Peter Hamilton - The Dreaming Void

Edeard was panting heavily when they finally stopped in some kind of large anteroom. He had no idea how high they'd climbed, but the top of the tower could surely only be a couple of feet above them. That altitude would explain how light-headed he'd become.

'Wait here, Topar said, and went through a wooden door bound with thick iron filigrees.

The walls of the anteroom were still red, but lighter than those of the lower floors. Overhead, the ceiling glowed a pale amber, turning Edeard's skin an unpleasant shade of grey. He dumped his shoulder bag on the floor and sank into a large chair of curving wooden ribs. Salrana sat on one next to him, looking thoroughly bewildered. 'Are we in trouble or not? she asked.

'I don't think I care any more. That pig of a sergeant. He knew we were harmless.

She smiled. 'You're not.

He was too tired to argue. His farsight was all but blocked by the tower walls; but he could just sense two minds behind the wooden door. There was very little to discern about their emotional composition, but then walking through the districts he'd noticed how adept city people were in guarding their feelings.

Topar opened the door. 'You can come in now, Edeard. Novice Salrana, if you would be so kind as too indulge us for a moment longer. Someone will be here to take care of you momentarily.

Even before he went into the room, Edeard guessed he was being taken to Grand Master Finitan. As he went in, he nearly faltered as a farsight swept through him like a gust of cold air. The hair on the back of his arms stood up in reaction. A little thought occurred to him that if anyone could see through a psychic concealment, it would be this man.

Grand Master Finitan sat in a high-back chair behind a large oak desk, facing the door. His office must have taken up nearly a quarter of the tower at this level. It was huge, but almost empty; there was no furniture other than the desk and chair. Two of the walls were covered by bookshelves containing hundreds of leather-bound tomes. Behind him, the wall was mostly crystal window with thin lierne ribs, providing a view clear across Makkathran. Edeard's jaw fell open. He only just managed to stop himself running over and gawping like a delighted child. From what he could see at this angle, the undulating rooftops swept away for miles, while the canals cut through them like blue-grey arteries. Looking at it like this, he knew for certain that the city was alive. Here, humans were nothing more than foreign bacteria living in a body they could never fully comprehend.

'Quite a sight, isn't it? Grand Master Finitan said gently. In many respects he was the physical opposite to Topar. Slim and tall, with thick hair worn down to his shoulders, only just beginning to grey. Yet his age was evident in the lines creasing his face. Despite that, his thoughts were tranquil, he was curious and affable rather than dismissive.

Edeard shifted his gaze back to the Grand Master. 'Yes, sir. Er, I apologize again for what happened downstai—

The Grand Master raised a finger to his lips, and Edeard fell silent. 'No more of that, Finitan said. 'You've travelled a long way, yes?

'From Rulan province, sir.

Finitan and Topar exchanged a glance, smiling at some private joke. 'A long way, Finitan said sagely. 'Some tea? His mind sent out a fast longtalk instruction.

Edeard turned to see a door open at the base of one of the bookshelf walls, it was too small for a man, barely four feet high. Ge-chimps scampered out bringing a pair of chairs and a tray. The chairs were positioned in front of the Grand Master's desk, while the tray with its silver tea service was placed on the desk beside a cradle which held a genistar egg.

'Sit down, my boy, Finitan said. 'Now, I understand you claim our colleague Akeem is dead. When did this happen?

'Almost a year ago, sir.

'Those are some very dark thoughts in your mind accompanying that memory. Please tell me the story in its entirety. I believe I'm old enough to endure the full truth.

Embarrassed at his mind being so transparent, Edeard took a deep breath and began.

Both the Grand Master and Topar were silent when he finished. Eventually, Finitan rested his chin on steepled forefingers. 'Ah, my poor dear Akeem; for his life to end like that is an unforgivable tragedy. An entire village slaughtered by bandits. I find that extraordinary.

'It happened, Edeard said with a flash of anger.

'I'm not questioning your tale, my boy. I find the whole concept deeply disturbing, that there is some kind of society out in the wilds different to our own; and one which is so implacably hostile.

'They're animals, Edeard growled.

'No. That's your instinctive reaction; and a healthy one it is, too. But to organize such a raid is quite an accomplishment. He sat back and drank some tea. 'Could there really be a rival civilization somewhere out there beyond our maps? They have concealment techniques and fanciful weapons. I'd always believed such things were the provenance of this city alone.

'You have the repeat-fire guns? Edeard asked. In all his travels, no one had ever heard of such a thing. A year of constant dismissal had made him doubt his own memories of that terrible night.

Finitan and Topar exchanged another glance. 'No. And that is more worrying than knowing how to conceal yourself. But how lovely that Akeem knew the technique which is supposed to be practised only by Guild Masters.

'He was a Master, sir.

'Of course. I mean those of us who sit on the council. Sadly, Akeem never achieved that. It was politics of course. I'm afraid to say, young Edeard, that you are going to learn life here in the city is all about politics.

'Yes sir. Did you know Akeem, sir?

Finitan smiled. 'Have you not worked it out yet, my boy? Dear me, I thought you quicker. We share a bond, you and I. For he was my Master when I was a lowly young apprentice here.

'Oh.

'Which means you present me with a very unpleasant problem.

'I do? Edeard said anxiously.

'You have no formal letter of confirmation from your Master. Worse than that, with your village gone, we cannot ever confirm that you were taken in by the Guild.

Edeard smiled uncertainly. 'But I know how to sculpt an egg. His farsight swept through the egg on the Grand Master's desk, revealing the folded shadows of the embryo inside. 'You have sculpted a ge-dog; I don't recognize some of the traits, they're outside the traditional form, but it is a dog. Two days from hatching, I'd guess.

Topar nodded in appreciation. 'Impressive.

'Akeem was the best Master, Edeard said hotly.

Finitan's sigh was heavier than before. 'You have obviously received Guild training, and you clearly have skill as well as strength. And that is the problem.

'I don't understand, sir.

'You say Akeem made you a journeyman?

'Yes, sir.

'I cannot accept you into the Guild at that level. I know this seems intolerably harsh, Edeard, but there are formalities which even I have to follow.

Edeard was aware of his cheeks burning. It wasn't quite anger, but all he could think of was the pettiness of the Guild Master back in Thorpe-By-Water. Surely the Grand Master, the leader of the whole Eggshaper Guild, couldn't be so small-minded; what he said was law to the Guild. 'I see.

'I doubt it, but I do sympathize with the exasperation you must feel. I will be delighted to accept you into the Guild here in Makkathran, Edeard, but it must be as a junior apprentice. I cannot make exceptions, especially not in your case.

'What do you mean?

'To acknowledge your journeymen status without a formal letter from your Master will lay me open to a charge of favouritism from others on the Guild council.

'Politics, Topar said.

'I understand, Edeard whispered. He was frightened he was going to burst into tears in front of them. To get to Makkathran, to be in the presence of the Grand Master, then to be told all he had achieved was worthless because he lacked a piece of paper… 'Pardon me, but that's stupid, sir, he said sullenly.