The squad gave Edeard a curious look as he came out of the nursery. It wasn't right that he should be smiling.

'What in Honious's name have you been doing in there? Dinlay asked. 'We've had our hands full keeping the family out. And Julan says the ransom is ready. The flag is flying over the Orchard Palace. A militia escort is saddling up to escort you clear of the city. You're going to need a couple of ge-horses to carry so much gold.

Edeard glanced up at the corridor's crystal roof to see the sun was almost directly overhead. Outside, the usual longtalk babble was subdued; Makkathran's citizens were incensed by the kidnapping, their fear and hatred combined to a sullen resentment. This was not the happy Festival of Guidance they wanted.

He had no idea it had taken so long to filter through the mansion's memories. It didn't matter, nor did the ransom. 'I know where she is, he announced.

'Where? Dinlay demanded.

'No, how? Macsen asked shrewdly.

Edeard gave him a level stare. 'The city remembered.

'The city remembered?

'Yes.

Macsen gave Kanseen and Boyd a very dubious look. 'Uh huh.

'She's underneath a fish smoking business on Layne Street in Fiacre. The family use two levels of cellars under the building to smoke their fish, but there's another level beneath that. Four chambers. They've taken it over.

'They?

'Ten of them, maybe more. Even I can't farsight that accurately from here.

Boyd clapped his hands delightedly. 'Brilliant. We've got her.

'Not quite. You don't need over ten people to stop one six-year-old from escaping an underground prison. And they know we can work a concealment.

'They'll kill her, Dinlay said forlornly. 'There's too many to take them by surprise.

'I think you're right, Edeard said.

'So what do we do? Kanseen asked.

Edeard smiled. 'Take them by surprise. He longtalked Ronark back at the station, and asked for some weapons to be brought over.

'You're sure she's still alive? Macsen asked.

Edeard smiled. 'Yeah. She's alive.

'Finally, some good news. The city isn't happy, Edeard. Today was supposed to be a festival. Everyone knows now, and there's a lot of agitators out there blaming you!

'Charming.

'The Pythia is going to begin the service of Guidance with a plea to release Mirnatha, Dinlay said. 'That's at midday, in ton minutes. Do you want to tell her before she begins?

'Lady, no. We haven't got Mirnatha yet.

Kanseen shook her head as she broke off trying to farsight. 'Lady, I can barely sense the smoking business from in here. I can't tell what's underneath.

'They're there, Edeard assured them.

'So what's the plan? Dinlay asked. 'We could surround the building. Once everyone knows Mirnatha is in there, the gangs won't be able to do anything. They'll have to let her go.

'Come on, Edeard said. He led them down the corridor, retracing the kidnapper's footsteps. 'They're not going to let her go just because people don't like it. These men were chosen because they'll fight to the very end. They're the ones we've already broken, people like Eddis who have nothing to lose. This is not about the girl, it never was. It's about tomorrow's vote and how to get the outcome they need.

Mistress Florrel stepped out of the lounge doorway just as they reached the main stairwell

'Where do you think you're going? she snapped at Edeard. 'Running away, I suppose. Well, good riddance to you.

'We're going to get her back, actually, Dinlay said hotly.

Edeard winced.

'You're doing what? she was trembling with outrage.

Edeard cleared his throat, and looked calmly at his most persistent foe. 'I might know where she is. I'm going to do my duty and bring her home. That's what we all want, isn't it?

'You'll do no such thing. If you know where she is you'll inform the Mayor immediately. A regiment of the militia will bring back my poor dear Mirnatha. They know exactly how to deal with anyone who dares to attack one of my descendants.

'With respect Mistress Florrel, they don't. I will bring her back unharmed. You have my word. Edeard turned to the top of the curving stairs.

'Come back here, young man, Mistress Florrel said with quiet insistence.

Edeard couldn't believe it. Thanks to Dybal's recognition gift, his mind perceived her longtalk trying to insinuate itself into his consciousness, a soothing compulsion for him to come to her just as she had suggested. She was trying to dominate him.

He raised an eyebrow disdainfully as his mental shield closed. 'Naughty, he said, and wagged a forefinger at her.

She blanched, her hand pressing theatrically against her throat.

A smiling Edeard led the way down the stairs.

'Bet we never make it out of the mansion, Macsen said cheerfully as they reached tin- ninth floor.

'Outside? Boyd said. 'That's ambitious. We'll never make it to the bottom of the stairs.

'Do you know who took the girl? Kanseen asked.

'No. Edeard gifted them the vision of the kidnapper. 'Do any of you?

'He's a Gilmorn, Macsen said. 'Or sired by a Gilmorn at any rate. Look at that nose.

'Maybe we should tell Julan we've found his daughter, Dinlay said, with a hint of anxiety. 'I mean, surely he deserves to know? If we're going to put her at risk he must have the final say.

'I'm not telling him what I can do, Edeard said flatly. 'I don't know where his allegiance is.

'Well, he's hardly going to be on their side, Boyd said.

'Not today, no. But let's face it we don't even know who they really are, do we?

The squad had reached the third floor when Grand Master Finitan longtalked Edeard. His telepathic voice was directed so skilfully it was as though the Master was standing beside him on the stairs whispering into his ear. 'Edeard, whatever have you done to my least favourite aunt?

'What did she say I'd done?

'Well arrogance and incompetence were the mildest complaints. I'm supposed to be longtalking you out of rescuing Mirnatha. Apparently she thinks I have «influence» over you.

'Are you going to?

'Certainly not. Do you know where the poor girl is?

'I think so.

'Edeard, I hate to be unpleasantly harsh on poor little Mirnatha, but you do understand what's at stake, don't you?

'Tomorrow's vote.

'There is another tactic I could use in Council. I've hesitated before now because it looked like we could win a straight challenge.

'What tactic?

'A plebiscite. There will be enough Masters to support that motion. Many of them are troubled. They see the progress you've made in Jeavons and Silvarum, and there is enormous pressure from the general population to continue your campaign. But Mirnatha's death would give them the option to vote down the warrants. If we were left in uncertainty for the Council meeting tomorrow then they would jump at the chance to defer the decision and be able to place blame elsewhere.

Edeard paused on the stairs. 'You mean do nothing?

'It's a long way to Owestorn. You might be able to ensure news took a equally long time to come back.

'Sir, I cannot do that. More than anyone I want the gangs out of this city. But I cannot play politics with the life of a six-year-old innocent. I know where she is, and I know what has to be done to bring her back to her family. Right now that's all that matters.

'Of course. You'll have my support no matter what. May the Lady be with you this day.

'Thank you, sir.

They were on the last flight of stairs when Julan's voice echoed down from above. 'Stop! Stop, I forbid this. You must not do anything rash. I have the ransom. Waterwalker! Come back. The flag flies above Orchard Palace as they asked. His longtalk was added to the plea. 'You promised me. You said you would bring her back.

Edeard looked up to see the broken Master leaning over the rail far above. 'I will bring her back to you, sir. Trust me.