14

There had been a deluge of tears, naturally.

Without the children really being able to take in the news, let alone understand it or grieve, they were on the move again. If there was to be a chance of getting away, they didn’t have the luxury of time.

Tanalvah Lahn had stayed in Mahba’s home only long enough to throw together a few clothes and gather a little food. Now she carried the boy, Teg, and Lirrin walked alongside. They were red-eyed and dumb with shock.

With each hour that passed the risk increased, and it was about to multiply greatly. Because Tanalvah’s plan required going back to the docks area, where the bordello was. She couldn’t see another way.

Given the heightened tension between Rintarah and Gath Tampoor, and the activities of a resistance movement the state said didn’t exist, there were even more uniforms on Jecellam’s streets than usual. That made Tanalvah, Teg and Lirrin’s journey doubly perilous. They saw many members of the People’s Militia, paladins and disparate other law enforcers. Tanalvah accounted it a small miracle every time they passed one unmolested.

The children sank deeper into wretchedness. Only once did they forget themselves for a few moments and their spirits rise. Taking a circuitous route in case they were followed, they entered the fringes of a prosperous neighbourhood. In an avenue of well-maintained dwellings and neatly clipped trees they noticed a small group of youngsters who were being chaperoned by two glamour companions, magical playmates that also acted as child minders.

One took the form of a man-sized monkey, but it differed from a real simian in having pink fur. Playing a flute and rolling its eyes, it performed a droll, ungainly dance.

The other glamour was a bear. But where the monkey’s fur stayed pink, the bear’s changed colour, shimmering through orange, purple and green. The quasi-beast stood on its hind legs and a bell on a leather collar around its neck tinkled as it shuffled to the monkey’s tune.

The glamours’ charges laughed and cavorted and laid down memories.

Tanalvah had to move on, fearful of being seen loitering. Teg and Lirrin’s mood soon dipped again.

They entered a much less salubrious district. The houses were mean, and downcast people trudged the streets. There were no expensive glamours here. The quarter lacked the effulgence of quality magic to lighten its gloom.

On a street corner, charity workers were engaged in a magic run. A lengthy queue of the insolvent snaked to the back of their wagon. Each was handed a modest charm – spells that might conjure a transient flock of humming birds or a baby’s singing rattle; glamours that produced snatches of transcendent music or sublime visions, to ease the grind of poverty. And for more needy cases, the old and infirm principally, there might be a glamour familiar to relieve an evening’s loneliness.

Tanalvah pulled the children away.

Ten minutes later they skirted the block where the bordello stood. There were no signs of unusual activity in the area. That didn’t reassure Tanalvah; she knew law enforcers could be sly.

What came next would be difficult. She had to conduct some business, and she needed to do it alone. Teg and Lirrin had to be left somewhere. As their mother had gone to lengths to shelter them from the realities of her profession, Tanalvah hoped they wouldn’t be too shocked by what she had in mind.

‘Are we going to meet Mummy?’ Teg asked.

‘No, darling,’ she replied softly.

They came to the backwaters and a winding, dismal lane of low repute. A place where street prostitutes could be found, real bottom-of-the-trade working girls. The ones the authorities also said didn’t exist.

There was danger here from the militia’s regular raids and a clientele that could mete out violence and occasionally murder. The street walkers vied for business furtively, always ready to step back into the shadows. As Tanalvah walked slowly by them, scanning their faces, they returned her stare, wondering how a woman could bring children here.

By luck, or perhaps providence as Tanalvah saw it, she came across the person she wanted almost immediately. At first she didn’t recognise her, despite having last seen her only months before. She’d aged before her time. She was woefully thin and had an unwholesome pallor.

‘Freyal,’ Tanalvah said, approaching her.

‘Tanalvah? What are you doing here?’ She was guarded but seemed pleased to see her.

‘How are you, Freyal?’

‘Oh… all right. You know.’ Her hollow eyes darted to the children. ‘But you didn’t come here to ask me that.’

No. I…

we

need a favour.’ She glanced up and down the lane nervously. Other women were taking an interest. ‘Can we talk?’

‘All right.’ Then dryly, ‘Step into my boudoir.’ She backed into a doorway.

They crowded in with her. Up close, even in the poor light, Tanalvah could see the lines on Freyal’s face. Wrinkles that weren’t there when they worked together in the brothel, before Freyal had one lapse too many and was cast out, and the other women were forbidden to mention her name.

‘Who’re these two?’

‘This is Teg.’ Tanalvah hoisted him. He rammed a thumb into his mouth and gawked, blushing. ‘And Lirrin.’ The girl, brow furrowed solemnly, gave a small, apprehensive nod.

Gauntly, but with genuine warmth, Freyal smiled.

‘I want you to look after them,’ Tanalvah said. ‘Just for a while.’

Freyal looked doubtful. A strand of greasy hair dangled over her eye. She flicked it aside. ‘I don’t know, Tanalvah…’

‘It’s for one of our own. Please, I’ve nobody else to turn to.’

‘I’m not sure I -’

‘Just for two hours. I’ll give you what you’d make during that time.’ She peeked out at the lane, empty of all but working girls. ‘A damn sight more than you’re

likely

to make, in fact.’

‘What’s wrong, Tanalvah? What kind of trouble are you in?’

‘I can’t explain now, and maybe it’s best you don’t know. But believe me, you’d be doing good by taking care of these two for me. Here.’ She fished out some coins. ‘Take it. You’ll have the other half when I get back.’

‘Well… all right. But no longer than two hours.’

‘Good. Just a minute.’ She put Teg down. Lirrin immediately grasped his hand. ‘I’ve got to talk to Freyal for a second. All right? You stay there, both of you.’

She took her friend aside, out of their earshot, and whispered, ‘If I’m not back in two hours, take the kids and leave them at the door of the Endeavour Street orphanage.’

‘You’re in

big

trouble, aren’t you?’

‘It won’t happen. I’ll be back. It’s just in case I’m… delayed.’

The lie was poor and neither believed it.

‘I know I’m asking a lot of you,’ Tanalvah added, ‘but I need somebody I can trust.’

‘I reckon you must be in a real pickle to ask for my help. And you were always good to me, Tanalvah. So don’t worry, I’ll take care of them. Just hurry back.’

‘Thank you.’

Tanalvah went to the children. ‘I have to go somewhere, just for a little while. Freyal’s our friend and she’ll look after you.’ She gathered and hugged them.

‘Must you go?’ Lirrin asked, near tears.

‘Yes, dear, it’s important. But I’ll see you soon, I promise.’

‘You get off,’ Freyal said, lifting Teg. ‘I’ll take them to my place. It’s not far and it’s safe. We’ll be back here in two hours, no later.’

Tanalvah took one last look and turned away.

She moved faster now. Dodging the open arms of leering drunks, ignoring idlers’ catcalls, she headed for the docks, fearing that two hours wouldn’t be enough.

Again, through providence or chance, she had the advantage. In a tavern no respectable citizen would dare enter, at the table where she hoped and expected he would be, she found the man she sought. He was the captain of a fishing ship, and one of her clients. With persuasion and most of her money, he agreed to take her and the children out of Rintarah. Had the money not been enough she would have paid him another way. And his crew as well, if need be.