With us. She will do this. Why? What need within her does this answer? The pressure in his chest constricted suddenly, even as the fateful words left him. ‘I cannot, Acquitor. I failed Rhulad this day. I must try…again. I must try to save him.’
Something like resignation filled her eyes.
As if he had wounded something that already bore a thousand scars.
And Trull wanted to cry out. Instead, he said, ‘I am sorry. But I will await your return—both of you—’
‘We shall return here?’ she asked, glancing at Fear, ‘Why?’
‘To end this,’ Fear said.
‘To end what?’
‘The tyranny born here tonight, Seren Pedac.’
‘You would kill Rhulad? Your own brother?’
‘Kill him? That would not work, as you know. No. But I shall find another way. I shall.’
Oh, who has grasped hold of my soul this night? He found himself unhitching the sword, heard himself saying, ‘I don’t know if you have a weapon, Acquitor,’ and knew his own disbelief at the absurdity of his own words, the shallowness of his reasoning, ‘so I will give you mine…’ And he was holding the sheathed sword out to her.
At the threshold of her home.
Fear turned, studied him, but Trull could not look away from her, not even to see what must be realization dawning in his face.
Letherii though she was, Seren Pedac clearly understood, her gaze becoming confused, then clearing. ‘Just that, I take it. A weapon…for me to use.’
No. ‘Yes…Acquitor. A weapon…’
She accepted it, but the gesture was without meaning now.
Trull found himself stepping back. ‘I have to go now. I will tell Rhulad I saw you, Fear, down at the docks.’
‘You cannot save him, brother,’ Fear said.
‘I can but try. Go well, Fear.’
And he was walking away. It was best, he decided through sudden tears. They would probably never return. Nor would she have accepted the sword. Which was why she asked him before reaching out for it. A weapon to use. Only that.
He was being a fool. A moment of profound weakness, a love that made no sense, no sense at all. No, better by far the way it had played out. She’d understood, and so she’d made certain. No other meaning. No proclamation. Simply a gesture in the night.
A weapon to use. Only that.
They remained standing at the threshold. Trull was gone, his footsteps swallowed by distance. Fear studied Seren Pedac as she looked down at the sword in her hands. Then, glancing up, she saw his fixed regard and smiled wryly.
‘Your brother…startled me. For a moment, I thought…never mind.’
Then why, Seren Pedac, is there such pain in your eyes? Fear hesitated, was about to speak, when a child’s voice spoke behind him.
‘Are you Seren Pedac?’
He spun round, sword hissing from its scabbard.
The Acquitor stepped past, holding out a hand to stay him. ‘Do I know you?’ she asked the small girl standing at the gate.
‘I am Kettle. Iron Bars said you would help us. We need to leave the city. With no-one seeing.’
‘We?’
The girl walked forward, and behind her came a tall, robed and hooded figure. Then a shadow wraith, dragging a body.
A startled sound from Seren. ‘Errant fend, this is about to get a lot harder.’
Fear said to her, ‘Acquitor, I would berate you for your generosity this night, had it not included me. Can you still manage this?’
She was studying the tall, hooded figure as she replied, ‘Probably. There are tunnels…’
Fear faced the girl and her party once more. His gaze focused on the wraith. ‘You, why are you not serving the emperor this night?’
‘I am unbound, Fear Sengar. You are fleeing? This is…unexpected.’
He disliked the amusement in its voice. ‘And who is that you are pulling behind you?’
‘The slave Udinaas.’
Fear said to Seren, ‘They will be hunting in earnest for these ones, Acquitor. For that slave.’
‘I remember him,’ she said.
‘His betrayal of the emperor has exacted a high price,’ Fear said. ‘More, I believe he killed Mayen—’
‘Believe what you like,’ the wraith said, ‘but you are wrong. You forget, Fear Sengar, this man is a slave. A thing to be used, and used he has been. By me, by the Wyval that even now circles us in the dark overhead. For what befell Rhulad, for Mayen—neither of these tragedies belong to Udinaas.’
