Dinlay
First appears in Book 1: The Dreaming Void, chapter 9 (Inigo’s fourth dream)
Appearances
What you know
Book 1: The Dreaming Void
- Ch 9Dinlay is a constable's youngest son, wears his father's old uniform, is enthusiastic, and can longshout far across the Iguru Plain.
- Ch 9Dinlay reminds Edeard of Fahin.
- Ch 9Dinlay comes from a family of constables; being a constable is his family profession.
- Ch 11A diligent probationer with a father and uncles who are senior constables; he is likely to graduate with top grades and may become squad leader.
- Ch 11Dinlay froze in dismay when the theft alarm sounded, and later looks very upset.
- Ch 11Dinlay froze during the market incident and blames himself; his family expects him to become station captain within ten years, as his father was.
- Ch 13Dinlay has a large family of constables and was nervous at the ceremony; he had been to the Orchard Palace before.
- Ch 15Dinlay disobeyed Edeard's order to let the gang members go and chased them alone to Birmingham Pool.
- Ch 15Dinlay is shot in the hip, nearly drowns in Birmingham Pool, and is saved by doctors; the bullet hit nothing vital.
Book 2: The Temporal Void
- Ch 2Dinlay, a squadmate, was shot and is recovering in hospital; he should return to light duties soon.
- Ch 2Dinlay returned to duty two months ago and has been working very hard to prove himself to his squadmates.
- Ch 4Squad member who suggests snatching Ivarl to exchange for Mirnatha.
- Ch 4Dinlay is sickened by the blood covering his constable tunic.
- Ch 9Posed as Edeard's adviser, considering a career in law, and called in Master Solarin to fight the warrant.
- Ch 9Dinlay suggests entering Sampalok with concealment to seize the listed gang members one at a time.
- Ch 12Dinlay is a corporal and Edeard's close friend; he wants to remain a constable and dreams of being Chief Constable under Mayor Edeard.
- Ch 12Dinlay explains that election fraud in Makkathran is common: stuffed ballot boxes, ghost registrations, bribes and impersonation.
- Ch 12Dinlay ran Jeavons station meticulously while Edeard was away, and is Edeard's best man.
- Ch 12Dinlay is a city boy who wears glasses and finds the trek uncomfortable; he finds a crushed utog beetle in his boot.
- Ch 12Dinlay is shot and killed in the ambush, having refused to stay hidden while his comrades were under attack.
- Ch 12Dinlay finds a utog beetle in his boot and is startled when Edeard kisses him.
Book 3: The Evolutionary Void
- Ch 4Dinlay is Edeard's loyal friend who wears glasses, helped lead the assault and insists on accompanying Edeard to Ashwell.
- Ch 4Dinlay accompanies Edeard, comforts him, and thinks people regard the past too highly; he dislikes the matchmaking of his married friends.
- Ch 4Dinlay is single, likes it, and finds Saria a nightmare.
- Ch 5Dinlay, one of Edeard's original squad, has been captain of Lillylight constable station for eight years and is newly engaged again; he trusts Edeard loyally.
- Ch 5Dinlay wants to capitalize immediately on Yrance's loss of ground after the Skylord's arrival.
- Ch 7Dinlay recently married his fourth wife, Gealee, who resembles his previous wives.
- Ch 7Dinlay has been quietly assembling a team to run Edeard's Mayoral campaign.
- Ch 7Dinlay is a station captain and loyal friend of Edeard who is organising his Mayor election team.
- Ch 9Dinlay repeatedly marries similar-looking young women and defends Doblek's actions as necessary.
- Ch 11Dinlay is Chief Constable, joined unification willingly, and has just married Folopa; he and Macsen haven't spoken for over a year.
- Ch 13Dinlay is gaunt, nearly blind and relies on farsight; he has married many times, his last marriage being a record thirty-two years.
Connections
- member ofConstables
- friend ofEdeard
- ally ofEdeardsquadmate
- family ofCarnaolder sister
- member ofEdeard's squad
- leadsLillylight districtcaptain of the constable station
- partner ofGealeemarried two months
- family ofGealeewife
- family ofHilittewife
Key moments
- Book 1 · Ch 9Constable recruit psychic tests
Woken before dawn by Chae, Edeard and fellow recruits are tested on psychic abilities. Edeard hides his strength, but Chae detects it and makes him lift the heavy ball.
