A Malazan Book of the Fallen Collection 3

words – in yet another language
    – to the Taxilian. At that latter exchange, Samar Dev's eyes widened,
    for she recognized certain words – though she had never before heard
    them spoken, had only read them, in the most ancient tomes. Remnants, in fact,
    from the First Empire.
    The Taxilian nodded when the witch was done. He faced
first Karsa, then Samar Dev, and finally said, 'To which of
you should I convey the Preda's words?'
    'Why not to both?' Samar responded. 'We can both
understand you, Taxilian.'
    'Very well. The Preda asks what reason this Tarthenal
had for his unwarranted attack on his Merude warriors.'
    Tarthenal? 'Vengeance,' Samar Dev said quickly before
Karsa Orlong triggered yet another bloody clash. She
pointed towards the pathetic forms on the racks at the
camp's edge. 'These Anibar, suffering your predations, have
called upon their longstanding allies, the Toblakai—'
    At that word the yellow-haired witch started, and the
Preda's elongated eyes widened slightly.
    '—and this warrior, a lowly hunter among the twentythousand-strong
clan of the Toblakai, was, by chance, close
by, and so he represents only the beginning of what will be,
I am afraid, a most thorough retribution. Assuming the
Preda is, of course, foolish enough to await their arrival.'
    A certain measure of amusement glittered in the
Taxilian's eyes, quickly veiled as he turned to relay Samar's
words to the yellow-haired witch.
    Whatever she in turn said to the Preda was twice as long
as the Taxilian's version.
    Preda. Would that be a variation on Predal'atr, I wonder? A
unit commander in a legion of the First Empire, Middle Period.
Yet ... this makes no sense. These warriors are not even
human, after all.
    The witch's translation was cut short by a gesture from
the Preda, who then spoke once more.
    When the Taxilian at last translated, there was something
like admiration in his tone. 'The Preda wishes to
express his appreciation for this warrior's formidable skills.
Further, he enquires if the warrior's desire for vengeance is
yet abated.'
    'It is not,' Karsa Orlong replied.
    The tone was sufficient for the Preda, who spoke again.
The yellow-haired witch's expression suddenly closed, and
she related his words to the Taxilian in a strangely flat
monotone.
    She hides glee.
    Suspicion rose within Samar Dev. What comes now?
    The Taxilian said, 'The Preda well understands the ...
Toblakai's position. Indeed, he empathizes, for the Preda
himself abhors what he has been commanded to do, along
this entire foreign coastline. Yet he must follow the needs
of his Emperor. That said, the Preda will order a complete
withdrawal of his Tiste Edur forces, back to the fleet. Is the
Toblakai satisfied with this?'
    'No.'
    The Taxilian nodded at Karsa's blunt reply, as the Preda
spoke again.
    Now what?
    'The Preda again has no choice but to follow the
commands of his Emperor, a standing order, if you will. The
Emperor is the greatest warrior this world has seen, and he
ever defends that claim in personal combat. He has faced a
thousand or more fighters, drawn from virtually every land,
and yet still he lives, triumphant and unvanquished. It is
the Emperor's command that his soldiers, no matter where
they are, no matter with whom they speak, are to relate the
Emperor's challenge. Indeed, the Emperor invites any and
every warrior to a duel, always to the death – a duel in
which no-one can interfere, no matter the consequences,
and all rights of Guest are accorded the challenger. Further,
the soldiers of the Emperor are instructed to provide transportation
and to meet every need and desire of such
warriors who would so face the Emperor in duel.'
    More words from the Preda.
    A deep chill was settling in Samar Dev, a dread she could
not identify – but there was something here ... something vastly wrong.
    The Taxilian resumed. 'Thus, if this Toblakai hunter seeks the sweetest vengeance of all, he must face the one
who has so commanded that his soldiers inflict atrocities
upon all strangers they encounter. Accordingly, the Preda
invites the Toblakai – and, if desired, his companion – to
be Guest of the Tiste Edur on this, their return journey to
the Lether Empire. Do you accept?'
    Karsa blinked, then looked down at Samar Dev. 'They
invite me to kill their Emperor?'
    'It seems so. But, Karsa, there is—'
    'Tell the Preda,' the Toblakai said, 'that I accept.'
    She saw the commander smile.
    The Taxilian said, 'Preda Hanradi Khalag then welcomes
you