A Malazan Book of the Fallen Collection 2

sir. There does appear to be another reason – for Kron's reluctance to march southward. A mystery concerning the Seer himself. It seems the word "Pannion" is Jaghut. The Jaghut were the mortal enemies of the T'lan Imass, as you may know. It is my personal belief that Kron awaits the arrival of ... allies. Other T'lan Imass, come to this impending gathering.'
    'You are suggesting that Kron is intimidated by the Pannion Seer—'
    'Aye, in his belief that the Seer is Jaghut.'
    The prince was silent for a long moment, then he shook his head. 'Even should the T'lan Imass decide to march upon the Pannion Domin, the decision will come too late for us.'
    'That seems likely.'
    'Very well. Now, another question. Why is this gathering occurring here ?'
    Itkovian hesitated, then slowly nodded to himself. 'Prince Jelarkan, the one who has summoned the T'lan Imass is approaching Capustan ... in the company of an army.'
    'An army?'
    'An army marching to wage war against the Pannion Domin; indeed, with the additional aim of relieving the siege here at Capustan.'
    'What? '
    'Sir, they are five weeks away.'
    'We cannot hold—'
    'This truth is known, Prince.'
    'And does this summoner command that army?'
    'No. Command is shared between two men. Caladan Brood and Dujek Onearm.'
    'Dujek – High Fist Onearm? The Malazan? Lords below, Itkovian! How long have you known this?'
    The Shield Anvil cleared his throat. 'Preliminary contact was established some time ago, Prince. Through sorcerous avenues. These have since grown impassable—'
    'Yes, yes, I know that well enough. Continue, damn you.'
    'The presence of the summoner among their company was news only recently told us – by a Bonecaster of the Kron T'lan Imass—'
    'The army, Itkovian! Tell me more of this army!'
    'Dujek and his legions have been outlawed by Empress Laseen. They are now acting independently. His complement numbers perhaps ten thousand. Caladan Brood has under his command a number of small mercenary companies, three Barghast clans, the Rhivi nation and the Tiste Andii – a total number of combatants of thirty thousand.'
    Prince Jelarkan's eyes were wide. Itkovian watched the information breach the man's inner defences, watched as the host of hopes flowered then withered in swift succession.
    'On the surface,' the Shield Anvil said quietly, 'all that I have told you seems of vital import. Yet, as I see you now comprehend, it is in truth all meaningless. Five weeks, Prince. Leave them to their vengeance, if you will, for that is all they might manage. And even then, given their limited numbers—'
    'Are these Brukhalian's conclusions, or yours?'
    'Both, I regret to say.'
    'You fools,' the young man grated. 'You Hood-damned fools.'
    'Sire, we cannot withstand the Pannions for five weeks.'
    'I know that, damn you! The question now is: why do we even try?'
    Itkovian frowned. 'Sir, such was the contract. The defence of the city—'
    'Idiot – what do I care about your damned contract? You've already concluded you will fail in any case! My concern is for the lives of my people. This army comes from the west? It must. Marching beside the river—'
    'We cannot break out, Prince. We would be annihilated.'
    'We concentrate everything to the west. A sudden sortie, that flows into an exodus. Shield Anvil—'
    'We will be slaughtered,' Itkovian cut in. 'Sire, we have considered this. It will not work. The Septarch's wings of horsemen will surround us, grind us to a halt. Then the Beklites and Tenescowri will arrive. We will have yielded a defensible position for an indefensible one. It would all be over within the span of a single bell.'
    Prince Jelarkan stared at the Shield Anvil with undisguised contempt and, indeed, hatred. 'Inform Brukhalian of the following,' he rasped. 'In the future, it is not the task of the Grey Swords to do the prince's thinking for him. It is not their task to decide what he needs to know and what he doesn't. The prince is to be informed of all matters, regardless of how you judge their relevance. Is this understood, Shield Anvil?'
    'I shall convey your words precisely, sire.'
    'I must presume,' the prince continued, 'that the Mask Council knows even less than I did a bell ago.'
    'That would be an accurate assumption. Sire, their interests—'
    'Save me from any more of your learned opinions, Itkovian. Good day.'
    Itkovian watched the prince stalk away, towards the compound's exit, his gait too stiff to be regal. Yet noble in its own way. You have my