As you say.
‘We can argue this later,’ Seren said. ‘Kettle, who is this disguised man?’
She was about to answer when the figure said, ‘I am Selekis, of the Azath tower.’
‘From the Azath tower?’ Seren asked. ‘Amusing. Well, you’re as tall as an Edur, Selekis. Can we not see your face?’
‘I would rather not, Seren Pedac. Not yet, in any case.’ It seemed its hidden gaze was on Fear as it continued, ‘Perhaps later, once we have quitted this city and have the time to discuss our eventual destinations. It may be, indeed, that we will travel together for some time.’
‘I think not,’ Fear said. ‘I go to find Father Shadow.’
‘Indeed? And Scabandari Bloodeye still lives?’
Shocked, Fear said nothing. He must be a Tiste Edur. One of the other tribes, perhaps. Also fleeing. No different from me, then.
‘All of you,’ Seren said, ‘inside. We should scrape together some supplies, although I am certain the Rat Catchers’ Guild will be able to supply us…for a price.’
The wraith softly laughed. ‘It is the Letherii way, of course…’
Shurq Elalle stepped clear of the ladder and onto the roof. The sun was up, and people could be seen on the tiers, a little slower in their walking than was usual. Uncertain, filled perhaps with some trepidation. There were Tiste Edur, after all, patrolling in squads. Whilst yet others, in larger groups, were moving through the city as if looking for someone in particular.
Tehol Beddict and his manservant were standing on the side overlooking the canal, their backs to Shurq as she approached. Tehol glanced over a shoulder and gave her a warm smile. He looked…different.
‘Tehol Beddict,’ she said as she came to stand beside him, ‘one of your eyes is blue.’
‘Is it? Must be some kind of nefarious infection, Shurq, since I can barely see with it besides.’
‘It’ll clear up in time,’ Bugg said.
‘So,’ Shurq said, ‘have you resumed plotting the end of civilization, Tehol?’
‘I have, and a delicious end it will be.’
She grunted. ‘I’ll send you Shand, Hejun and Rissarh, then—’
‘Don’t you dare. Deliver them to the islands. I work better alone.’
‘Alone?’
‘Well, with Bugg here, of course. Every man needs a manservant, after all.’
‘I imagine so. Well, I am here, then, to say goodbye.’
‘Off for some pirating, are we?’
‘Why not? I’m simply elaborating on a well-established career.’
Tehol looked to Bugg, and said, ‘The thief who sank…’
‘…has resurfaced,’ Bugg finished.
The two men smiled at each other.
Shurq Elalle turned away. ‘Well, that’s one thing I won’t miss.’
After she was gone, Tehol and Bugg stared out for a while longer at the reawakening city of Letheras. The city occupied, the throne usurped, strangers in the streets looking rather…lost.
The two-headed insect clung to Tehol’s shoulder and would not move. After a time, Tehol rubbed at his weak eye and sighed. ‘You know, Bugg, I am glad you didn’t do it.’
‘Do what?’
‘Make me forget.’
‘I figured you could handle it.’
‘You’re right. I can. At least, this way, I can grieve.’
‘In your own way.’
‘In my own way, yes. The only way I know how.’
‘I know, master.’
A short while later, Bugg turned about and walked towards the hatch. ‘I’ll be back shortly.’
‘Right. And when you do, clean up down there.’
The manservant paused at the hatch, considered, then said, ‘I think I will find the time to do just that, master.’
‘Excellent. Now I’m going to bed.’
‘Good idea, master.’
‘Well, of course it is, Bugg. It’s mine, isn’t it?’
Epilogue
And it is this moment, my friends,
When you must look away,
As the world unfurls anew
In shapes announced both bright
And sordid, in dark and light
And the sprawl of all existence
That lies between.
FISHER KEL TATH
The hole was vast and deep. The two Kenryll’ah demon princes stood at its edge, staring down into it, as they had been for some time.
