Edeard looked at the bruise that was darkening round her eye, and winced. His dismay suddenly turned to anger. 'Did you know them? he blurted.
She directed a fond smile at Edeard. Even with the bruise, she was still beautiful. 'No. I told them not to call you. I don't want you worried by this.
'Mother, Macsen said. 'It's our fault this happened.
'No, she insisted.
'What did they do? Edeard asked, almost afraid to know. He could see Macsen's hands clenching into fists.
'Nothing, Bijulee said. She smiled up at Kanseen who brought her a cup of steaming tea over. 'Thank you. They were just some thugs.
'Four, Macsen growled. 'Four thugs. He gave Edeard a significant look.
'They told me that actions have consequences, Bijulee said.
'And that Macsen should watch out. One hand caressed her son's head. 'They said you should find a different job. Then She indicated her eye. 'I never saw it coming. Me! I used to think I was city-smart. Lady, how stupid of me.
'Bastards! Macsen exclaimed.
'Cowards, Dinlay said.
'We've always known that, Kanseen said.
'Do you remember what they looked like? Edeard asked. 'Can you gift us?
'I'm afraid I can't, Bijulee said. 'It's all a bit of a blur. Maybe tomorrow when I've calmed down.
'Of course. I'm so sorry this happened. I don't know what Ivarl thinks he can achieve. The trial is only going to last another couple of days. Lian and the others are going to get decades in Trampello. What does he think he's going to get me to do by this?
'It's not your fault.
Macsen's jaw muscles clamped down. He continued to gaze up at his mother full of concern and adoration.
'Did anyone see anything? Edeard asked Dybal.
'No. It was the middle of the morning in the Bellis market. Hundreds of people were there, and nobody can remember anything. They do what they always do, and rush to help afterwards.
'I'm sorry, Edeard said again. He felt so useless. 'I'll do everything I can to make sure this doesn't happen again.
Dybal gave him a sad smile. 'I know you will. You're a good lad, Edeard, I appreciate that. I appreciate what you're trying to achieve, too. People need hope, especially now. Shame there's only one of you. This is a big city.
The squad got ready to leave. Edeard found Macsen's blatant hostility quite disconcerting; his friend was normally the most level headed of them all. 'Can I talk to you for a moment? Edeard asked Dybal.
The musician ushered him into a small room which held over a dozen guitars as well as a drum set. A desk overflowed with sheet music. Normally Edeard would have been fascinated by the instruments, today he took a shaky breath. 'I know this isn't a terribly appropriate time.
Dybal took off his blue glasses and polished them with his sleeve. 'I'll help you any way I can, lad. You know that. You're important. Not just because you're Macsen's friend.
'Thank you. Er…
'You'll find there's very little shocks me, if that's any help.
'Okay. I just wondered if you knew anything about longtalk dominance?
Dybal raised an eyebrow. 'The old lust slave serenade? You don't want to be messing with that kind of mischief, Edeard, no matter how pretty she is. Trust me, there can be repercussions. Anyway, from what I've heard, every mother and daughter in tin-city is forming a disorderly queue to drag you off to bed.
'I don't want to use it. I want to stop it being used against me.
'Ah. I see. Some of those family daughters not taking no I'm an answer, eh?
'I wish it was that pleasant.
Dybal studied his face closely. 'I'm sorry to hear that. First off, keep your mind tightly shielded. Which is a shame. You always seem a little more open than those of us born in the city, it helps make you so endearing.
'Right'
'This technique works through your own weakness. Parts of us should always stay buried, Edeard. Common decency is normally enough to keep those kind of thoughts suppressed, but once they've been kindled it's hard to put them aside again.
'I know, he said miserably.
Dybal's hand gripped his shoulder. 'Don't worry. Listen, there is no shame in possessing these thoughts, we all have them, some little vixen managed to sneak through your defences;n fired them up one night then that's a lesson learned, and a valuable one at that. The fact that it disturbed you this much a pretty clear sign that it's not part of your natural personality which is encouraging to me if not you. And I have faith enough in you to think you're strong enough to survive a crisis of conscience. But just in case: here's a recognition gift, it should help warn you if anyone tries that little trick again.
Edeard examined the burst of thoughts Dybal shot at him, memorizing the technique. 'Thank you.
'Now get yourself back on those streets, and generally kick the shit out of Ivarl and his cronies.
Nobody in the squad said much as they all walked back across four districts to the constable station in Jeavons. Edeard just knew there was going to be a big argument when they got there. Macsen was going to pick a fight no matter what. Bijulee had been too much. Which meant Edeard was going to have to do something, and he was now starting to feel bad about not trusting them with the real enormity of everything he'd discovered. If the next couple of hours went wrong, then everything they'd achieved would all be over.
There were a couple of other constables in the small hall, who took a fast scan of the suppressed emotions seething through the squad, and hurriedly made their exit. The thick wooden doors slammed shut. Edeard raised his eyebrow at that. Someone's third hand was adrenaline powered today.
He unbuttoned his cloak's neck clasp and sat at his customary bench at the top end of the hall.
'My mother! Macsen said brutally.
'Yeah.
'Yeah? That's all you can say? Yeah?
'Did you really think Ivarl wouldn't try to apply some pressure?
'Pressure! Lady-be-damned, that was my mother they used as a punchbag. My mother!
'It's his way of trying to get to me, Edeard said quietly, his hand went to his cheek of its own accord, stoking the tender flesh. 'You're the only friends I've got, my one vulnerability. He's bound to use that as hard as he can.
'Yes, Kanseen said so wistfully that Edeard shot her a curious glance. She shrugged. 'My sister was hassled last week. She was carrying Dium at the time.
'Why didn't you tell me? Edeard exclaimed bitterly.
'Trust, probably, Macsen said viciously.
'Oh… Edeard flung his hands up in dismay. 'In the Lady's name!
'We thought we were in this together, Edeard. We were with you at Birmingham Pool remember? Does that mean nothing too you?
'It means everything Edeard shouted. Finally he was too distraught to keep himself in check.
They all swayed back as his doubts and confusions blazed out. He made an effort, gritting his teeth and placing his hands palm-down on the old wood of the table. 'Sorry, he told their shocked expressions.
'Edeard, in the Lady's name, what's wrong? Boyd pleaded. 'What happened to you, to your face? And why won't you talk to us any more?
'He didn't trust us with the Myco warehouse, Macsen said harshly. 'Why should he trust us with anything else.
'You're such an arse, Kanseen snapped at Macsen.
'I do trust you, Edeard said, even to him it sounded like a bored recital. 'I got burned when I was sneaking around the House of Blue Petals. That's all. It's not as bad as it looks.
'You went there by yourself? Kanseen asked disapprovingly.
'Yeah. It's how I've been keeping track of Ivarl.