'I'm sorry about the girl, Ivarl replied. 'But it wasn't me.
'You're a bad liar.
'You and your activities have started to dismay some very important people in this city. And that stunt you pulled vanishing in the fire, that was impressive, even to me. They're starting to work out what you are and what you're capable of. I have a feeling myself that even you don't know your full potential yet. Not that it matters, because that potential has already made them fearful. You won't be allowed to reach it, they'll make sure of that. That's what today is about, not the girl. She's just a means to an end, but you know that already don't you?
'Where is she?
'I don't know. Nor do I know who does. If you want her you'll have to deliver the ransom.
'Is she still alive?
'I would imagine so. They need to entice you out of the city by yourself, away from any possible help. If she's dead, they lose their advantage and their ability to manipulate you. Just an observation; from someone who has a lot more experience than you in such matters.
'Who? Who has done this?
'Oh, please, Waterwalker.
'I hold you responsible.
'Really? Is the truth too great a burden for you? This is your war, and you should have considered the consequences before you began it. It's far too late now to act outraged when it goes against you. And you can't back out now. You're the only one who can save her.
'Will you negotiate for me? I'll go to them in Owestorn if they let her go.
'You really are that stupidly noble, aren't you. Dear Lady: youth and its virtue. This city will be doomed if you ever sit in the Mayor's chair at Council.
'Will you talk to them?
'They don't want a martyr, Waterwalker. Your death alone is not enough. It is how you die that is important.
'She's only six years old,
'There is nobody left for me to talk to; my oldest and dearest friends no longer hear me. You should have chosen your opponent with more care. As you are to the constables and the shopkeepers and merchants, so I am to my people. And I'm losing the battle. It's not just money you've cost me, it's my authority; and out of the two that is going to prove deadly.
'If she dies, I swear you will too.
'You don't really think either of us will see tomorrow's dawn, do you? Ivarl shook his head and raised a hand in farewell before going back into his study.
Edeard snarled in frustration, and slammed his hand down on the rail.
'You're the Waterwalker, aren't you?
'Huh? He turned round to see Kristabel standing underneath a pergola entwined with a thick emerald vine. First impression, which he always felt dishonoured by, was big wild hair and stick insect legs. Equally shaming was the accompanying thought. She's nothing like as pretty as Macsen made out.
Kristabel was tall with a long thin face that with her current mood made her appear incredibly melancholic. A slender body was wrapped in a loose white cotton nightdress. Like her father, she'd been crying. Her hair, which was actually gold-brown like her sister's, was threaded with lighter streaks. She'd been rubbing it or raking her hands through it, twining it into stringy strands which stuck out badly.
Edeard remembered his manners and bowed. 'Yes, Mistress, that's me.
'Mistress! She smiled, which turned into a grimace as she fought back tears. 'I'm mistress of nothing. Our family is a giant curse, a joke. How could the Lady allow this to happen?
'Please don't give up hope. I will do everything I can to ensure your sister's return.
'Everything you can. And what's that? She winced. 'I'm sorry. She's my sister. I love her so much. Why didn't they take me? Why?
'I don't know. Edeard desperately wanted to put his arms round her, to offer some comfort. She was younger than him by a year or so, he decided. And her pain, swirling out of an unshielded mind, was humbling.
'If you talk to them, she said. 'The beasts who did this, offer them me instead. I want to take her place. Please. They can do whatever they like to me, I don't care. I just want my Mirnatha home. Tell them that. Make them understand. I'm more valuable anyway, I'm the first daughter. I will be Mistress of this district.
'Your task, Mistress Kristabel, is to stay here and be strong for your father. He let conviction fill his voice. 'I will bring your sister back to you.
'Words, that's all. Promises, I have heard the like a thousand times from the lips of Masters. They are worth nothing.
'Let me try. I am not a Master. Do not give up hope yet. Please.
She wrung her hands together in anguish. 'Do you really think there is hope?
'Always, he told her gravely.
'Are you going to deliver the ransom?
'If that is what's needed, then yes.
'I overheard our family guards. They say it's a trap.
'It is.
'You don't even know Mirnatha.
'I don't have to.
'You really are a good man, aren't you? Is that why the gangs hate you so much?
'I expect so.
She straightened up, smoothing her nightdress, then gave him a questing glance. 'Did you really turn down Ranalee?
He bowed again. 'Yes, Mistress.
'Don't call me that. She smiled bravely, then darted forward.
Edeard felt her lips upon his cheek. He was too surprised to pull back.
'The Lady bless you, Waterwalker. She turned and scurried away down the hortus.
He walked back into Mirnatha's nursery with his thoughts in complete turmoil.
'What's the matter with you? Dinlay asked.
'Why are they doing this? Edeard asked, gazing round the room. He'd never actually seen so much pink in one place before.
'To screw you over, Boyd said.
'It was a rhetorical question. They want me out in Owestorn because they think if I'm all by myself they can kill me, right?
'It's what I'd do, Macsen said, ignoring the exasperated glare Kanseen gave him. 'They'll have a small army out there. Even if we're only ten minutes away, it'll all be over by the time we can reach you. They'll probably pick us off as well for good measure.
'But that turns us into martyrs like he said. That gives our cause strength. Possibly even enough strength to carry tomorrow's vote.
'Who said? Dinlay queried.
'That's not so good then, Macsen admitted. 'Mirnatha won't be coming back either.
'That way you get the blame, Boyd said. 'With no surviving witnesses they'll arrange it to seem like you tried something reckless. The city will believe you're responsible for her death; after all you had the ransom money. No criminal in their right mind would jeopardise that much coinage, especially after such a well executed kidnap.
'And the exclusion warrants end along with us, Edeard concluded. 'Clever.
'So what do we do? Kanseen asked.
Edeard turned to the small wooden bed, exquisitely crafted to resemble a swan, picturing a small sleeping child curled up daintily under the mauve sheets. 'Find her.
'Yeah, Macsen said. 'That would be good. Word of the kidnap is already spreading through the city. People are getting upset, you can sense that. Everyone is going to be looking for her; it's a double sacrilege on this day. The gangs will have no sympathy on this. She'll be hidden deep, that's if she's even still alive.
'She's alive, Edeard said, taking a slow step towards the bed. 'They need her until midnight. That's how they control me.
'Snatch Ivarl, Dinlay said excitedly. 'Fight fire with fire, they'll never expect that. They'll have to exchange her for him.
Macsen gave Dinlay an astonished look. 'Well I certainly never expected to hear that from your lips. I'm impressed; it has the advantage of complete surprise. Edeard?
'No. Anyway, Ivarl had no part in this.
'How do you know that? Boyd asked.