When Hildesman led Mister Walthers to the local Order compound, it was a different atmosphere than the one Hildesman had left behind two days ago. The crush of Order Brothers and Sisters had dwindled to almost no foot traffic, and the civilians were all keeping a distance from the Orders' buildings. Despite the lack of people, signs of tension were still present in every direction. Wall Guards were patrolling in groups of four through the buildings and footpaths, and every one of them was armed and charged. Windows were kept closed and shuttered, despite the pleasant weather. Hildesman was sure he spotted bars through some of the shutters.

The only part that seemed normal was the Manufactors' assembly lines. The large warehouse-like buildings had more work to do than usual, and it showed in the glow of forgelight leaking from every crack and panel, and the gouts of steam that periodically assailed the evening sky. The clash of metal on metal and the buzz of machinery were audible even across the compound, possibly because all the other noise was absent.

Hildesman had never actually learned where Sister Poriss's new offices were, so he took Mister Walthers to a door in the main administration building. As they approached, however, Mister Walters stopped suddenly.

"What?" Mister Walthers asked.

"I didn't say anything," Hildesman answered. "Come on, it's this way."

Mister Walthers hesitated again. "I...I've been away from the city for a while," he stammered. "Always was a little uncomfortable around so many armed people. Direbeasts you know where you stand. You understand?"

Hildesman didn't. Direbeasts weren't the only threats he encountered in the forests, and the other kinds were usually armed people. Did Mister Walthers work so far from population centers that he didn't even see bandits or hostile exiles? "They're not here because of anything you need to worry about. There's some conflict east of the city, so the Order has all their buildings on alert. Besides, you're expected. I arranged for the Order to connect you with your niece when I arrived in town."

Mister Walthers shot a nervous glance at the Wall Guards manning the door, then tilted his head, like he was listening to something. "Do you think...do you think you could go in and get the information for me? I'd like to keep my head under sky, if I can. I...like I said. I don't like cities."

Hildesman considered it for a moment. Mister Walthers behavior was unsettling, but then again he did live a life of isolation. "Sister Porriss is going to want to see you for herself," he offered, trying to encourage the short man to come with him. "And to be honest, I was hoping the Order would be able to verify your identity. Your flask was convincing, considering the story. But I'm not about to vouch for you in front of a Second Administrator just based on that."

Mister Walthers shot a few more nervous glances around, until Hildesman was put in mind of a rabbit, watching for predators. Eventually, he answered, "Alright. You're right. I just...give me a minute." Turning away from Hildesman, he pulled out his flask. Hildesman could understand that, but it was a terrible habit for facing fears. He bit his tongue, and was glad for it, when Mister Walthers merely pressed the flask to his forehead without opening it. Hildesman saw his jaw moving, but couldn't hear what the words were, if they were even words. A ritual, not a drink. Hildesman felt his own tension drop away a little at the sight as well, to his surprise. He was even more surprised when he noticed that it seemed as if the tension in the compound had receded slightly too. Maybe he was adding his own tension to the ambient tension.

The ritual took less than a minute, and then Mister Walters turned back and nodded to Hildesman. Hildesman nodded back and started towards the door. As he approached, it became clear that the guards were going to stop and inspect him, most likely for weapons. That was fine by him; he'd had to turn over his steambow until Brother Davvis could restore it to its original configuration, and he'd dropped his bolter and his pack off at home. He wondered if that had been what Mister Walthers was concerned about.

"Evening," Hildesman greeted the front guard. Her knots of rank marked her as a relatively new recruit, and her youth was a match for it. She seemed almost too young for the post. Or maybe Hildesman was just getting old; the Order raised children, but they would never put one on guard duty.

"Evening," the young woman answered. "Do you have business with the Administrators?"

"Yeah. My name is Aaron Hildesman. I'm a trapper, just got back from early scouting to the east. I need to speak with Second Administrator Porriss. It regards a note I delivered from Missus Gertrae Fennickken, two days ago. I have new information she'll want to hear."

