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stirrups, their lances tilting backwards in their saddle rests.
    Lightning hesitated, surprised, then stepped up astride Balzan, drew his reins left, turned and sped after her. They picked up the pace from a gallop to a charge; I watched them disdainfully until they were just dots above clouds of spray. Then I sighed, shook my wings open and ran to take off.

CHAPTER 2
     
    Frost had given me days to prepare a speech but as usual I hadn’t bothered; I’m used to speaking ad lib. I stood outside the hall listening to the low hubbub and expectant atmosphere. It reminded me of court.
    Everybody looked up as I entered and silence descended over the benches filled with journalists and their assistants, saddle-sore in crumpled clothes.
    Frost was sitting on a bench by the front wall, facing them. She fiddled with her river pearl wedding ring, her only jewellery, but she looked meditative rather than nervous; she was probably passing time by working out equations in her head.
    A number of architects and engineers sat on the furthest benches. Many were women, watching their role model with expressions of adulation, fountain pens poised to scribble on sheaves of paper on their knees. I scanned the room for familiar faces, thinking: I’ll watch out for the Morenzians, they tend to be the least respectful – but I spotted Kestrel Altergate, the exception to the rule.
    Frost had taped a schematic drawing of the dam to the chimney breast. I stood in front of it and addressed the audience. ‘Good morning, everybody. Welcome to Slake Cross, representatives of the governors and of the press. I know you’ve made many days’ journey and I apologise that the lodgings we have to offer are of necessity fairly basic.
    ‘Tonight is the centenary of the battle of Slake Cross. On this very night, one hundred years ago, thousands of Insects emerged from the cave system under the river, into the middle of a vanguard camp of five battalions. Only thirty mortals survived, all archers who showed incredible courage.
    ‘I was there, and can never forget, but even for those who were not, the date is charged with meaning. We were forced to retreat in this part of the valley. Here and only here, for the first time since the foundations of Lowespass Fortress were laid in the year ten-oh-nine,the Insects extended their Wall on the south side of Oriole River. It is our vulnerable spot. For exactly a century the Castle has been striving to push the Wall back and reclaim our land. A hundred years and – by god – it seems like a long time!’
    I waited until the journalists’ polite laughter had subsided and then I opened my wing towards Frost. ‘The Circle’s Architect has taken five years to design and build the dam, the largest construction ever. It is truly the wonder of the modern world.
    ‘Insects may be instinctive architects but they had to run when the river began to expand. I watched from the air, I saw them drowning, curling and twisting. Now, next week we will drain the lake and you are all invited to witness the prodigious sight. It’ll be the biggest waterfall you can possibly imagine.’
    My enthusiasm made them sit up. I was very excited at the prospect of seeing millions of tonnes of water spurting into the river. ‘As the lake level drops, the Insect buildings will gradually emerge, slick and slimy.
    ‘All the immortals will lead the fyrd to secure two hundred square kilometres of land and the north bank of the river. We have battalions already drawn up from coastal Awia – that is to say, the manors of Tanager, Peregrine and Wrought – and Lakeland Awia, the manors of Micawater and Rachiswater. I have also requested battalions from Hacilith and Eske, so you see the Empire’s other capitals are participating with good will.’
    Kestrel Altergate, on the first row, tried to interrupt me, ‘Comet –’
    I raised a hand, ‘Please wait and I’ll take questions at the end. I’d like to hand you over to Frost, who will give some