'What in the Lady's name does this have to do with Marcol? Macsen demanded.
'I have the strength to influence the city, and I have the certainty how that strength should be used. Suppose I'm not the only one to have that strength? Suppose I'm simply the first? Suppose this is the time when Querencia has reached the level of decency and fulfilment it takes to summon the Skylords back?
Kanseen stared at him, making no attempt to cover her astonishment. 'Marcol? Marcol is like you?
'He's got a damned powerful psychic ability, Edeard said. 'What if that's part of reaching the fulfilment the Lady talks of? What if there are others starting to emerge, if all the kids start to show this potential?
'Lady help us, she grunted. 'Marcol?
'Stop saying his name like it's a curse, Edeard said crossly. 'He's just a kid like any other. What he becomes depends a great deal on his environment. He didn't have the best start with those parents; well now I'm trying to help him become something better. The very last thing we need is division among those of us with stronger than average psychic powers — it's bad enough the Grand Families distort the balance in their favour. We have to show Marcol and all the others like him who come along that real fulfilment is found through a strong society which cares for individuals, where people try and help each other as well as themselves.
'And that's going to bring the Skylords back? Macsen asked incredulously.
'Tell me what else will? Edeard countered. 'I'm happy to try something else. You saw Boyd and Chae leave; they're out there somewhere trying to reach Odin's Sea. You know that part of the Lady's teachings is real.
Macsen ran his hand through his hair. 'I know, he admitted. 'But… Marcol!
'And others, Edeard said.
'Have you sensed others? Kanseen asked. 'People with stronger powers?
'Not yet. But this city encourages people to hide their abilities. And use them to their own advantage.
'You just said we were becoming more enlightened, Macsen said.
'Becoming is right, Edeard said. 'There's a long way to go yet.
Edeard had never seen the Malfit Hall so full. Every inch of floorspace was taken up by big tables where clerks were sitting, counting mountainous piles of ballot papers. They were divided up into districts in mimicry of the city outside. More clerks and constables were still delivering sealed boxes, opening them up to avalanche yet more paper on to the tables.
Mayor Owain stood at the top of the stairs, surrounded with his staff and supporters, chatting away as if nothing of consequence was happening. Further along the gallery Finitan was clustered with his own circle of advisers, also making light of the count below. Occasionally, he and Owain would exchange a few pleasant words.
The expectant Representative candidates were less light-hearted about the wait. They all hovered around their own counting tables, jostling with their opponents whenever an unclear ballot paper was held up to questioning. Accusations and insults were frequently shouted at the adjudicator clerks.
For once, few people paid any attention to the Waterwalker as he walked in with Macsen and Kanseen. As they crossed the vast ebony floor he knew Owain's gaze was following him, yet the Mayor's composure remained urbane. The ceiling above them shone a rich dawn light across all the frantic activity.
'We'll go and check up on our district, Kanseen said as they reached the bottom of the stairs. Watching them stride over to the Sampalok counting tables, Edeard felt a surge of admiration for his friends. There weren't many people you could thrust into such a position and expect them to hold fast. But Kanseen and Macsen had done it. Dressed in their fur-lined robes, with their hoods hanging over their shoulder they really did look like they'd been born to the role. Maybe it's not just psychic strength that's an indicator of the Lady's teachings.
He started to walk up the stairs. Owain and Finitan watched him approach.
As a city constable I should be impartial, he told himself. Greet both of them and then go back down to the Jeavons tables. After all, if Owain wins I'll have to work with him.
Owain's face produced a neutral smile of welcome as Edeard reached the top of the stairs.
Politician!
Edeard inclined his head. 'Mayor Owain, he said politely, and walked over to Finitan.
Honious take him, he was going to kill innocent people to keep
his position. I would never be able to work with someone like that, he represents everything that's wrong with Makkathran.
There was a brief unguarded flash of gratitude amidst Finitan's thoughts as Edeard shook the Grand Master's hand. 'Do you know how the count's going, sir?
'I have a small lead, Finitan replied. 'Not as much as we were hoping, but it remains constant.
A half hour of laboured chat and forced humour later, they all watched as the Clerk Master supervising the Ysidro district vote walked to the stairs and stood on the bottom step.
'Ysidro always makes a show of being first to complete their count, Topar grunted. 'It's a small district, but they've a wide mix of people; it's a good indicator.
The Master cleared his throat. 'It is given this day that Alanso is duly elected as the people of Ysidro's Representative to Council. And further that mayoral candidate Finitan collected fifty-seven per cent of the vote.
There was some scattered applause, and the rest of the hall went back to the count.
'Alanso is one of ours, Topar said. 'Thank you, Lady.
Owain graciously congratulated his rival on the vote, to which an equally gracious Finitan replied that the night was young.
Fiacre and Lillylight finished their count next, both returning Owain stalwarts as their Representatives; though the mayoral vote was split nearly fifty-fifty. Jeavons, Silvarum and Haxpen returned Finitan supporters (Balogg among them), and gave him a large proportion of the vote. Nighthouse and Bellis elected Owain supporters; but Myco, Vaji, Cobara and Tosella put Finitan supporters forward to the Council. They also increased Finitan's overall vote to sixty per cent. When the results came in from Abad, Drupe, Igadi, Padua and Fiacre, Owain had only one more Representative, and Finitan's vote had increased to sixty-eight per cent. Zelda produced Owain's last Representative; Pholas Park and Lisieux Park were solid Finitan districts.
'We've got it, Topar hissed elatedly as Finitan's vote rose to seventy-one percent.
'Oh Lady, Finitan muttered, he seemed dazed, but nothing could remove the smile from his face.
Ilongo, Neph and Drupe declared, putting Finitan's percentage up another point. That just left the Sampalok vote. It wouldn't affect the result now, but it mattered. Edeard started down at the eight tables where the ballots were counted, willing them to finish. Kanseen and Macsen were still walking between the clerks, backing up the adjudicators. There had been more disputes on those eight tables than the rest of Malfit Hall put together. The Grand Master of the Guild of Clerks himself had been over a dozen times during the night to make his final judgement on smudged crosses. Finally, the Clerk Master assigned to supervise the Sampalok count stood at the foot of the stairs and announced: It is given this day that Gregorie is duly elected as the people of Sampalok's Representative to Council.
'He's ours, Topar whispered incredulously.
'And that mayoral candidate Finitan collected fifty-one percent of the vote, the Clerk Master concluded.
Thousands of people were waiting in Golden Park, despite the chill late-night air. There was a lot of movement after Sampalok declared. Dejected Owain supporters headed home, shaking their heads in dismay and muttering dark disapproval. Finitan supporters surged forward right up to the Outer Circle Canal. A line of fit young constables had a struggle to keep some of the over-eager ones from falling into the water.