Lady Friday(46)

‘Duke of the Border Sea and Commander-in-Chief of the Army of the Architect,’ added Fred.

Arthur grimaced. It still felt weird to hear all that.

Cool of the Evening bowed her head slightly, but did not sign a message.

‘And that is Suzy Turquoise Blue, Monday’s Tierce,’ said Arthur. ‘And Lieutenant Fred Initial Numbers Gold and Banneret Ugham of the Piper’s Newniths. We are in temporary alliance with Banneret Ugham.’

Fred made a squeaking sound and put his hand up.

‘Arthur? Do you mean it? Me, Lieutenant Gold?’

‘Yes,’ said Arthur. ‘I’d make you a General, but I figure you might find it easier to start off being an officer a bit lower down.’

‘You can make me a General if you like, Arthur,’ said Suzy. ‘I mean, Monday’s Tierce is all very well, but when it comes to rotten jobs being dished out, I reckon a General gets to have less of them—’

‘I’ll think about it,’ said Arthur. ‘I’m not sure you’d be a very responsible General, Suzy. Anyway, the most important thing is that we’re all friends. At least I hope—’

Cool of the Evening looked up and made a rapid sign.

‘What? More Loungers?’ asked Arthur. He raised his rapier, eyes scanning the sky.

‘Nope,’ said Fred. ‘More Winged Servants of the Night. Uh, I hope they know we’re on their side.’

Arthur hastily lowered his rapier. Ugham, who had been retrieving his spear, grounded that weapon. Suzy tucked her knife back into her belt. The Paper Pushers were still not in evidence, and for the first time Arthur wondered where they could have gone.

That thought went away as twenty or more Winged Servants of the Night descended, only becoming visible as they entered the band of sunlight, which the raft had almost left. It had been moving swiftly up the canal the whole time, and Arthur had grown used to both the tilted ‘deck’ beneath his feet and the faint sunshine. But soon they would be in darkness once more, though the raft would continue its upward passage for many more hours.

‘Tell them we’re friends, please,’ said Arthur to Cool of the Evening. She nodded and raised her arms to send a more visible, semaphore-style message with her arms.

‘What did she say?’ whispered Suzy to Fred.

He shook his head and whispered back, ‘Haven’t a clue. I know they have big signs and little signs. Big signs are with arms only, and I never learned them.’

Most of the Winged Servants circled above the raft, moving with it, but three came down to land. Cool of the Evening hopped to meet them, and there was a very fast conversation in sign language that went on for several minutes.

‘Too quick for me,’ said Fred. ‘I can only get a few words. She’s telling them who you are, Arthur.’

‘That could be trouble.’ Arthur kept looking up at the Servants overhead, watching in case they suddenly dove. ‘If they’re fighting because they’re loyal to Friday, then they’ll have to attack. Keep ready. Where are those Paper Pushers? Pirkin was right next to me …’

‘I’m here,’ said a muffled voice several yards away. It sounded like it was coming from the region of Arthur’s feet.

Arthur looked down. He couldn’t see anything but the usual bundles of papyrus records for a moment, then he caught sight of Pirkin peering out through a narrow gap.

‘How … how did you get in there?’ asked Arthur. The gap between the bundles was only as wide as his hand.

‘You can push the bundles apart,’ said Pirkin. ‘If you know how. Then there are lots of gaps and airspaces through the structure. ’Course, only members of the Association are allowed to manipulate the structure of—’

‘Right!’ said Arthur. He was relieved to find that Pirkin hadn’t somehow been killed or fallen off the raft.

‘And I’m staying here!’ said Pirkin. ‘Till we need to change currents anyway. Which should be in about—’

‘Here they come,’ said Fred.

Arthur swiftly looked back up, but the Servants above were still circling. The three who had been with Cool of the Evening were advancing, their hands held wide and open, to show they held no weapons – at least none more dangerous than the claws on their gloves. Cool of the Evening herself sat down where she was.

‘Hello,’ said Arthur as the Servants stopped a few paces away and made short bows. ‘Um, Fred here can do some of your signs …’

All three of the newly arrived Servants immediately signed to Fred.

‘Uh, this is … let’s see … Turned Wingfeather Flys Surprisingly Well, Ferocious Slayer of the Pre-Dawn, and One Who Survived the Darkness. Ah, One Who Survived the Darkness is the highest-ranking in House precedence; she reports directly to Friday’s Dusk.’