TWENTY
Tane and Vuldon, it seemed, could get in anywhere with their newfound identities. On a rare evening to themselves, they decided the best thing to do was go for a drink, get to know each other a little better. Vuldon was fine with that. He knew that it was important to form a good relationship with someone who might, one day, end up saving his life.
They strolled through the sleet to one of the new silver and glass bars that were becoming more common in Villjamur. Cultist-enhanced lights and coloured lanterns made the place look surreal. A weird green glow fell across the shiny cobbles. A couple of young girls ran by laughing with a wax coat raised up above them to shelter from the wet, and they headed inside. Two soldiers stood either side of the doorway, dressed in military colours that Vuldon didn’t recognize: sleek, dark-red uniforms, with a white belt and hefty black boots.
Vuldon stepped up to the two men. ‘Interesting uniforms you got there, gentlemen.’
The one on the left spoke, ‘Colours of the Shelby Corporation Soldiers. Sir.’
‘Private militia?’ Tane queried.
‘Emperor’s allowed private companies to offer military services in the city, sir. What with the current military being overstretched.’
‘Looks as though you’re kitted out well,’ Vuldon said, nodding towards the fine-looking blade at the man’s hip.
‘What kind of business is Shelby in?’ Tane asked.
‘Ores, mainly. Based in Villiren, sir.’
‘He make those swords?’
‘Yes, sir.’
‘Well, doesn’t that work out well for his ore business, soldiers of Shelby?’ Vuldon said. ‘I take it you’re not going to deny us entry?’
‘Absolutely not, sir. Knights are most welcome indeed. Sir.’
Vuldon and Tane glided past the soldiers and into the bar. Vuldon had to crouch a little to fit under the lintel, but eventually found himself in a cavernous room that looked as though it had once been something like a factory, except now it was polished metal and lurid coloured lighting.
‘Now this is more like it!’ Tane enthused.
‘It’s horrible, is what it is,’ Vuldon muttered.
‘Now there is nothing wrong with a little progress in design. You’ll get used to it. And look at these women!’
Vuldon peered about the joint. It was full of youngsters moving in spasms on a central floor, while all along the edge were musicians on tribal drums and weird nasal-sounding instruments. ‘There’s too much noise. I want a drink.’
Vuldon muscled his way to the bar and asked the barman for two rums. He looked back at his own reflection, at the logo on his chest that seemed to glow in the weird lighting. He tossed over a coin, took his drinks and was, almost instantly, surrounded by people.
‘You’re… you’re a Knight!’ someone gasped.
‘I’ve heard about you.’
‘I saw you only yesterday helping someone.’
The compliments rolled in; these people were in awe. He smiled awkwardly, thanked them, and pushed back towards Tane, who accepted his drink.
‘You know what, old boy? These powers have their advantages. I heard everything those fellows said to you.’
‘Tell me something I don’t know,’ Vuldon mumbled.
‘How about, I can hear what that group of women are saying about you.’
‘You shouldn’t listen in to conversations like that, cat-man.’
‘Really? The one with red hair thinks you’re a fine-looking specimen. But the thing is, I can listen to what the ladies like, and direct my charm offensive accordingly…’
‘That’s… creepy,’ Vuldon said.
‘Nonsense, it’s streamlining. Take that lady over there — she’s just broken up with her lover, and hates men. That’s not worth pursuing.’
‘She’s not worth pursuing.’
‘Over there — the brunette in the blue dress — it’s her birthday, and she’s feeling the need for change in her life.’
‘And you could bring that about, yeah?’ Vuldon asked. ‘You could have a meaningful relationship and respect her?’
‘Now steady on, chap. I’m merely suggesting what these powers can offer. I’m talking about the lady there, the blonde in the black dress.’
‘Cute, but too young for my tastes.’
‘Not for me, old boy. Not for me.’
He took a sip of his drink. ‘What’s her story then?’
‘See you are interested. It can’t be helped, can it? So her story is — I think — that she hates her father, and her mother doesn’t even know she’s out tonight. She is your classic rebel — and I’m an admirer of such qualities.’
‘You’re a predator, is what you are.’ Vuldon felt the eyes of everyone in the room on him — not helped by the fact that he towered above most people. And he couldn’t help but think it was all a waste, that while refugees were dying outside the city’s gates, people here were planning to drink or sleep their way into forgetting about the ice age.
‘I’m merely being efficient,’ Tane replied.
‘We’re getting enough attention in here as it is,’ Vuldon said. People were gathering around them, young faces smiling, little waves, everyone hoping to catch their eyes — and all for what, helping out citizens in distress?
‘Vuldon, Vuldon, Vuldon,’ Tane laughed. ‘Don’t you ever accept the notion of a challenge?’
‘You complicate life too much, cat-man,’ Vuldon replied, and downed a shot of rum. A curvy brunette sidled up to him and placed her arm on his waist. She said something about liking a hero. Vuldon turned to Tane, but the other Knight was already ploughing a furrow through the throng to his chosen girl.
Well, what harm could it do? he thought, glancing casually at her. It has been a long time. So much for getting to know Tane. ‘Evening, miss.’
*
Lan awoke bleary-eyed, with sunlight bathing her room in hues of orange and pink. She ached, as she did every morning after a night patrolling the city. She had volunteered to go out on her own last night, whilst Vuldon and Tane were permitted a rare evening of relaxation. They’d decided to go out and drink in the taverns on the lower levels of the city and, when she returned at some ungodly hour, they were still out, so she went straight to bed.
Intermittently during the rest of her sleep she heard a distant, female voice.
As she climbed out of bed, the thick blankets and sheets slipped to the floor. Her room was beautiful and minimal, a far cry from the cluttered rooms she had shared with the girls at the circus. Cream sheets and white stone walls, with a marble floor and a vast window overlooking the sea. A table to one side with incense, an elegant wardrobe with geometric mock-Mathema motifs, a small log fire containing only ashes now — though with her augmentations she didn’t feel the cold as much as before.
To have her own space was a luxury she had dreamed about for years. No more having to hide herself, no more self-consciously getting dressed. Aware of being different, every slight detail, every movement, every glance could have opened up terrifying consequences for her. Now that she didn’t actually have to be aware of such things, it didn’t alter the fact that she was able to relax fully, even in her own room, and Lan realized then just how many ghosts from her past were walking alongside her.
Sometimes she felt guilty for having undergone so much of a transformation. She knew of other women who would have killed to have been given her opportunity to match their anatomy with their gender.