The woman's face blanched when he mentioned the rank. Hesitantly, she turned to Mister Walthers. "And you, sir? What is your name?"

Mister Walthers paused, looking at Hildesman as if to ask for instruction. Hildesman didn't reply, but Mister Walters turned back to the guard woman. "I guess I would be the new information. My name is Percival Walthers. Mister Hildesman is helping me find my niece. According to him, Second Administrator Porriss knows her whereabouts."

The guard to the young woman's left interrupted suddenly. "You mean," he said, irately, "to say that during the current crisis, you're going to bother a Second Administrator with the mundanity of a missing child? Surely any Administrator could help you with those records." Hildesman noticed that the other man had flexed his hand, the one to which a bolter-gauntlet was strapped. He also noticed that the man's other hand had another copy of the new device Brother Davvis had worn during their scouting mission. He wondered what it did. Brother Davvis had never said.

The lead guard snapped at her impulsive colleague. "Back in line, Brother Matteo!"

"But--"

"I said back in line!" Brother Matteo backed up until he was back in his original position, though rather than chagrined, Hildesman would have described his expression as "seething". The lead guard waited until Brother Matteo was in compliance, then turned to Mister Hildesman. "Temper problems aside, Brother Matteo's complaints are essentially accurate. The ranking Administrators are all overseeing the current crisis. I'm afraid that I can't approve a visit to Second Administrator Porriss for any matter that doesn't directly concern the crisis."

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Hildesman had expected that answer, but he still wanted to see Sister Porriss if he could. "I understand. In that case, could you send the request to Third Administrator Gane Thestle instead? He handled the original contact." Before the guard could point out that Third Administrators were hardly less busy, he added, "He handled it as a personal request from Gertrae Fennickken, so it didn't pass through the clerks' offices. I'm worried they won't be able to find the correct records."

The young guard seemed to expect further explanation, and when Hildesman didn't offer one, she answered. "Who is Gertrae Fennickken?"

Of course. Gertrae had probably retired when this woman was still a young child. Sister Porriss was still well known in the city, but her old longtime rival would only be known to close followers of the sharpshooting competitions. Her modern competitors were all younger than Hildesman.

Hildesman was saved from having to explain when the far right guard coughed slightly. She was closer to Hildesman's age, if he was forced to guess. "Sir, if I may?" The lead guard nodded permission. "Gertrae Fennickken was Second Administrator Porriss's most noteworthy sharpshooting competitor for the better part of thirty years. I never knew her personally, but as I understand it, they were also pretty good friends."

The lead turned to Hildesman again. "And how is it that you are acting as a personal messenger between two old legends?"

"Missus Fennickken was my instructor when I was learning the trade. We keep in touch. She doesn't come into the city much anymore, but she lives close enough that I can bring her supplies and take her letters when I'm heading out for a job."

"I heard Fennickken took up trapping," the older guard offered. "After she left the order."

Hildesman nodded. "Until she retired fifteen years back, yeah."

The lead guard still seemed unconvinced. "I understand it's unusual," Hildesman acknowledged. "Could you just send word to Brother Thestle? Tell him Aaron Hildesman is here with Percival Walthers. We can wait in the garden over there."

For a moment, Hildesman thought the guard was going to turn him away merely on the principle that the situation was too complicated. But then she nodded, and waved for Brother Matteo, who went into the building.

---

Brother Thestle appeared himself not half an hour later. The fading daylight had long ago been covered by the looming city buildings, but the lamps that lit the Order's garden were nearly as bright. Hildesman stood as he saw the Third Administrator approaching, and Mister Walthers followed suit.

"Hildesman," Brother Thestle opened. "I didn't even know you were back in the city. And now you're apparently bringing me fresh news about Gertrae Fennickken's situation already."

