Return of the Crimson Guard: A Novel of the Malazan Empire

by Ian C. Esslemont

  A curt bow from Cowl. The High Mage backed into shadow and disappeared. Shimmer turned to Skinner, surprised. ‘I thought Warren travel was extraordinarily dangerous these days.’

  Heading to the shattered door jamb, the commander paused, considering. ‘So is Cowl.’

  Alone, Shimmer suddenly felt the heat of the day seep into her – as if the commander's presence drained something vital from her. Catching his eyes still made her wince. What had become of the man who had led the First Company into the diaspora? He had been ambitious and fierce, yes, but not – inhuman. Now, something else looked out of those eyes. Something that felt more terrifying and menacing than anything that might be awaiting in the field.

  ‘Captain?’

  Blinking, Shimmer turned. Greymane stood there along with Smoky and a regular, Ogilvy. ‘Yes?’

  ‘Turned them down, didn't he,’ Smoky said.

  ‘Yes.’

  A sour nod. ‘Thought so. Makes sense.’

  Shimmer straightened, ill at ease once more. ‘Explain yourself, mage.’

  ‘Me ‘n’ Grey been talking. Got us a theory.’

  ‘Yes?’ Shimmer said calmly, though her breath seemed to die in her throat.

  ‘First, though, this Guardsman here has something to say.’ Smoky urged Ogilvy forward with a curt jerk. Saluting, bobbing his bald bullet-head, the regular saluted.

  ‘’Pologies, ma'am, sir. Kept my drink-hole shut I did, sorry. Seemed most discretionary. Circumstances as they was, ’n’ all.’

  Shimmer blinked again, her brow crimping. ‘Sorry, Guardsman … ?’

  ‘Was first at the scene of Stoop's killin’ there in Stratem. Saw tracks – tracks that was later smoothed away. By spell.’

  ‘And those tracks told you what?’

  ‘Accordin’ to those tracks the lad never entered that clearing.’

  ‘I … see.’ Shimmer swallowed a tightening sickness. ‘Is there anyone else who saw these tracks? Who could corroborate your testimony?’

  The Guardsman glanced to Greymane, then down. ‘No, sir.’

  ‘No. Well then, Guardsman, I suggest you continue to keep this to yourself until such time as further information comes forward.’

  Ogilvy saluted. ‘Yes, ma'am, sir.’

  ‘You are dismissed.’

  ‘Yes, ma – sir.’

  Ogilvy left. Shimmer turned on Smoky. ‘You presume too much, mage.’

  Smoky's long face hardened. ‘I got more to presume. The men won't say, but there's a lot of grumbling. Skinner's gathering Avowed to himself, treating everyone else like servants, not brothers or sisters. There's sides drawing up. Everyone's looking to you to do something. You or—’ he stopped himself, then barrelled on, ‘Greymane.’

  Shimmer finally faced the massive ex-High Fist. ‘I would take great care if I were you, Malazan. You are not of the Avowed.’

  ‘A condition that perhaps allows me the proper perspective.’

  ‘Proper – explain yourself, soldier.’

  ‘It is plain that Skinner intends to defeat both Laseen and this Talian League. And once both are crushed, what then?’

  Brows wrinkled, Shimmer shrugged. ‘Why, then, the terms of the Vow will have been fulfilled – the shattering of the Empire.’

  Greymane and Smoky exchanged troubled glances. ‘And yet not. Any new force could then step into the vacuum, such as an alliance of Dal Hon and Kan forces, or any other such, yes?’

  ‘Possibly …’

  ‘Unless this position were already occupied by another organization, another force ready to act. Is that not so?’

  ‘I do not see what you are getting at, Malazan.’

  Smoky gave an impatient snarl. ‘The Vow has you in too tight a grip, Shimmer. Open your eyes! Skinner intends to occupy the throne himself!’

  Shimmer could only stare. Then she laughed outright at the absurdity of the assertion. ‘Smoky, you know as well as I that the terms of the Vow would never allow such a thing.’

  ‘You're not a mage, Shimmer. Even I can see a few possible ways around it and Cowl is leagues ahead of me. One way to construe it is that the Malazan Empire remains an impossibility so long as the Avowed occupy the throne. There? How's that? Life and power eternal. Worth a throw, wouldn't you say?’

  Shimmer felt almost dizzy. She steadied herself at a wall. ‘But that would be—’

  ‘A monstrous perversion? Yes.’

  ‘No.’ She shook her head. ‘No, Smoky. You are inventing threats, conspiracies. Seeing enemies everywhere. Perhaps that is the Vow affecting you. You've never made a secret of your distaste for Cowl. Have you considered that?’

  The mage was silent for some time. His stare was hard, gauging, and Shimmer was shaken to see disappointment colour the man's eyes. ‘Greymane is not Avowed, Shimmer,’ he said, and pushed his way past. Greymane remained, but Shimmer would not face him. She turned her back. After a time he bowed and left.

