A Malazan Book of the Fallen Collection 4

sharp as diamonds. Fixing now upon Tanal
Yathvanar.
    'Master! Healers are on the way—'
    From mashed lips, muffled words: ' Where were you? '
    'What? Why, at home. In bed.'
    'We arrested Nisall tonight.'
    Tanal looked about. 'I was not informed, sir—'
    'No – no-one could find you! Not at your home – not
anywhere!'
    'Sir, has Bruthen Trana retrieved the whore, then?'
    A hacking, muffled laugh. 'Oh yes. Her cold flesh – but
not her spirit. But he carries her written confession – by the
Holds, it hurts to speak! He broke my face! '
    And how many times did your fist do the same to a prisoner? 'Will you risk some wine, sir?'
    A glare above the cloths, then a sharp nod.
    Tanal went quickly to the cabinet. Found a clay jug containing
undiluted wine. A better smell than – the piss of your terror, little man. He poured a goblet, then hesitated – and
poured another for himself. Damn you, why not? 'The
healers will be here soon – I informed the guards that any
delay risks their lives.'
    'Swift-thinking Tanal Yathvanar.'
    He carried the goblet over to Karos Invictad, not sure if
there was irony in that last statement, so distorted was the
voice. 'The guards were struck unawares – vicious
betrayal—'
    'Those that aren't yet dead will wish they were,' the
Master of the Patriotists said. 'Why weren't we warned?
Chancellor or no, I will have his answer.'
    'I did not think we'd take the whore yet,' Tanal said,
retrieving his own wine. He watched over the rim of the
goblet as Karos pulled the soaked cloth away, revealing
the terrible assault done on his face as he gingerly sipped
at the wine – wincing as the alcohol bit into gashes and
cuts. 'Perhaps the Edur should have been first. Bruthen
Trana – he did not seem such a viper. He said not a word,
revealed nothing—'
    'Of course not. Nor would I in his place. No. Wait,
observe, then strike without warning. Yes, I underestimated
him. Well, such a failing occurs but once. Tonight, Tanal
Yathvanar, a war has begun. And this time the Letherii will
not lose.' Another sip. 'I am relieved,' he then said, 'that
you got rid of that academic – too bad you did not get
Nisall to play with, but I needed to act quickly. Tell me how
you disposed of her – the academic. I need some satisfying
news for a change . . .'
    Tanal stared at the man. If not you . . .
    From the corridor, rushing feet. The healers had arrived.
    'Commander,' K'ar Penath said as he hurried alongside
Bruthen Trana, 'do we seek audience with the Emperor?'
    'No. Not yet. We will watch all of this play out for a
time.'
    'And the bodies?'
    'Hide them well, warlock. And inform Hannan Mosag
that I wish to speak to him. As soon as possible.'
    'Sir, he is not in the Emperor's favour at the moment—'
    'You misunderstand me, warlock. This has nothing to do
with Rhulad. Not yet. We conquered this empire. It seems
the Letherii have forgotten that. The time has come to
stir the Tiste Edur awake once more. To deliver terror,
to make our displeasure clear. This night, K'ar, the weapons
are drawn.'
    'You speak of civil war, Commander.'
    'In a manner of speaking, although I expect nothing
overt from the Chancellor or Invictad. A war, yes, but one
waged behind the Emperor's back. He will know nothing—'
    'Commander—'
    'Your shock at my words does not convince me. Hannan
Mosag is no fool – nor are you or any of his other warlocks.
Tell me now you anticipated nothing . . . ah, I thought as
much.'
    'I fear we are not ready—'
    'We aren't. But neither were they. This taking Nisall – this murder – tells me something gave them reason to panic.
We need to find out what. Something has happened, or is
happening even now, that forced matters to a head. And
that is the trail Hannan Mosag must pursue – no, I do not
presume to command him—'
    'I understand, Bruthen Trana. You speak as a Tiste Edur.
I will support your advice to the Warlock King with all my
zeal.'
    'Thank you.'
    'Tonight, Commander,' K'ar Penath said, 'in witnessing
you . . . I was proud. We are . . . awakened, as you said. This
civilization, it is a poison. A rot upon our souls. It must be
excised.'
    And now I hear Hannan Mosag speaking through you, warlock. Answering other . . . suspicions. So be it.
    Nisall. First Concubine, I am sorry. But know this, I will avenge you in truth. As I will avenge my brave warrior – Sister take me, that was careless—
    'The Chancellor will speak to the Emperor—'
    'Only if he is stupid,' Bruthen Trana said, 'or