'We're splitting into political groups, Kristabel whispered into his ear an hour into the party. 'How very Makkathran of us.
Edeard scanned round with his farsight. She was right. Three distinct groups of Masters had collected on the Malfit Hall's black floor. One led by Finitan, who was all smiles and enthusiasm, with District Masters who'd joined the exclusion campaign. Most vociferous among them was Julan, who was almost unrecognisable as the broken man of the Festival of Guidance. His enthusiasm was sweeping people along as he greeted families to congratulate them; they weren't used to talking to District Masters, let alone ones so effusive and pleasant.
'Your father is a talented politician, Edeard observed.
'Try and say that as if it was a good thing. Her third hand pinched him sharply on his buttock.
Edeard resisted the impulse to return the jab. Finitan caught his eye and smiled approvingly at Kristabel before turning back to the head of the Fiacre pottery association whose third daughter had just received her epaulettes. There were another eight District Masters in their group, representing Jeavons, Silvarum, Zelda, Drupe, Tosella, Lillylight, Ilongo, and Padua. Finitan also had the Masters for Vaji, Cobara, and Myco in his orbit, where they were being assiduously courted for their support.
The biggest group, clustering together in the middle of the hall were the undecided. Still the majority of districts.
Then there were those who formed a picket around Owain. The most traditional families, Edeard noted, with Bise at their centre. They too were glad-handing, chatting happily with the new constables. He was rather perturbed to see the Pythia was among them. Surely she could see the exclusion warrants needed to be extended? Then he remembered she had gently refused to prohibit anyone from entering Eyrie. It had been reasonable enough, people should be allowed to attend the Lady's church.
'This division isn't good, he said to Kristabel as the guests started to leave. 'Makkathran needs to be united if we're to defeat the gangs.
'Quite. She led him over to Finitan and her father.
'Welcome back, Julan said. He embraced his daughter, then shook hands with Edeard. There was a slight pause when he looked at Edeard, as if expecting something. Finitan, too, seemed to be waiting. Edeard wasn't sure what to say.
'Right then, Finitan said. 'This is as good a time as any. Edeard, while you and Kristabel were away, we've been pressuring the remaining District Masters and Representatives to join the exclusion warrants scheme, sadly to little avail. The Mayor has been equally effusive in opposition to it.
'But why? Edeard asked.
'Because, as he rightly points out, we have no conclusion, no final answer as to what to do with these people.
'I do, Edeard said, feeling confident after everything he and Kristabel had talked about.
'You do? Finitan asked.
'Yes, sir. The only thing we can do. Banishment.
'Ah. That's a bold statement, young Edeard.
He grinned sheepishly at Kristabel. 'It was pointed out to me, that, although it sounds drastic, the actual numbers of people we need to get rid of are tiny in relation to the city's overall population.
Finitan and Julan exchanged a look. 'That makes this easier then, Finitan said. 'It's quite plain that Owain is going to steer this into another clash in Council, and delaying tactics will work in his favour. We need to grab the initiative back from him, and proposing banishment is exactly the kind of prospect that will galvanize people into supporting us.
Edeard glanced over at the Masters gathered around Owain. 'I don't understand, I expected it would make things worse in Council.
'It will, Finitan said with a smile. 'And we can capitalize on that division.
'Ah, Kristabel said, she nodded in understanding. 'Of course.
'Of course, what? Edeard said.
'I am going to announce my candidature for Mayor, Finitan said. 'And banishing the gangs will by my campaign pledge to the people of Makkathran.
'What did he say? Boyd asked as the squad made its way back to Jeavons station after the ceremony.
'That he's going to run for Mayor, Edeard told them all. He was still taken aback by the notion, though the excitement was growing. With Finitan in charge, so many things can change. 'There'll be a party in the Blue Tower tonight so he can make a public announcement.
'Not Finitan, you arse, Macsen snapped. 'Master Julan?
'Julan? He didn't say anything. But with his support, Finitan stands a real chance.
'All right, Kanseen said. 'Forget that. What did you say?
'I said that I'd support him in any way I could.
They all gave each other puzzled looks. Edeard could sense their minds closing against him, but not before several traces of irritation and disappointment were manifested. He guessed taking a week off had annoyed them more than he'd realized at the time.
'Okay then, at least we've been busy, Dinlay said as they passed through the station's main gate. 'Unfortunately, so have the gangs. The gondoliers pulled another body from the canal last Thursday. The second son of a cloth merchant from Igadi district.
'Lady! Edeard groaned. 'It didn't take them long to regain their courage.
They settled in the small hall. Dinlay's third hand shut the doors behind them. Kanseen sat down on one of the tables, her boots resting on a bench. Macsen directed a ge-chimp to fetch some water. 'That was very cheap wine at the party, he complained as he gulped down several mouthfuls from a glass tankard.
Dinlay pulled a bench over to sit opposite Edeard. His face was exhibiting a great deal of contentment. Boyd sat next to him, trying not to show too much amusement at his squadmate's attitude.
'So what did the second son do to annoy the gangs? Edeard asked.
'Nothing, Dinlay said. 'They're using a variant on the old extortion racket.
'A clever one, Macsen said, finishing his second tankard of water.
'They're not bothering with small shops and stalls any more, Dinlay explained. 'They've moved up a social class to target the smaller merchants. And they don't ask for money, they want a share of the business itself.
'It's a route to legitimacy, Kanseen said.
'If you've got a warehouse full of stock, someone comes along and asks if they can buy a share in your venture. But the thing is, they want to defer payment for that percentage.
'It'll come out of increased profits, is what they usually say, Boyd said. 'So far, nothing criminal. Certainly nothing you can use to complain to the constables or courts.
'Except you know who it is and what they're asking, Dinlay continued. 'They make that very clear. If you don't comply, then a family member gets hurt.
'Or in some cases, murdered, Macsen said. 'As with the cloth merchant's son. Which is extreme, but those are the cases we get to hear about.
'So we don't know how widespread it is, Edeard said.
'No. But everyone is complaining about how prices are creeping up, and there's no reason. There's no shortage of anything; the port is crowded with ships delivering cargo, and the city's warehouses are full.
'The lower and middle level of merchants don't have the kind of protective associations which shops and small traders have, Kanseen said. 'Their commercial rivalry precludes almost all cooperation.