A Malazan Book of the Fallen Collection 3

Well, never mind that. 'Hungry? Thirsty? Relax, friend. Set your bag down ... yes, there is just fine. Sit down – no, the bench, not the chair – you'd end up wearing it, which, now that I think on it... no, probably not. Ublala, these women require a bodyguard. I assume you accepted the offer from Shand—'
    'I thought it was just her.'
    'And that makes a difference?'
    'Makes it harder.'
    'Granted. But, most of the time you'll be here ...' Tehol's voice trailed away, as he finally noticed that Shand, Rissarh and Hejun had neither moved since Ublala's arrival, nor said a word. Oh, now really . ..
    Nisall had been the King's First Concubine for three years. No official power was accorded the title, barring what the personality of the woman in question could achieve. There had been considerable variation throughout history, often dependent upon the fortitude of the king at the time, as well as that of the queen and the chancellor.
    At present, there were six concubines in all, the others young, minor daughters of powerful families. Potential investments in the future, there as much to capture the prince's attention as the king's. Like the queen's four consorts, they were housed in a private, isolated quarter of the palace. Only the First Consort, Turudal Brizad, and the First Concubine were permitted contact with anyone other than the royal personages themselves.
    Brys Beddict bowed to Nisall, then saluted Preda Unnutal Hebaz. He was not surprised to find the First Concubine in the Preda's office. Nisall had decided her loyalties long ago.
    'Champion,' the young woman smiled. 'Unnutal and I were just discussing you.'
    'More precisely,' the Preda said, 'we were conjecturing on the content of your conversation with Finadd Gerun Eberict earlier today.'
    'Preda, I regret my delay in reporting to you.'
    'A well-rehearsed report by now,' Nisall said, 'given that you have already been required to provide it to the First Eunuch and Ceda Kuru Qan. Thus, we will allow you a certain lack of animation in your telling.'
    Brys frowned, his eyes on his commander. 'Preda, it occurs to me that Gerun Eberict remains one of your officers, regardless of the King's Leave. I am surprised he has not already reported to you the details of today's conversation.'
    'And who is to say he hasn't?' Unnutal enquired. Then she waved a hand. 'An uncharitable response on my part. I apologize, Brys. It has been a long day indeed.'
    'No apology required, Preda. I spoke out of turn—'
    'Brys,' Nisall interrupted. 'You are the King's Champion now. There is no place where you can speak out of turn. Even unto Ezgara himself. Forgive the Preda her brusque manner. Conversations with Gerun tend to make one exasperated.'
    'He has a certain hauteur about him,' Brys said.
    'Arrogance,' Unnutal snapped. 'He did not give you cause to call him out?'
    'No.'
    'How unfortunate,' Nisall sighed.
    'Although I believe I was warned.'
    Both women fixed their eyes on him.
    Brys shrugged. 'I was reminded that his list is an ongoing project.'
    'He considers killing Buruk the Pale.'
    'I believe so. The First Eunuch has been made aware of that possibility.'
    'Now,' Nisall said, beginning to pace in the room, 'should the king be informed of this development, he might be inclined to withdraw Gerun from the delegation. Which will be perceived as a victory by the queen and the Chancellor.'
    'Perceptions can be made integral to strategy,' Brys said.
    'Spoken as a duellist,' Nisall said. 'But the advantages to the queen granted by Gerun's absence perhaps outweigh any advantage we might fashion. Besides, we know Buruk the Pale proceeds under directions from her camp, so his loss will not hurt us.'
    Brys considered this, uneasy at such a cavalier dismissal of a man's life. 'How well does Buruk sit with his burdens?'
    'We have a spy close to him, of course,' the Preda said. 'The man is tortured by his conscience. He escapes with white nectar and drink, and dissolute sexual indulgences.'
    'The queen ...'
    'Wants war,' Nisall finished with a sharp nod. 'The irresponsible, greedy, short-sighted sea-cow. A fine partner to the stupidest chancellor in the history of Letheras. And a thick, easily led prince waiting impatiently to take the throne.'
    Brys shifted uncomfortably. 'Perhaps, if Buruk's conscience is haunting him, he can be swayed to another course.'
    'Beneath the hawk gaze of Moroch Nevath? Not likely.'
    The Champion's eyes narrowed on Nisall. This was all leading to something. He