The Modern World by Steph Swainston Read Free Book Online Page A

there any questions?’
    Kestrel raised his hand and shouted over half a dozen other reporters, ‘Comet!’
    ‘Yes, Kestrel?’
    ‘A hundred years ago the ground gave way. Am I right?’
    ‘Yes,’ I said quietly.
    ‘Why can’t it happen again?’
    I gestured, allowing Frost to answer. She said, ‘No, no. That’s not possible. I tested the ground thoroughly and it’s solid. The lake has flooded the Insect warren, and the bedding planes and phreatic passages in the karst bedrock – I mean, the caves – are completely full. Slake Master Cave swallowed twice as much water as I first estimated. I admit the tunnels are big. Really big – with a breadth the size of the Throne Room – but there are no Insects left underneath us; foam is pouring out of the resurgence to prove it.’
    I said, ‘They pose no danger to the advancing troops, wouldn’t you say, Lightning?’
    Lightning stood up. ‘The only difficulty I foresee is an attack from further down the valley. Insects have been pressed back into the Paperlands where there is nothing edible left, so they will be ravenous. But with archers and lancers at all sides, I assure you no Insects will infiltrate our defences nor live to lay a scent trail for the rest.’
    Kestrel nodded, and I pointed at another man who had his hand up.
    ‘Smatchet
, Hacilith Post
,’ he said. ‘Is it true the Trisians are causing difficulties for the Sailor?’
    I said, ‘We’re not discussing Tris now. We’re talking about the dam.’
    ‘I hear Trisians are striking because they don’t want to be fyrd or sailors.’
    ‘It must have been days since you ran a story on Mist Fulmer,’ I said sarcastically. He was beloved of the gutter press, finding as he did a whore in every port and a port in every whore, and only half of them women.
    ‘Is it true there’s a garrison in Capharnaum?’
    Kestrel turned to Smatchet and said, ‘The Trisians have put a chainacross the whole harbour mouth to prevent ships entering.’
    ‘Really?’
    ‘Absolutely.’
    I glared eloquently at both of them. ‘The Senate has asked the Castle for assistance in restoring order and we’re complying with Governor Vendace, nothing more. OK?’
    Smatchet backed down: ‘OK.’
    ‘Any more? Yes, Kestrel?’
    ‘Will draining the dam be safe?’
    Frost said, ‘Oh, yes. I agree these are immense hydrostatic forces. To novices the interactions between fluctuating pressures would certainly appear frightening. But I will raise the gate very slowly and control the outflow. It will take five days to release a year’s accumulation of water. I wish I could be more accurate but I can’t, of course, because the reservoir and tunnels are an irregular shape, so we have conditions of flow under varying head. To put it in context …’ She rummaged through the papers on her table and emerged with a sheet covered in a complicated sum. She held it up, then looked frustrated as she realised few people in the room would understand. ‘Come and see me afterwards and I’ll explain … Well, I’ll try to. You can watch the event from a safe distance. It’ll be great – air entrainment and bulking –’
    ‘White water,’ I said.
    ‘Whatever.’ Frost shrugged.
    I said, ‘Not only will it be safe, it’ll be a sight you can tell the grandchildren about. Are there any more questions? Yes, Smatchet?’
    The
Hacilith Post
reporter addressed Lightning, ‘My lord, our readers would like to know if you are ready to announce a date for your wedding with Governor Swallow Awndyn?’
    ‘That’s not our topic!’ I said, exasperated.
    Lightning answered mildly, ‘I think our engagement needs a little more time.’
    I said, ‘Well, there’s your answer. Any more
relevant
questions?’
    Kestrel crossed his legs and nudged his assistant to keep writing. He said, ‘With respect, Comet, is Queen Eleonora making the same mistake as King Dunlin?’
    Frost panicked but Eleonora stood up and looked at Kestrel impassively. I said,