'Kanseen just explained to me, he admitted.

'An hour, then.

'No! Not that long, I came straight away, I promise.

'All right, half an hour. Edeard, you don't make a decision like this in half an hour. You're doing it because of a huge misunderstanding, and you very gallantly don't want to upset me. Which only makes you more adorable, but it still doesn't make this the right thing for you.

'That's all wrong. I want to marry you. I do.

'Fine. Did Kanseen explain why we have this custom?

'To see if we're okay physically. He cleared his throat self consciously. 'I think we passed that test, didn't we.

'We did. Very much so. But did she say why we needed to find that out first?

'Because if we marry we'll spend a long time together, centuries probably. Everything has to be right.

'Yes, and even that's no guarantee; especially if we marry as young as we are. A hundred years is a long time to sustain love, let alone two hundred. So do you see now? I'd thought about this from the moment we met, and I knew it was the right thing to do for me to ask you. But you hadn't thought about it. You still haven't, except for this wild impulse. Edeard, I need you to think clearly what you're asking. I need that from you. Please.

'Oh. He sat back on his ankles. 'Of course, he said formally.

She grinned, and peered closely at him. 'And that doesn't mean you spend a week trying to work out how long you have to wait to make it seem like you've considered everything properly. Understand?

'Yes. Edeard could actually feel the warmth of the blush rise up his cheeks. 'Lady, what is life going to be like with you?

She smiled back, and kissed his nose. 'As difficult as I can make it.

'That's fair. He held her head so he could kiss her properly.

They spent a long time in a soft embrace before finally moving apart. Edeard's farsight revealed a highly agitated Lorin urging Homelt and four armed guards up the third flight of stairs. Fit though they all were, it was hard going.

'Your uncle's on his way, Edeard murmured.

'And Mirnatha is back, she said spryly.

Edeard turned round to see the little girl pressed against the glass, peering through. Then his farsight caught Julan approaching down the central corridor.

'Oh Lady, he groaned.

'I'll deal with Daddy, she said, and directed her longtalk to him.

Edeard allowed the glass doors to open again.

'Are you sorry? Mirnatha asked.

'Very sorry, Edeard assured her. 'Your sister and I have made up now.

'I knew you would.

'I wish I'd known.

She tilted her head up to scrutinize him. As he squirmed under the gaze, Edeard finally understood the phrase, six going on sixty.

'If I was older, I'd have you for my husband, Mirnatha decided.

'Er… that's good.

Kristabel kissed her sister on the top of her head. 'Once more round the hortus.

'Krissy!

'Go. Now.

Mirnatha gave her a sullen glare, and pranced out.

Kristabel smiled after her. 'I already feel sorry for her husband.

'Your father? Edeard queried.

'Placated. For the moment. We're both going to have to talk to him.

Edeard tried to smile supportively.

'He'll understand. More than anyone. She went over to study herself in a full-length mirror. 'Oh my sweet Lady. Look at me.

'You look fabulous.

'That's very loyal. If not very realistic' Kristabel directed a longtalk summons to her maid. 'I'm going to get ready to face people again. I will be some time. She started teasing strands of hair out of the tangle.

'Okay. Now he started looking round the bedroom properly, he saw that what Mirnatha was to pink so Kristabel was to frilly lace trimmings. It was slightly unnerving.

'You can wait if you'd like, she said.

'I would. Yes.

'Edeard, not in here.

'Ah, right.

Kristabel found a set of clips on a dresser. 'And Edeard.

'Yes?

'What exactly did happen to poor Uncle Lorin down there in the courtyard?

'I've no idea, he said innocently, and hurriedly closed the door behind him.

Captain Larose was waiting outside the Jeavons station entrance. Just seeing him in his ceremonial blue and scarlet jacket, with his sword and pistol hanging from his white leather belt, his back held perfectly straight, took Edeard back to the day he'd first encountered a militia officer on the road to Makkathran. Larose had the same aristocratic arrogance as that patrol officer, as well. Five ordinary soldiers accompanied him.

'Waterwalker, Larose said as Edeard approached.

'Captain?

'Mayor Owain requests that you attend him.

Edeard didn't know what to make of that at all. 'I see.

'Excellent. Larose turned to his soldiers. 'Fall in, chaps.

'Why the escort? Edeard asked.

Captain Larose smiled thinly. 'The Mayor does rather enjoy the trappings of office. He says it helps remind people of the order of things.

'Oh.

'Personally, I find all this pomp and ceremony a real pain in the arse. My mess staff spend half the night getting my uniforms ready.

Edeard resisted the impulse to look down and check his own tunic. Apart from the new one Kristabel had got for him, he was still wearing the ones he'd bought during his probationary period. They were starting to show signs of wear and tear.

'Where are we going? Edeard asked as they started to walk along Chates Street towards the Brotherhood Canal. He'd assumed they'd be going to the Orchard Palace.

'The militia stables, Larose said. 'The Pholas and Zelda regiment is leaving for Talence province today, and it's customary for the Mayor to see the troops off.

'I didn't know that.

'It's happening a lot now. I'm probably going to get deployment orders myself soon. He gave Edeard a rueful grin. 'Not exactly what I signed up for, but one has a duty, yes?

'Yes, Edeard agreed promptly.

'Good man. You've been quite an inspiration to people lately. It's about time someone brought the gangs to heel. Things simply cannot go on as they are.

Edeard was mildly surprised. He'd assumed the captain wouldn't really approve of him; he'd met so many arrogant useless family sons that these days he simply classed them all together as beneath contempt. But for all his airs, at least La rose seemed to have some awareness of what was going on in the world.

The wooden stables in the middle of Tycho's wide meadow land were bustling with activity. At one end, the regiment themselves were mounting up and forming ranks. Two hundred officers and soldiers on horseback, dressed in their full uniforms and regalia. Edeard had to admit it was a rousing sight. The purple and green insignia of the regiment was prominent, never more so that on the elaborately feathered headgear of the Colonel who sat astride his midnight-black terrestrial horse with two groomed ge-wolves keeping flank.

Down at the other end of the stables, Edeard's farsight observed the mess staff and ge-monkeys getting ready in an altogether less structured manner. Nearly forty wagons were loaded with supplies, with the final bales and boxes being hurriedly piled on board under the cursing of the quartermaster and his aides. Two smaller covered wagons contained arms and munitions, each guarded by five soldiers and their own pack of ge-wolves. A small flock of livestock were being herded by ge-dogs, while chickens and geese squawked from inside their cages. It looked like a much more difficult operation than getting the soldiers ready.

Mayor Owain was standing on a wooden platform at the end of the stables, surrounded by a gaggle of advisers and three other Masters. He wore his maroon and sapphire robes with a startlingly-white fur trim; the hood loose over his shoulder. As always, Owain's mind was perfectly shielded, while his facial expression radiated interest in the vista before him.