The Temporal Void v-2

by Peter Hamilton

  Four of the gang were now standing together, their hands held high in surrender, pistols abandoned at their feet. Boyd appeared directly in front of them, his pistol raised ready. More pistol shots echoed round the chamber. Then there was a pain-wracked howl, overriding all the other voices. Macsen flicked into visibility behind a man who was clutching at his shoulder; blood poured through his fingers. Macsen pulled his pistol away from the wound. 'Next time it will be a head shot, he announced loudly. 'Now stop this, you are under arrest. He vanished again.

  Edeard raced over to the central pillar. On the way his third hand picked up three gang members, who immediately stopped struggling. He dropped them beside Dinlay. The sound of footsteps reverberated out of the pillar's opening. When Edeard looked inside he saw the spiral stair winding upwards.

  'Oh come on, he yelled up at Medath. 'There's nowhere to go. But who told him to go up there? Could they really see though our concealment? With a growl of anger, he started running up the steps. Almost immediately, he slipped on a cumbersome curve, banging his knee badly. The burst of pain was enough to stretch a mist of red sparkles across his vision. Medath's footsteps were becoming fainter as Edeard scrambled upright again. 'If that's how you want to do it, he muttered, and set off again.

  'Edeard? Kanseen's voice echoed up the stairs.

  'Medath went up here. I'll get him. You hang on down there.

  The pillar walls were incredibly thick, restricting his farsight more than he liked. He could just make out the constable squads swarming towards the tower. In the chamber below, his squad-mates surrounded the defeated gang members. Above him, then-was a moving glimmer which he knew was Medath's mind.

  Round and round the pair of them went. A tiny thread of orange light twinkled out of the narrow vault of the roof above Edeard. Just enough to illuminate the horrible curving stairs. He had to stretch his legs at each semi-jump upwards. How Medath kept up such a pace was beyond understanding. Edeard's heart was hammering loudly, while he could feel his lungs burning inside his chest. Sweat was pouring down his back and legs. When he was two thirds of the way up he simply had to slow, which only increased his anger. Medath started to pull ahead.

  By the time Edeard reached the last spiral he was practically walking. Each breath had to be hauled down into his lungs with a big heave of his chest. Hair was glued against his forehead with sweat. Concentration was difficult. Nonetheless he managed to send his farsight out on to the circular platform which topped the tower. The eight spikes that rose from the edge stabbed up into the sky, their slightly crooked tips peaking at another forty feet above the platform floor.

  Medath was out there. Standing ten feet in front of the central cone where the stair exited. He was already aiming the pistol at the opening, waiting for Edeard to emerge.

  'Oh Lady, Edeard wheezed in dismay. The anger which had carried him so far was now diluted by fatigue. I should have just waited at the bottom, hunger would bring him down eventually. He started up the last few steps. It would be easy enough to deal with Medath. But then, Medath would know that. And I still don't know who that longtalker was. Or where they are.

  As if to reinforce his concern, a clammy feeling of trepidation began to manifest. It was so strong he had to pause again. Something was badly wrong, he knew that without knowing why. He took a more cautious step upwards, and began a thorough survey of the platform. He froze. Medath wasn't alone out there on the platform. The floor was feeling the weight of four more pairs of feet, yet Edeard's farsight could find nothing.

  'Nanitte, he spat as his anger rose again. Oh, crap; Macsen will never let this one drop.

  When he was almost up to the exit, Edeard concealed himself again, and asked the city to let him through the wall. He emerged out on to the platform five feet to the side of the exit. The first thing which surprised him was the wind. Down on the ground, it was perfectly calm, up here it pushed against him. He leaned into it. His four concealed foes were standing together over by one of the spikes. Edeard could see nothing against the pale wash of nebula light that shimmered across the heavens above Makkathran.

  As quietly as he could, he made his way over to them. He passed within a couple of yards of Medath, who was still staring at the stair exit, his long-barrel pistol held steady. Once Edeard was past the comically alert gang man he realized the platform Moor actually slanted down towards the edge. A tinge of what must be vertigo produced a shiver along his legs. He refused to let it get the better of him, and crept forwards.