  We are so close. Queen's Prophecies, the completion of the Vow is within reach! We can break them! Why then these doubts, these worries? None afflicted at the beginning. Everything was so clear then. The sides so cleanly drawn, our cause so pressing. Now, though, I can hardly muster the effort to go through with it. For whom did they fight? Not the Untans, nor the Cawnese. Then who? Skinner on the throne, and through him, what else?

  Riding out alone into the night from the remains of the Sanctuary of Burn, Lieutenant-Commander Ullen felt extremely ill at ease until the detachment of Talian cavalry escortinging him rode up to rendezvous. Leading them was Commander Amaron, accompanied by Toc's new aide, Captain Moss.

  ‘They rejected the offer?’ Amaron called.

  ‘Yes.’

  A sour shake of the head. ‘The fools. They're going to get themselves wiped out.’

  ‘You're so sure?’

  Amaron smiled knowingly, signed for a return to the fortified encampment – Fort Urko, some called it. ‘You are not?’

  Ullen merely raised a brow; he motioned to the ruins. ‘I've just come away from speaking with Skinner, Amaron. I never did meet him before, and I have to say he looks every bit as nasty as his reputation.’

  ‘Oh, I don't doubt that.’ The commander shifted his considerable broad weight on his tall horse. ‘I'm not saying we'll pull down the Avowed. What I'm saying is that if they are so foolish as to take to the field their regular force will be broken and the surviving Avowed will have to withdraw alone. Then what can they do? A handful of men and women cannot hold territory. They will have to flee once again. No, the whole thing, their recruiting and return, will all have been for nothing. A sad waste, really.’

  Behind the commander's mount, Ullen and Moss shared a glance, saying nothing. Moss flicked his eyes to indicate the fifty troopers walking their mounts along behind and Ullen nodded. Amaron was not speaking to them; he was speaking to the men, fulfilling one of the obligations of command, bolstering morale.

  The Napan turned to Moss. ‘So, Captain, served in Genabackis, did you?’

  ‘Yes, Commander.’

  ‘With Dujek?’

  ‘No, sir. Not directly. I remained up north. Rotated out.’

  ‘Up north? Why, so you've faced the Guard before, then! Didn't they have a contract with a warlord there, that fellow named Brood?’

  ‘Yes, sir. I've faced them.’

  ‘And they were beaten there, weren't they?’

  Moss shot Ullen a glance of veiled amusement. Oh yes, sir,’ he responded loudly. ‘They were beaten.’

  Half of the cavalry officer's expression told Ullen that he could play Amaron's game too – and had said what the men would be helped to hear. The other half of the expression told Ullen just how far from the truth were the man's words.

  * * *

  The Wickan camp occupied a stretch of the east shore of the River Jurd, just north of Unta. Circular yurts dotted hillsides in a sudden new township of some four thousand. The surrounding Untan villages and hamlets supplied fodder for horses, firewood and st
aples. Nil and Nether promised eventual payment in trade goods. Rillish and his Malazan command occupied a large farmhouse and compound in the middle of vineyards where bunches of white grapes hung heavy on the stems. Since his night foray with Nether, his sergeant, Talia, had been even more insistent on their intimacy – to his great relief and pleasure, he had to admit.

  So it was they lay in bed together one morning when a discreet knock sounded on the door of his room. He pulled on his trousers, while Talia dressed as well, quickly strapping on her swordbelt. ‘What is it?’ he called.

  ‘Beggin’ your pardon, sir. Riders from the south.’

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘They carry the Imperial banner.’

  ‘I see. Thank you, sergeant. I'll be down shortly.’

  He turned to Talia and she laughed at the embarrassment that must have been obvious. He splashed his hot face in a basin. Outside in the courtyard, horses readied by Chord waited. Rillish mounted, invited Chord to attend him, gave command of the compound over to him, and rode off with a troop of ten.

  Wickan horsemen had already met and stopped the small column, which consisted of some twenty Untan cavalry. Room was made for Rillish to edge to the front. He inclined his head to the man leading the column, who, by the markings on his helmet, held the rank of Imperial Fist, though Rillish did not recognize him. The man's dark eyes glanced to him but in no other way did he acknowledge Rillish's presence. Eventually, Nil and Nether arrived from their more distant camp. They pushed through to the front, nodded to the Fist who saluted, bowing. ‘Allow me to introduce myself. I am Fist Tazil Jhern. I am come as envoy from the capital, empowered to discuss terms.’

  Nether inclined her head in acknowledgement. ‘I am Nether, this is my brother Nil. And this is Lieutenant Rillish Jal Keth. Greetings.’ The man continued to studiously ignore Rillish.

