A Malazan Book of the Fallen Collection 4

wanting to be somewhat
drunk for what would come at the end of this night. The
only question she was unable to answer was . . . which one
first?
    Oh, there was sexual excitement – she could not deny
that. Both men were hale and attractive, though in very
different ways. And both equally obnoxious, but she
thought she could live with that. For certain, her heart
would play no role in what was to come, no giving over, no
confusion that might lead to conflicted feelings, or feelings
of any sort.
    She could keep this simple. Everyone made use of what
they had, didn't they, especially when what they had
proved desirable to others. This was how power accrued,
after all. One man here, right or left, would have her this
night – had they already decided which one between them?
A toss of the knuckles. A wager in flesh. She was not sure
– the evening was early yet and thus far she'd seen no overt
signs of competition.
    Hanut spoke, 'Shardan and I have been discussing you
all afternoon, Lady Challice.'
    'Oh? How flattering.'
    'It was on the night of my uncle's murder, wasn't it? At
Lady Simtal's estate – you were there.'
    'I was, yes, Hanut.'
    'That night, young Gorlas Vidikas saved your life.'
    'Yes.'
    'And so won your heart,' said Shardan Lim, smiling behind
his goblet as he sipped.
    'You make it sound an easy thing,' she said, 'winning my
heart.'
    'Then gratitude made a good start,' Shardan observed
as Hanut settled back as if willing to listen and venture
nothing else – at least for now. 'He was very young, as
were you. An age when charms seemed to flash blindingly
bright.'
    'And I was dazzled,' she said.
    'Gorlas did very well by it, I should say. One hopes he
daily expresses his gratitude . . . when he is here, I mean.
All the proper, entirely unambiguous gestures and the
like.'
    Hanut Orr stirred. 'For too long, Lady Vidikas, the
House of Orr and the House of D'Arle have been at odds
on the Council. Generations of that, and, as far as I am
concerned, for no good reason. I find myself wishing, often,
that your father would meet me, to make amends, to forge
something new and lasting. An alliance, in fact.'
    'An ambitious goal, Hanut Orr,' said Challice. Unfortunately, my father thinks you are a preening, fatuous
ass. A true Orr, in other words. 'And you are most welcome,
I'm sure, to make such an overture. I wish you the Lady's
tug.'
    'Ah, then I have your blessing in such an endeavour?'
    'Of course. Will that impress my father? That remains
to be seen.'
    'Surely he cherishes you dearly,' Shardan Lim murmured.
'How could he not?'
    I have this list . . . 'The House of Vidikas was ever
a modest presence in the Council,' she said. 'A long,
unbroken succession of weak men and women singularly
lacking in ambition.'
    Hanut Orr snorted and reached for his goblet. 'Excepting
the latest, of course.'
    'Of course. My point is, my father ascribes little weight
to the desires of House Vidikas, and I am now part of that
house.'
    'Do you chafe?'
    She fixed her gaze on Shardan Lim. 'A bold question,
sir.'
    'My apologies, Lady Vidikas. Yet I have come to cherish
you and so only wish you happiness and contentment.'
    'Why would you imagine I felt otherwise?'
    'Because,' Hanut Orr drawled, 'you've been knocking
back the wine this night like a tavern harlot.' And he rose.
'Thank you, Lady Vidikas, for a most enjoyable evening. I
must, alas, take my leave.'
    Struggling against anger, she managed a nod. 'Of course,
Councillor Orr. Forgive me if I do not see you out.'
    He smiled. 'Easily done, milady.'
    When he was gone, Shardan swore softly under his
breath. 'He was angry with you.'
    'Oh?' The hand that raised the goblet to her lips was, she
saw, trembling.
    'Hanut wants your father to come to him, not the other
way round. He won't be a squirming pup to anyone.'
    'A pup is never strong enough to make the first move,
Shardan Lim. He misunderstood my challenge.'
    'Because it implies a present failing on his part. A failing
of his nerve.'
    'Perhaps it does, and that should make him angry with
me? How, precisely, does that work?'
    Shardan Lim laughed and as he stretched out it was clear
that, free now of Hanut Orr's shadow, he was like a deadly
flower opening to the night. 'You showed him up for the
self-important but weak-willed bully that he is.'
    'Unkind words for your friend.'
    Shardan Lim stared down at his goblet as he drank a
mouthful. Then he said in a growl, 'Hanut Orr is no friend
of mine.'
    The wine was making her brain feel