And heres the beatin heart that keeps all the rest of it together.

Lobston rapped his fist against one of the gleaming silver pistons towering over even Clem. Genuine Spirit Engine that you folk are so proud of. He gave a sly wink. Dont suppose I could convince you into lettin me in on their secret on account of services rendered, could I? Not even if I knew how they worked, said Clem. His reflection in the nearest piston was smudged, and he wiped at it. The only Golmath who do are back home across the ocean. Too important to risk the journey to the new world. I was only joking, son. Lobston winked again and reached up to slap Clem on the back, a nearly acrobatic feat considering their respective sizes. I wouldnt expect you to tell me if you did know. First man thats clever enough to figure that out or wily enough to whisper it out of one of yous gonna be mighty rich. Course we got our pressure engines and what not, but even them new smaller ones aint got a thing on a proper Golmath Spirit engine. Was last year, I think Clem let the garrulous barrister retreat into long-winded reminiscence and stood considering the engine. It was just a cluster of paint and metal right now, dormant gears and pistons and axles crammed tight together like the scooped out innards of some greater, larger machine. Go down to the engine room below, though, flip a few switches, open a few valves, and itd start churning sure as clockwork, faster and smoother than anything else yet schemed up, and no need at all for fuel. Spirit Engines were rare, precious, scarce: his folks one great treasure. They accounted for a good bit of the prejudice Golmath experienced in the new worldcalled monsters, cursed, demon tamers. Hed never seen one up close before. The few times business

had taken him to port towns hed watched some from a distance, perched on the backs of low-hulled boats boats, working sinuously up and down in intermittent flashes of silver. And a few illuminations in books, but that didnt really count. He laid his hand on the metal. It was cool, almost cold, surprising for so sunny a day, but it warmed almost instantly under his touch. I think Im going to sell it, said Clem. Lobston cut off in the middle of a passionate arm-waving declaration, flummoxed. He looked like a rooster that just had half its feathers yanked out. The engine? Son, first off, I dont think No. The whole boat. Out came the rest of the feathers. Lobston took off his hat and rubbed the side of his head. Youre fixing on sellin The Promise? Clem, to be honest, had forgotten that the old riverboat had a name, let alone what it was. Had Lobston even mentioned it in the letters? Well, yes. Im an accountant, Mr. Lobston. What can I do with a boat? It makes more sense to sell it and get back to my life. Well, I suppose Lobston still hadnt returned his hat to his head. Its only, well, your father, Mr. Dangolmhe was awful tickled about the idea of you keepin his boat runnin after hed gone on. I never knew my father, and he never knew me. Until I got your letters I thought he was dead, or gone back to the old world. Ive lived my life without him for twenty five years, Mr. Lobston. Surely you dont expect that to change because hes died. Well, no, of course not. Suppose youre doing nothin any other reasonable body wouldnt. Its only, if you coulda saw him. Lobston was running the rim of the hat round and round through his great thick

fingers. Last few years especially. Took to talkin an awful lot about how much he wished hed met you, had takin the time to find you and your ma back when you was younger. He coulda sat you on the prow of the ship, said your father, taught you everything he knew about the riverand if you dont mind me sayin, that was an awful lot. Clem didnt say anything for a moment. Hed used to imagine similar thingsonly his father had always been a heroic Patrolman, or maybe a brilliant scholar at the University. Never a grizzled riverboat captain. Well, you managed to find me easily enough. Im sure he could have as well if it really bothered him so much. Didnt want to. Said it was too late. That thingsd just be strange between the two of you at this point. Thats where he got the idea to leave The Promise to you. Said itd be like gettin to know each other through a mutual acquaintance. There was a certain quiet poetry to those words that made Clem actually pause and give it thought for a moment or two before coming up against the inevitable, insurmountable wallsits impossible, its stupid, theres nothing you could even do with a boat. Then Im sure hell rest better, said Clem, knowing that the funds I get from selling it will be extremely helpful. Lobston sighed and ran a hand through his thinning curls. He looked like he was about to say something, but ended up staying quiet and after a moment stuck his hat back on his head. Well, he said, shes your ship, sure as horses. Suppose theres not much use in spendin any more time aboard her. The way he said it made it sound a bit like a question, or maybe a plea. No, agreed Clem. I dont suppose there is.

Lobston shuffled his stump-thick legs. Unless of course youd care to see a bit more of her. Just for the hell of it. The sun seemed to hammer harder this far from home. Golmath of old may have lived out their lives in deserts across the ocean, but Clem had grown up used to a certain level of comfort, if not exactly luxury. Hed had about enough of standing around and talking in circles with the rotund lawyer. Im actually feeling a bit tired, he said. Knowing my luck Ill end up with sun poisoning if I stay out much longer. If its not any trouble, Mr. Lobston, Id prefer to head back. No, no trouble at all. Lobston wiped his hand across his whiskers, close-trimmed and oily. Your father always loved the sun. Said nothin else made a body feel so alive. Im not my father. No, said Lobston, I suppose youre not. Clem didnt have much of an answer for that, so after another moment spent listening to the river roar by, they took off for the gangplank. Lobston lauded every aspect of the riverboat on their way off, as if hoping to somehow sway Clems mind at the last minute. There, look genuine cedarwood floorboards! And the chandelier in the ballroom, not to mention the piano; both straight across the ocean from Pard. You didnt find railings half so sturdy just anywhere (go on, the lawyer urged, lean against them and push, you wont fall. Clem declined). Why not stop and peer into the Captains quarters, see how fine and spacious they were, or step real quick into the pilots room and take the steering wheel in his hands just to feel it, just to feel it?

Clem refused politely as he could every time, citing his weariness and desire to be out of the sun. Lobston always reacted the same way: a tight sort of expression a tad flatter than a grimace and a tiny nod. The lawyer halted as they stepped off the gangplank and turned to face Clem. Leathery-skinned boat-hands and raggedly dressed nobodies drifted past them. Lobston thrust out his hand. Well. Cant say youre quite what I expected youd be, but pleased enough to make your acquaintance all the same, Mr. Dangolm. Clem took his hand and shook it with a quiet solemnity that seemed entirely out of place in the middle of the bustling riverside squalor. Seems youre fixed on sellin, and its not my place to keep on tryin to sway you. Just, if thats really what youve got your mind set to do, I wonder if youd trouble yourself to do me a favor. Ill do my best. Lobston wouldnt meet Clems eyes. Suppose thats all I can ask. Mr. Dangolm. Sell the Promise like you want. Only dont sell it to Janary Pausark. Itd kill your father if thats where his boat ended up, ifn he werent already dead. It didnt seem like too much to ask. Sounds easy enough, Mr. Lobston. Might be harder than you think, said the lawyer. You may not be your fathers son, but you seem like a decent sort, Mr. Dangolm. Just keep what I said in mind if you end up talkin to Janary Pausark. Clem assured him that he would. There wasnt much else left to say, and they parted, Lobston back to his office, Clem to rest up for that evening.

That was when he planned on selling the boat.