"Caught a ride with Brother Davvis. Really sped up the mission being with an Order pilot," Hildesman explained. "And then as soon as I got back, Mister Walthers turns up at the Glass looking for me. I figured I should probably see if there's been any changes since I gave you word of his niece before he and I show up looking for her where she isn't."

Brother Thestle seemed bemused. "Missus Fennickken is still looking after young Francine Walthers. I daresay she didn't expect to hear from the girl's uncle so soon, though. We weren't even sure if he was in the city."

"Got in about a week ago. Entered through the West Gate," Walthers volunteered. "If you need to check the logs."

"Yes. But before I go through all of that, Mister Walthers, I have to warn you."

"Warn me about what? Has something happened to my niece?"

"Yes, Mister Walthers," Brother Thestle removed his glasses before continuing, "I'm afraid your niece has developed a rare form of Tessenium sickness. Gertrae Fennickken once suffered from the illness herself, and her home is one of the few places outside the city suited for treating it. It's fortunate that Mister Hildesman's nearest safe haven to bring a lost child was his former tutor's house. Until your niece stabilized, I cannot recommend moving her from that home. Travel can exacerbate the symptoms. Once I have verified your identity, I can direct you to the house so you can see your niece in person."

"She...she's sick?" Percival Walthers rounded on Hildesman, who held his hands up defensively. "You didn't say she was sick!"

"To be frank," Hildesman said, meeting Brother Thestle's eyes, "I didn't know all the details. Teach sealed her letter, and I respected that. She never said anything about Tessenium sickness to me. I was gonna bring them some supplies until I got volunteered for scouting. Maybe I would have learned then?"

"The supplies were delivered by cargo skimmer last night," Brother Thestle offered. "Seeing as you were unavailable, one of our Administrators with pilot training dropped them off. And Mister Walthers, do not worry. The illness almost always progresses without incident. Young Francine will likely have a few irregularities for the rest of her life, but nothing dangerous will come of it once she has adapted to it."

"And I can see her? Can I bring her a doctor?"

"You may, and you can if you like. The Order's physicians have studied cases of this illness. Some of them even have experience with it, though it is uncommon. We can provide one for your niece at your request. It shouldn't be necessary; the important thing is the treatment and Missus Fennickken is more than capable of administering that at her home."

Percy Walthers sat back down on the bench, grabbed a long leaf out of one pocket, and chewed on the end of it. Hildesman gave Brother Thestle a look. He knew that the illness was merely a cover for Francine's Mark. It was the usual explanation the Order used to keep Marks from becoming common knowledge. He assumed that Brother Thestle and Sister Porriss knew about The Listener as well, though he wasn't sure how much Teach would have put in her letter. He just wished Brother Thestle had warned him about this cover before Percy Walthers showed up at his table.

Walthers stood up, tucking the chewed-on leaf back into its pocket. "Alright. I'd like to go see her."

"Of course. It's getting late, Mister Walthers. Why don't you come with me? I'll find you a bunk. By morning I will be able to verify your entry records and send you on your way."

Mister Walthers looked uneasily back at the administration building and its guards. "D'you think," he started, turning to Hildesman with a hopeful look on his face, "I could impose to stay with you instead? I don't like sleeping where too many people sleep. It's a good thing I never signed up for Wall Duty, eh?"

Hildesman glanced at Brother Thestle, and got a shrug in return. "Sure, Mister Walthers. I don't have a spare cot, but you can take the armchair in the front room for tonight. Tomorrow we can come find Brother Thestle and you can be on your way."

"I'll leave a note with the guards with the correct information, assuming I can verify yours. In case I am unavailable. Give them this," Brother Thestle handed Mister Walthers a piece of paper with some scribbles and a stamp on it. "It will save you all that trouble you saw with the guards today. Sorry you had to deal with that. I had hoped the new sensors would make this level of intimidation unnecessary, but I guess word hasn't got out yet," He turned back towards the building. "Good night, gentlemen. Stay well."