A Malazan Book of the Fallen Collection 1

whispered. 'She had these candles, you see. Five of them. Five for—'
    'Necromancy,' the short man cut in.
    The taller man, still at her side, said softly, 'I see them, child. I understand what they mean.'
    The other man snorted. 'The witch harboured five frail, weak souls. Nothing grand.' He cocked his head. 'I can hear them now. Calling for her.'
    Tears filled the girl's eyes. A wordless anguish seemed to well up from that black stone in her mind. She wiped her cheeks. 'Where did you come from?' she asked abruptly. 'We didn't see you on the road.'
    The man beside her half turned to the gravel track. 'On the other side,' he said, a smile in his tone. 'Waiting, just like you.'
    The other giggled. 'On the other side indeed.' He faced down the road again and raised his arms.
    The girl drew in a sharp breath as darkness descended. A loud, tearing sound filled the air for a second, then the darkness dissipated and the girl's eyes widened.
    Seven massive Hounds now sat around the man in the road. The eyes of these beasts glowed yellow, and all were turned in the same direction as the man himself.
    She heard him hiss, 'Eager, are we? Then go!'
    Silently, the Hounds bolted down the road.
    Their master turned and said to the man beside her, 'Something to gnaw on Laseen's mind.' He giggled again.
    'Must you complicate things?' the other answered wearily.
    The short man stiffened. 'They are within sight of the column.' He cocked his head. From up the road came the scream of horses. He sighed. 'You've reached a decision, Cotillion?'
    The other grunted amusedly. 'Using my name, Ammanas, means you've just decided for me. We can hardly leave her here now, can we?'
    'Of course we can, old friend. Just not breathing.'
    Cotillion looked down on the girl. 'No,' he said quietly, 'she'll do.'
    The fishergirl bit her lip. Still clutching Rigga's candle, she took another step back, her wide eyes darting from one man to the other.
    'Pity,' Ammanas said.
    Cotillion seemed to nod, then he cleared his throat and said, 'It'll take time.'
    An amused note entered Ammanas's reply. 'And have we time? True vengeance needs the slow, careful stalking of the victim. Have you forgotten the pain she once delivered us? Laseen's back is against the wall already. She might fall without our help. Where would be the satisfaction in that?'
    Cotillion's response was cool and dry. 'You've always underestimated the Empress. Hence our present circumstances ... No.' He gestured at the fishergirl. 'We'll need this one. Laseen's raised the ire of Moon's Spawn, and that's a hornet's nest if ever there was one. The timing is perfect.'
    Faintly, above the screaming horses, came the shrieks of men and women, a sound that pierced the girl's heart. Her eyes darted to Rigga's motionless form on the roadside, then back to Ammanas, who now approached her. She thought to run but her legs had weakened to a helpless trembling. He came close and seemed to study her, even though the shadows within his hood remained impenetrable.
    'A fishergirl?' he asked, in a kindly tone.
    She nodded.
    'Have you a name?'
    'Enough!' Cotillion growled. 'She's not some mouse under your paw, Ammanas. Besides, I've chosen her and I will choose her name as well.'
    Ammanas stepped back. 'Pity,' he said again.
    The girl raised imploring hands. 'Please,' she begged Cotillion, 'I've done nothing! My father's a poor man, but he'll pay you all he can. He needs me, and the twine – he's waiting right now!' She felt herself go wet between her legs and quickly sat down on the ground. 'I've done nothing!' Shame rose through her and she put her hands in her lap. 'Please.'
    'I've no choice any more, child,' Cotillion said. 'After all, you know our names.'
    'I've never heard them before!' the girl cried.
    The man sighed. 'With what's happening up the road right now, well, you'd be questioned. Unpleasantly. There are those who know our names.'
    'You see, lass,' Ammanas added, suppressing a giggle, 'we're not supposed to be here. There are names, and then there are names.' He swung to Cotillion and said, in a chilling voice, 'Her father must be dealt with. My Hounds?'
    'No,' Cotillion said. 'He lives.'
    'Then how?'
    'I suspect,' Cotillion said, 'greed will suffice, once the slate is wiped clean.' Sarcasm filled his next words. 'I'm sure you can manage the sorcery in that, can't you?'
    Ammanas giggled. 'Beware of shadows bearing gifts.'
    Cotillion faced the girl again. He lifted his arms out to the sides. The