She asked all the people she knew after Simon Fench. Carrianne shrugged, but said she would keep her ears open. Johannes looked askance and said nothing. Shekel, at one of their infrequent meetings, nodded. "Ange mentioned him," he said. Feigning faint interest, Bellis asked Shekel to find out more.

Her query was tossed around on street corners, among the youths who hung over ship railings, firing catapults at the city’s monkeys, or sat in pubs, playing dice and arm wrestling. Each had their own friends, their own contacts, men and women who might slip them coins and food and favors in exchange for whatever trivial services the boys and girls might perform. Bellis’ question passed through them, through the drinking halls of Garwater and Shaddler and Booktown and Thee-And-Thine.

In New Crobuzon, what was not regulated was illicit. In Armada, things were different. It was, after all, a pirate city. What did not directly threaten the city did not concern its authorities. Bellis’ message, like other secrets, did not have to strive to be covert, as it might back home to avoid the militia. Instead, it sped through this wrangling city with ease and speed, leaving a little trail for those who knew how to look.

"You wanted me."

Silas was standing by Bellis’ bed. She had not yet undressed. She was sitting with her knees up, reading a book by gaslight. A moment before, she had been alone.

More thaumaturgy, Silas?she thought.

It was the evening of the tenth Scabdi of Hawkbill, the last day of the quarto-a festival. The streets were loud; people were drunk, shouting and laughing. The ships and streets were draped with colored bunting. The air was full of fireworks and confetti (and still the work went on below the water).

"I do," she said.

"You want to be careful. You don’t want to advertise yourself as dealing with dissidents."

Bellis laughed. "Jabber and fuck, Silas. You should see the list of your-or Mr. Fench’s-supposed friends. They include bigger fish than me, by far. Is it true you drink with Hedrigall?" He did not reply. "So I don’t think anyone’s going to care about me."

They eyed each other quietly. How many times have we done this? Bellis thought hopelessly. Communed secretively-over tea, in my room, at night, to discuss what we do and don’t know…?

"They’re planning something," she said, and her own conspiratorial tone almost reduced her to bitter laughter. "The avanc’s not the end of it. Aum’s learning Salt in double-quick time, and they’ve taken him off to some new secret project. Even some of the scientists involved are feeling cut out. There’s a core-Tintinnabulum, the Lovers, Aum-and this time Uther Doul’s part of it. They’re planning something."

Silas nodded. It was obvious that he already knew.

"So?" Bellis demanded. "What is it?"

"I don’t know," he said, and she could not tell if she believed him.