All of the stately buildings had low water-level archways leading into the warren of cellars underneath, guarded by thick iron gates which the families maintained in excellent order. The walls of the Purdard family palace were at an angle, actually overhanging the water. When Edeard looked up, he saw a glassed-in mirador running the length of the upper storey, with several youngsters standing watching the gondolas. A fabulously rich trading family, Kanseen said, with a fleet of thirty ships.

They passed through the High Pool, which provided a junction with Flight Canal and Market Canal. There was a bridge on either side of the pool; the first one was the city's own, a simple high white arch to which carpenters attached a broad rail along both sides. Famously, the apex was a ten yard stretch of crystal, providing a view directly past any pedestrian's shoes down on to the water and gondolas thirty yards below. Not everyone could walk across it, the sight was too much for some; as many as one in twenty, the Doctor's Guild claimed. At Chae's insistence, Edeard and the rest of the squad had used it several times on patrol. Edeard had to gird himself to walk those few invisible yards; the vertigo wasn't strong enough to stop him though it was unpleasant. All of the squad had forced themselves across it — surprisingly, Dinlay had been the least affected. The bridge on the other side of High Pool was constructed out of iron and wood, a bulky creaking thing in comparison to its cousin, yet with far more traffic. Past the Pool, the towers of Eyrie stabbed up into the clean azure sky as if ready to impale any passing Skylord. Fiacre district's cliff-like frontage swarmed with vine plants, with long strands of flowers bubbling out of the emerald and russet leaves. Only the windows remained clear of foliage, producing deep-set black holes in the lush living carpet.

The gondolas pulled up at a mooring just beyond Forest Pool, and everyone climbed out. Dybal paid the gondoliers, and they all set off to the round tower which housed the Rakas restaurant on its third floor. Hansalt, the owner and chief chef, had reserved Dybal a table beside a long window overlooking one of the district's colourful plazas.

An auspicious day for us, Dybal announced as a waitress brought over a tray of chilled white wine. 'First, a toast to your squad, Macsen. May you rid the city of crime.

They drank to that. Edeard gave the glass a suspicious glance, he'd never seen wine with bubbles in it before, but when he sipped the taste was surprisingly light and fruity. He rather liked it.

'Secondly, Dybal said. 'To Edeard, for being appointed squad leader.

Edeard blushed.

'Speech! Macsen demanded.

'Not a chance, Edeard grunted.

They laughed and drank to that.

'Thirdly, his voice softened and he looked down at Bijulee, 'I am very proud to announce that my beloved has agreed to marry me.

The cheer that went up made all the other customers look over at them. Everyone saw it was Dybal, and smiled knowingly. Macsen was hugging his mother. Edeard and Salrana were astonished, but clinked glasses anyway and downed some more of the bubbling wine. Another two chilled bottles arrived and were quickly poured out.

Afterwards, Edeard always thought back to that meal as the first time he'd been truly happy since Ashwell. The food was like nothing he'd ever eaten before. It arrived on big white plates arranged with such artistry he almost didn't want to eat it, but when he did tuck in the combination of tastes were marvellous. And Dybal had gossip on the city's elite that was downright scandalous. That all started because of Salrana, who was answering Macsen's question about what Novices did all day long.

'I mean no disrespect to the Lady, he said. 'But surely it must be boring just reading Her scriptures and singing in Her church.

'Hey, Dybal objected. 'Less mockery about singing if you don't mind.

'I've been assigned to Millical House, Salrana said. 'I love looking after the children. They're so sweet.

'What's Millical House? Edeard asked. 'A school?

'You don't know? Bijulee asked. She was uncertain if Edeard was having a joke.

'I told you, Mother, Macsen said. 'He really is from a village on the edge of the wilds.

'Millical is an orphanage, Salrana said solemnly. 'I cannot understand why any mother would give up her baby, especially the ones as gorgeous as we get in the nursery. But they do. So the Lady takes care of them. It's a fantastic place, Edeard, they children lack for nothing. Makkathran really cares.

Dybal gave a certain cough. 'Actually, that's a rather exceptional orphanage.

'What do you mean? Salrana asked.

'You sure you want to hear this?

Salrana twirled the stem of her wine glass between her fingers, giving Dybal a level gaze. 'We do take in anyone.

'Yes, I suppose so. But it helps that you're in the Lillylight district. Consider who your neighbours are. You see, Edeard, Millical House is where the noble families deliver those little unwanted embarrassments which happen when the younger sons are out enjoying themselves with the lower order girls at the more disreputable entertainment theatres that grace our fine city.

'The kind you play at? Bijulee asked mildly.

'Yes, my love, the kind I play at. He eyed the three young constables. 'Been to any, yet?

'Not yet, Kanseen said. Macsen kept quiet.

'Just a matter of time. Anyway, the reason Millical is so well funded is the tradition that the family concerned makes a donation — anonymous, of course — each time a babe is left on the house's charity step for the Novices to take in.

'Any money for children is distributed equally among all the Lady's orphanages, Salrana said.

'I'm sure a great deal of the bequests filter down to the other orphanage houses. And the Lady performs invaluable work caring for such unfortunates, as I do know. But if you ever get to work in any of the other houses, you'll notice the difference.

And how do you know for sure? Bijulee asked teasingly.

Dybal turned to face her with a sad smile. 'Because I grew up in one.

'Really? Macsen asked.

'That's right. Which is why I'm so impressed with you four youngsters. You came from nothing, especially Edeard and Salrana here, and you're all making a life for yourselves. I admire that. I truly do. You're not dependent on anyone, let alone a decadent family. I know I'm the first to complain about the city's hierarchy, the way democracy has been expropriated by the rich, but there are some institutions which are still worthwhile. People need the constables for the security you bring to the streets and canals, and the Lady for hope.

'I thought that was what your music brought, Salrana said with a cheeky gleam in her eye.

'It depends which class you belong to. If you're rich, I'm a deliciously wicked rebel, hot and dripping with sarcasm and irony. They have to pay me to perform — which I'm glad to do for them. But for the rest of the city, the people who toil their whole life to make things work, I'm a focal point for resentment, I articulate their feelings. For them, I sing for free. I don't want their coinage, I want them to spend it on themselves so they don't have to give away their children.

'So you compete with the Lady? Salrana said.

'I offer a mild alternative, that's all. Hopefully an enjoyable one.

'I must try and get to one of your performances.

'I'll be happy to escort you, Macsen said.

'I'll hold you to that, she retorted before Edeard could intervene. He didn't say anything, not there and then, that would spoil the meal.

'Do you know all the Grand Council? Edeard asked Dybal.

'Oh yes, they think that by associating with me they gain credibility. What they're actually doing by inviting me to their homes is contributing generously to lyrics of irony and hypocrisy. Why do you ask, Edeard? Do you need to know about their mistresses? Their strange shared interest in taxing cotton production in Fondral province? The scandal over funds for the militia? The money wasted on official functions? The disease of corruption which infects the staff of the Orchard Palace who are supposed to be impartial? How our dear Mayor, Owain, is already buying votes for the next election — the one time he needs public support?