Finally, one said, ‘How far down do you think it goes, brother?’
‘I suspect, brother,’ the other replied, ‘if we were to vacate our bladders into this abyss the streams would fray into mist long before they reached bottom.’
‘I suspect you are right. And that Forkrul Assail went down there, didn’t he?’
‘He did. Head first.’
‘You shouldn’t have thrown him, then.’
‘You are wrong, brother. I simply threw him in the wrong direction.’
‘That, or the world suddenly turned.’
‘Unlikely. This place doesn’t do things like that.’
‘You’re right. It is proving exceedingly dull, isn’t it?’
‘Exceedingly.’
‘Well, shall we?’
‘Why not?’
The two demons began loosening straps on their ornate baldrics. Dropping flaps. Shifting their stances to adequate width.
And they stood there, side by side, until, perfectly timed, their flows were done.
The storm had risen sudden, impressively fierce as it raged on the seas. Three Nachts huddled at his feet, Withal stood on the beach, feeling the faint wisps of wind that managed to reach through the sorcerous barrier surrounding the island, brushing against his face like a woman’s breath.
A sweet woman, to be more precise. Unlike the one standing beside him. This tall, iron-eyed, foul-mouthed, humourless apparition who followed him around and never seemed to sleep and certainly would not let him sleep, not a single damned night the whole night through, not once. Always asking, asking and asking. What are you going to do? Besides praying?
Well, what else could he do?
Rhulad Sengar came and went, more insane with each time. Shrieks, laughter, screams and wails. How many times could a man die?
We’ll see, I suppose.
‘That storm,’ Sandalath said, ‘it wants to get through, doesn’t it?’
He nodded. He could feel its wrath, and its impotence.
‘It’s waiting for something,’ she continued. ‘Waiting for someone…to do something.’
He repressed the urge to hit her—she’d kill him if he did—wait. Wait. Wait. ‘Hold on,’ he whispered. ‘Hold on…I’ve thought of something…’
‘A miracle!’ she shouted, throwing up her hands. ‘Oh, I know! Let’s pray!’
And now he saw it, on the very edge of the thrashing waves beyond the reef. Saw it, and pointed. ‘There! A boat, you black-hearted witch! A boat!’
‘So what? So what? Why don’t you do something?’
He spun round, startling the Nachts, and began running.
There was anger, plenty of anger, giving strength to his strides. Oh, so much anger. Deliverers of suffering deserved what was coming to them, didn’t they? Oh yes, they surely did. The Nachts had been showing him. Over and over again, the mad grinning apes. Over and over.
Build a nest.
Kick it down.
Build a nest.
Kick…it…down!
He saw the hut, that squalid, insipid hovel crouched there on the dead plain. Sensed the Crippled God’s sudden awareness, sudden probings into his mind. But oh no, he laughed silently, it couldn’t work it out. Couldn’t fathom the endless refrain filling his skull.
Build a nest! Kick it down!
He reached the hut, not where the doorway made its slash in the wall, but from a blind side. And, with all his weight, the swordsmith flung himself into that flimsy structure.
It collapsed inward, Withal on top, landing upon a squawking figure beneath. Spitting, hissing with rage and indignation.
Withal grasped handfuls of rotten canvas, heaved himself back upright, and dragged the tent away. Pegs snapping, ties breaking. Dragged it away from that horrid little bastard god.
It shrieked, the brazier tumbling, coals spilling out, sparks lodging in the god’s ratty robes, where they smouldered—
‘You will die for this, mortal!’
Withal stumbled back, laughing.
And, from behind, the wind suddenly arrived.
Almost knocking him down.
He turned into it, facing the beach once more, and saw the stormclouds billowing, rushing in, growing ever higher, towering, spreading their shadow upon the island.
Leaning into the gale, Withal ran back to the beach.
Thrashing, foaming waves on all sides, but there, before him, a stretch of calm. A stretch opposite Sandalath and the capering, dancing Nachts.
