A Malazan Book of the Fallen Collection 1

we've got the other vessel closing on us, so, like I said, the fun's anything but over.'
    'One thing at a time,' Kalam grunted.
    They made their way down through the galley and into the passage. Water swirled ankle-deep, and the assassin could feel just how sluggish Ragstopper had become.
    'You pulled rank on the marines, didn't you?' Elan asked as they reached the captain's door.
    'I don't outrank the lieutenant.'
    'Even so. Call it the power of notoriety, then – she's already had harsh words with the treasurer.'
    'Why?'
    'The bastard wants us to surrender, of course.'
    They carried the captain to his cot. 'A transfer of cargo in this blow?'
    'No, they'll wait it out.'
    'Then we got time enough. Here, help me get him undressed.'
    'His hands are bad.'
    'Aye, we'll bandage them up next.'
    Salk Elan stared down at the captain as the assassin pulled the blanket up around the man. 'Think he'll live?'
    Kalam said nothing, pulling the captain's hands free to study the lacerations. 'He stopped a blow with these.'
    'Now that's not an easy thing to do. Listen, Kalam, how are we in this?'
    The assassin hesitated, then said, 'How did you put it? "Slunk the same path?" It seems neither one of us wants to end up in a shark's belly.'
    'Meaning we'd better work together.'
    'Aye, for now. Just don't expect me to kiss you good night, Elan.'
    'Not even once?'
    'You'd better get up top, find out what's going on. I can finish here.'
    'Don't tarry, Kalam. Blood could spill fast.'
    'Aye.'
    Alone with the captain, the assassin found a sewing kit and began stitching flesh. He finished one hand and had started on the other when the captain groaned.
    'Hood's breath,' Kalam muttered. 'Just another ten minutes, that's all I needed.'
    'Doublecross,' the captain whispered, his eyes squeezed shut.
    'We'd guessed as much,' the assassin said, continuing closing wounds. 'Now shut up and let me work.'
    'Poor Pormqual's treasurer is crooked.'
    'Like attracts like, as the saying goes.'
    'You and that poncy skulker ... two of a kind.'
    'Thanks. So I keep hearing.'
    'Up to you two, now.'
    'And the lieutenant.'
    The captain managed a smile, his eyes still closed. 'Good.'
    Kalam sat back, reached for the bandages. 'Almost done.'
    'Me too.'
    'That bodyguard's dead, you'll be pleased to know.'
    'Aye. Killed himself, the idiot. I ducked the first swing. The blade bit through the wrong ropes. Feel that, Kalam? We're rolling even – someone up top knows what we're doing, thank the gods. Still, way too heavy ... but she'll hold together.'
    'Got enough rags for that, then.'
    'That we have.'
    'All right, I'm done,' Kalam said, rising. 'Get some sleep, Captain. We need you hale. And fast.'
    'Not likely. That other bodyguard will finish it first chance he gets. The treasurer needs me out of the way.'
    'We'll take care of it, Captain.'
    'Just like that?'
    'Just like that.'
    Closing the door behind him, Kalam paused, loosened the long-knife in its scabbard. Just like that, Captain.
     
    The squall was spent, and the sky to the east was brightening, clean and gold. Ragstopper had come around as the tradewind returned. The mess on the sterncastle had been cleared away and the crew looked to have things in hand, although Kalam could see their tension.
    The treasurer and his remaining bodyguard stood near the mainmast, the former staring steadily at the raider keeping pace to starboard, close enough to see figures on its deck, watching them in turn. The bodyguard's attention, however, was on Salk Elan, lounging near the forecastle steps. None of the crew seemed willing to cut across the ten paces separating the two men.
    Kalam made his way to the treasurer's side. 'You have taken command, then?'
    The man nodded sharply, his diffidence obvious as he avoided the assassin's eye. 'I intend to buy our way clear—'
    'Take your cut, you mean. And how much would that be? Eighty, ninety per cent? With you along as hostage, of course.' He watched the blood leave the man's face.
    'This is not your concern,' the treasurer said.
    'You're right. But killing the captain and his officers is, because it jeopardizes this voyage. If the crew doesn't know for certain, you can rest assured it suspects.'
    'We have the marines to deal with that. Back away and you'll survive intact. Step in and you'll be cut down.'
    'Kalam studied the raider. 'And what's their percentage? What's to stop them from slitting your throat and sailing off with the whole share?'
    The treasurer smiled. 'I doubt my