A Malazan Book of the Fallen Collection 4

remained.
    'You know, witnessing something is one thing.
Understanding it another.'
    Bugg turned away from his study of the distant river,
where the setting sun's light turned the water into a rippled
sheet of beaten gold, and frowned at Tehol Beddict. 'Very
pondering of you, Master.'
    'It was, wasn't it? I have decided that it is my normal eye
that witnesses, while it is my blue eye that understands.
Does that make sense to you?'
    'No.'
    'Good, I'm glad.'
    'The night promises to be both heavy and hot, Master.
And I suggest the mosquito netting.'
    'Agreed. Can you get to it? I can't reach.'
    'You could if you stretched an arm.'
    'What's your point?'
    'Nothing. I admit to some . . . distraction.'
    'Just now?'
    'Yes.'
    'Are you over it yet?'
    'Almost. Alas, certain individuals are stirring in the city
this evening.'
    'Well, are you going to do something about it or do I
have to do everything around here?'
    Bugg walked across the roof to stand beside the bed. He
studied the reposed form of Tehol Beddict for a moment,
then he collected the netting and draped it over his master.
    Eyes, one brown, the other blue, blinked up at him.
'Shouldn't there be a frame or something? I feel I am being
readied for my own funeral here.'
    'We used the frame for this morning's fire.'
    'Ah. Well, is this going to keep me from being bitten?'
    'Probably not, but it looks rather fetching.'
    Tehol closed his blue eye. 'I see . . .'
    Bugg sighed. 'Gallows humour, Master.'
    'My, you are in a state, aren't you?'
    'I am undecided,' Bugg said, nodding. 'Yes I know, one of
my eternal flaws.'
    'What you require, old friend, is a mortal's perspective on
things. So let's hear it. Lay out the dilemma for me, Bugg,
so that I might provide you with a properly pithy solution.'
    'The Errant follows the Warlock King, to see what he
plans. The Warlock King meddles with nefarious rituals set
in place by another ascendant, who in turn leaves off eating
a freshly killed corpse and makes for an unexpected
rendezvous with said Warlock King, where they will probably
make each other's acquaintance then bargain to
mutual benefit over the crumbling chains binding another
ascendant – one soon to be freed, which will perturb someone
far to the north, although that one is probably not yet
ready to act. In the meantime, the long-departed Edur fleet
skirts the Draconean Sea and shall soon enter the river
mouth on its fated return to our fair city, and with it are two
fell champions, neither of whom is likely to do what is
expected of them. Now, to add spice to all of that, the
secret that is the soul of one Scabandari Bloodeye will, in a
depressingly short time, cease to be a secret, and consequently
and in addition to and concomitant with, we are
in for an interesting summer.'
    'Is that all?'
    'Not in the least, but one mouthful at a time, I always
say.'
    'No you don't. Shurq Elalle is the one always saying
that.'
    'Your penchant for disgusting images, Master, is as ever
poorly timed and thoroughly inappropriate. Now, about
that pithy solution of yours . . .'
    'Well, I admit to disappointment. You didn't even
mention my grand scheme to bankrupt the empire.'
    'The Invigilator now hunts for you in earnest.'
    'Karos Invictad? No wonder you put me under a shroud.
I shall endeavour to be close to the roof 's edge the day he
clambers into view with his drooling henchmen, so that I
can fling myself over the side, which, you'll agree, is far
preferable to even one bell's worth of his infamous, ghastly
inquisition. In the meantime, what's for supper?'
    'Vinik eggs – I found a somewhat broken nest washed up
under a dock.'
    'But vinik eggs are poisonous, hence the clouds of complaining
gulls constantly circling over every nasty little
floating island.'
    'It's a matter of proper cooking, Master, and the addition
of a few essential herbs that serve to negate most of the ill
effects.'
    'Most?'
    'Yes.'
    'And do you have in your possession those life-sustaining
herbs?'
    'Well, no, but I thought I'd improvise.'
    'There you have it.'
    'There I have what, Master?'
    'Why, my pithy reply, of course.'
    Bugg squinted at Tehol Beddict, who winked, this time
closing his brown eye. The Elder God scowled, then said,
'Thank you, Master. What would I ever do without you?'
    'Scant little, I'd wager.'
    * * *
    Tanal Yathvanar set the package down on the Invigilator's
desk. 'Delivered by a rat-faced urchin this morning. Sir, I
expect it will prove no particular challenge. In any case,' he
continued