A Malazan Book of the Fallen Collection 2

for answers.'
    'And did you find any?'
    He hesitated, then sighed. 'Some. Fewer than I would have hoped. But I return knowing one thing for certain. And that is, you must leave. As soon as possible.'
    Her glance was searching. 'And what of you?'
    'I will follow, as soon as I can.'
    'I'm to go alone?'
    'No. You will have Greyfrog with you. And one other... I hope.'
    She nodded. 'I am ready. I have had enough of this place. I no longer dream of vengeance against Bidithal. I just want to be gone. Is that cowardly of me?'
    L'oric slowly shook his head. 'Bidithal will be taken care of, lass, in a manner befitting his crimes.'
    'If you are intending to murder him, then I would advise against sending Greyfrog with me. Bidithal is powerful – perhaps more so than you realize. I can travel alone – no-one will be hunting me, after all.'
    'No. Much as I would like to kill Bidithal myself, it will not be by my hand.'
    'There is something ominous in what you are saying, or, perhaps, in what you're not saying, L'oric'
    'There will be a convergence, Felisin. With some ... unexpected guests. And I do not think anyone here will survive their company for long. There will be ... vast slaughter.'
    'Then why are you staying?'
    'To witness, lass. For as long as I can.'
    'Why?'
    He grimaced. 'As I said, I am still seeking answers.'
    'And are they important enough to risk your own life?'
    'They are. And now, I will leave you here in Greyfrog's trust for a time. You are safe, and when I return it will be with the necessary supplies and mounts.'
    She glanced over at the scaled, ape-like creature with its four eyes. 'Safe, you said. At least until it gets hungry.'
    'Appreciative. I will protect this one. But do not be gone too long. Ha ha.'
     
    Dawn was breathing light into the eastern sky as Heboric stepped outside to await his visitor. The Destriant remained in as much darkness as he could manage, not to hide from L'oric – whom he now watched stride into view and
approach – but against any other watchers. They might well discern a figure, crouched there in the tent's doorway, but little more than that. He had drawn a heavy cloak about himself, hood drawn up over his head, and he kept his hands beneath the folds.
    L'oric's steps slowed as he drew near. There would be no hiding the truth from this man, and Heboric smiled as he saw the High Mage's eyes widen.
    'Aye,' Heboric muttered, 'I was reluctant. But it is done, and I have made peace with that.'
    'And what is Treach's interest here?' L'oric asked after a long, uneasy moment.
    'There will be a battle,' Heboric replied, shrugging. 'Beyond that... well, I'm not sure. We'll see, I expect.'
    L'oric looked weary. 'I was hoping to convince you to leave. To take Felisin away from here.'
    'When?'
    'Tonight.'
    'Move her camp a league, out beyond the northeast edge of the oasis. Three saddled horses, three more pack horses. Food and water sufficient for three, to take us as far as G'danisban.'
    'Three?'
    Heboric smiled. 'You are not aware of it, but there is a certain ... poetry to there being three of us.'
    'Very well. And how long should she expect to wait?'
    'As long as she deems acceptable, L'oric. Like you, I intend to remain here for a few days yet.'
    His eyes grew veiled. 'The convergence.'
    Heboric nodded.
    L'oric sighed. 'We are fools, you and I.'
    'Probably.'
    'I had once hoped, Ghost Hands, for an alliance between us.'
    'It exists, more or less, L'oric. Sufficient to ensure Felisin's safety. Not that we have managed well in that responsibility thus far. I could have helped,' Heboric growled.
    'I am surprised, if you know what Bidithal did to her, that you have not sought vengeance.'
    'Vengeance? What is the point in that? No, L'oric, I have a better answer to Bidithal's butchery. Leave Bidithal to his fate ...'
    The High Mage started, then smiled. 'Odd, only a short time ago I voiced similar words to Felisin.'
    Heboric watched the man walk away. After a moment, the Destriant turned and re-entered his temple.
     
    'There is something ... inexorable about them ...'
    They were in the path of the distant legions, seeing the glimmer of iron wavering like molten metal beneath a pillar of dust that, from this angle, seemed to rise straight up, spreading out in a hazy stain in the high desert winds. At Leoman's words, Corabb Bhilan Thenu'alas shivered. Dust was sifting down the folds of his ragged telaba; the air this close to the Whirlwind Wall was thick with suspended sand, filling his