'I love you, he said in wonder.

Edeard was dreading his return to Makkathran. Some part of his brain enacted the beautiful fantasy of them staying in the beach lodge for ever. It wasn't just their physical union, though Kristabel was all he had ever imagined a lover could ever be. He didn't want anything to break the perfection of the week they'd spent together.

'I don't want to leave either, she said at breakfast on their last day.

'I suppose we have to go back, he said grouchily.

'We do, and don't sulk.

'I wasn't — sorry.

'You say that too much, as well.

'Thanks.

'I have a present for you, she said, and instructed a ge-monkey to bring in one of her cases.

Edeard hadn't noticed it among all the other cases. For someone who'd spent most of the week naked or clad in wisps of silk and lace, she seemed to require a vast wardrobe. Now he leaned over with interest as she opened it, and held up the jacket inside.

'A proper uniform for you, Kristabel said. 'I can't have my man looking ordinary at the ceremony, now can I? Not on this

day. The day.

Edeard took the jacket from her, admiring the cut and the seriously-black fabric. It was a standard constable's dress tunic, but at the same time so much more stylish. Kristabel produced some matching trousers from the case, and a white shirt, belt, tie.

'Thank you so much, he said, then his mood dropped. 'I don't have anything for you.

She gave him a strange look, almost as if he'd said something hurtful. 'That's because you don't have any money. And that's good, because that's not what I'm looking for in a man.

'You're wonderful. He kissed her.

'We don't have time, we have to be back in the city by midday. Go and put it on.

'We could spare a few minutes, he suggested hopefully.

Her finger pointed to the bedroom door. 'Go and put it on.

Edeard did as he was told. It fitted perfectly, and as he studied himself in the mirror he couldn't help the very self-satisfied smile splashed across his face. He did look great.

'Oh Lady, Kristabel murmured huskily from the doorway. 'There really is something about men in uniform.

'The tailor got my size just right, was he spying on me?

Kristabel's eyebrow raised a fraction. 'I know your exact size, she purred. 'Now come on, we need to get going.

Strangely enough, when they did get back to the city he was cheered by the sight of it. The raucous babble of thoughts and longtalk spilling out from the human minds was a reassuring presence. Then there was the familiarity of the buildings and streets and canals. The way no one paid any attention to them as they walked back from the stables, not even bothering with a seclusion haze.

'I'm home, he decided as the gondola took them along Grand Central Canal to the Orchard Palace.

His squadmates were waiting for him in the Malfit Hall, and gave him a hearty greeting.

'Look at this! Macsen exclaimed, tugging at Edeard's splendid new uniform. He glanced at Kristabel who was chatting away to Kanseen. 'Anything to announce,

Edeard frowned. 'No. We had a lovely time. And I'm certainly not giving you lot any details.

Macsen and Boyd both shook their heads in despair.

'Still the country boy, Macsen said sadly.

'What?

'And have we got some news for you! Dinlay said proudly.

'What? Edeard repeated dumbly.

'After the ceremony, Kanseen taunted. 'It needs time to explain.

'Come on, Macsen said. 'We'd better grab our seats while we still can.

At Edeard's graduation ceremony the block of seats had taken up less than a fifth of the available floorspace. Today, some families who'd come to watch their sons and daughters graduate had to stand around the walls.

As before, Mayor Owain appeared at the top of the grand stairs, flanked by the District Masters and the Guild Masters. As they descended to the floor, the giant roof above displayed Querencia's sister planets drifting through another exquisite dawn of wispy gold-tinged clouds.

Owain began his little speech on the makeshift platform. Edeard who was near the back of the hall, looked along the line of Masters behind the Mayor. This time they all looked attentive, as if gauging the mood of the audience. Their tenseness was a contrast to the excitement and satisfaction of the new constables and their families. Then he saw Bise, whose long face was rigid with animosity; he was staring directly back at Edeard. For a second Edeard was taken aback by the loathing he saw and sensed. He composed himself, and matched the Master's hostility with tool indifference.

Loud applause broke out as the first probationer stepped up to the platform, and Owain awarded him his epaulettes. Edeard applauded politely throughout the ceremony, which lasted a long time. The only time he clapped with genuine enthusiasm was when the probationers from Jeavons station received their epaulettes. Young Felax glowed with pride as he hurried back down the steps, holding the small bronze buttons aloft so his parents could see.

Edeard and Dinlay shared a grin at that.

'Oh Lady, Dinlay groaned. 'Was I like that?

'I don't know. I was too busy trying not to trip down the stairs.

On the row behind them, Chae leaned forwards. 'You were both an embarrassment, he assured them.

Edeard knew he was expected to participate in the reception that followed. Not so many months ago, the very idea would have filled him with dread. Now, after all he'd been through, he didn't care any more. Besides, Kristabel was on his arm the whole time, smiling and impressing people a lot more than he did. So he took a wine glass from a ge-chimp, refused the canapes, put on his best smile, sealed up his mind, and started to tell parents how wonderful their newly qualified constables were, and how glad he was that they'd be helping him, and yes he did think the gangs would ultimately be defeated, and no he couldn't give a time scale, it was confidential, and yes they did have a way to finish the exclusion campaign, and please urge your District Master and Representative to support the warrants.

'We're splitting into political groups, Kristabel whispered into his ear an hour into the party. 'How very Makkathran of us.

Edeard scanned round with his farsight. She was right. Three distinct groups of Masters had collected on the Malfit Hall's black floor. One led by Finitan, who was all smiles and enthusiasm, with District Masters who'd joined the exclusion campaign. Most vociferous among them was Julan, who was almost unrecognisable as the broken man of the Festival of Guidance. His enthusiasm was sweeping people along as he greeted families to congratulate them; they weren't used to talking to District Masters, let alone ones so effusive and pleasant.

'Your father is a talented politician, Edeard observed.

'Try and say that as if it was a good thing. Her third hand pinched him sharply on his buttock.

Edeard resisted the impulse to return the jab. Finitan caught his eye and smiled approvingly at Kristabel before turning back to the head of the Fiacre pottery association whose third daughter had just received her epaulettes. There were another eight District Masters in their group, representing Jeavons, Silvarum, Zelda, Drupe, Tosella, Lillylight, Ilongo, and Padua. Finitan also had the Masters for Vaji, Cobara, and Myco in his orbit, where they were being assiduously courted for their support.

The biggest group, clustering together in the middle of the hall were the undecided. Still the majority of districts.

Then there were those who formed a picket around Owain. The most traditional families, Edeard noted, with Bise at their centre. They too were glad-handing, chatting happily with the new constables. He was rather perturbed to see the Pythia was among them. Surely she could see the exclusion warrants needed to be extended? Then he remembered she had gently refused to prohibit anyone from entering Eyrie. It had been reasonable enough, people should be allowed to attend the Lady's church.