'Uh, yeah. That was his soul, wasn't it?

'His soul? She edged cautiously across the remnants of the door. Any curiosity was instantly forgotten as she saw Mirnatha.

'Whose soul? Macsen asked brashly as he followed Kanseen in.

Edeard couldn't take his eyes off the ceiling where the soul had vanished. 'The kidnapper's.

'Did you get shot? Macsen asked in concern.

'No.

A moan from Mirnatha succeeded in drawing Edeard's attention back down. 'Don't let her see this, he blurted. There was blood and gore all over the cellar. And the bodies. A scene that was even worse in the cellar at the bottom of the stairs. 'Are all of you okay?

'Oh, now you ask, Boyd joshed.

'I think I'm going to be sick, Dinlay said. His constable tunic was covered in blood.

Edeard's third hand snapped the iron shackles round Mirnatha's wrists. Kanseen blinked at the nonchalant show of strength. 'You carry her, she said, stroking the girl's brow, gentle with concern. Her hand and sleeve was speckled with arterial blood.

'But—

'This is your victory, Kanseen insisted.

Edeard nodded. 'Thank you. All of you.

Boyd's solemn face broke into a wild smile. 'By the Lady: we got her! We bloody did it.

They were all laughing in shaky relief as Edeard scooped up the small child, and carried her out of the cellar. People won crowding round the top of the stairs as he made his way out of the smoking chambers. Workers and family members with worried faces and probing farsight. That worry changed to consternation as the Waterwalker himself emerged into their midst. They backed off fast.

'No good trying to hide, Boyd said as they made their way out through the shop at the front of the building. 'The local constables will be calling. He paused. 'That's if the Culverit family guards don't pay you a visit first.

Edeard stepped out into the midday sun, blinking at how bright it was. It seemed as if he hadn't been outside in the light for a week, yet it was less than an hour since Homelt had taken them to the mansion's cellar. He got his bearings swiftly enough, and started walking down Layne Street.

Mirnatha stirred as they turned into Arnold Avenue, heading for Pink Canal. She started suddenly, looking round frantically.

'It's all right, Edeard told her. 'We're taking you home to your family. Your father and sister are worried about you.

She gave him a wide-eyed stare. 'You're the Waterwalker.

'Yes. I am.

'They took— she cried. 'I was in a dark room. I couldn't farsee anything. They were horrible—I–I—

'It's over. Look. It's a bright sunny day. We should be back at your home in time for you to see the flower boats.

She clung to him. 'What happened to the bad men?

'You won't see them again, I promise.

There were a lot of people lined up along the side of the canal, standing at least six deep as they waited for the end of the ceremony in the Lady's grand church. It was mostly excited children at the front, clutching their flower boats; with parents standing behind, pleading and warning not to put their craft into the water until the Pythia was finished. Edeard actually smiled as he finally saw the multitude of flower boats being held ready. They were spectacularly beautiful; from endearing little paper craft with a couple of daisies clutched by toddlers, to elaborate vessels with a rainbow of blooms crafted by proud older children. Their happy faces were wonderfully uplifting.

He started to make his way through the crowd. Heads swivelled in his direction. Surprise turned to shock when they saw the squad; uniforms covered in blood, tired yet cheerful, with the Waterwalker himself carrying the kidnapped girl whose smiled up at him with shy adulation. Silence fell. The crowd parted, giving him a clear path to the mooring platform at the | end of the avenue.

Someone started clapping. Whispers of amazement turned to exultant longtalk and shouts of approval. More people were joining the applause.

'It's the Waterwalker.

'They've rescued the girl!

'Mirnatha is alive.

'Dear Lady, look at the blood.

'It's his whole squad.

'They did it, they saved her.

Three gondolas were secured to the platform, each of them garlanded with hundreds of snow-white flowers. Edeard stepped on to the first boat as the gondolier took his hat off and held it to his chest, staring at Mirnatha. 'Get us to her mansion, Edeard told him.

'But the festival…

'The Pythia's ceremony isn't over yet. And I think Mirnatha deserves to go home, don't you?

'Yes, sir. Of course. He picked up his punt.

By now everyone was packed right up to the edge of the canal. The applause and cheering put Edeard right back to that day in Birmingham Pool. 'Let's see how quick you are, he told tin-gondolier said as they pushed off.

It wasn't far. Down to Forest Pool then they went up the Grand Major Canal to the Culverit mansion's private mooring platform at the edge of High Pool. Mirnatha sat up on the prow, looking from side to side in utter bliss as waves of applause and cheering followed her progress home.

'Do you think they'll even bother with the vote tomorrow? Macsen said quietly as he waved at the enthusiastic onlookers crammed along the canal. Flower boats were being held aloft and waved in heartfelt greeting for the little girl. The whole canal rippled with dramatic colours.

'Not a lot of point, Boyd replied.

'Can you boys just enjoy the moment, Kanseen said. 'I mean, come on, we're getting some adulation this time, too.

'I'm going to be sick, Dinlay said, dabbing at the congealing blood on his uniform.

'Don't you dare, she told him crossly.

Mirnatha gripped Edeard's arm. Her other hand pointed ahead to the mansion's mooring platform. 'I see Daddy, she squealed. 'And Krissy. They're both there. She started to wave frantically, longtalking for all she was worth.

'And Mistress Florrel isn't, Boyd muttered contentedly.

The gondolier steered them smoothly into the side of the platform. Julan snatched his daughter out of the craft, hugging her and weeping uncontrollably. Kristabel joined in. Mirnatha began to chatter at an incredible speed, telling them what had befallen her. One last final hurrah broke out among the crowds, running the whole length of Grand Major Canal.

Edeard and the squad stepped on to the platform. Homelt stood in front of him, and bowed his head. 'Thank you, he said. 'Though the Lady knows how you pulled off that stunt. There is no way out of that cellar.

Edeard gave him a knowing grin. Then Julan grabbed him roughly by both shoulders and pulled him close. 'I thank you, Waterwalker, I thank you from the very bottom of my heart! My baby, my baby is saved.

'I'm sorry we didn't take you with us, sir, Edeard said. 'But my squad is a good team, we work best by ourselves.

Julan couldn't stop crying. He clutched Mirnatha tighter. 'I understand. Thank you all. You were right. I was wrong. Please, I was crazed with worry

'Nobody was wrong, sir. Mirnatha is back home. That's all that matters.

'Yes yes. He lifted his daughter up again. She giggled and kissed him. 'Whatever you desire in this world, it is yours, and still it will never be enough to express my gratitude to you all. Say it, and I will see it is done.

Macsen put on a wholly reasonable expression and opened his mouth. Kanseen's third hand poked him in the ribs. He looked pained, but didn't say anything.

'We really are just doing our duty, sir, Edeard claimed.

'What nonsense. I will start my payment by welcoming you to our family's celebration feast tonight.

'That's very kind of you, sir, Boyd said hurriedly, before Edeard could say no. 'We'd be honoured.

'Thank you, Waterwalker, Mirnatha giggled. She leaned forward in her father's embrace and gave Edeard a messy kiss.