A Malazan Book of the Fallen Collection 3

am confused by this. Unless, of course, the Seven
Cities Rebellion has succeeded beyond its wildest dreams,
regardless of my own successes in Seven Cities.'
    'My dear Tavore,' Laseen said, 'I admit to some embarrassment
on your behalf. You appear to hold to the
childish notion that some truths are intransigent and undeniable.
Alas, the adult world is never so simple. All
truths are malleable. Subject, by necessity, to revision.
Have you not yet observed, Tavore, that in the minds of the
people in this empire, truth is without relevance? It has lost
its power. It no longer effects change and indeed, the very
will of the people – born of fear and ignorance, granted –
the very will, as I said, can in turn revise those truths, can
transform, if you like, the lies of convenience into faith,
and that faith in turn is not open to challenge.'
    'In challenging,' the Adjunct said after a moment, 'one
commits treason.'
    The Empress smiled. 'I see you grow older with every
heartbeat, Tavore. Perhaps we might mourn the loss of
innocence, but not for long, I'm afraid. The Malazan
Empire is at its most precarious moment, and all is uncertain,
hovering on the cusp. We have lost Dujek Onearm
to plague – and his army appears to have vanished entirely,
likely also victims of that plague. Events have taken a turn
for the worse in Korel. The decimation of Seven Cities has
struck us a near-mortal blow with respect to our economy
and, specifically, the harvests. We may find ourselves facing
starvation before the subcontinent can recover. It becomes
imperative, Tavore, to force a new shape upon our empire.'
    'And what, Empress, does this new shape entail?'
    Mallick Rel spoke: 'Victims, alas. Spilled blood, to slacken
the thirst, the need. Unfortunate, but no other path presents.
All are saddened here.'
    Tavore slowly blinked. 'You wish me to hand over the
Wickans.'
    'And,' Mallick Rel said, 'the Khundryl.'
    Korbolo Dom suddenly leaned forward. 'One other
matter, Tavore Paran. Who in Hood's name are on those
catamarans?'
    'Soldiers of a people known as the Perish.'
    'Why are they here?' the Napan demanded, baring his
teeth.
    'They have pledged allegiance, High Fist.'
    'To the Malazan Empire?'
    The Adjunct hesitated, then fixed her gaze once more
upon Laseen. 'Empress, I must speak with you. In private.
    There are matters that belong exclusively to the Empress
and her Adjunct.'
    Mallick Rel hissed, then said, 'Matters unleashed by an
otataral sword, you mean! It is as I feared, Empress! She
serves another, now, and would draw cold iron across the
throat of the Malazan Empire!'
    Tavore's expression twisted, unveiling disgust as she
looked upon the Jhistal priest. 'The empire has ever refused
an immortal patron, Mallick Rel. For this reason more than
any other, we have survived and, indeed, grown ever
stronger. What are you doing here, priest?'
    'Who do you now serve, woman?' Mallick Rel
demanded.
    'I am the Adjunct to the Empress.'
    'Then you must do as she commands! Give us the
Wickans!'
    'Us? Ah, now I see. You were cheated of some of your
glory outside Aren. Tell me, how long before an arrest writ
is issued for Fist Blistig, the once-commander of the Aren
Guard who defied the order to leave the city? Because of
him and him alone, Aren did not fall.'
    Laseen asked, 'Were not the Red Blades in Aren arrested
by Blistig, Tavore?'
    'At Pormqual's command. Please, Empress, we must
speak, you and I, alone.'
    And Kalam saw then, in Laseen's eyes, something he
thought he would never see. A flicker of fear.
    But it was Korbolo Dom who spoke. 'Adjunct Tavore, I
am now High Fist. And, with Dujek's death, I am ranking High Fist. Furthermore, I have assumed the title and
responsibilities of First Sword of the Empire, a post sadly
vacant since Dassem Ultor's untimely death. Accordingly, I
now assume command of the Fourteenth Army.'
    'Tavore,' Laseen said quietly, 'it was never the function of
an Adjunct to command armies. Necessity forced my hand
with the rebellion in Seven Cities, but that is now over.
You have completed all that I asked of you, and I am not
blind to your loyalty. It grieves me that this meeting has
become so overtly hostile – you are the extension of my
will, Tavore, and I do not regret my choice. No, not even
now. It seems I must make the details of my will clear to
you. I want you at my side once more, in Unta. Mallick Rel
may well possess talents in many areas of administration,
but he lacks in others – I need you for