A Malazan Book of the Fallen Collection 3

least,' Seren tried as they crossed the bridge, 'your own position has become less relevant, making you in less danger than you might otherwise have been.'
    'Do you think so?'
    'You don't?'
    'That depends. Rhulad may not accept my offer of alliance. He might not trust me.'
    'What would you do then, Hull?'
    'I don't know.'
    * * *
    The guest house was crowded. Finadd Gerun Eberict had arrived, along with the First Eunuch's own bodyguard, the Rulith, and a dozen other guards and officials. As Seren and Hull entered, they found themselves in the midst of a fierce exhortation from Prince Quillas Diskanar.
    '—sorcerors in both our camps. If we strike now, we might well succeed in cutting out the heart of this treacherous tyranny!' He swung round. 'Finadd Moroch Nevath, are our mages present?'
    'Three of the four, my prince,' the warrior replied. 'Laerdas remains with the ships.'
    'Very good. Well, First Eunuch?'
    Nifadas was studying the prince, expressionless. He made no reply to Quillas, turning instead to regard Hull and Seren. 'Acquitor, does the rain continue to fall?'
    'No, First Eunuch.'
    'And is Buruk the Pale ready to depart?'
    She nodded.
    'I asked you a question, Nifadas!' Quillas said, his face darkening.
    'Answering it,' the First Eunuch said slowly, fixing his small eyes on the prince, 'makes implicit the matter is worth considering. It is not. We are facing more than Hannan Mosag the warlock and his K'risnan. The emperor and his sword. Together, they are something ... other. Those accompanying me are here under my guidance, and at present we shall remain in good faith. Tell me, Prince, how many assassins have you brought along with your sorcerors?'
    Quillas said nothing.
    Nifadas addressed Gerun Eberict. 'Finadd?'
    'There are two,' the man replied. 'Both present in this chamber.'
    The First Eunuch nodded, then seemed to dismiss the issue. 'Hull Beddict, I am hesitant to offer you welcome.'
    'I am not offended by that admission, First Eunuch.'
    'Has the Acquitor apprised you of the situation?'
    'She has.'
    'And?'
    'For what it is worth, I advise you to leave. As soon as possible.'
    'And what will you do?'
    Hull frowned. 'I see no reason to answer that.'
    'You are a traitor!' Quillas said in a hiss. 'Finadd Moroch, arrest him!'
    There was dismay on the First Eunuch's features as Moroch Nevath drew his sword and stepped close to Hull Beddict.
    'You cannot do that,' Seren Pedac said, her heart thundering in her chest.
    All eyes fixed on her.
    'I am sorry, my prince,' she continued, struggling to keep her voice even. 'Hull Beddict is under the protection of the Tiste Edur. He was granted guest status by Binadas Sengar, brother to the emperor.'
    'He is Letherii!'
    'The Edur will be indifferent to that detail,' Seren replied.
    'We are done here,' Nifadas said. 'There will be no arrests. Prince Quillas, it is time.'
    'Do we scurry at this emperor's command, First Eunuch?' Quillas was shaking with rage. 'He asks for us, well enough. Let the bastard wait.' He wheeled on Hull Beddict. 'Know that I intend to proclaim you an outlaw and traitor of Lether. Your life is forfeit.'
    A weary smile was Hull's only reply.
    Nifadas spoke to Seren. 'Acquitor, will you accompany us to our audience with the emperor?'
    She was surprised by the offer, and more than a little alarmed. 'First Eunuch?'
    'Assuming Buruk is prepared to wait, of course. I am certain he will be, and I will send someone to inform him.' He gestured and one of his servants hurried off. 'Hull Beddict, I presume you are on your way to speak with Emperor Rhulad? At the very least, accompany us to the citadel. I doubt there will be any confusion of purposes once we enter.'
    Seren could not determine the motives underlying the First Eunuch's invitations. She felt rattled, off balance.
    'As you wish,' Hull said, shrugging.
    Nifadas in the lead, the four Letherii left the guest house and made their way towards the citadel. Seren drew Hull a pace behind the First Eunuch and Prince Quillas. 'I'm not sure I like this,' she said under her breath.
    Hull grunted, and it was a moment before Seren realized it had been a laugh.
    'What is funny about that?'
    'Your capacity for understatement, Acquitor. I have always admired your ability to stay level.'
    'Indecisiveness is generally held to be a flaw, Hull.'
    'If it is certainty you want, Seren, then join me.'
    The offer was uttered low, barely audible. She sighed. 'I do not want certainty,' she replied. 'In fact, certainty is