'Did I hear right? Setersis asked. 'Did the constables finally come to our aid?

For once Chae looked uncertain. 'We were able to assist. He slopped glaring at Edeard, and produced an almost sympathetic expression. 'I was about to ask the more reckless members of my patrol to report what happened on the chase.

'Reckless members, eh? Setersis grinned at the three probationary constables. 'Yes, you are young, aren't you? Good for you. If we had more constables with balls we wouldn't be in the sorry state we are. Your pardon, my girl.

'Granted, Kanseen said graciously.

'Come then, so tell me what happened on the chase. Did you manage to accidentally drop the scum into the canal?

'No sir, Edeard said. 'I'm afraid they got away on a gondola. They headed down towards the port. Something made him hold back from mentioning his ge-eagle was showing him the thieves had already passed through Forest Pool and were approaching Sampalok.

'None of the gondoliers would help us, Macsen blurted. 'We asked them.

'Ha! Fil-rats in human guise, Setersis grunted. 'Still, you did a good job. I can't remember the last time a constable returned stolen goods. He gave Chae a meaningful glance. The sergeant's lips tightened. 'You have my thanks. I'm sure my fellow stall holders will show their appreciation next time your patrol ventures into the market.

Edeard knew he was grinning like a fool. It didn't matter, so were Macsen and Kanseen. Then he finally caught sight of Dinlay, who looked like his closest family had just died.

Once the doctor announced Kavine would be all right, Chae declared that the patrol was over and they were going back to Jeavons station. He led them out of the market without another word. Edeard couldn't work out if they were in serious trouble or not; the sergeant's mind was perfectly shielded.

Macsen shot Boyd a direct longtalk query, which he shared with Edeard and Kanseen: 'What did Chae say?

'Nothing much, Boyd replied, equally furtive. 'He was yelling for you to stop. When none of you came back, he just concentrated on helping the stall holder. I had to hold the flesh together to slow the bleeding down. Lady! I thought I was going to faint there was so much blood. Monrol said they hacked him a couple of times with those blades to make him let go of the box. I wish I'd gone with you instead, but I just hesitated for that first second. I'm sorry.

'Don't be, Edeard said. 'The more I think about it, the more stupid I was. Chae was right.

'What! Macsen exclaimed out loud. He glanced at Chae, but the sergeant didn't seem to notice.

'There was four of them, and they had blades; six if you count the gondoliers. We could have been killed, and it would be my fault.

'We got the box back.

'Luck. That's all. Pure luck. The Lady smiled on us today. She won't tomorrow. We have to act like proper constables; stay together, work as a team.

Macsen shook his head in dismay. Edeard gave Kanseen an apologetic shrug.

'I went with you, she told him quietly. 'I got just as carried away. Don't try to claim this is all your fault.

He nodded. Up ahead, Chae was still marching on, not looking round, his back rigid. Beside him, Dinlay was avoiding any communication with his friends. When they'd walked back to the market from the Great Major Canal, the three of them had been triumphant; now that whole mood was badly inverted. Right there, Edeard felt like turning round and heading off out of the city. It was going to be awful back at the station, he just knew it.

'That's not the kind of attitude the returning hero is supposed to wear, Salrana told him, her longtalk conveyed a lot of concern.

Edeard tipped his head up to give the sky a sheepish smile. 'I'm sorry. We did it, though, we actually chased off some thugs from a gang.

'I know! I farsighted you the whole time. You were terrific, Edeard. I wish I'd chosen to be a constable.

'Our sergeant doesn't share your opinion. And what's worse, he's right. We didn't behave properly.

'Have you told the stall holder that?

'That's not the point.

'Yes it is, Edeard. You did good today. It doesn't matter how you did it. You helped someone. The Lady saw that, and she'll be pleased.

'Sometimes you have to do the wrong thing— he mouthed silently. Some good cheer returned as he tried to imagine what Akeem would have to say about all Chae's rules and procedures. It would be short and very succinct, he knew.

'What? Salrana asked.

'Nothing. But thank you. I'm going to go back to the station now and do whatever it takes to put things right with my sergeant'

'I'm always so proud of you, Edeard. Talk to me tonight, tell me what happens.

'I will. Promise.

When they got back to the station Chae's temper seemed to have vanished. Edeard was expecting to be shouted at as soon as they passed through the big gates. Instead Chae stood there with a genuinely weary expression on his worn face; for once his shielding had slipped enough for Edeard to sense just how tired his thoughts were. 'Small hall, he told the squad.

The others dutifully trooped into the building. Edeard waited until they were through the doorway.

'It was my fault, he told Chae. 'I encouraged the others to follow me. I didn't listen to you, and I ignored procedure.

Chae studied him, his own mind becoming inscrutable again. 'I know. Now would you like to guess what will happen if Setersis hears I gave you all a bollocking?

'Er, he'd probably take our side?

'He would. Now grow up fast, lad; learn how things balance in this city. Come on, I need to talk to all of you.

The other constables rose to their feet when Chae came into the small hall. Dinlay saluted smartly.

'Pack that in, Chae said. His third hand shut the hall doors. 'Sit down.

The squad exchanged mildly perplexed looks. Except for Dinlay who was still keeping himself apart.

'So how do you think we did? Chae said.

'Wrong procedure, Kanseen ventured.

'Yeah, wrong procedure. But we saved a stall holder's life. Some gang scum got a nasty surprise. And we recovered the stolen merchandise. Those are all the plus points. The constables will be popular in Silvarum's markets for a couple of weeks. That's good, there's nothing wrong with that. I'd even go so far as to say the rule of law was upheld. Edeard?

'Sir?

'Did your eagle follow them back home?

'Er, yes, sir. I watched them go into Sampalok. It's a building not far from the Grand Major Canal. They haven't come out yet.

'So we know which building they probably live in. What do we do about that? Do we put together a big squad and go in and arrest them?

'Probably not.

'Why? They've broken the law. Shouldn't they be brought before a court?

'Too much effort for a minor crime, Macsen said.

'That's right. So bring the eagle back, please.

'Sir. He sent a command through the sky above Makkathran, and felt the eagle soar round, dipping on wing vertically back to the ground. It began to flash back over the big canal.

Chae was giving him an odd smile. 'And you really can longtalk that far, can't you?

'Sir?

'All right. Now, I'm not mad at you, any of you. So just relax, and for the Lady's sake try to listen to what I'm about to tell you. What you did today was what you joined up for, preventing criminal activity and protecting the people of this city. That's good, it shows you have a sense of duty, and loyalty to each other. Technically, it's my duty to get you all through the next two months; then you're on your own, and I start with the next batch of hopeless youths. My responsibility to you ends then. But what I have got to try and instil in you before you go out by yourselves is a sense of proportion, and maybe even some political awareness. Let's think about this. Those gang members are going to be a little shaken by Edeard's strength, and furious that they came back empty handed after taking so much risk. Next time they go out, they'll want to make sure their crime produces some results. So they'll go the extra mile to make sure. Boyd, what would you do in their shoes? How would you make certain?