"The destruction persists right around the hinterland," Deni said. "At least half the ceiling-farms have stopped functioning, and the rest can only work on a limited basis." She glanced at Dura. "Parz City doesn't have much stock of food, you know; she relies on the daily traffic from the ceiling-farms. And you know what they say..."

"What?"

"Any society is only a meal away from revolution. Hork has already instituted rationing. In the long term, I doubt it's going to be enough. Still, at the moment people seem to be accepting the troubles we're having: patiently waiting their turn for medical treatment behind ranks of coolies, following the orders of the Committee. Eventually, I guess, they will blame the Committee for their woes."

Dura took a deep breath. "Just as you're blaming me?"

Deni turned to her, her eyes wide. "Why do you say that?"

"Your tone. Your manner with me, ever since you arrived to bring me back."

Deni rubbed her nose, and when she looked at Dura again there was a faint smile on her lips. "No. I don't blame you, my dear. But I do resent being a ferry driver. I have patients to treat... At a time like this I have better things to do than..."

"Then why did you come to get me?"

"Because Muub ordered me to."

"Muub? Oh, the Administrator."

"He felt I was the only person who would recognize you." She sniffed. "Old fool. There aren't that many upfluxers on Qos Frenk's ceiling-farm, after all."

"I still don't understand why you're here."

"Because that friend of yours insisted on it." She frowned. "Adda? Worst patient in the world. But what beautiful work we did with his pneumatic vessels."

The Air seemed thick in Dura's mouth. "Adda is alive? He's safe?"

"Oh, yes. He was with Muub when the Glitch hit. He's quite well... or at least, as well as before. You know, with injuries like that it's a miracle he's able to move about. And..."

Dura closed her eyes. She hadn't dared ask of her kinsmen earlier — as if phrasing the very question would tempt fate. "And Farr?"

"Who? Oh, the boy. Your brother, isn't he? Yes, he's fine. He was in the Harbor..."

"You've seen him? You've seen that he's safe?"

"Yes." Some compassion entered Deni's voice. "Dura, don't worry about your people. Adda had Farr brought to the Palace..."

"The Palace?"

"Yes, it was a condition of him working with Hork, apparently."

Dura laughed; it was as if a huge pressure had been lifted from her heart. But still, what was Adda doing handing out orders at the Palace? Why were they so important, all of a sudden? "Things have changed since I've been gone."

Deni nodded. "Yes, but don't ask me about it... Muub will tell you, when we dock." She growled. "Another Physician taken away from healing people... I hope this project of Hork's, whatever it is, really is important enough to cost so many lives."