The Crippled God

our commander on a quest, and now await his return.’
    ‘You order your commander around?’
    ‘Yes, isn’t that wonderful?’
    The Jaghut laughed again, a habit, Stormy decided as it went on, and on, that could prove maddening. ‘Well, I’ll leave you to it, then.’
    The fourteen Jaghut bowed, and Gedoran said, ‘Until we meet again, Shield Anvil.’
    ‘I don’t intend to ride back the way I came in.’
    ‘Wisdom is not yet dead,’ said Bolirium. ‘Did I not suggest this to you all?’
    ‘Amidst a host of idiotic assertions, perhaps you did.’
    ‘Varandas, there must be a balance in the world. On one side a morsel of weighty wisdom, offsetting a gastric avalanche of brainless stupidity. Is that not the way of things?’
    ‘But Bolirium, a drop of perfume cannot defeat a heap of shit.’
    ‘That depends, Varandas, on where you put your nose.’
    Gedoran said, ‘Be sure to inform us, Varandas, when you finally smell something sweet.’
    ‘Don’t hold your breath, Gedoran.’
    To raucous laughter, Stormy kicked the Ve’Gath into motion, steering the creature to the left to ride round the Jaghut. Once past he urged his mount into a loping trot. A short while later the K’ell Hunters drew in closer.
    He could smell their unease. ‘Aye,’ he muttered.
    He wondered who the commander was. Must be a damned idiot. But then, anything to escape that laughing. Aye, now that makes sense . Why, I’d probably ride straight up Hood’s arsehole to get away from that lot .
    And as soon as I smell something sweet, boys and girls, why, I’ll ride straight back and tell you .
    That dust cloud looked closer. Maybe.

CHAPTER SEVEN
     
‘Awaiting Restitution’
     
    Epigraph on gravestone, Lether
     
    ‘ IS IT AS I SEE ?’ BRYS BEDDICT ASKED . ‘ THE FATE OF THE WORLD IN THE hands of three women?’
    Atri-Ceda Aranict drew one more time on the stick and then flicked the stub into the fire. Into flames … She held the smoke in her lungs as long as she could, as if in refusing to breathe out she could hold back time itself. I saw caverns. I saw darkness … and the rain, gods below, the rain … Finally, she sighed. If there was any smoke left she didn’t see it. ‘Not three women alone,’ she said. ‘There is one man. You.’
    They sat undisturbed before the fire. Soldiers slept. The bawling of animals awaiting slaughter had died down for the night. Cookfires dwindled as the swirling wind ate the last dung, and the air was filled with ashes. Come the dawn … we leave. Broken apart, each our separate ways. Could I have imagined this? Did she know? She must have. By her sword we are shattered .
    ‘It was necessary,’ said Brys.
    ‘You sound as if you are trying convince yourself,’ she observed, drawing a taper from her belt sheath and reaching to set one end into the flames. Watched as it caught. Brought the lurid fire closer to her face to light yet another stick.
    ‘I understood her, I think.’ He grunted. ‘Well, as much as anyone could.’
    She nodded. ‘The look on the faces of her officers.’
    ‘Stunned. Yes.’
    She thought of Fist Blistig. ‘Appalled.’
    He glanced across at her. ‘I worried for you, my love. Abrastal’s daughter—’
    ‘A potent child indeed, to find us from so far away.’ She pulled onthe stick. ‘I was unprepared. The visions made no sense. They overwhelmed me.’
    ‘Are you able to make sense of them now?’
    ‘No.’
    ‘Will you describe them to me, Aranict?’
    She dropped her gaze.
    ‘Forgive me for asking,’ he said. ‘I did not think – you should not have to relive such trauma. Ah, I am tired and tomorrow will be a long day.’
    She heard the invitation in his words, but the flames of the hearth held her in place. Something. A promise. A warning. I need to think on this . ‘I will join you, love, soon.’
    ‘Of course. If you find me dead to the world …’
    She flinched, recovered and said, ‘I shall be careful not to wake you.’
    He leaned close and she turned to meet his lips with hers. Saw the tenderness of his smile as he pulled away.
    Then she was alone, and her gaze returned again to the flames. A parley. A meeting of minds. Well .
    It had begun simply enough. Regal riders reining before the command tent, soldiers appearing to take the horses. Greetings exchanged with the Malazan officers awaiting these distinguished guests. The Adjunct was within, yes. Her wounds? She has recovered, thankfully. We’re afraid there will be little