The Crippled God

his skin were visibly deepening, and in his eyes there was nothing human. He’d yet to draw his cutlasses.
    Her gaze flicked to the Trell, but his expression revealed nothing.
    I didn’t kill Jula. It wasn’t my fault .
    She spun back, pushed on.
    The figure striding towards them was withered, a crone swathed in snakeskins. As she drew closer, Precious could see the ravaged state of her broad face, the emptiness of her eye sockets. Behind her Gruntle unleashed a feline hiss. ‘T’lan Imass. No weapons, meaning she’s a Bonecaster. Precious Thimble, do not bargain with this one. She will offer you power, to get what she wants. Refuse her.’
    Through gritted teeth, she replied, ‘We need to get home.’
    ‘Not that way.’
    She shook her head.
    The crone halted ten paces away, and to Precious Thimble’s surprise it was Torrent who spoke first.
    ‘Leave them alone, Olar Ethil.’
    The hag cocked her head, wisps of hair drifting out like strands of spider silk. ‘There is only one, warrior. It is no concern of yours. I am here to claim my kin.’
    ‘Your what? Witch, there’s—’
    ‘You cannot have him,’ Gruntle rumbled, edging past Torrent.
    ‘Stay out of this, whelp,’ Olar Ethil warned. ‘Look to your god, and see how he cowers before me.’ She then pointed a gnarled finger at Mappo. ‘And you, Trell, this is not your battle. Stand aside, and I will tell you all you need know of the one you seek.’
    Mappo seemed to stagger, and then, his face twisting in anguish, he stepped back.
    Precious gasped.
    Setoc spoke. ‘Who is this kin of yours, witch?’
    ‘He is named Absi.’
    ‘Absi? There is no—’
    ‘The boy,’ snapped Olar Ethil. ‘The son of Onos Toolan. Bring him to me.’
    Gruntle drew his swords.
    ‘Don’t be a fool!’ the Bonecaster snarled. ‘Your own god will stop you! Treach will not simply let you throw away your life on this. Youthink to veer? You will fail. I will kill you, Mortal Sword, do not doubt that. The boy. Bring him to me.’
    The rest were awake now, and Precious turned round to see Absi standing between the twins, his eyes wide and bright. Baaljagg was slowly coming forward, closer to where Setoc stood, its massive head lowered. Amby Bole remained close to his brother’s barrow, closed in and silent, his once young face now old, and whatever love there had been in his eyes had vanished. Cartographer stood with one foot in the coals of the hearth, staring at something to the east – perhaps the rising sun – while Sweetest Sufferance was helping Faint to her feet. I need to try some more healing on her. I can show Amby I don’t always fail. I can – no, think about what is before us now! She gave Mappo what he wants, as easy as that. She bargains quick, she speaks true . Precious faced the Bonecaster. ‘Ancient One, we in the Trygalle are stranded here. I have not the power to take us home.’
    ‘You will not interfere if I bless you with what you need?’ Olar Ethil nodded. ‘Agreed. Collect the child.’
    ‘Don’t even think it,’ Gruntle warned, the look in his unhuman eyes halting Precious in her tracks. The barbs on his bared arms seemed to blur a moment, then grew sharp once again.
    The Bonecaster said, ‘The boy is mine, whelp, because his father belongs to me. The First Sword serves me once again. Would you truly desire to prevent me from reuniting the son with the father?’
    Stavi and Storii rushed closer, their questions tumbling together. ‘Father – he’s alive? Where is he?’
    Gruntle barred their way with a levelled cutlass. ‘Hold a moment, you two. Something is not right here. Wait, I beg you. Guard your brother.’ He turned back to Olar Ethil. ‘If the boy’s father now serves you, where is he?’
    ‘Not far.’
    ‘Then bring him to us,’ Gruntle said. ‘He can collect his children himself.’
    ‘The daughters are not of his blood,’ Olar Ethil replied. ‘I have no use for them.’
    ‘You? What of Onos Toolan?’
    ‘Give them to me, then, and I will see to their disposal.’
    Torrent spun round. ‘Slitting their throats is what she means, Gruntle.’
    ‘I did not say that, warrior,’ the Bonecaster retorted. ‘I will take the three, this I offer.’
    Baaljagg was edging closer to Olar Ethil, and she beckoned to it. ‘Blessed Ay, I greet you and invite you into my comp—’
    The huge beast lunged, massive jaws crunching as they closed round the Bonecaster’s right shoulder. The ay then spun, whipping Olar