A Malazan Book of the Fallen Collection 4

that continues to this day. Bluerose does not
appreciate being occupied; nor do the humans who lived in
peace alongside those possessing Andii blood in their veins
hold any loyalty to the Letherii conquerors. When the Onyx
Order ruled, it was a distant sort of rule, reluctant to interfere
in daily activities and making few demands on the populace.
And now, Fear Sengar, your kind rule the Letherii, compounding
the resentment seething in Bluerose.'
    'I cannot speak for the empire,' Fear said. 'Only for
myself. Yet I believe that, should events transpire in the
manner I desire, then true liberation may be the reward
granted by the Edur for their assistance – to the entire
province of Bluerose and all its inhabitants. Certainly, I
would argue for that.'
    Clip's laugh was sardonic.
    The chain spun to wrap tight around his right hand, yet
that served as his only comment to these grave pronouncements
and bold promises.
    Seren Pedac felt sick inside. Clip, this maddening pup
with his chain and rings, his ever-mocking expression . . .
    Oh, Fear Sengar, do not trust this one. Do not trust him at all.
    'Are you certain you want to do this, Overseer?'
    Brohl Handar glanced across at the Atri-Preda. 'This
expedition is to be punitive, Bivatt. No formal
proclamation of war has been made – the missive from
Letheras is very clear on this. Apparently, it falls under my
duties as Overseer to ensure that the engagement does not
exceed its parameters. You march to hunt down and destroy
those who slaughtered the settlers.'
    Her eyes remained on the columns of Letherii and Edur
troops marching along the road. Dust hung in the air, staining
the sky's bright blue. The sound from the army
reminded Brohl Handar of broken ice groaning and
crunching its way down a river. Bivatt spoke. 'That is
precisely my intention, Overseer. That and nothing more,
as I have been commanded.'
    He studied her for a moment longer, then shifted on the
saddle to ease the strain on his lower back – he preferred
admiring horses from afar to perching atop the damned
things. It seemed they understood his distaste and reciprocated
in kind, and this one was in the habit of tossing its
head as it drew up from every canter, clearly seeking to
crack Brohl's chin. The Atri-Preda told him he leaned too
far forward, and the horse knew it and saw the error as an
opportunity to inflict damage. The Tiste Edur was not looking
forward to this journey. 'Nonetheless,' he finally said, 'I
will accompany you.'
    He knew she was unhappy with the prospect. Yet he had
his own bodyguards, from his own tribe. His own carriage
and driver and team of oxen. More than enough supplies to
ensure they were not a burden on the military train.
    'I remain concerned for your safety,' she said.
    'No need. I have every confidence in my Arapay—'
    'Forgive me, Overseer, but hunting seals is not the same
as—'
    'Atri-Preda,' Brohl Handar interrupted in turn, 'my
warriors faced crack Letherii soldiers in the conquest, and
it was your Letherii who broke. Seals? Indeed, some of them
weighing as much as an ox, with tusks longer than a shortsword.
And white-furred bears, and cave-dwelling bears.
Short-legged wolves and pack wolves. And, one should not
forget, Jheck shape-shifters. Did you imagine the white
wastes of the north are empty lands? Against what an
Arapay must face every day, the Letherii were no great
threat. As for protecting me from the Awl, presumably such
a need would only arise following the rout of your forces.
We shall have a K'risnan of the Den-Ratha, as well as your
mage cadre. In short,' he concluded, 'your concerns ring
false. Tell me, Atri-Preda, what was the substance of your
secret meeting with Factor Letur Anict?'
    The question, voiced as an afterthought, seemed to strike
her like a blow, and the eyes she fixed on him were wide,
alarmed, until something darker swirled to life. 'Financial
discussions, Overseer,' she said in a cold tone. 'An army
needs to eat.'
    'The financing of this punitive expedition is provided by
the Imperial Treasury.'
    'Said funds managed by the Factor. After all, that is the
function of being a factor, sir.'
    'Not in this instance,' Brohl Handar replied.
'Disbursement is being managed by my office. In fact, it is
Edur coin that is sponsoring this expedition. Atri-Preda,
you should in the future be certain of the facts before you
contrive to lie. Now, it would seem that you are to proceed
under the burden of two sets of orders. I do hope for the
sake of