Part 23 (1/2)

Apart from pedestrians, there were bicyclists, carts pulled by animals and people alike, and the occasional engine-driven craft. The latter were noisy and battered, most likely traders from out of town, much the same as them. At least, she thought, they drove on the right side of the road, when the roads were wide enough for two-way traffic.

Gwil Flintham, their unwilling guide, called out directions to Banner as she negotiated the crush. No one paid them any mind, except to honk or yell when they got in the way. Only occasionally did s.h.i.+lly catch a bystander staring quizzically at the blue robes and dark skins of her companions.

When they saw her looking, they quickly turned away.

*Do you live near here?' she asked Chu, whose attention seemed to be elsewhere.

*Eh? I wish.' The flyer returned to reality with a jolt.

*Is it far? We could drop you there, if you need a change of clothes or anything.'

*Thanks, but I'll be fine.'

*Are you sure? We can pick you up later.'

*Really, it's okay.'

*Suit yourself.' Chu's voice had an edge that warned s.h.i.+lly not to push any further. *What about Skender? Where's he staying?'

*I'll show you after we've seen the Magister. Old Urtagh'll probably throw out the regulars to make room for you lot, if you need it. Nothing brings in the business like a bit of novelty.'

*We won't be here for long,' said s.h.i.+lly, *I hope.'

*You might not last the night if your friend Marmion gets the Magister offside.'

*He's not my friend. Far from it.'

*That seems to be the effect he has on people.'

*Take the next right,' said Gwil into Banner's ear. *There's a checkpoint. Your papers will be examined. Without paying the t.i.the, you'll never be allowed to enter the Old Sector.'

*Really?' said s.h.i.+lly, imagining Marmion's response to that news. *This should be interesting.'

The argument was short but heated. Reluctantly, the guard backed down, but only with the a.s.surance that the wardens would have a t.i.the exemption form in their possession on the way back. Marmion didn't ask what would happen if they didn't comply, and s.h.i.+lly couldn't help a feeling of relief at having avoided the issue one more time. She didn't know exactly how the t.i.the was extracted, but the idea of it made her feel queasy.

With a brisk wave of one arm, Marmion ordered the convoy through. The closer they got to the Magister, the cleaner the air became and the sicker Gwil looked. Around them, the streets broadened and became more regular; walls were made from the same st.u.r.dy grey stone as the Wall; edges became clearer, lines better defined. s.h.i.+lly could tell just by looking that the suburb they had entered was one of affluence and influence. It was still crowded with buildings and apartments, but it possessed none of the overt flourishes of the other areas she had seen; perhaps, she thought, the people who lived here didn't need to show off. There were only a few of them walking the streets, leading pet cats on leashes. In places, there were even trees - albeit strange ones with broad, floppy leaves and trunks that looked like they were wrapped in burlap.

*Is there any chance,' Gwil asked, *of being let go any time soon?'

*You know that's not going to happen,' said Chu. *We're both stuck, good and proper.'

*What are you worried about?' he shot back. *You're a miner. Laure needs you. The Magister eats guys like me for breakfast.'

Chu laughed low and humourlessly. *None of us are safe where the Magister is concerned. Believe me.'

s.h.i.+lly was starting to be alarmed now. *Who is this woman? She sounds absolutely awful.'

*She is,' said Chu.

*They say she's two hundred years old,' said Gwil in a hollow voice. *She drinks a bowl of blood for breakfast and walks with a cane carved out of the Earth's black heart.'

At that Chu laughed more naturally. *You listen to too many stories.'

*There's nothing wrong with using a cane,' said s.h.i.+lly, rattling hers between her feet. *Or being old and a bit odd.'

Gwil was not rea.s.sured. *I just wish I hadn't been on duty tonight. What have I done to deserve this?'

s.h.i.+lly felt sorry for him, then, at being dragged into their misadventure.

*Stop here,' he said with grim finality, indicating a building that was so squat and broad it looked like a miniature version of the Wall. A metal fence surrounded it, sporting a gate shaped like two big eyes. *This is it.'

Banner pulled up at the kerb outside and killed the engine. The two buses did the same. Barely had they pulled to a halt when two functionaries in yellow and black uniforms ran from the entrance to wave them on.

*You can't park here,' said one. *This is for official vehicles only.'

*We are on official business,' said Marmion, striding confidently forward and smoothing down the sleeves of his robe. *If you would be so good as to announce us to the Magister, that will help facilitate our speedy departure.'

*The Magister is in session,' said the man. He stared at the arrivals as though they were likely to vanish if he willed it hard enough. *Unless you have an appointment -'

*I'm sure we can waive that formality, too.' Marmion looked past the functionaries, at the gate and the building beyond. *Through here, was it? s.h.i.+lly, Chu, Banner and you, young fellow -' he clicked his fingers at Gwil, who jumped as if p.r.i.c.ked from behind, *- come along. Let's see this done.'

*I'm truly sorry, sir,' said the functionary, barring Marmion's way. He didn't sound sorry at all. *I can't allow you through.'

*Of course you can.'

*No, sir. I cannot.' The outstretched hands of the functionaries blocked the gate completely.

s.h.i.+lly, limping around the buggy to join the group waiting to enter, wondered what Marmion would do now. Would he back down completely, or resort to using the Change on the wrong side of the Divide? Either way, it would be fascinating to see.

He simply reached into his robes and produced a small, crimson envelope.

*Be so good as to give this to the Magister,' he said in a voice that was entirely too calm. *When she reads it, I'm sure she'll allow us through.'

The functionary took it in one hand and turned it over to look at the back. s.h.i.+lly saw the seal of the Alcaide imprinted on the flap: a curved sword crossed over a tall drum in purple wax. The functionary whistled piercingly, and a third appeared from within the building. She took the letter and disappeared inside.

A tense silence fell. Marmion waited patiently with his arms folded. Judging by the puzzled looks, s.h.i.+lly gathered that this was the first the rest of the wardens knew of the letter.

*You,' said a functionary to Chu. *Weren't you here the other night?'

*I was indeed,' said the flyer with a resigned expression. *Enjoyed it so much I'm back for a repeat performance.'

*You left your friend behind this time, I notice.'

*How very observant of you.'

*Stood you up, did he?' Chu turned away, and the functionary chuckled. *It didn't take him long to come to his senses. Stone Mages have got better things to do than hang around the likes of you.'

*That's enough,' said Marmion with an irritated look. *Are you employed to have fun at this girl's expense?'