The Crippled God

discipline and courage came from … now, we can see the flaw in that, can’t we?
    ‘High Fist,’ said Quick Ben, walking up like a man who’d taken a beating. His face was drawn, his eyes skittish with something that might be pain.
    Paran nodded. ‘High Mage. Was it as bad as it looks?’
    ‘Not really. Just out of practice. Lost touch with being subtle, I think.’
    A curious thing to say, Paran reflected, and then he faced Kalam. The assassin’s weapons were sheathed, and he looked rather pleased with himself. For no reason he cared to discover, Paran found he wanted to take that smugness down a notch or two. You’ve been killing people, after all . He regarded him for a moment longer before saying, ‘Your wife wishes your attention.’
    The man scowled. ‘Now?’
    That was easy . ‘Since you’re covered in blood, Corporal, you might want to wash first.’
    Quick Ben snorted. ‘I’d forgotten, Kalam. You’re a lowly corporal – meaning I can order you around.’
    ‘Just try it, you Hood-bitten snake.’
    After the assassin had left them, the High Mage turned to Paran. Hesitated, and then said, ‘Felt something, far to the southwest …’
    ‘As did I, Quick Ben.’
    That skittish look returned. ‘Do you know what it was?’
    ‘Do you?’
    The High Mage sighed. ‘Back to that, then, is it?’
    Paran cocked his head. ‘When I asked Shadowthrone for Kalam, I admit that I didn’t expect you to be the delivery man. My last sense of you was in the company of my sister’s army, keeping your head down.’
    Quick Ben nodded, looking thoughtful. ‘You were able to sniff out things like that? I’m impressed, Ganoes Paran. You have come a long way from the nervous, gut-sick captain I remember from Black Coral.’
    ‘I’m still gut-sick, High Mage,’ he said. ‘And as for sensing distant powers, alas, that’s been growing ever more uncertain. And obviously, since coming within the influence of the Assail warren I have been effectively blind. But with my sister, it was never easy in the best of circumstances—’
    ‘Her sword.’
    ‘Her sword, yes. And … other things.’
    Quick Ben’s nod was sympathetic. ‘Sisters, aye.’ Then his gaze sharpened. ‘That … manifestation we felt. Do you think … was it her?’
    Paran frowned. Just the mention of his stomach had delivered a nip of pain, and then vague nausea, reluctant to fade. And look at us, still stepping round each other. Forget all that, Paran. Be honest, see what happens . ‘I don’t know, High Mage. But I mean to find out.’
    Quick Ben studied the mass of soldiers moving through the enemy supplies, and then he rubbed at his eyes. ‘Ganoes Paran, what are we? Here, what are we?’
    Paran felt his face twisting as anxiety gnawed again at his stomach. ‘Quick Ben, we’re soldiers of the Emperor. It’s all we ever have been.’
    Quick Ben shot him a look. ‘You were just a child when he ruled.’
    Paran shrugged. ‘Nonetheless.’
    ‘Aye,’ the High Mage muttered like a man trying to swallow bad news, ‘ nonetheless . But … that empire is gone, Paran. If it ever existed at all.’
    Now that’s a sharp observation . ‘Nothing lasts, Quick Ben. Speaking of which, how do you warrant Kalam and Minala’s chances?’
    Quick Ben grunted and the sound might have been wry laughter, or sympathy. ‘I don’t. And while I think they’d be good together, they keep trying to wear each other’s skin, if you know what I mean.’
    ‘Sort of.’
    ‘It’s not love that’s the problem.’
    ‘It’s all the rest.’
    Quick Ben nodded, and then he shrugged. ‘So tell me, O Master of the Deck of Dragons, what awaits us now?’
    ‘That depends.’
    ‘On what?’
    ‘Gods below, where do I begin?’
    ‘Start with the worst it could get.’
    The worst? ‘How much do you already know?’
    Quick Ben rubbed vigorously at his face, as if trying to rearrange his own features. And, maybe, become someone else . ‘Not as much as you might believe,’ he said. ‘Shadowthrone’s not yet gotten over some past slight I offered him – though for the life of me I can’t recall what it might have been. In any case, we’re not exactly whispering in each other’s ear.’
    ‘Still,’ Paran said, not quite convinced.
    ‘Well. You have to understand – I usually work alone. And if I need help, I make sure the bargain I make is mutually beneficial … to keep down the chances of taking a knife in the back. I admit it, High Fist, I really