. But we can be up there with him.

  'Everyone together, Macsen said. He raised his tankard. 'No matter what.

  'No matter what, they toasted with a roar.

  Edeard still couldn't taste the water.

  * * * * *

  The four ge-monkeys from Jeavons constable station walked slowly along the street, looking like pallbearers as they carried a comatose Dinlay home to his dormitory bed.

  Kanseen kept looking back to check. 'Do you think he'll be all right?

  'Not really, Edeard said. 'If Macsen was serious about the vodka, he's going to have the hangover from Honious tomorrow morning. He turned to inspect the ge-monkeys himself. Using them wasn't the ideal solution, but it was better than him and Kanseen hauling Dinlay along. Boyd and Macsen had stayed on at the tavern with the girls. There were private rooms upstairs which they'd no doubt be using that night. Edeard was trying to keep his envy in check.

  'Macsen! she exclaimed.

  'He's not so bad. Actually, I'd rather have him by my side than Dinlay.

  'Some choice.

  'And you're preferable to all of them. All that beer and now the balmy night air were making him light-headed. That must have been why he said it.

  Kanseen said nothing for a while as they walked back along I lie long, nearly deserted street. 'I'm not looking for anyone right now, she said solemnly. 'I just broke up with a man. We were engaged. It… ended badly. He wanted a nice traditional girl, one who knew her place.

  'I'm sorry. But I have to say it's his loss.

  'Thank you, Edeard.

  They walked on a while, shadows shifting as they passed under t he bright orange light patches on the outside of the buildings.

  'I don't know what it is about you, she said quietly. 'I'm not just talking about how strong your third hand is. You stand out. You're wha
t I imagine the sons of noble families are supposed to be like, or were like before they got so rich and fat.

  'Nothing noble about me.

  'Nobility doesn't come from a bloodline, Edeard, it comes from within. Where was your village?

  'Ashwell, in the Rulan province.

  'Doesn't mean anything, I'm afraid. I don't know any geography beyond the Iguru Plain.

  'Ashwell was a long way past there, right on the edge of the wild lands. I'll show you on a map if I can find one. It took a year for us to travel here.

  'Gift me.

  'What? Oh. Edeard concentrated, trying to find a recollection that would do his home justice. Spring, he decided, when the trees were bursting into life, and the sky was bright, and the winds warm. He and some other children had gone outside the rampart walls and taken the long route round to the top of the cliffs where they looked down on the cosy buildings sheltering below.

  He heard a soft pull of breath, and realized how heavily involved in the memory he'd become, lacing it with melancholy.

  'Oh Edeard, it's so beautiful. What happened? Why did you leave?

  'It was attacked by bandits, he said stiffly. In all the time he'd spent in the station dormitory he'd never told his new friends the truth about Ashwell. All they knew was that he'd lost his family to bandits.

  'I'm sorry, she said. For once she dropped the veil round her thoughts, allowing him to sense the sympathy. 'Was it very bad?

  'Salrana and I survived. And five others.

  'Oh Lady! Edeard. Her hand held his arm.

  'Don't worry. I've come to terms with it. Except for losing my Master, Akeem. I still miss him. The emotional currents welling up in his thoughts were both unexpected and alarmingly strong. He truly thought he'd put all this sentiment and mourning behind him. Now all he'd done was picture his old home, and the feelings were rushing back as strong as the day it had happened.

  'You should talk to one of the Lady's Mothers. They give excellent council.

  'Yeah. Maybe. He made his legs work again. 'Come on, I have a notion Chae isn't going to be too gentle with us tomorrow.