The Crippled God

blood of Pures! ’
    Tanakalian backed a step in the face of this sudden fury. Seeing this, Diligence narrowed his gaze on the Shield Anvil. ‘How many warriors among these Gilk?’
    ‘Three thousand, perhaps? Four?’
    Snarling, Diligence turned to face the valley again. ‘The weapons of the Forkrul Assail are our hands and feet – the Gillankai devised an armour to blunt our blows. Shield Anvil, when they come, concentrate against these Barghast. Break them!’
    ‘Sir, I cannot command the presentation of enemy forces. I came here to tell you it is my suspicion that the Evertine Legion will engage the Grey Helms – a clash of heavy infantry. We shall lock jaws with them and we shall prevail. As such, sir, we leave the Gilk, the Saphii and other assorted auxiliaries to your Kolansii. In addition to the Letherii, of course.’
    ‘Any other threats you’ve yet to mention, Brother? ’
    ‘Sir, you vastly outnumber the attackers. I expect we shall make short work of them.’
    ‘And does this disappoint you, Shield Anvil?’
    Tanakalian wiped again at the sweat beading his upper lip. ‘Provided you do not seek to use your voice, sir, to demand surrender, we shall welcome all the blood spilled on this day.’
    ‘Of course. It is the slaughter you so desire. Perhaps I shall indulge you in this. Perhaps not.’
    The Shield Anvil’s eyes flicked away momentarily, and then he bowed. ‘As you will, sir.’
    ‘Best return to your soldiers,’ Diligence said. ‘And keep a watchful eye on that Destriant. She is not what she would like us to believe she is.’
    Tanakalian stiffened, and then bowed again.
    Diligence watched the fool hurry away.
    Watered Hestand thumped up on to the platform and saluted. ‘Blessed Pure, our scouts report the advance of the enemy – they will soon crest the ridge and come into view.’
    ‘Very well.’
    ‘Sir – there are not enough of them.’
    ‘Indeed.’
    As Hestand hesitated, Diligence turned to eye the officer. ‘Your thoughts?’
    ‘Sir, surely their own scouts have assessed our numbers, and the completeness of our defences. Unless they hold some hidden knife or weapon, they cannot hope to best us. Sir …’
    ‘Go on.’
    ‘The High Watered among us have sensed the sudden absence of Brother Serenity, far to the northwest. Clearly, the forces that emerged from the keep are now advancing, and – somehow – they are proving their worth against even the most powerful Pures.’
    ‘Hestand.’
    ‘Sir.’
    ‘This is not the day to fret over distant events, no matter how disquieting they may be.’
    ‘Sir, it is my thought – perhaps the enemy now arraying before us possess similar efficacy, when it comes to the Forkrul Assail.’
    After a long moment, Diligence nodded. ‘Well said. I appreciate your persistence on this matter. By your courage you chastise me. Hestand, you are wise to awaken caution. As you have observed, the enemy before us cannot hope to prevail, nor can they be so blind that they cannot see the hard truth awaiting them. Raising the question, what secret do they possess?’
    ‘Sir, what can we do?’
    ‘Only wait and see, Hestand.’ Diligence turned back to the valley, tracked with his eyes down the paths leading to the centre redoubt – and the wolf standards of the Perish. ‘Perhaps I should compel the Shield Anvil. He is holding something back – I see that now. What I took for nerves before battle – I may have misread him.’
    ‘Shall I retrieve the Perish commander, sir? Or perhaps send a squad down to arrest him?’
    Diligence shook his head. ‘And invite a mutiny among the troops holding our centre? No. I believe I must undertake this task in person.’
    ‘Sir – is there time?’ And Hestand now pointed to the south ridge.
    The enemy were presenting in a solid line along the crest. Diligence studied the distant scene for a moment, and then he nodded. ‘There is time. Await me here, Hestand. I shall not be gone long.’
    She had ascended the Spire and now stood, her back to the altar and the Heart it held, facing out on to the bay. The fleet of anchored Perish ships rocked like wood chips in a cauldron of boiling water, and as she watched she saw a trio of masts snap in a writhing fury of shredded stays. The white spume of the waves sprayed high into the air.
    Sister Reverence found that she was trembling. There is something down there, in the depth of the bay. Something building to rage .
    Strangers have come among us