  The feet began to shift. At first, the two foes at the front took a step backwards; then they all began to move closer to the spike. Edeard grinned savagely, and carried on after them.

  He was only five yards away when something struck him with colossal force, impacting on his left side, just below the bottom of his rib cage. Edeard cried out as much from surprise as pain. His concealment faltered as he fought for breath. Medath swung round. Another blow slammed into Edeard, knocking him to the floor.

  'Shoot him, a longtalk whisper ordered.

  How did they see me?

  Medath fired. The bullet almost got through Edeard's shield. A powerful telekinetic shove sent him skidding down the slight incline. He had a terrible flashback to the day by Birmingham Pool when Arminel had pushed him over the edge. Lady help!

  'Again.

  The bullet struck him, as did a further telekinetic blow. Edeard was shunted over the edge of the platform. His arms flailed wildly, but straining fingers missed anything solid.

  'Can you fly, Waterwalker?

  Edeard plummeted downwards, screaming all the way. He instinctively tried to grip the tower with his third hand. He could even feel the force lock into the grainy structure of the wall. It didn't stop his descent.

  His thoughts arrowed down to the city's slumbering mind as the air roared around him. Can you help? he pleaded to the slow, giant thoughts.

  It was useless. He was falling. Falling.

  Kristabel!

  Somewhere on the edge of perception he heard her scream wildly. He directed one last thought — / love you. Content she would know. It made death more bearable. Falling.

  Beneath him a vivid wave of alarm gushed from the minds of the constables scurrying round the base of the tower. Falling.

  Any second now.

  He braced himself for the terrible burst of pain which would strike for an instant before death.

  Falling.

  'How the Ladyfuck are you doing that? Chae's dazed voice asked.

  Something slapped Edeard's arse. It was the ground.

  'Huh? Edeard grunted dumbly. He looked up to see a circle of about ten faces peering down at him, all of them wearing utterly incredulous expressions. His hands patted the ground in disbelief. He was down. Intact. 'I fell… he blurted. But of course, it always felt like he was falling when the city lowered him down to its tunnels. It must be the same out here.

  There was a near-hysterical laugh threatening to bubble out of his throat. Tears were already leaking from his eyes as the shock kicked in.

  Some of the constables staring down were shoved aside. Kanseen and Boyd lunged into the gaps.

  'Edeard! Kanseen squealed. 'Oh Lady, what happened?

  'Trap, he said weakly. He pointed up at the dark shape of the tower looming above them, surprised by how much effort it was just to raise his arm.

  'Medath? she asked in surprise.

  Edeard nodded. It was hard to breathe, his body was tingling everywhere, and now he was starting to shake. His farsight could just discern a pulse of animal terror from somewhere. It was growing fast. 'What's happening? he rasped. 'What?

  'Edeard? Boyd was sounding very faint. Chae was frowning, glancing round.

  Edeard didn't have the strength to speak. 'Can you sense that? he longtalked.

  'What? Kanseen asked.

  Then Chae was broadcasting pure alarm. 'Move! The old sergeant pushed at Kanseen with his third arm. At the same time he tried to jump backwards.

  E
deard saw it then. Directly above him. A black human silhouette against the green-glowing beauty of the Ku nebula. Edeard tried to roll away, what was left of his telekinetic strength roused feebly to ward off the plunging body.

  Medath hit the ground two feet away from where Edeard was lying. Chae was only half clear. The collision produced a vile crunch as a multitude of bones snapped.

  Edeard stared vacantly at the tangle of broken flesh beside him. Blood dribbled out of Chae's slack open mouth. The sergeant's eyes moved very slowly to meet Edeard's gaze.

  Far away someone was wailing. It sounded like Kanseen.

  'Sergeant? Edeard asked.

  'Oh by the Lady, Chae longtalked. 'For a moment there, that really hurt.

  'No, Edeard said. 'Oh no.

  Chae let out his final rattling breath. Edeard tried to hang on to the man's mind, his farsight following the thoughts as they diminished. As they dwindled towards their extinction they disconnected from the body. Edeard perceived the spectral shape of Chae rising up to stand over his own corpse.

  'Sergeant? Edeard sent in desperation.

