The Crippled God

each other. Not that anybody’d tell the difference .’
    ‘ Gods below, you two!’ hissed Quick Ben, with a sharp look outinto the yard. ‘Trying to wake up the whole waterfront? We’ve got to go. Now .’
    Kalam collected the weapon belt, checked to confirm that the sheaths held his long knives. But his memory still wasn’t the way it should have been, so he couldn’t be sure. But they looked to be decent weapons anyway. ‘Fine. Shut up the both of you and let’s get going .’
    Outside, beneath a strangely green cloudy night sky, Quick Ben led the way down the winding path between overgrown mounds and dead trees. They reached the gate and the wizard gestured off to their left .
    The horses were tethered to a hitching post in front of a sunken tavern thirty paces away. Rising waters had flooded the taproom, leaving the place abandoned and dark. As they set off for them, Kalam narrowed his gaze on one of the beasts. His steps slowed. ‘Hold on,’ he whispered, ‘that ain’t a horse .’
    ‘ Best I could do,’ Quick Ben muttered. ‘Don’t worry, it’s mine .’
    Four paces from the rail and a hulking, armoured figure stepped out from the tavern’s nearest alley. Two heavy blades clashed together, and then lifted threateningly .
    Quick Ben swore. ‘Look, Temper, I knocked. Nobody home .’
    The visored face swung to study the Deadhouse, and then a deep voice rumbled out. ‘I might have to kill you three anyway .’
    ‘ Why?’ yelped Quick Ben .
    Temper pointed with one of his huge swords. ‘You didn’t close the fucking door .’
    ‘ I’ll be right back .’
    They watched the wizard hurry back to the Deadhouse .
    Temper turned to Kalam. ‘He never fooled me, you know. I don’t know what Whiskeyjack was thinking .’
    ‘ You smell of Coop’s Ale,’ said Kalam. ‘I’m thirsty. Listen, Minala – when Quick gets back, tell him —’
    ‘ Don’t even try,’ she said in a growl. ‘Besides, here he comes .’
    ‘ Done,’ said Quick Ben when he returned. His teeth flashed white as he smiled .
    Temper slid his weapons back into their sheaths. ‘I suppose I don’t really need to say this to any of you. But … don’t come back. We like it sleepy here. I see any of you again …’
    Quick Ben’s smile vanished and he sighed and shook his head. ‘Temper, you should’ve bolted to the Bridgeburners when you had the chance .’
    ‘ I hear they’re all dead .’
    The wizard swung atop his ethereal horse and grinned down. ‘Exactly .’
    Examining the natty gelding Minala had found for him, Kalamglanced over. ‘Do you like being retired, Temper? No, it’s an honest question. Do you like it? ’
    ‘ Night like this … seeing you all eager to ride out … into serious trouble, no doubt … aye, Assassin, I like it. And if you want to do the same, I’ll stand you a tankard of Coop’s in yonder inn, before throwing you into the harbour .’
    ‘ I’ll get back to you on that,’ Kalam replied, mounting up. He looked across to Minala, and then Quick Ben. ‘All right, unless these horses can run on water, someone needs to crack open a warren .’
    ‘ Well,’ said Quick Ben, ‘mine can .’
    ‘ Smug as ever, I see .’
    ‘ In any case, warrens are my business —’
    ‘ And how’s business?’ Kalam asked .
    ‘ Awful. But that’s all about to change .’
    ‘ Really? How? ’
    ‘ Gods below, Kalam. Because I’m back, that’s why. Now stop talking and leave me to it, will you? ’
    When the three riders were gone, and the tattered wisps of foul-smelling smoke had drifted away, Temper swung round, stepped back into the gloom of the alley, and studied the wraith-like figure standing amidst the rubbish. ‘Old loyalties,’ he said. ‘The only reason I let them go. The Deadhouse isn’t a damned toll booth, Emperor .’
    A cane cracked its silver heel hard on the grimy stones. ‘Emperor? I left that behind long ago. And as for the days when I gave kindly advice, well, they never existed. But for this once, and for you alone, Temper, a word of caution. Watch how you talk to gods, mortal, lest they …’ he suddenly giggled, ‘take umbrage .’
    Temper grunted, said nothing for a dozen heartbeats, and then: ‘Umbrage … huh.’ He turned to leave, and Shadowthrone struck the cobbles again. The huge warrior paused, looked over .
    Shadowthrone hissed. ‘Well? Is that it? ’
    ‘ Is what it? ’
    ‘ That’s all you have to say? This is a momentous scene, you fat fool!