A Malazan Book of the Fallen Collection 4

Ordant
Brid, Reve Master of the Rock. My departure from the
Andara was uneventful, else it is likely I would not be
here—'
    'Should another of the Order have intercepted you.'
    A nod. 'Can you wait for the maelstrom your arrival will
bring, Silchas Ruin? I can't.'
    'Thus, your greeting earlier should have been qualified.
The Order does not welcome us. Rather, this Ordant Brid
does.'
    'They all choose to speak for the Order,' Clip said, his
eyes glittering, 'when it will most confound the others.
Now, I can see how eager you all are.' From his right hand
the chain whipped out, the silver ring round his index
finger, and at the snap of the chain's full length, a gate into
Darkness appeared to the warrior's right. 'Call the others
here,' Clip said, 'at haste. Even now, bound wraiths serving
the Tiste Edur are converging. Of course, they all dream of
escape – alas, that we cannot give them. But their Edur
masters watch through their eyes, and that won't do.'
    Seren Pedac turned about and summoned the others.
    Clip stepped to one side and bowed low. 'Silchas Ruin, I
invite you to walk through first, and know once more the
welcome embrace of true Darkness. Besides,' he added,
straightening as Ruin strode towards the gate, 'you will
make for us a bright beacon—'
    One of Silchas Ruin's swords hissed out, a gleaming blur,
the edge slashing across the space where Clip's neck had
been, but the young warrior had leaned back . . . just
enough, and the weapon sang through air.
    A soft laugh from the youth, appallingly relaxed. 'He said
you'd be angry.'
    Silchas Ruin stared across at Clip for a long moment,
then he turned and walked through the gate.
    Drawing a deep breath to slow her heart, Seren Pedac
glared at Clip. 'You have no idea—'
    'Don't I?'
    The others appeared, leading their horses. Udinaas, with
Kettle tucked into one arm, barely glanced over at Clip
before he tugged his horse into the rent.
    'You wish to cross swords with a god, Clip?'
    'He gave himself away – oh, he's fast all right, and with
two weapons he'd be hard to handle, I'll grant you—'
    'And will the Reve Master who sent you be pleased with
your immature behaviour?'
    Clip laughed. 'Ordant could have selected any of a
hundred warriors at hand for this mission, Letherii.'
    'Yet he chose you, meaning he is either profoundly stupid
or he anticipated your irreverence.'
    'You waste your time, Acquitor,' Fear Sengar said,
coming up alongside her and eyeing Clip. 'He is Tiste
Andii. His mind is naught but darkness, in which
ignorance and foolishness thrive.'
    To Fear the young warrior bowed again. 'Edur, please,
proceed. Darkness awaits you.' And he waved at the gate.
    As Fear Sengar led his horse into the gate, the chain on
Clip's right index finger spun out once more, ending with a
clash of rings.
    'Why do you do that?' Seren demanded, irritated.
    Brows lifted. 'Do what?'
    Swearing under her breath, the Acquitor walked through
the gate.

BOOK TWO

LAYERS OF THE DEAD
    Who now strides on my trail
devouring the distance between
no matter how I flee, the wasted
breath of my haste cast into the wind
and these dogs will prevail
dragging me down with howling glee
for the beasts were born fated,
trained in bold vengeance
by my own switch and hand
and no god will stand in my stead,
nor provide me sanctuary, even
should I plead for absolution—
the hounds of my deeds belong
only to me, and they have long hunted
and now the hunt ends.
    Songs of Guilt
Bet'netrask

CHAPTER SEVEN
    Twice as far as you think
Half the distance you fear
Too thin to hold you
and well over your head
So much cleverer by far
yet witless beyond measure
will you hear my story now?
    Tales of the Drunken Bard
Fisher
    Standing at the rail, Atri-Preda Yan Tovis, known to
her soldiers as Twilight, watched the sloping shoreline
of the Lether River track past. Gulls rode the
waves in the shallows. Fisher boats sculled among the reeds,
the net-casters pausing to watch the battered fleet work its
way towards the harbour. Along the bank birds crowded
the leafless branches of trees that had succumbed to the last
season's flood. Beyond the dead trees, riders were on the
coast road, cantering towards the city to report to various
officials, although Yan Tovis was certain that the palace
had already been informed that the first of the fleets now
approached, with another a bare half-day behind.
    She would welcome solid ground beneath her boots
again. And the presence of unfamiliar faces within range