A Malazan Book of the Fallen Collection 3

Tehol Beddict.'
    'It's the company I keep,' Bugg muttered.
    Rissarh and Hejun followed behind Shand as she stormed into the small room.
    Tehol backed to the far wall, which wasn't nearly far enough. 'Needless to say,' he said, 'I'm impressed.'
    Shand halted. 'With what?'
    He saw that her fists were clenched. 'Well, your vigour, of course. At the same time, I realize I have been remiss in directing your admirable energies, Shand. It's now clear to me that you – all three of you, in fact – require a more direct involvement in our nefarious undertaking.'
    'He's doing it again,' Rissarh growled.
    'We're supposed to be beating him up right now,' Hejun added. 'Look what he's done. Shand, less than a bell ago you were saying—'
    'Be quiet about what I was saying,' Shand cut in. 'Direct involvement, you said, Tehol. Finally. It's about time, and no games, you slippery bastard. Talk to save your life.'
    'Of course,' Tehol said, smiling. 'Please, make yourselves comfortable—'
    'We're comfortable enough. Talk.'
    'Well, you don't look comfortable—'
    Tehol.'
    'As you like. Now, I'm going to give you a list of names, which you will have to memorize. Horul Esterrict, of Cargo Olives. Mirrik the Blunt, eldest of the Blunts, owner of Blunt's Letherii Steel and Blunt Weaponry. Stoople Rott, the grain magnate of Fort Shake. His brother, Puryst, the ale brewer. Erudinaas, queen of the rustleaf plantations at Dissent. The financiers, Bruck Stiffen, Horul Rinnesict, Grate Chizev of Letheras, Hepar the Pleaser, of Trate. Debt-holders Druz Thennict, Pralit Peff, Barrakta Ilk, Uster Taran, Lystry Maullict, all of Letheras. Tharav the Hidden, of room eleven, Chobor's Manse on Seal Street, Trate. Got those?'
    Shand was glassy-eyed. 'There's more?'
    'A dozen or so.'
    'You want them killed?' Hejun asked.
    'Errant no! I want you to begin purchasing shares in their enterprises. Under a variety of names, of course. Strive for forty-nine per cent. Once there, we'll be poised to force a coup. The goal, of course, is controlling interest, but to gain that will only be achieved with sudden ambush, and for that the timing has to be perfect. In any case, once you have done all that – the purchasing, that is – make no further move, just get back to me.'
    'And how are we going to afford all that?' Shand demanded.
    'Oh,' Tehol waved a hand, 'we're flush. The coin I invested for you is making a sizeable return. Time's come to make use of it.'
    'How much of a return?'
    'More than enough—'
    'How much?'
    'Well, I haven't actually counted it—'
    Bugg spoke. 'About a peak.'
    'Errant's blessing!' Shand stared at Tehol. 'But I haven't seen you do a thing!'
    'If you had, Shand, then I wouldn't have been careful enough. Now, best we start with just the names I've given you. The next list can come later. Now, I have meetings scheduled this night—'
    'What kind of meetings?'
    'Oh, this and that. Now, please, I beg you – no more charging in through my front door. It's bound to get noticed sooner or later, and that could be bad.'
    'What have you two been eating?' Rissarh suddenly asked, her nose wrinkling.
    'This and that,' Bugg replied.
    'Come on,' Shand said to her companions, 'let's go home. Maybe Ublala will turn up.'
    'I'm sure he will,' Tehol said, smiling as he escorted the three women to the doorway. 'Now, get some sleep. You've busy times ahead.'
    Hejun half turned. 'Cargo Olives – Horul who?'
    Shand reached out and dragged Hejun into the alley.
    Still smiling, Tehol adjusted the curtain until it once more covered the entrance. Then he spun round. 'That went well.'
    'Rissarh had a knife,' Bugg said, 'tucked up along her wrist.'
    'She did? Tucked up?'
    'Yes, master.'
    Tehol walked to the ladder. 'I trust you had your own knives close to hand.'
    'I don't have any knives.'
    Tehol paused, one hand on the nearest rung. 'What? Well, where are all our weapons?'
    'We don't have any weapons, master.'
    'None? Did we ever?'
    'No. Some wooden spoons...'
    'And are you adept with them?'
    'Very.'
    'Well, that's all right, then. You coming?'
    'In a moment, master.'
    'Right, and be sure to clean up. This place is a dreadful mess.'
    'If I find the time.'
    Ublala Pung was lying face-down on the roof, near the bed.
    'Ublala,' Tehol said, approaching, 'is something wrong?'
    'No.' The word was muffled.
    'What are you doing down there?'
    'Nothing.'
    'Well, we're about to have a guest who wants to meet you.'
    'That's fine.'
    'It might be worth your while to