- Book 1 · Ch 9Recruits talk over breakfast
At the station Edeard and fellow recruits eat breakfast, share why they became constables, and explain the Makkathran gangs and their protection rackets to the newly arrived Edeard.
- Book 1 · Ch 11Solarin's law lecture
Master Solarin lectures the probationers on residence law and assigns reading on weapons law, while Edeard is bored and Dinlay is eager.
- Book 1 · Ch 11Patrol through Silvarum
Chae leads the probationers on patrol across Arrival Canal into Silvarum and its markets; Kanseen shares gossip about Dybal and Macsen's mother, and noble girls tease Edeard.
- Book 1 · Ch 11Chae debriefs the squad
Chae calms his anger, admits fault with the squad's market chase, explains the risks of reprisal and escalation by gangs, forgives them, and orders strict procedure in future.
- Book 1 · Ch 11Drinking at the Olovan's Eagle
The squad drinks at the tavern; Macsen secretly spikes Dinlay's beer with vodka to ease his guilt, and the friends pledge to stand together whatever happens.
- Book 1 · Ch 13Constables' graduation ceremony
Nearly eighty probationers receive bronze epaulettes from Mayor Owain in the Malfit Hall; Edeard pledges not to let the city down.
- Book 1 · Ch 13Squad catches the Silvarum thief
Edeard spots the market thief with two accomplices through his ge-eagle. The squad surrounds them; Edeard enters the underground storerooms through a hidden fissure, confronts the thieves, and the squad arrests them.
- Book 1 · Ch 15The bakery extortion trap
The squad stakes out Isoix's bakery for gang extortion. Edeard senses danger; Boyd announces arrest, but the gang members flee, having known they were being watched.
- Book 1 · Ch 15Dinlay's chase and the ambush
Dinlay disobeys Edeard and chases the gang to Birmingham Pool. Edeard's ge-eagle is killed by gang ge-eagles. Arminel steps out and shoots at Dinlay.
- Book 1 · Ch 15Ambush at Birmingham Pool
Arminel's gang shoots Dinlay and pushes Edeard and Dinlay into the pool. Edeard nearly drowns saving Dinlay and is pulled out by his friends with a punt pole.
- Book 2 · Ch 2The New Year raid
Edeard leads combined squads, deceives the Bellis and Neph squads, seizes the real ingots and Ivarl's cellar hoard in a Myco warehouse, and arrests Lian as Ivarl arrives furious.
- Book 2 · Ch 4Bijulee beaten by thugs
Edeard's squad gathers at Dybal's home in Cobara after four thugs assaulted Bijulee as a warning to Macsen, apparently linked to Ivarl. Edeard promises to prevent a repeat.
- Book 2 · Ch 4Squad quarrel at Jeavons station
Macsen angrily accuses Edeard of not trusting the squad; Edeard admits he hid things out of fear and promises to reveal the gangs' scale soon.
- Book 2 · Ch 4Edeard summoned to the squad
During an evening with Jessile, Edeard notices Vilby crossing into Silvarum and leaves, then reveals himself to the waiting squad on Golard Street.
- Book 2 · Ch 4Vilby exposed
Using concealment, Edeard's squad bursts into a private room at the Black Horse, catching Vilby and Ivarl's spy Nanitte; Edeard banishes Vilby from the station and tenement.
- Book 2 · Ch 4Squad confronts Ivarl's infiltration
At Olovan's Eagle Edeard reveals that Nanitte, Chiaran and Ranalee were Ivarl's agents; the squad recommits and Edeard lays out his plan to drive gangs from the districts.
- Book 2 · Ch 4Legal route found
After Finitan advises building street-level support, Master Solarin finds the district exclusion bylaw and the petition right; Edeard organizes chambers of trade to petition District Masters.
- Book 2 · Ch 4Escape from the mansion
Edeard evades Florrel, Julan, and Finitan's political pressure, persuades Homelt to lock the squad in a cellar, then takes them through the floor to the canal tunnels.
- Book 2 · Ch 4Rescue attempt begins
The squad rises concealed into the cellars; Edeard smashes through Mirnatha's door and shields her as shots ring out.