  'Oh my Lady, the spectre sent back.

  'Sergeant!

  'Edeard? It was Dinlay kneeling beside him: frightened, shouting.

  'Can you see him? Edeard whispered.

  'Edeard, you're going into shock. Try and focus on me.

  'This isn't shock. Edeard gifted them his perception. There was a collective intake of breath as the constables gathered round saw their sergeant's spirit smiling gently.

  'I can feel it, Edeard, Chae explained. He was looking up, searching the heavens. 'So beautiful. They're calling to me. The nebulas are singing. Can you hear them?

  'No, Edeard wept. 'No, I can't.

  A gaggle of Mothers from the central church were arriving to investigate the furore, their anxious voices stilled as they received the gift of Edeard's perception. Then the Pythia herself was standing next to Chae's broken body, an expression of serene joy on her face. One hand reached out tentatively, trying to touch his spirit.

  'I want to go, Chae told his enraptured audience. 'I have to. There's nothing left for me here.

  'You'll be lost up there, Edeard told him. 'Stay with us, stay until the Skylords return to guide you.

  'The songs, Edeard, oh the songs. What a welcome awaits us.

  'Wait. Please.

  Chae smiled down. It was as though he was giving a blessing. 'Don't worry about me. I'll follow the songs.

  'May the Lady bring you safe to the Heart, the Pythia said.

  'Thank you, Dear Mother, Chae replied. He reached up to the sky as if it were a physical thing he could hold and own. His shape began to waver. As he looked down for the last time the slightest frown appeared on his phantom features. 'Who are you? Then his outline swirled away with astonishing speed as it rose towards the nebulas he sought.

  Edeard fell back with a last sob. Darkness claimed him.

  * * * * *

  Consciousness returned with a slow flush of warmth. Edeard felt perfectly content lying wherever he was, with his eyes closed and his mind at rest. He was breathing normally. Not particularly hungry. A light sheet lay across him. What more could anyone ask?

  'Kristabel, he said, knowing she was there. He didn't use farsight, he just knew.

  'You're awake. Her fingers stroked his face.

  He opened his eyes to see her smiling down at him. It was the most wonderful sight.

  'Don't you ever do that again, she chided.

  'I won't.

  She kissed him. 'People have been worried, she said.

  'I'll bet. Edeard looked round. He was in some grand room, high ceilings, walls covered in tapestries and oil paintings. Familiar wood-framed glass doors opened on to a hortus; bright sunlight shone through. 'Is it midday already?

  'Um, Edeard, you fell two days ago.

  'Oh.

  'Our doctor said you were suffering a combination of exhaustion and shock. She gave you something to keep you asleep, she said you needed time to recover.

  Edeard pulled a face as he licked his tongue round inside his mouth. Something tasted bad.

  Kristabel handed him a tall glass of water.

  'Thanks, he lifted himself up gingerly as she pushed some pillows behind his back to support him.

  'You're the talk of Makkathran. Again, she told him with a sly grin.

  Edeard gave a feeble shrug.

  'I thought you were going to die when you called me. Her eyes began to fill with tears.

  'I'm sorry. He reached for her, holding her close for a long time. When she'd calmed she said, 'And now you can fly, too.

  'I can't, actually. That's something else altogether. The city, Kristabel, it helps me.

  'The city. You mean Makkathran?

  'Yes. He could sense the puzzlement in her mind. 'I'll try and explain, it's quite complicated. Perhaps I should explain to everyone. I don't know.

  She rested her hand on his chest. 'You just wait. There's an awful lot you need to say to a great many people. But you need to be very careful exactly what you tell them, and you're not in any condition to make those decisions right now.

  'Okay. He knew she was right about that.

  'You also saw poor Sergeant Chae's soul. If you thought you were famous before, you won't believe what you are now.

  'I thought I hallucinated that part.

  'Thanks to your gifting, the Pythia herself spoke with his soul as it departed. You don't get a more believable witness than that.

  She's been waiting to talk to you about what she's calling your "Lady-blessed connection to the spirit world". We're to inform her immediately you've recovered, Kristabel said significantly.

