'Halt and turn around. Go back where you scum came from.
Boyd nudged Edeard. 'Look who's here, he growled.
Edeard glanced over where Boyd indicated. Master Cherix was standing at the front of the crowd, watching intently.
'We knew they'd try to quash the warrants in the courts, Dinlay said.
'Please don't let this come down to lawyers, Kanseen moaned.
'I'm visiting my mother who lives in Jeavons, Pocklan said, appealing reasonably to the silent spellbound crowd. 'She has only a few days to live. Would you deny me that right?
'What a load of bollocks, Dinlay said under his breath.
'Piss off, Chae said, jabbing his finger forcefully back down the bridge. 'Now.
'Sergeant, Master Cherix said. It wasn't a particularly loud voice, but the authority behind it carried a long way.
Chae turned round, an expression of utter disgust on his face, backed up by some very strong thoughts escaping past his shield. 'Yes? Sir?
'I am this fine gentlemen's legal counsel. May I see this so-called exclusion warrant please?
'It's back at the station.
'Then until you produce it, and let him see it, as is his right, my client is free to go about his business in whatever district of this city he chooses. As do his equally innocent colleagues.
'All right then, Chae said, and jabbed his finger at Pocklan again. 'Wait here. I'll send a runner.
'No, Sergeant, Cherix said. 'You cannot detain my client without just cause. It is your responsibility to bring the warrant to him. Until it is read to him, he is free to go as he pleases.
'I can't run around the district after him and the others, Chae said.
'That is not my client's problem, Master Cherix said affably.
Pocklan's smirk was indecent. 'Step aside, he told Chae.
Edeard walked forward. 'Master Cherix.
'Corporal Edeard. How nice to see you. I believe you can be of some help in this unfortunate matter. Your colleague here was about to act unlawfully. As a constable of this city, I am asking you to see the law is enforced equally and fairly.
'My pleasure.
Master Cherix beckoned Pocklan. 'Come on across the bridge now please my dear chap. You are quite safe with the Water-walker himself guaranteeing your legal rights.
'Were you referring to a warrant like this? Edeard asked innocently. He pulled a roll of parchment out of his tunic.
Master Cherix's unctuous smile flattened as he started to read. 'But this warrant names—
'You. Edeard smiled. 'Yes. And as such, I am required — by law — to assist you out of Jeavons as quickly as possible. He reached out with his third hand.
Master Cherix yelled in consternation as his feet left the ground. The cry turned to pure panic as he kept on rising. The crowd on the alameda gasped as the lawyer soared away over the bridge, continuing to gain height.
'Put me down! Cherix screamed with his voice and longtalk. He was higher than the buildings behind the alameda; higher than the white metal pillars lining Golden Park. Still ascending, The watching ge-eagles had to curve sharply to avoid him.
'Did you hear something? Edeard asked.
'He told you to put him down, Kanseen pronounced solemnly.
'Oh, fair enough, Edeard said. He let go.
Cherix fell out of the sky with a incoherent shriek of fright. He landed in the middle of Birmingham Pool, producing a tremendous splash. The crowd cheered wildly.
Chae turned back to Pocklan. 'Now where were we?
Pocklan gave the sergeant a furious look; then glanced over his shoulder to where an impassive Edeard was waiting. He turned and led his companions back into Golden Park.
Macsen put his arm round Edeard's shoulder, squeezing strongly. 'Now why is it, do you suppose, people you don't like always wind up getting dunked in Birmingham Pool?
'Nostalgia.
Edeard had been looking forward to the Lady's Festival of Guidance for what seemed like most of the winter. His friends, and the girls he'd encountered, were always speaking of it in enthusiastic tones. Firstly, it signalled the onset of summer which, as far as he was concerned, couldn't arrive fast enough. But the main reason was to celebrate those who had passed away in the previous year. Everybody who had lost someone made a small memorial boat out of flowers — of any and every colour except white. Mainly it was the children of a family who made them, producing elaborate and colourful boats up to a yard long. They represented the soul of the departed one.
At midday, the Pythia conducted a service of memorial in tin-Lady's church in Eyrie. When that ended all the flower boats would be placed in the city's canals. The gondoliers, bedecked in white flowers, guided them down to the port singing hymns of commemoration. Gondolas represented the Skylords, who the Lady promised would come to Querencia once again to guide the souls of humans into the welcome embrace of Odin's Sea. At the port, the gondolas would stop, and the flower boats would carry on, drifting out across the waves.
It sounded delightful; especially the evening which was one giant party. Now the day was here, and Edeard dozed fitfully as the dawn came to a clear sky, promising good weather for the festival. Chief Constable Walsfol's longtalk intruded sharply into his thoughts. 'Ugh, sir? he responded groggily as the dregs of yet another bizarre dream drained away. He hadn't known the man had such a powerful longtalk. It made sense, though. After Ranalee, a lot of things about the city hierarchy were clearer to him.
'I need you to report to the Culverit family mansion in Haxpen, Walsfol told him. 'Come at once.
'Yes sir, Edeard said sleepily. 'Er, why?
'I will meet you there and explain the situation. You'd better bring the rest of your squad, too.
Edeard rubbed his eyes. He hadn't got to bed until well after midnight. Late last evening, the Lillylight Street association had spotted a gondola with three known gang members making their way along Victoria Canal. Edeard and a couple of Silvarum constables had intercepted them at a mooring platform on Flight Canal. No resistance had been offered when the men were told to leave, but he'd still kept watch on the gondola as it made its way back down the Great Major Canal.
That was the way of his days now. Constantly alert for attempts to infiltrate racketeers into Jeavons and Silvarum. Called to shops and other businesses when unknown gang members did get through. Two days wasted in court on charges of aggravated psychic assault filed by Master Cherix, who, thankfully, in law was no match for Master Solarin.
He groaned and pushed his feet out from under the nice warm sheets. Jessile shifted round on the springy mattress. 'What? she mumbled.
'Have to go, he said softly, and kissed her forehead.
She moaned again, and curled up tighter. 'I won't be here tonight, have to be with family for the party. See you tomorrow.
'Right. Hut she was already asleep again. He ordered a ge-chimp to bring a fresh set of clothes. While he was struggling into them in the dim light he started to call the others. It was rather satisfying spreading the misery.
Edeard pulled his boots on beside the door, and gave his own flower boat a wistful glance. It wasn't much, a simple frame of card a foot long, over which he'd stuck a dozen red and yellow roses. His friends assured him it was just right, exactly what everyone else constructed. For him it was a belated memorial to Akeem, and all the others of Ashwell village.
He met up with Boyd and Kanseen on the tenement walkway outside. They weren't in the best of moods at being hauled from their beds so early. Edeard couldn't bring himself to look at Kanseen. She hadn't been alone.
'Are we waiting for Dinlay? Boyd asked as they made their way down the stairs.
'He'll join us there.
A smile spread across Boyd's face. 'You mean he was with someone?