'Remember our promise? I'm going to be Pythia and you're going to be Mayor.

'Yeah, he grinned. 'It might take a couple of years, but we'll do it.

Her smile faded away as her thoughts grew sober. 'Edeard, you won't forget me, will you?

'Hey — of course not.

'I mean it, Edeard. Promise. Promise we'll still talk each day, even if it's just a longtalk hello.

He held up a hand, palm towards her. 'I swear on the Lady, I won't forget you. Such a thing is just not possible.

'Thank you. Her impish smile returned. 'Do you want to kiss me again before we both get locked up in separate dormitories each night?

He groaned in dismay. 'Maybe I should just leave with the caravan.

It was Salrana's turn to take a swipe at him.

The Blue Tower was in the middle of the Tosella district, standing at least twice the height of the biggest mansion they'd seen so far. For its walls, the city material had shaded down to a dark azure which seemed to soak up the sunlight, as if the facade possessed its own nimbus of shadow. Standing at the base between flying buttresses which resembled ancient tree roots Edeard felt quite intimidated by the heartland of his Guild. Surely such a structure had never been intended to house a profession which existed to lighten the load of people's lives. It was more like a fortress which bandits would dwell in.

'Are you sure you want to do this? Salrana asked uncertainly, she was just as daunted by the overpowering structure as he was.

'Er. Yes. I'm sure. He wished the vacillation in his thoughts wasn't quite so blatant.

They walked in through a wide door whose resemblance to a giant mouth was uncomfortably obvious. Inside, the walls and floor changed to the darkest red with a surface sheen to match polished wood. Strong beams of sunlight from the high lancet windows cut through the gloom of the broad entrance hall.

Edeard didn't know where to go, there didn't seem to be any kind of official to direct visitors to the appropriate room. His determination was fading fast, leaving him stalled in the middle of the wide open space.

'I somehow don't think this is where the apprentices have their dormitories, Salrana said from the side of her mouth. There were several groups of men in the hall, all talking quietly together. They wore fine clothes under flowing fur-lined gowns with the egg-in-a-twisted-circle crest of the Guild embroidered in gold thread on both collars. Disapproving glances were cast at Salrana and Edeard, followed by a surprising number of people focusing their farsight on the youthful pair.

Edeard's own farsight alerted him to three guards armed with revolvers marching across the entrance hall. They wore light drosilk jackets over their immaculate white cotton tunics. The Guild crest was prominent on their helmets.

The sergeant glowered at Edeard, but was marginally less hostile to Salrana when he saw she was in her full novice dress. 'You two, he grunted, 'what's your business here?

So much for the warm welcome to a fellow Guild member from far away, Edeard thought dourly. Then he realized he wasn't at all intimidated by the guard. After bandits the sergeant and his little squad seemed faintly ludicrous. 'I am a journeyman of the Guild, Edeard said, surprising himself by how level and authoritative his voice was. 'I've come from Rulan province to complete my training.

The sergeant looked as if he'd bitten into a rotten fruit. 'You're very young to be calling yourself a journeyman. Where's your badge?

'It's been a long journey, Edeard said, suddenly not wanting to explain what happened to his village to someone who would never understand life beyond the city. 'I lost it.

'I see. And your letter?

'Letter?

The sergeant spoke slowly, contempt colouring his thoughts. 'Your letter of introduction to the Guild from your Master?

'I have none.

'Are you trying to take the piss, sonny? Your pardon, miss, he said grudgingly at Salrana. 'Leave now before we take you to the Courts of Justice for trespass and theft.

'I have committed no theft, Edeard protested loudly. 'My Master was Akeem; he died before writing a letter of introduction.

'The only reason to trespass here is to thieve something from us you little country shite, the sergeant snapped. 'Now you've gone and fucked me off, and that's not good for you. He reached for Edeard, then blinked in surprise as his hand slithered off an extremely strong telekinetic shield. 'Oh… you asked for this. His third hand tried to grab.

Edeard warded him off easily, then hoisted the sergeant off the ground. The man yelled in shock as his feet kicked about.

'Take the little shite down, he cried at his men. Their third hands closed round Edeard, to no avail. They went for their pistols, finding their arms moving slowly through impossibly thick air.

'Edeard! Salrana squeaked.

Edeard couldn't quite comprehend how things had turned so crazy so fast.

'Enough, a baritone voice commanded.

Edeard's farsight showed him an old man walking across the hall towards them. Long robes flowed behind him as he strode forwards. He'd taken to weight in his latter years, ochre trousers cut high so his curving belly didn't overhang, a baggy shirt to continue the discreet disguise, but his weight was still obvious from the podgy fingers to the rolling neck and heavy jowls. Yet he carried himself with the vitality of a man half his age. Even without sensing his regimented thoughts he was obviously a man of considerable authority.

'Put him down, he ordered Edeard.

'Yes, sir, Edeard said meekly. He just knew this was a Master equal to Akeem. 'I apologise. I was left little cho—

'Be quiet. The man turned to the sergeant, who was straightening his clothes, not making eye contact with anyone. 'And you, Sergeant, need to keep your temper in check. I am not prepared to have the Blue Tower guarded by petty minded paranoia. You will learn a more rational attitude or you'll see your days out guarding a Guild estate on the other side of the Donsori Mountains. Do I make myself clear?

'Sir.

'Away with you while I determine how big a threat this boy presents.

The sergeant led his men away, but not before managing a last look at Edeard which promised dire vengeance.

'Your name, boy?

'Edeard, sir.

'And I am Topar, a Master of the Guild council, and deputy to Grand Master Finitan. That should give you an idea of how deep you just dipped yourself in default crap. My Lady's novice, may I enquire your name?

'Salrana.

'I see. And I judge that both of you have only recently arrived in Makkathran. Correct?

'Yes, sir, Edeard said. 'I'm really sorry about…

Topar waved an irritated hand. 'I should be annoyed, but the name Akeem hasn't been heard in our august Tower for a considerable time. I am intrigued. Did I hear you say he is dead?

'Yes, sir. I'm afraid he is.

For a moment the gusto vanished from Topar's stance. 'A shame. Yes, a very great shame.

'Did you know him, sir?

'Not I, no. But I will take you to someone who did. He will want the details, I'm sure. Follow me.

He led them to an archway at the rear of the hall, and began to climb the broad stairs beyond. As he ascended, Edeard knew he'd been right about whoever created the city not being humans. The stairs were cumbrous, more like a slope of solidified ripples. They curved enough to provide an unsure footing, while their spacing was awkward for human legs. Edeard soon found himself sweating as they continued to climb round and round; his calf muscles weren't used to such strenuous exercise.

At one point, when they must have been four or five storeys above the hall, Topar turned round to smirk at the two youngsters. He grunted as if satisfied by their tribulation. 'Just imagine how much rounder I would be if I didn't have to negotiate these five times a day, eh. He chuckled and carried on.