  Edeard instinctively gripped the sheet tighter, drawing it up a couple of inches. He was only wearing a baggy nightshirt underneath. So who undressed me?

  Kristabel gave him a lofty glance. 'I sent my maids in to prepare you for your rest.

  'What!

  She burst into giggles. 'The doctor and the Novices attended you.

  'Oh. Not that it made the idea much more tolerable. Novices!

  Kristabel hugged him. 'Thank the Lady, you're still my silly Edeard.

  'What about my friends?

  'Waiting outside. Very impatiently. Causing a lot of trouble for the staff. And they're all fine. Before you ask: the gang members are under arrest and awaiting trial in the cells under Parliament House. Their 'constable-killer' guns were recovered; and you'll never guess where they came from.

  'Where? he asked eagerly.

  'The Weapons Guild.

  'No.

  'Yes. Apparently they're a secret type the Guild holds safe in case the city is ever attacked. The design dates back centuries. Owain is furious. He's ordered a full inquiry into how they were taken out of storage. Nobody was supposed to know about them apart from the Guild's most senior Masters.

  'That's got to be damaging to Owain in council.

  'I expect so. Daddy was really cheerful when he told me.

  'Thank you, he said softly.

  She gave him a breezy smile. 'What for?

  'Being here.

  'You're welcome, Waterwalker. She kissed him again. A more sultry embrace this time, containing a great deal of promise. 'I'll call them in. I know you want to see them. Don't worry, the doctor already instructed them to be quick, and not to stress you.

  They came in as one group. Kanseen anxious until she actually saw him awake and sitting up in bed, then she became quite emotional. Boyd nervous, almost shy. Dinlay boyishly eager, holding a big basket of sugared fruits. Macsen however had a huge grin on his face. 'Nanitte, he whooped gleefully, finger jabbing at Edeard for emphasis. 'I told you so!

  FOUR

  Despite its size, there were few people in the Malfit Hall as the junior Cleric escorted Marius across the jet-black floor. Those who were there gave the Higher mistrustful glances as he glided along effortlessly. It was nothing personal, they simply didn't enjoy non-believers being in this
hallowed place.

  He passed into Liliala Hall, whose ceaseless storm played out across the ceiling. As he walked beneath the apex, lightning bolts arched between billowing clouds, searing narrow gaps in the vapour to reveal the bland Mars Twins. At the far end an arching door let them into the Mayor's suite of chambers. Ethan was waiting in the oval sanctum. It had been restored to its original state, the way the Waterwalker had arranged it while he was Mayor. Chairs and the desk were carved from muroak, and polished with natural wax, giving off a faint lavender scent. The three high diocletian windows on the wall behind the desk provided its occupant a splendid view out across Outer Circle Canal and the western corner of Golden Park, with the lazy green undulations of Low Moat filling the gulf to the crystal wall beyond.

  'Thank you for coming, the Cleric Conservator said genially. He was sitting behind the desk, the hood of his white robe pulled forward. Even with the loose folds of fabric concealing the side of his head, the semi-organic modules were visible adhering to his skin.

  Marius bowed respectfully. 'Thank you for seeing me, Conservator.

  Ethan's hand fluttered in dismissal to the assistant Cleric.

  'I trust you are almost recovered, Marius said as he stood in front of the desk. The air in his wake was tainted by wispy shadows from his shimmering black toga suit.

  'Almost, Ethan smiled thinly. His hand rose to indicate the nodules. 'Only three remain, and my doctors tell me they will be removed before the end of the week. It is amazing how the human body's powers of recuperation can be bolstered by good news.

  'Good news?

  Ethan hesitated, wondering if the representative was trying to taunt him. 'A human has passed into the Void, with the help of the Second Dreamer.

  'In an attempt to negotiate a rejection of your Pilgrimage.

  'I doubt any ANA representative will comprehend the most basic tenet of the Void. It exists to embrace life, to elevate us to the highest pinnacle our poor spirits can aspire to.

  'Indeed, Marius said, with a deliberate irony.

  Ethan caught the implication, and smiled gracefully. 'With respect, I hardly consider you comparable to Justine Burnelli. From what I've seen, you remain firmly rooted in the physical aspects of the universe.