A Malazan Book of the Fallen Collection 4

White Crow—'
    'Will he bring word of his lost brother? No? I thought
not.'
    Another hiss of laughter. 'Oddly enough, I believe you
will fit right in with the ones you are about to meet.'
    Seren Pedac squinted into the gloom. She was tired. They
all were after long days traversing the pass, with no end in
sight. Silchas Ruin's announcement that someone was
approaching brought them all to a halt beside the sandy
fringe of a stream, where insects rose in clouds to descend
upon them. The horses snorted, tails flicking and hides
rippling.
    She dismounted a moment after Silchas Ruin, and
followed him across the stream. Behind her the others
remained where they were. Kettle slept in the arms of
Udinaas, and he seemed disinclined to move lest he wake
her. Fear Sengar slipped down from his horse but made no
further move.
    Standing beside the albino Tiste Andii, Seren could now
hear a strange swishing and clacking sound, whispering
down over the tumbled rocks beyond. A moment later a
tall, lean form appeared, silhouetted against grey stone.
    A smudge of deeper darkness flowed out from his side to
hover before Silchas Ruin.
    'Kin,' said the wraith.
    'A descendant of my followers, Wither?'
    'Oh no, Silchas Ruin.'
    Breath slowly hissed from the Tiste Andii. 'My brother's.
They were this close?'
    The young warrior drew closer, his pace almost sauntering.
The tone of his skin was dusky, not much different
from that of a Tiste Edur. He was twirling a chain in his
right hand, the rings on each end blurring in the gloom.
'Silchas Ruin,' he said, 'I greet you on behalf of the Onyx
Order of Andara. It has been a long time since we last met
a Tiste Andii not of our colony.' The broad mouth quirked
slightly. 'You do not look at all as I had expected.'
    'Your words verge on insult,' Silchas Ruin said. 'Is this
how the Onyx Order would greet me?'
    The young warrior shrugged, the chain snapping taut for
a beat, then spinning out once more. 'There are K'risnan
wards on the trail ahead of you – traps and snares. Nor will
you find what you seek in Bluerose, not the city itself nor
Jasp nor Outbound.'
    'How is it you know what I seek?'
    'He said you would come, sooner or later.'
    'Who?'
    Brows rose. 'Why, your brother. He didn't arrive in time
to prevent your getting taken down, nor the slaughter of
your followers—'
    'Did he avenge me?'
    'A moment,' Seren Pedac cut in. 'What is your name?'
    A white smile. 'Clip. To answer you, Silchas Ruin, he
was not inclined to murder all the Tiste Edur. Scabandari
Bloodeye had been destroyed by Elder Gods. A curse was
laid upon the lands west of here, denying even death's
release. The Edur were scattered, assailed by ice, retreating
seas and terrible storms. In the immediate aftermath of the
Omtose Phellack curse, their survival was at risk, and Rake
left them to it.'
    'I do not recall my brother being so . . . merciful.'
    'If our histories of that time are accurate,' Clip said, 'then
he was rather preoccupied. The sundering of Kurald
Emurlahn. Rumours of Osserc in the vicinity, a mercurial
dalliance with Lady Envy, arguments and a shaky alliance
with Kilmandaros, and then, finally, Silanah, the Eleint
who emerged at his side from Emurlahn at the closing of
the gate.'
    'It seems much of that time is common knowledge
among your Order,' Silchas Ruin observed, his tone flat.
'He stayed with you for a lengthy period, then.'
    'He stays nowhere for very long,' Clip replied, clearly
amused by something.
    Seren Pedac wondered if the youth knew how close he
was to pushing Ruin over the edge. A few more ill-chosen
words and Clip's head would roll from his shoulders. 'Is it
your mission,' she asked the Tiste Andii, 'to guide us to our
destination?'
    Another smile, another snap of the chain. 'It is. You will
be, uh, welcomed as guests of the Andara. Although the
presence of both Letherii and Tiste Edur in your party is
somewhat problematic. The Onyx Order has been outlawed,
as you know, subject to vicious repression. The
Andara represents the last secret refuge of our people. Its
location must not be compromised.'
    'What do you suggest?' Seren asked.
    'The remainder of this journey,' Clip replied, 'will be
through warren. Through Kurald Galain.'
    Silchas Ruin cocked his head at that, then grunted, 'I am
beginning to understand. Tell me, Clip, how many wizards
of the Order dwell in the Andara?'
    'There are five, and they are the last.'
    'And can they agree on anything?'
    'Of course not. I am here by the command of