Dybal took off his blue glasses and polished them with his sleeve. 'I'll help you any way I can, lad. You know that. You're important. Not just because you're Macsen's friend.

'Thank you. Er…

'You'll find there's very little shocks me, if that's any help.

'Okay. I just wondered if you knew anything about longtalk dominance?

Dybal raised an eyebrow. 'The old lust slave serenade? You don't want to be messing with that kind of mischief, Edeard, no matter how pretty she is. Trust me, there can be repercussions. Anyway, from what I've heard, every mother and daughter in tin-city is forming a disorderly queue to drag you off to bed.

'I don't want to use it. I want to stop it being used against me.

'Ah. I see. Some of those family daughters not taking no I'm an answer, eh?

'I wish it was that pleasant.

Dybal studied his face closely. 'I'm sorry to hear that. First off, keep your mind tightly shielded. Which is a shame. You always seem a little more open than those of us born in the city, it helps make you so endearing.

'Right'

'This technique works through your own weakness. Parts of us should always stay buried, Edeard. Common decency is normally enough to keep those kind of thoughts suppressed, but once they've been kindled it's hard to put them aside again.

'I know, he said miserably.

Dybal's hand gripped his shoulder. 'Don't worry. Listen, there is no shame in possessing these thoughts, we all have them, some little vixen managed to sneak through your defences;n fired them up one night then that's a lesson learned, and a valuable one at that. The fact that it disturbed you this much a pretty clear sign that it's not part of your natural personality which is encouraging to me if not you. And I have faith enough in you to think you're strong enough to survive a crisis of conscience. But just in case: here's a recognition gift, it should help warn you if anyone tries that little trick again.

Edeard examined the burst of thoughts Dybal shot at him, memorizing the technique. 'Thank you.

'Now get yourself back on those streets, and generally kick the shit out of Ivarl and his cronies.

Nobody in the squad said much as they all walked back across four districts to the constable station in Jeavons. Edeard just knew there was going to be a big argument when they got there. Macsen was going to pick a fight no matter what. Bijulee had been too much. Which meant Edeard was going to have to do something, and he was now starting to feel bad about not trusting them with the real enormity of everything he'd discovered. If the next couple of hours went wrong, then everything they'd achieved would all be over.

There were a couple of other constables in the small hall, who took a fast scan of the suppressed emotions seething through the squad, and hurriedly made their exit. The thick wooden doors slammed shut. Edeard raised his eyebrow at that. Someone's third hand was adrenaline powered today.

He unbuttoned his cloak's neck clasp and sat at his customary bench at the top end of the hall.

'My mother! Macsen said brutally.

'Yeah.

'Yeah? That's all you can say? Yeah?

'Did you really think Ivarl wouldn't try to apply some pressure?

'Pressure! Lady-be-damned, that was my mother they used as a punchbag. My mother!

'It's his way of trying to get to me, Edeard said quietly, his hand went to his cheek of its own accord, stoking the tender flesh. 'You're the only friends I've got, my one vulnerability. He's bound to use that as hard as he can.

'Yes, Kanseen said so wistfully that Edeard shot her a curious glance. She shrugged. 'My sister was hassled last week. She was carrying Dium at the time.

'Why didn't you tell me? Edeard exclaimed bitterly.

'Trust, probably, Macsen said viciously.

'Oh… Edeard flung his hands up in dismay. 'In the Lady's name!

'We thought we were in this together, Edeard. We were with you at Birmingham Pool remember? Does that mean nothing too you?

'It means everything Edeard shouted. Finally he was too distraught to keep himself in check.

They all swayed back as his doubts and confusions blazed out. He made an effort, gritting his teeth and placing his hands palm-down on the old wood of the table. 'Sorry, he told their shocked expressions.

'Edeard, in the Lady's name, what's wrong? Boyd pleaded. 'What happened to you, to your face? And why won't you talk to us any more?

'He didn't trust us with the Myco warehouse, Macsen said harshly. 'Why should he trust us with anything else.

'You're such an arse, Kanseen snapped at Macsen.

'I do trust you, Edeard said, even to him it sounded like a bored recital. 'I got burned when I was sneaking around the House of Blue Petals. That's all. It's not as bad as it looks.

'You went there by yourself? Kanseen asked disapprovingly.

'Yeah. It's how I've been keeping track of Ivarl.

'That's dangerous, Boyd said. 'Edeard, you can't do that on your own.

Macsen let out a scornful grunt. 'He's the Waterwalker, he can do anything. He doesn't need us holding him back, do you?

Edeard sighed, this was worse than he'd steeled himself for. 'The warehouse raid was the most public thing we'd ever attempted. Ivarl had laid a trap, he was going to make us — me! — a laughing stock. The whole thing was set up to destroy my credibility. I just used some misdirection. There were over a hundred constables involved, and we didn't know half of them. If everyone had known, it would never have worked.

'We're not everyone, Macsen barked. 'We're your friends, your squad. Or so I thought.

'Hey, ease up, Dinlay said. 'It was good procedure.

'Yeah, well I expected you to take his side.

'What's that supposed to mean?

'Come on, Edeard said. 'We can't do this. Ivarl will be laughing at us.

'So his opinion is valuable to you, is it? Macsen said. 'Whereas mine — no contest.

'That's not—

'Don't get upset, Kanseen interjected. 'He's just angry.

'No shit? Macsen spat at her. 'Why do you think that is? I am a part of this fucking squad, this so-called team. I had faith in you, Edeard. Faith. Me, of all people, me! And how do you treat that? You just bloody use us to boost your own stature. The Waterwalker saves the day again. Well crap on that.

'I didn't use anyone. We were all on that raid together. I made you a vital part of it. Did you know there was going to be a robbery? Did you know where they were going to stash the platinum? Did you know there was going to be a switch?

'So what are you saying? I'm not worthy enough because I can't spy as well as you? Are any of us, because that's what this is about. Even Dinlay's pissed at the way you exclude us.

'I am not, Dinlay said, so quickly Edeard didn't even look at his friend's face.

'If all you want is a bunch of constables who'll run around and do your bidding, then fine, Macsen said. 'There are dozens of them in this station alone. But if you want to work with me, then you are coming down off your tower and start trusting us again.

'Screw you! Edeard said. 'You have no idea what we're up against. Not the faintest clue. I'm protecting you.

'I don't need your protection. And I know more about the gangs than you ever will, count iv boy. I grew up in Makkathran.

'I grew up in Makkathran, Kanseen said. 'Dinlay did, Boyd did. You had a nice cushy life on the Iguru.

'I did what? Macsen pushed his face out towards Kanseen.

'Stop it, now, Edeard said. 'I didn't include you in certain things because I was frightened.

They stopped arguing, and shot each other puzzled looks. Edeard rested his elbows on the table and put his head in his hands. He was worried there were tears leaking from his eyes he was so worked up. 'You're all I've got. I don't want us broken up. Not just because I depend on you. We have something here, and it's more than just kicking the crap out of Ivarl. We had hopes. I couldn't stand it if those were broken. I'd be left with nothing once more. I'd rather be dead.