‘Father is free to speak whenever he wishes before tonight. Vail has waived his right to address the people.’

‘Waived his—has he gone mad?’

‘Vail has vowed not to set foot in the Square until it is his. He will not be speaking. Neither will he be present for the count. He waives his right to that as well.’

‘Preposterous!’

‘No, it has merely never been done before,’ answered Gideon, clearly enjoying the effect his words were having.

Once again Albert was forcibly reminded of his conversation down in the depths of the Employment Department, when SUE had said the exact same thing to him when he had protested against its demand. He glanced to his left and saw Colby, frowning, as if deep in thought. He spotted Albert looking at him and shrugged. Albert turned away, back towards the Praetor.

‘—is ludicrous! How does Vail assume that the Collegium, the force and everyone else will fall in line to comply with his—’

‘Both the Collegium and the force are duty-bound to facilitate the reckoning, whenever it may be,’ said Gideon. ‘The only person who may object is Father.’ He turned looking steadily at Father. ‘Well, Father? Do you object? If you wish to hold on to your position a little longer, then perhaps you should. For, make no mistake, come the reckoning, it shall be Vail’s.’

‘Oi! Hold your tongue before I hand it to you!’ shouted Ucho. ‘You dare question Father! I knew your Vail when he was taking orders from me and—’

‘And soon you shall take your orders from him,’ replied Gideon, smirking. ‘Do not think I do not know what you are up to, commander. Vail told us you would attempt to provoke us, to find an excuse to detain us, to keep us away from the reckoning. Do nothing, he told me, nothing that would lessen the flock of the faithful before tonight. Try as you will, commander, we shall give you no reason. Now I shall ask Father again. Do you object to a reckoning tonight?’

Albert could feel the tension in the crowd around him, as if every single person had suddenly held their breath.

Father held his eye for a moment. Then he smiled. ‘No,’ he said quietly. ‘I do not. Let it be tonight, if Vail wishes.’

Around Albert, the crowd erupted, different expressions of disbelief of varying strengths filling the air.

‘Father!’ yelped the Praetor. ‘Think about it! You do not have to—’

‘Maybe not, but I wish to. I have had enough of Vail and his hate-mongering. There are larger problems confronting Sanctuary—far larger—so let us be done with this nuisance, and the sooner the better! I have no objection to a reckoning tonight, if the Praetor deems it possible.’

‘The Praetor cannot decline Vail’s request unless you object.’

‘Let us ask him, then. What do you say, Praetor? If I agree, can it be tonight?’