Peter Hamilton - The Temporal Void

Kanseen came and sat on the bench next to him as the others started to radiate concern. 'What is it? she asked, putting her arms round his shoulder. 'What's the matter, Edeard? We all trusted each other at the start. Nothing's changed, not really. Tell us.

Edeard lifted his head, and started straight at Macsen, letting his friend see all his anguish. 'Do you want to do this?

'Yes, Macsen said, now looking really worried.

'Really?

'Yes!

'Everyone?

Boyd and Dinlay nodded.

Kanseen squeezed his shoulder. 'Of course.

'All right, then. But I want you to swear on the Lady that you won't shoot the messenger.

'Hey, we're grown ups, Macsen said.

'No we're not, Edeard said. 'Not really.

'You're getting very depressing, Boyd said with a nervous smile. 'Just what do you want to tell us?

'What we're up against. The scale of the gangs. I want to make you understand.

'We do know, Edeard, Dinlay said sympathetically. 'They even tried to intimidate my sister Carna last Wednesday. Lady, they won't do that again in a hurry.

'Carna? Macsen said. 'She's the, er…

'My big sister, Dinlay said with a contented smile. 'Very big.

Edeard cocked his head at Boyd.

'Yeah, Boyd nodded dismally. 'Isoix had some more trouble.

'So? Macsen insisted. 'What's your big secret?

'I'll show you, Edeard said slowly. 'Sometime in the next few days. I'm not sure when, but be ready. When I call for you go to the Flight Canal end of Golard Street.

'You mean near the Black Horse? Macsen asked.

'Yeah, but don't go in there for the Lady's sake. And make very sure you're not followed.

'Easy.

'Actually it isn't. Ivarl uses ge-eagles to shadow all of us, but I'll take care of them. It'll be night, so that'll help you.

'He does what? Kanseen asked; just for a moment her mind betrayed real alarm.

'He watches us, Edeard said quietly. 'He has for the last month. I've been messing with the ge-eagles he uses, but I can't manage to protect you the whole time.

'Shit.

Edeard climbed to his feet. He gave Macsen a sorrowful look. 'I am sorry about Bijulee.

'I know. Macsen stuck his hand out.

Edeard shook reluctantly, still dreading what was to come. 'Remember, the messenger is just that.

'Got you.

Edeard went back to the court the next day to watch the prosecution and defence councils deliver their closing statements. He was interested that Ivarl couldn't be bothered to turn up to hear Lian be found guilty, nor was he there the following day when a twenty-five year sentence was handed out. After the judges loft the chamber, the constables from Jeavons station crowded round Edeard to congratulate him. Then they had to make way for Grand Master Sparbil of the Chemistry Guild who had been in the court for every day of the trial.

'Thank you, young man, Sparbil said, giving Edeard's healing face a close look. 'The loss of that material would have meant a considerable financial weakness for my Guild. I am in your debt.

'I was doing my job, sir, Edeard replied.

'I'm sure you were. But I remain grateful. If we can ever assist you, please just ask.

'I will. Thank you, sir.

'Finitan was right about you, I think you are of benefit to the city. A shame District Master Bise doesn't share that opinion, but don't worry, he is outnumbered in Council.

'Bise? Edeard knew the name, Bise was Sampalok's District Master. He'd never seen Bise turn up at the House of Blue Petals in person, but he knew the Master had extensive financial connections with Ivarl's organization.

'High politics, I'm afraid, Sparbil said with a grin. 'Not that there is anything high about it, of course. Our little voting bloc in the Council is full square behind you. Unfortunately, our opponents take the opposite view. But that's the way it is in Council. If they had come down on your side, I'd probably be against you by now. Same with the weather; if they vote for sun, I'll vote for rain.

'Uh, I see.

'Take my advice, don't put yourself forward as a candidate for Chief Constable for at least another two hundred years. That way you can remain out in the city where you'll still be in a position to accomplish something.

'Yes, sir. Edeard gave the Grand Master a formal bow, frowning at the man's back. The Grand Council is taking sides over me ?

'A drink tonight? Chae asked. 'This victory is probably more significant for you than Arminel's was. It shows the gangs you're not going away. That needs to be celebrated properly.

'No thank you, I have a date.

'Ah, good for you, lad. Enjoy it while you can, while you're young. They turn sour when they get older.

'Who?

'Women. All of them.

'Is everyone in this city a cynic? Edeard asked that evening.

Jessile pulled a beer bottle out of the wicker hamper she'd brought. 'Who's cynical?

'Everybody, so it seems. Or maybe I'm just paranoid.

She smiled sweetly. 'You probably are.

'Thanks. Edeard took the bottle and flopped down on to the maisonette's heavy old couch. He felt exhausted, even though all he'd done was sit around in court all day. Victory should have perked him up, yet all it seemed to have done was raise another bout of questions and doubt. How he longed for things to be as they were before Birmingham Pool. Life had been so much simpler then.

'Put your feet on the stool, I'll pull your boots off.

He leant back and did as he was told. It was nice having Jessile around. After that final night with Ranalee he'd almost sworn off family girls for life. Except he remembered how genuinely nice Jessile was, almost the opposite of Ranalee. She was undemanding. Enthusiastic in bed. And discreet. At least she was now. Which was a good thing, he reflected. He was desperate to recover some of his public dignity after those months of excess following Birmingham Pool.

Her fiance hadn't been in the city for three days before he was sent back out again, much to her dismay. They hadn't even managed to set a day for the wedding. So in the meantime, she was happy to carry on seeing him — just not so visibly.

Two lonely people basically, he thought. There were few mornings when he didn't look out of the window, searching the brighter skies which would signal Salrana's return.

He glanced guiltily at the letter propped up in one of the maisonette's alcoves. It had arrived yesterday. Salrana had written it three weeks earlier. That was how long a letter took to reach

Makkathran from Tralsher province. In it she explained how she might have to stay on for a few more weeks. The Mothers were desperate for help, she said, and she couldn't let them down. There were so many people who looked to the Church for help in Ufford.

'Lian got twenty-five years, Edeard said as they sat down to supper. His ge-monkeys had been busy preparing the food the chefs in her mansion had packed in the hamper. 'The others got between three and eleven years.

'That's good, she said.

'Really? Have you noticed a drop in crime?

'Did you mention something about cynicism?

'Sorry.

'He's going to be another six weeks at least.

'Who? Oh. Right.

'I got a letter this morning. They're staying on in Reutte province to help another town. Eriach, I think.

'Yeah, it's on the western side of the Ulfsen Mountains.

'You know it?

'I passed it on my way here.

'Well, they've got bandit trouble now.

Edeard looked up from the asparagus and kafish quiche. 'What sort of trouble?

'Raids on hamlets, and the roads aren't safe. Honestly, the militia pushed them out of the estates around Tetuan and they just pop up again a few miles away.

'They have a habit of doing that. Frightening them away isn't good enough. They'll just come back later. If you want to be rid of them, you've got to push them back and back until they've nowhere to run to any more. Don't give them anywhere to hide. Then you can go in for the kill. He stopped. 'That might work.