A Malazan Book of the Fallen Collection 2

ruined all my fun. Have we met before?'
    'No. None the less, you are known to me.'
    'So it seems! It was, I admit, over-modest of me to assume that I would not be recognized. After all, I've crossed paths with the T'lan Imass more than once. At least twice, that is.'
    Tool regarded her with his depthless gaze. 'Knowing who you are does not answer the mystery of your present residency here in Morn, should you look to pursue coyness, Lady. I would know what you seek in this place.'
    'Whatever do you mean?' she asked mockingly.
    As they approached the tower's entrance a leather-armoured masked figure appeared in the gaping doorway. Toc stopped in his tracks. 'That's a Seguleh!' He spun to Lady Envy. 'Your servant's a Seguleh!'
    'Is that what they're called?' Her brow wrinkled. 'A familiar name, though its context escapes me. Ah well. I have gleaned their personal names, but little else. They happened by and chanced to see me – this one, who is called Senu, and two others. They concluded that killing me would break the monotony of their journey.' She sighed. 'Alas, now they serve me.' She addressed the Seguleh. 'Senu, have your brothers fully awakened?'
    The short, lithe man tilted his head, his dark eyes flat within the slits of his ornate mask.
    'I've gathered,' Lady Envy said to Toc, 'that gesture indicates acquiescence. They are not a loquacious lot, I have found.'
    Toc shook his head, his eyes on the twin broadswords slung under Senu's arms. 'Is he the only one of the three to acknowledge you directly, Lady?'
    'Now that you mention it . . . Is that significant?'
    'Means he's on the bottom rung in the hierarchy. The other two are above conversing with non-Seguleh.'
    'How presumptuous of them!'
    The scout grinned. 'I've never seen one before – but I've heard plenty. Their homeland is an island south of here, and they're said to be a private lot, disinclined to travel. But they are known of as far north as Nathilog.' And Hood take me, aren't they known.
    'Hmm, I did sense a certain arrogance that has proved entertaining. Lead us within, dear Senu.'
    The Seguleh made no move. His eyes had found Tool and now held steady on the T'lan Imass.
    Hackles rising, the ay stepped to one side to clear a space between the two figures.
    'Senu?' Lady Envy enquired with honeyed politeness.
    'I think,' Toc whispered, 'he's challenging Tool.'
    'Ridiculous! Why would he do that?'
    'For the Seguleh, rank is everything. If the hierarchy's in doubt, challenge it. They don't waste time.'
    Lady Envy scowled at Senu. 'Behave yourself, young man!' She waved him into the room beyond.
    Senu seemed to flinch at the gesture.
    An itch spasmed across Toc's scar. He scratched it vigorously, breathing a soft curse.
    The Seguleh backed into the small room, then hesitated a moment before turning and leading the others to the doorway opposite. A curved hallway brought them to a central chamber in which a tightly wound staircase rose from the centre. The walls were unadorned, roughly pitted pumice. Three limestone sarcophagi crowded the far end of the room, their lids leaning in a neatly arranged row against the wall behind them. The dog Lady Envy had sent in ahead sat nearby. Just within the entrance was a round wooden table, crowded with fresh fruit, meats, cheese and bread, as well as a beaded clay jug and a collection of cups.
    Senu's two companions stood motionless over the table, as if standing guard and fully prepared to give their lives in its defence. Both were a match to their companion's height and build, and similarly armed; the difference between each was evident only in their masks. Where Senu's enamelled face-covering was crowded with dark-stained patterns, such decoration diminished successively in the other two examples. One was only slightly less marked than Senu's, but the third mask bore naught but twin slashes, one on each gleaming white cheek. The eyes that stared out from the slits of this mask were like chips of obsidian.
    The twin-scarred Seguleh stiffened upon seeing the T'lan Imass, took one step forward.
    'Oh really!' Lady Envy hissed. 'Challenges are forbidden! Any more of this nonsense and I shall lose my temper—'
    All three Seguleh flinched back a step.
    'There,' the woman said, 'that's much better.' She swung to Toc. 'Assuage your needs, young man. The jug contains Saltoan white wine, suitably chilled.'
    Toc found himself unable to look away from the Seguleh wearing the twin-scarred mask.
    'If a fixed stare represents