A Malazan Book of the Fallen Collection 3

Falah'd Leoman of the Flails,
the known world's most feared warrior. He would have to
watch her carefully, hand on the grip of his new cutlass,
ready at a moment's notice to cut her clean in half, head to
crotch, then across, diagonally, twice – swish swish! – right
shoulder to left hip, left shoulder to right hip, and watch
her part ways. A duty-bound execution, yes. At the first
hint of betrayal.
    'What has so lightened your expression, Corabb Bhilan
Thenu'alas?'
    Stiffening, he turned, to find Dunsparrow standing at his
side. 'Third,' he said in sour grunt of greeting. 'I was thinking,
uh, of the blood and death to come.'
    'Leoman says you are the most reasonable of the lot. I now
dread closer acquaintance with his other officers.'
    'You fear the siege to come?'
    'Of course I do. I know what Imperial Armies are capable
of. There is said to be a High Mage among them, and that
is the most disturbing news of all.'
    'The woman commanding them is simple-minded,'
Corabb said. 'No imagination, or none that she's bothered
showing.'
    'And that is my point on that issue, Corabb Bhilan
Thenu'alas.'
    He frowned. 'What do you mean?'
    'She's had no need, as yet, to display the extent of her
imagination. Thus far, it's been easy for her. Little more
than marching endless leagues in Leoman's dust.'
    'We are her match, and better,' said Corabb, straightening,
chest swelling. 'Our spears and swords have already
drawn their foul Malazan blood, and shall do so again.
More of it, much more.'
    'That blood,' she said after a moment, 'is as red as yours,
warrior.'
    'Is it? Seems to me,' he continued, looking out upon the
city once more, 'that betrayal is a dark taint upon it, to so
easily twist one of its own into switching sides.'
    'As with, for example, the Red Blades?'
    'Corrupted fools!'
    'Of course. Yet ... Seven Cities born, yes?'
    'They have severed their own roots and now flow on the
Malazan tide.'
    'Nice image, Corabb. You do stumble on those often,
don't you?'
    'You'd be amazed at the things I stumble on, woman.
And I will tell you this, I guard Leoman's back, as I have
always done. Nothing has changed that. Not you and your
... your—'
    'Charms?'
    'Wiles. I have marked you, Third, and best you be mindful
of that.'
    'Leoman has done well to have such a loyal friend.'
    'He shall lead the Apocalypse—'
    'Oh, he will at that.'
    '—for none but he is equal to such a thing. Y'Ghatan
shall be a curse name in the Malazan Empire for all
time—'
    'It already is.'
    'Yes, well, it shall be more so.'
    'What is it about this city, I wonder, that has driven so
deep a knife into the empire? Why did the Claw act here
against Dassem Ultor? Why not somewhere else?
Somewhere less public, less risky? Oh yes, they made it
seem like a wayward accident of battle, but no-one was
fooled. I admit to a fascination with this city, indeed, it is
what brought me here in the first place.'
    'You are an outlaw. The Empress has a price on your
head.'
    'She does? Or are you just guessing?'
    'I am certain of it. You fight against your own people.'
    'My own people. Who are they, Corabb Bhilan
Thenu'alas? The Malazan Empire has devoured many
peoples, just as it has done those of Seven Cities. Now that
the rebellion is over, are your kin now Malazan? No, that
thought is incomprehensible to you, isn't it? I was born on
Quon Tali, but the Malazan Empire was born on Malaz
Island. My people too were conquered, just as yours have
been.'
    Corabb said nothing, too confused by her words.
Malazans were ... Malazans, dammit. All of a kind, no
matter the hue of their skin, the tilt of their eyes, no matter
all the variations within that Hood-cursed empire.
Malazans! 'You will get no sympathy from me, Third.'
    'I did not ask for it.'
    'Good.'
    'Now, will you accompany us?'
    Us? Corabb slowly turned. Leoman stood a few paces
behind them, arms crossed, leaning against the map-table.
In his eyes a sly, amused expression.
    'We are going into the city,' Leoman said. 'I wish to visit
a certain temple.'
    Corabb bowed. 'I shall accompany you, sword at the
ready, Warleader.'
    Leoman's brows lifted fractionally. 'Warleader. Is there
no end of titles you will bestow upon me, Corabb?'
    'None, Hand of the Apocalypse.'
    He flinched at that honorific, then turned away. A halfdozen
officers stood waiting at one end of the long table,
and to these warriors, Leoman said, 'Begin the evacuation.
And no undue violence! Kill every looter you catch, of
course, but quietly. Ensure the