- Book 2 · Ch 4Rescue of Mirnatha
In a gunfight in the cellar, Edeard and his squad kill the kidnappers and free Mirnatha. Edeard uncovers and kills the last concealed kidnapper, who dies and Edeard sees his soul leave.
- Book 2 · Ch 4Triumphant return home
Edeard carries Mirnatha by gondola along the canals past cheering crowds to the Culverit mansion, where Julan and Kristabel are reunited with her and invite the squad to a feast.
- Book 2 · Ch 7Night at the Poilus Theater
After a Culverit party, Edeard and Kristabel join his squad at the Poilus to hear Dybal's band, dancing, drinking and smoking kestric.
- Book 2 · Ch 7Ambush on Riorn Street
Edeard's squad intercepts Medath's enforcers about to cripple Rapsail, and arrests several. Medath escapes. Edeard releases the captured men and orders them to leave Makkathran.
- Book 2 · Ch 7Raid on the Eyrie gun exchange
Edeard's squad and constables ambush the handover in the tower, capturing most gang members; Edeard chases Medath up the stairs and finds hidden foes on the platform, one striking him.
- Book 2 · Ch 7Edeard wakes
Edeard wakes two days later, learns the guns came from the Weapons Guild, and is reunited with his friends.
- Book 2 · Ch 9Planning mass arrests
At Jeavons station, Edeard's team reviews files on seventy-two identified gang leaders. He aims for a hundred and plans to detain them twenty-two days without charge to break the gangs before the election.
- Book 2 · Ch 9Spy captured in Moslet Avenue
Edeard leads his squad into Moslet Avenue, spots a concealed follower with Finitan's technique, stuns him with a thunderbolt and drags him into the tunnels. Friends then voice concern that Edeard's power frightens people.
- Book 2 · Ch 9Spying on Buate's gang lords' meeting
Using Finitan's ge-mouse, Edeard and the squad watch Buate and other gang lords. Buate announces a plan to resist arrest with citywide riots before the election.
- Book 2 · Ch 9Decoy arrest and wave of arsons
While Macsen, disguised as Edeard, is taken to court on Buate's warrant, the real Edeard torches homes of gang leaders, discrediting the case's identification evidence.
- Book 2 · Ch 9Arrest of Buate
Edeard and his squad arrest Buate in Sampalok, scaring off a gathering mob with a burning oil fireball and neutralizing a fire trap via the city.
- Book 2 · Ch 9Boyd killed by Mirayse
While helping an injured lad in a baker's shop, Boyd is shot dead by Mirayse. Edeard sees his soul, which bids farewell and urges Edeard to be bold.
- Book 2 · Ch 9Militia sent into Sampalok
The Mayor orders armed militia against the rioters. Edeard, defying orders, travels underground with his squad to stop them, while Finitan explains Owain's political maneuvering.
- Book 2 · Ch 9Clash at Cloud Canal
Lieutenant Eustace's platoon blocks Edeard; Edeard drops water on them, summons a twister to scatter burning barricades, while his squad fights the soldiers, then he proceeds to the plaza.
- Book 2 · Ch 9Wedding of Macsen and Kanseen
Edeard prompts Macsen to propose with a ring from the wreckage, and a Mother marries the couple in Sampalok square before the crowd.
- Book 2 · Ch 12Election day in Makkathran
Voting opens across the city's districts. Edeard inspects the ballot boxes in Jeavons, votes, and monitors other districts by farsight, finding trouble only in Sampalok. Finitan is leading in early indications.
- Book 2 · Ch 12Edeard and Kristabel's wedding
Edeard marries Kristabel in a church ceremony led by the Pythia, attended by guild masters, constables and Mayor Finitan; Salrana sends regrets.
- Book 2 · Ch 12Expedition into the Donsori Mountains
Topar, Edeard and a small trusted group ride out disguised as guildsmen to hunt the bandit crew behind raids on Northford and Regentfleet, hoping to capture one alive.
- Book 2 · Ch 12Bandit spotted on the plateau
Using ge-eagles at night, the party spots a bandit with a collared fastfox dressed like the Ashwell attackers and follows him to a concealed hollow.
