A Malazan Book of the Fallen Collection 1

Kruppe would put it, irretrievably compromised.
    'What's this?' Coll grunted.
    Crokus realized that the man was looking past the horse, a frown deepening the lines of his forehead.
    The boy turned, then let out a wild shout, springing backwards and snatching at his daggers. His boot caught a stone and he sprawled. He jumped to his feet, one blade freed and in his hand. 'It's her!' he yelled. 'The woman from the bar! She's a killer, Coll.'
    'Easy, lad,' Coll said. 'She looks anything but dangerous, despite that sword on her hip. Hell,' he added, pushing himself straighter, 'if anything, she looks completely lost.'
    Crokus stared at the woman, who stood at the summit's edge. 'Hood's Breath,' he muttered. Coll was right. He'd never seen anyone look so bewildered, so utterly at a loss. She was looking at them, tensed as if ready to flee. All the poise, the deadly confidence she'd possessed in the Phoenix Inn was gone, as if it had never been. Crokus sheathed his dagger.
    'So,' he asked, 'what do we do now, Coll?'
    The wounded man shrugged. 'Ease the girl's mind, I guess. From the looks of it, she needs some help.'
    'But she killed Chert,' Crokus stated. 'I saw the blood on her knife.'
    Coll squinted at the girl. 'I don't doubt you, boy, but this girl doesn't look capable of killing anyone.'
    'You think I can't see that?' Crokus said. 'I'm just telling you what I saw. I know it doesn't make any sense!'
    Coll sighed. 'Anyway, she still needs our help. So go and get her, Crokus.'
    The boy threw up his hands. 'How do I do that?'
    'Damned if I know,' Coll replied, grinning. 'Try flirting.'
    Crokus threw the man a disgusted look, then he walked cautiously towards the girl. She tensed and backed a step. 'Careful!' Crokus cried, pointing at the summit's crest behind her.
    The girl saw that she stood at the very edge of a steep slope. Oddly enough, this seemed to relax her. She moved a few steps closer to Crokus, her wide eyes searching his.
    'That's right,' Crokus murmured. 'Everything's fine. Do you understand?' He pointed at his mouth and made talking motions.
    Coll groaned.
    The girl surprised them both by replying in Daru, 'I understand you,' she said haltingly. 'More now. You're not Malazan, you're not speaking Malazan. But I understand you.' She frowned. 'How?'
    'Malazan, huh?' Coll said. 'Where are you from, girl?'
    She thought for a moment. 'Itko Kan,' she said.
    'What the hell?' Coll laughed. 'What storm blew you here?'
    Realization flooded her eyes. 'Where's my father? What happened to the nets? I bought the twine, and there was that Seer – Riggalai the Seer, the wax-witch. I remember her – she died!' The girl fell to her knees. 'She died. And then—'
    Coil's expression was severe, thoughtful. 'And then?'
    'I don't remember,' the girl whispered, looking down at her hands. 'I don't remember anything more.' She began to cry.
    'Gedderone's thousand teats,' Coll cursed quietly, waving Crokus to his side. 'Listen carefully, lad. Don't wait for us. Take this girl to your uncle. Take her to Mammot, and quickly.'
    Crokus scowled. 'Why? I can't just leave you here, Coll. Who knows when Murillio and Kruppe will come around? What if that mercenary comes back?'
    'What if she does?' Coll asked pointedly.
    Crokus flushed and looked away.
    'Murillio's a tough bastard, despite the perfume,' Coll said. 'He'll be up and dancing in no time. Take the girl to your uncle, lad. Do as I say.'
    'You still haven't told me why,' Crokus said.
    'It's a hunch, no more.' Coll reached up and gripped the boy's shoulder. 'This girl's been possessed. I think. Someone, something, brought her here, to Darujhistan, and on to our trail. The truth is somewhere in her head, Crokus, and it could be vital. Your uncle knows the right people, they can help her, lad. Now, saddle up my horse. I'll wait here for our friends to wake. Hell, I can't walk anyway. I shouldn't move for at least a couple of days. Kruppe and Murillio will handle things here. Go!'
    Crokus eyed the weeping girl. Then he said. 'All right, Coll. We'll go back, me and her.'
    'Good,' Coll grunted. 'Now, lay me out a bedroll and some food. Then ride on out of here, and if that damn horse of mine has a heart attack outside the city gates, even better. Hop to it, lad.'

CHAPTER SIXTEEN
    Dessembrae knows the sorrows
in our souls.
He walks at the side of each mortal
a vessel of regret on the fires
of vengeance.
Dessembrae knows the sorrows
and would now share them with us all.
    The Lord of