Along which the boat slid gracefully through the reef, its lone sail luffing lightly as it glided to shore, grating to a halt five paces from the waterline.
Withal reached the sand in time to see a squat, nondescript man clamber down from the side and wade ashore.
‘This,’ he said to Withal in the Letherii trader’s tongue, ‘is for you. Take your friends and make sail.’
‘Who are you?’ Sandalath demanded.
‘Oh, be quiet!’ Withal snarled. ‘Climb in, woman!’
The Nachts had already done so, and were scrambling about the rigging.
Scowling, the Tiste Andii woman hurried towards the boat.
Withal stared at the man.
Who grimaced, then said, ‘Aye, Withal of Meckros, you pray hard enough…’
‘I knew it.’
‘Now, get going. You’ll find a way of calm through.’
‘And you, Mael?’
‘I’ll drop in later. I’ve things for you to do, Withal. But for now,’ he faced inland, ‘I am going to beat a god senseless.’
This ends the Fifth Tale of The Malazan Book of The Fallen
Glossary
Letherii Titles
Acquitor: a sanctioned position as guide/factor when dealing with non-Letherii peoples
Atri-Preda: military commander who governs a city or town
Ceda: title of King’s own mage
Finadd: equivalent of captain in the military
Preda: equivalent of commander or general in the military
Sentinel: the King’s Voice in establishing first contact with non-Letherii peoples
The King’s Leave: a title relieving the holder of all criminal convictions
Lether Place Names
Burl Square: a square in Letheras
Cedance: the dominant set of Tiles (see the Holds)
Cul Street: a street in Letheras
Down Markets: a district in Letheras
Errant’s Heel: an alley in Letheras
Eternal Domicile: the new palace under construction in Letheras
Huldo’s: a restaurant in Letheras
Katter Bight: a stretch of water outside Old Katter
Kraig’s Landing: upriver from the city of Trate
Lether: the kingdom and its protectorates
Letheras: the capital city of Lether
Merchants’ Tolls: equivalent of a stock market in Lether
Purser’s District: a district in Letheras
Quillas Canal: one of the main canals in Letheras
R
at Catchers’ Guild: a mysterious guild active throughout Lether
Red Lane: a lane in Letheras
Rild’s: a restaurant in Letheras
Scale House: headquarters of the Rat Catchers’ Guild, Letheras
Sherp’s Last Lane: a lane in Letheras
Soulan Bridge: a bridge in Letheras
Stinking House: abode of Selush the Dresser of the Dead
Tarancede Tower: a watchtower overlooking Trate Harbour
Temple School: an educational institution in Letheras
The Temple: a high-end brothel in Letheras
Urum’s Lenders: an establishment in Letheras
Windlow’s Meatgrinders: an abattoir in Letheras
Letherii Cities, Villages and Forts
Awl
Brans Keep
Bridle
Cargo
Desden
Dissent
Dresh
Fent Reach
First Maiden Fort
First Reach
Five Points
Fort Shake
Gedry
Harness
High Fort
Letheras
The Manse
Miner Sluice
Old Gedure
Old Katter
Second Maiden Fort
Thetil
Third Maiden Fort
Trails
Trate
Truce
Letherii Protectorates
Bluerose
Karn
Korshenn
Pilott
Pockface Islands
Neighbouring Kingdoms
Kolanse
Letherii Military
Artisan Battalion
Bluerose Battalion
Cold Clay Battalion
Crimson Rampant Brigade
Fent Garrison
Grass Jackets Brigade
Harridict Brigade
Katter Legion
Maiden Garrison
Merchants’ Battalion
Shake Legion
Trate Legion
Wave Wake Brigade
Whitefinder Battalion
Letherii Phrases
Blue Style Steel: an earlier method of ironmongery
Docks: commonest denomination of Lether money
Dresh Ballista: a multi-quarrel war weapon
Letheran Steel: a secret method of ironmongery
The Complete Malazan Book of the Fallen Page 456