‘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.
‘You all right, Serrah?’ Disgleirio called out.
‘Yes,’ she replied, cold as ice. ‘Perfectly.’
Kutch and Quinn exchanged a look.
The audience had begun to applaud and cheer the moment Kinsel walked on stage.
He was in excellent voice, and every song drew a thunderous response. The crowd was enchanted, roused, transported by the music. His lays of chivalry stirred their blood, and the lyrical ballads brought them to sweet melancholy. He led them into shadow and back to the light, by way of wonderment. The purity of his singing inspired rapture and tears.
His most appreciative audience was in the wings. Tanalvah, with Teg in her arms and Lirrin clutching her skirt, stood entranced. Every so often, Kinsel favoured them with surreptitious smiles and winks.
He had scoured orphanages and foundling workhouses to choose each member of the chorus himself. His diligence, and days of rehearsal, had paid off. They shadowed him perfectly, snug as a silk glove on a rich woman’s hand. Swarms of glamoured sound boosters, made to look like birds or bloated, unseasonable wasps, drifted above the crowd relaying the music to every corner, as distinct as it was to those in the front row.
At last Rukanis reached the climax of his repertoire with songs of great deeds. His voice soared as he intoned fables of gallantry and unrequited love. And the bronze statues on either side of the dais came to glamoured life.
To the left, the conquering hero stretched as though from a long sleep. The enemies he had downed rose too, and battle recommenced. On the right, the warrior awoke, his horse rearing. The monster’s tentacles lashed and contorted and a thrust of the champion’s spear caused yellow ichor to spurt from the creature’s scaly flesh. It wasn’t to Kinsel’s taste, but it was a crowd-pleaser.
As he drew to a close, a magically generated rainbow arched over the heads of the audience, its hues more vivid than Nature’s own. It looked solid, as though a multicoloured bridge had been thrown across the breadth of the park. As thousands craned to see, a network of jagged cracks appeared on the rainbow’s surface. Then it began to crumble. Red, blue and green chunks came away, breaking up into even smaller fragments as they fell. The people below cried out, and many covered their heads. But what showered down on them was an abundance of flowers. Beautiful, radiantly coloured blooms of every imaginable genus. Within seconds of falling they transmuted into a froth of minute golden stars and returned to nothingness. Only their exquisite perfume lingered.
Kinsel brought his last song to a booming, triumphant finish. The crowd roared. They rained the stage with real flowers, singly and in bouquets and bunches. People chanted his name and let off dazzling red and white glamour flares. They whistled, clapped and released synthetic doves, shiny as platinum.
Grinning, he took his bows and retreated.
In the wings, Tanalvah and the children clustered round and hugged him.
‘You were wonderful,’ she said.
‘I was?’ He looked slightly bewildered, as though the possibility had never entered his head. ‘Truly?’
‘