- Book 2 · Ch 12The gully ambush
Edeard's party enters the bandits' gully, but the bandits knew they were coming and triggered an avalanche and gunfire. Most of Edeard's companions die.
- Book 2 · Ch 12Reunion with parents' souls
Grieving, Edeard sees the souls of Macsen and Dinlay, and with their help sees his parents' faint souls, who stayed to protect him.
- Book 2 · Ch 12Salrana's betrayal
Warned by the souls, Edeard confronts Salrana, who admits she called Owain, scorns him and declares her ambitions. Owain's men and militia surround the mountain.
- Book 2 · Ch 12Edeard travels back in time
Edeard throws the squad off the slope, then forces the universe to link his memory with the Void's record, and wakes in the woodland camp days earlier, with his dead friends alive.
- Book 2 · Ch 12Edeard aims for an earlier moment
Realising he may not make it back in time before the ambush, Edeard decides to jump further back to the camp near Stibbington on the first day of the road.
- Book 3 · Ch 4Final assault on the bandits' valley
On his fifth reset, Edeard prepares by removing the hidden guns and subverting ge-eagles; the militias surround the Gilmorn's fortress outcrop and capture him with few losses.
- Book 3 · Ch 4Sentencing of the Gilmorn
Edeard reads the warrant condemning the Gilmorn to be abandoned on a remote island; the Gilmorn taunts him as Owain's puppet, and Edeard walks out.
- Book 3 · Ch 4Return toward Ashwell
Edeard and Dinlay ride to Ashwell and find the old village lands overgrown.
- Book 3 · Ch 4Edeard revisits Ashwell
Edeard and Dinlay enter the ruined village, find unburied bones, and Edeard confronts memories of the attack.
- Book 3 · Ch 4Edeard refuses to relive the past
Tempted to go back and save the village, Edeard refuses, accepts the past, and leaves for Makkathran.
- Book 3 · Ch 5Edeard announces the Skylord
Edeard publicly announces the Skylord's arrival, causing uproar; Yrance's team mocks it while Dinlay's counterclaims spread. Five days later Finitan is carried to the tower.
- Book 3 · Ch 5Procession to the tower
Edeard lifts Finitan, and with Dinlay and the doctor they go by gondola to the Lady's church, where the Pythia, Kanseen, Kristabel and Macsen join them heading to a tower.
- Book 3 · Ch 7Meeting in Sampalok
Edeard and Kristabel visit Macsen and Kanseen to discuss the housing crisis caused by the pilgrims awaiting the Skylords.
- Book 3 · Ch 7Edeard agrees to run for Mayor
Pressed by Macsen, Kristabel, Kanseen and Dinlay, Edeard accepts that he will stand for Mayor; Dinlay will organise the campaign.
- Book 3 · Ch 7Edeard confronts Gealee
Edeard investigates the nest's weaknesses, tracks Gealee to her lover and confronts her, deducing she was placed by the nest to reach Dinlay.
- Book 3 · Ch 7Gealee unmasked
Edeard confronts Gealee, who reveals herself as a nest member, forces a painful command on him to join, and leaves, telling him to explain Dinlay's lost marriage.
- Book 3 · Ch 9Welcome on Wharf One
Edeard lands in the Port district to cheering crowds and is greeted by Macsen, Dinlay and Mayor Doblek, who asks if he sailed around the world.
- Book 3 · Ch 9Meeting with Macsen and Dinlay in Sampalok
Edeard learns of Macsen's breakup and decline, Dinlay's marriage to Hilitte, and the history of Our City, Doblek's election and the militia blockade.
- Book 3 · Ch 11News of Fandine march on Licshills
Dinlay tells Edeard the Fandine militia marches on Licshills. Edeard decides the city militia will oppose both sides and that he will ride with them.
- Book 3 · Ch 11Edeard jumps back through the Void's memory
Repenting his tyranny, Edeard reaches back to a much earlier moment and lands at the foot of the Eyrie tower just after defeating Tathal, reconciles with Kristabel and resolves to live differently.
- Book 3 · Ch 13Edeard takes guidance
Edeard, Kristabel, Macsen, Kanseen and Dinlay are accepted by a Skylord. As their bodies dissolve, Edeard gives the world the gift of travelling back through one's life to begin again.