It was a perfect autumn day.

A handful of downy white clouds graced a sky of matchless blue. The crystal-clear air was cold. Trees were gently shedding leaves of red and brown.

The venue for the concert was the city’s main park, and a stage had been set up between two large statues of semi-mythical Gath Tampoorian heroes. One was equestrian. It depicted a champion with a lance, slaying a fearsome, many-tentacled beast. The other showed a warrior astride a heap of corpses, sword raised victoriously. Both were recently erected and made of bronze. Only bird droppings marred their sheen.

In front of the stage, a sizeable area was roped off. There were no seats of any kind; the thousands gathered here were expected to make do with the grass and chill earth. Most took this in good part. They were a genial crowd, anxious to forget their daily struggles for a while. Few were overly boisterous, but there was a constant buzz of expectation.

Hawkers of food and drink moved among them. Balladeers and jugglers performed, and street magicians conjured small glamoured entertainments. Uniformed law-keepers circulated

too, while their confederates, less conspicuously dressed, listened for sedition. Overhead, spy glamours hovered.

Things were more congenial for one segment of the audience who were housed behind barriers, in a covered stand. Although the concert was intended for the poor, many of Valdarr’s elite had turned out. High-ranking administrators, military chiefs, landowners, guildsmen, attaches and sorcerer fraternities sat in their finery alongside empire citizens: attended, feted and well protected from the common folk.

A broad marquee stood at the rear of the stage. Inside, it was bustling. Musicians and set builders rubbed shoulders with sound wizards and members of the chorus. Of the latter, there were above a score, all youngsters dressed uniformly in white surplices.

Kinsel Rukanis was at the centre of activity. Tanalvah, Lirrin and Teg clustered round him, the children excited and overawed.

‘All right, you two,’ Tanalvah told them, ‘it’s almost time for Kinsel to go on. Say goodbye for now.’ They scrambled to be lifted for hugs, and to deposit wet kisses. She indicated Kutch, standing to one side with Quinn Disgleirio. ‘Go to Kutch. I’ll be with you in a minute.’ They ran off to join the young apprentice. ‘And behave yourselves!’

Tanalvah gave her full attention to her man. He wore a black stage suit, minus the jacket, and a white silk shirt with ruffled front. She smiled. ‘You look marvellous, Kinsel.’

‘Really?’ He started to fiddle with his cravat. ‘You don’t think that perhaps-’

‘No, you’re just right. Stop fussing. How are your nerves?’

‘Self-evidently not too good.’ He returned her smile at last.

‘Nothing new there, then. Still, you know what they say. If you didn’t have nerves-’

‘The performance wouldn’t be any good. I know. And I am anxious to give this particular audience a good show.’

‘You will. You always do.’

‘I’m not entirely happy with the glamoured amplification.’

‘Even your voice won’t carry to everyone in a crowd that size. See it as a necessary evil.’

‘I suppose you’re right.’

‘I am. Don’t

worry

.’ She embraced him.

A dresser appeared holding the singer’s velvet jacket, and prudently cleared his throat. Rukanis excused himself and stepped aside to try the coat on. Then he began to fret over it, helped by the dresser.

‘Tan?’

She turned. Serrah was there. The clothes she had on were out of the ordinary for her: a dull reddish skirt, full-length, with a drab blouse and wrap, topped with a faded headscarf. No weapons were apparent, but Tanalvah didn’t doubt at least one was concealed.

‘How’s it going?’ Serrah asked.

‘Well, Kinsel’s nervous. Not that there’s anything unusual in that.’

‘There’s a hell of a crowd out there.’

‘Wonderful, isn’t it? Kin can’t quite believe it.’

‘What did he expect? Given his reputation and the fact that it’s free.’

‘I don’t think he’s ever quite come to terms with how popular he is. But then, his modesty’s one of his attractive features.’ She regarded Serrah. ‘It’s good of you to come.’

‘Everybody says he’s a great singer. I thought I’d find out for myself.’

‘I’m glad you’re here, Serrah. But you won’t…’

‘What? Start a brawl?’

‘I didn’t mean-’

‘Yes you did.’ She flashed a smile. ‘And I don’t blame you. But I’m not out of control, you know. It’s just that sometimes I don’t quite see the…borders.’ She paused, then

promised, ‘I won’t do anything to spoil the big day, Tan. I’m just another spectator.’

‘And dressed like one.’

Serrah looked down at herself. ‘Just a concession to blending in.’

‘Well, you make a very fetching peasant.’

‘Thanks.’ She took in the scene. ‘Not long now.’

‘Yes. Do you know if Karr made it?’

‘No, he didn’t.’

‘That’s a pity.’

‘He says he’s too busy, as always. But it’s his health, I reckon. Not that he’d ever admit to it.’

‘You’ve only got to look at him to see he’s ill. Kin’s worried about him. We all are.’

‘He’s not the sort of man to slow down.’

‘Someone should tell him.’

‘You think nobody has?’ She eyed Tanalvah, and added, ‘Reeth didn’t come either.’

Tanalvah’s features hardened, but she said nothing.

‘He thought his presence might attract the wrong kind of attention,’ Serrah went on.

‘

Good

. I’m glad he isn’t here.’

‘I thought you might say that.’

‘He’s a complication I can do without, Serrah. Today of all days.’

‘You’re being a bit hard on him, aren’t you?’

‘He’s bad news. Trouble follows him like a shadow.’

‘You could say the same about me.’

‘You’re different.’

‘How?’

‘You’ve lost…somebody close.’

‘He’s lost everybody.’

‘And somewhere along the way he lost himself, Serrah. That’s the difference.’

‘You think I’m redeemable and he isn’t, is that it?’

‘I’m just saying it’s a relief not having him here.’

‘I would have thought you, of all people-’

‘Oh, don’t

you

start. That’s Kinsel’s line. Because I’m a Qalochian like Reeth, I’m supposed to understand why he’s so tormented. Well, I don’t. We share a bloodline, not a common history.’

‘Your people do.’

‘I never knew my people. Maybe that’s my loss. But seeing the way Reeth is, I doubt it.’

‘I can’t believe you mean that.’

‘My birthright’s brought me nothing except being spat at on the street. It’s meant I’ve been treated with contempt, reviled, abused, seen as less than human.’

‘And there’s no excuse for that. It’s unforgivable. But at least Reeth’s trying to do something to restore his dignity.’

‘Really? I thought he just wanted revenge.’

‘Hitting back at those who caused your people so much grief is how he keeps his self-respect. It’s only natural.’

‘It might be natural to you and him; you’re warriors. But that isn’t how I’ve lived my life, for all that I’m a Qalochian.’

‘I’m sorry, Tan, but I think you’re being unfair to Reeth.’

‘I know you’re close to him, Serrah, but-’

‘I’m not sure that’s the way I’d put it.’

‘However you put it, be careful. I’ve no idea what your relationship is with him, but don’t get yourself hurt.’

‘Relationship?’ she came back stiffly. ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’

‘Perhaps you don’t. Sometimes others see what we’re doing better than we do ourselves.’

‘Just a minute. Are you suggesting-’

‘Serrah, I’m sorry. Kinsel’s about to go on, and the children need me. We’ll be watching from the wings. Where will you be?’

‘Around.’ She turned abruptly and strode off.

‘Serrah!’ Ignored, Tanalvah cursed softly and went back to Kinsel.

Serrah marched past Kutch, Disgleirio and the children without a word.