A Malazan Book of the Fallen Collection 3

gleamed in his dark eyes. 'We set out to map the
Azath. Every House, across this entire realm. We set out to
master its power—'
    'But that is not possible,' Mappo said. 'You failed – you
cannot have done otherwise, else you both would now be
far more than gods—'
    'True enough, as far as it goes.' He studied the tea in the
clay cup nestled in the bowl of his hands. 'Certain realizations
came to us, however, earned from hard experience
and somewhat unrelenting diligence. The first was this: our
quest would demand far more than a single, mortal lifespan.
The other realizations – well, perhaps I had best leave those
for another night, another time. In any case, in comprehending
that such a gambit would enforce upon us
demands we could not withstand – not as Emperor and
Master Assassin, that is – it proved necessary to make use
of what we had learned to date.'
    'To make yourselves gods.'
    'Yes. And in so doing, we learned that the Azath are far
more than Houses created as prisons for entities of power.
They are also portals. And one more thing for certain
– they are the repositories for the Lost Elementals.'
    Mappo frowned. 'I have not heard that phrase before.
Lost Elementals?'
    'Scholars tend to acknowledge but four, generally: water,
fire, earth and air; yet others exist. And it is from these
others that comes the immense power of the Azath Houses.
Mappo, one is at an immediate disadvantage in discerning
a pattern, when one has but four points of reference, with
an unknown number of others as yet invisible, unaccounted
for in the scheme.'
    'Cotillion, these Lost Elementals – are they perhaps
related to the aspects of sorcery? The warrens and the Deck
of Dragons? Or, more likely, the ancient Holds?'
    'Life, death, dark, light, shadow ... possibly, but even
that seems a truncated selection. What of, for example,
time? Past, present, future? What of desire, and deed?
Sound, silence? Or are the latter two but minor aspects of
air? Does time belong to light? Or is it but a point somewhere
between light and dark, yet distinct from shadow?
What of faith and denial? Can you now understand,
Mappo, the potential complexity of relationships?'
    'Assuming they exist at all, beyond the notion of
concepts.'
    'Granted. Yet, maybe concepts are all that's needed, if
the purpose of the elements is to give shape and meaning
to all that surrounds us on the outside, and all that guides
us from within.'
    Mappo leaned back. 'And you sought to master such
power?' He stared at Cotillion, wondering if even a god was
capable of such conceit, such ambition. And they began on
their quest long before they became gods ... 'I confess that I
hope you and Shadowthrone fail – for what you describe
should not fall into anyone's hands, not a god's, not a
mortal's. No, leave it to the Azath—'
    'And so we would have, had we not come to understand
that the Azath's control was failing. The Nameless Ones, I
suspect, have come to the same realization, and so are now
driven to desperation. Alas, we believe their latest decision
will, if anything, further pitch the Azath towards chaos and
dissolution.' He nodded towards Iskaral Pust, who crouched
nearby, muttering to himself. 'Hence, our decision to ...
intervene. Too late, unfortunately, to prevent Dejim
Nebrahl's release, and the ambush itself. But ... you are
alive, Trell.'
    And so, Cotillion, in seeking to master the Azath, you now
find yourself serving it. Desire versus deed ... 'To lift Icarium's
curse,' Mappo shook his head. 'This is an extraordinary
offer, Cotillion. I find myself torn between doubt and
hope.' A wry smile – 'Ah, I begin to understand how mere
concepts are enough.'
    'Icarium has earned an end to his torment,' the god said,
'has he not?'
    'What must I do?'
    'For now, do as you are doing – pursue your friend. Stay on
that trail, Mappo. A convergence is coming, of a magnitude
so vast it will very likely defy comprehension. The gods seem
oblivious to the cliff-edge they are all approaching, and yes,
every now and then I include myself among them.'
    'You hardly seem oblivious.'
    'Well then, perhaps helpless is a more accurate term. In
any event, you and I will speak again. For now, do not
doubt that you are needed. By us, by every mortal and
above all, by Icarium.' He set the cup down and rose.
    The faint sound of the Hounds lifting themselves into
readiness reached Mappo's ears.
    'I know I need not say this,' the god said, 'but I shall anyway.
Do not give up hope, Mappo.