A Malazan Book of the Fallen Collection 3

smaller – if the
approach was any indication – and situated in a quarter of
the keep rarely frequented. Two more Claws stood guard at
the entrance, and both turned to open the doors.
    Kalam watched the Adjunct stride in, then halt. As did
T'amber and Tene Baralta. Beside the assassin, Lostara Yil's
breath caught.
    A tribunal awaited them, and seated opposite them
were Empress Laseen, Korbolo Dom – attired as a High Fist
– and another person Kalam did not recognize. Roundfaced
and full-featured, corpulent, wearing blue silks.
His hair was colourless, cut short and oiled. Sleepy
eyes regarded the Adjunct with an executioner's avarice.
    The tables were arranged in an inverted T, and three
chairs waited, their high backs to the newcomers.
    After a long moment, the Adjunct stepped forward, drew
out the centre chair, and sat, her back straight. T'amber
took the chair to Tavore's left. Tene Baralta gestured
Lostara Yil to accompany him and moved off to the far
right side, where he stood at attention, facing the Empress.
    Kalam slowly sighed, then walked to the remaining
chair. Sitting down, he settled both gloved hands on the
scarred tabletop before him.
    The oily fat man fixed his gaze on the assassin and leaned
forward slightly. 'Kalam Mekhar, yes? Great pleasure,' he
murmured, 'in meeting you at last.'
    'Is it? I'm happy for you ... whoever you are.'
    'Mallick Rel.'
    'Here in what capacity?' Kalam asked. 'Chief snake?'
    'That will be enough from you,' the Empress said. 'Sit if
you must, Kalam, but be silent. And understand, I did not
request your presence here this night.'
    Kalam sensed a hidden question in that statement, to
which he but shrugged. No, Laseen, I'm not ready to give you
anything.
    Laseen shifted her attention to the commander of the
Red Blades. 'Tene Baralta, I understand you assisted in
escorting the Adjunct and her retinue through the city.
Noble of you. I assume the Adjunct did not invite you, nor
compel you in any manner. Accordingly, it seems clear that
you wish to speak to me on behalf of the Red Blades.'
    The man with the ravaged face bowed, then said, 'Yes,
Empress.'
    'Go on.'
    'The Red Blades were conscripted by the Adjunct in
Aren, Empress, whereupon I was made a Fist in the
Fourteenth Army. I respectfully request that you
countermand that order. The Red Blades have ever served
the Malazan Empire in an independent capacity, as
befitting our unique status the first and foremost Imperial
Guardians in Seven Cities.'
    The Empress nodded. 'I see no reason not to grant your
request, Commander. Does the Adjunct wish to make
comment?'
    'No.'
    'Very well. Commander Tene Baralta, the Red Blades
can be quartered here in Mock's Hold for the time being.
You may leave.'
    The man bowed again, then, turning about, he marched
from the chamber. His captain followed.
    The doors closed once more behind them.
    Laseen fixed her attention on the Adjunct. 'Welcome
home, Tavore,' she said.
    'Thank you, Empress.'
    'The transports in the harbour display the flag of plague
– you and I both know that no plague is present among the
soldiers of your army.' She tilted her head. 'What am I to
make of this attempt at deception?'
    'Empress, Fist Keneb has evidently concluded that,
regardless of Captain Rynag's views, Malaz City is in a state
of civil unrest, sufficient to make Keneb fear for the wellbeing
of the Fourteenth, should the army disembark. After
all, I have with me Wickans – whose loyalty to the Empire,
I might add, is beyond reproach. In addition, we have a
substantial force of Khundryl Burned Tears, who have also
served with distinction. To land such troops could invite a
bloodbath.'
    'A bloodbath, Adjunct?' Laseen's brows rose. 'Captain
Rynag was given specific orders to ensure that the soldiers
of the Fourteenth disarm prior to disembarking.'
    'Thus leaving them at the mercy of an enflamed mob,
Empress.'
    Laseen waved dismissively.
    'Empress,' the Adjunct continued, 'I believe there is now
the misapprehension, here in the heart of the empire,
that the events commonly known as the Chain of Dogs –
and those that followed at Aren – are somehow suspect.'
She paused, then resumed, 'I see that Korbolo Dom, who
commanded the renegade Dogslayers, and who was
captured and arrested in Raraku, is once more a free man,
and, indeed, a High Fist. Furthermore, the Jhistal priest and
likely instigator in the slaughter of the Aren Army, Mallick
Rel, now sits as your adviser in these proceedings. Needless
to say, I