  ‘What terms, may I ask?’ Nil inquired. Terms of your surrender?’

  ‘Terms of cessation of hostilities. You have grievances, conditions you wish to discuss, surely?’

  The twins exchanged narrowed glances. ‘We have demands and conditions, Fist,’ Nil corrected.

  ‘You say you are empowered, Fist,’ Rillish asked. ‘Empowered by whom?’

  The envoy said nothing, continued to stare straight ahead. Nether's brow furrowed. ‘The lieutenant asked you a question, Fist.’

  ‘I am sure you understand that I feel in no way obligated to speak with a traitor,’ the man told her.

  Nil flinched, stung, and tightened his reins. ‘Then I am sure you understand that we—’

  So, the day has come when I am repudiated. Rillish raised a hand. ‘It is all right. Please, take no offence. I will go.’

  ‘Stay where you are!’ Nether ordered, startling Rillish. ‘You will remain and listen to all this envoy has to say. Then, my brother and I will expect you to advise us afterwards.’

  Struggling to keep his astonishment from his face, Rillish bowed stiffly. ‘As you order.’

  Nil invited the Fist onward. ‘This way, envoy.’

  Later that day, the Fist begged off early to retire to the quarters prepared for his party. Once the man left the large tent a fury of debate leapt to life among the gathered clan representatives, elders and surviving warlocks. The twins sat quietly, letting the storm blow itself out. Rillish was alarmed by some opinions he overheard: sacking the province, ravaging the countryside, even claiming the Throne. When that suggestion, taking the Throne, was called across the tent to Nil, he merely observed, ‘What would we do with it? It's too heavy to sit on a horse.’

  A new round of debate began, this time peppered by escalating retorts, condemnations and insults. It seemed to Rillish that the discussion was veering further and further into the territory of past transgressions, slights and ages-old grudges. He glanced to Nil and saw him watching – the lad winked, tilted his head to invite him outside. Rillish uncrossed his numb legs, bowed to the assembly and ducked out of the tent.

  Without, twilight was gathering. The hillside sloped down like a dark green swath of silk to the Jurd, which glimmered, tree-lined, wide and black. The air was thick with the scent of ripeness, pressing into rot. Night moths and flies clouded around, attracted by the light. It occurred to Rillish that he was home yet this was no longer his home. Where could he call home now? The Wickan plains? They could hardly be expected to be welcoming at this point. Nil ducked out, joining him. The lad hugged himself over his plain deerskin jerkin. His unkempt black hair was a tangle, yet Rillish said nothing – one does not tell the premier Wickan warlock that he needs a haircut.

  ‘A rich land,’ the youth said, viewing the green hillsides. ‘You people have done well by it.’

  Rillish eyed the Wickan adolescent, blinking. ‘Pardon … ?’

  A blush and duck of the head. ‘Sorry. All this once belonged to my ancestors.’

  ‘No, Nil,’ Rillish managed, his stomach clenching, ‘It is I who am sorry.’

  The youth blew out a breath. ‘So different from Seven Cities.’

  ‘So, what will you do?’ Rillish asked, gesturing to the tent.

  ‘We will let them talk, then give our opinions, then let them talk some more, then give our opinions again and let them talk. Once they begin saying our opinions back to us as if they are their own, then we will agree with their wisdom and we will have their unshakable support.’

  Rillish eyed the lad, who was looking down the slope, unmindful of his regard. ‘Nil?’

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘You are far too young to be so cynical.’

  A bright smile. ‘My sister and I are far from young, Lieutenant.’

  Yes, you have come so far too swiftly and for that I am sorry. ‘What are those opinions then? What should you do?’

  ‘Ah … you've hit upon the problem. We aren't sure yet.’ Horses nickered in a nearby corral, stirring restlessly and the lad's eyes moved to the noise. ‘What do you think of our envoy?’

  ‘It's possible we're intended to judge the offer by its bearer – candid, honest and practical.’

  A boat appeared floating down the Jurd, sail limp, long sweep raising a bright wake. The eyes of both tracked it. ‘Yes,’ Nil said. ‘An honest offer honestly given, to be just as honestly disregarded at earliest convenience.’

  In that statement Rillish listened for echoes of sullen resentment, sneering disdain or suppressed rage, but heard none. Only a sad sort of resignation that the world should be so ordered. ‘You are caught,’ he said. ‘You've done everything you can but you still have no true leverage.’

  A long slow assent. ‘We are in a strange situation, Lieutenant. We ought to have all the advantages, camped as we are on the capital's doorstep, yet we find ourselves a sideshow. Unta has been sacked already. We can hardly threaten that. What will be our fate is in fact being determined far to the west – and we are not even there.’

  ‘You must still work to achieve the most advantageous terms you can.’

  ‘Yes,’ the lad sighed. ‘We must. Yet I wonder – have we done all that we can?’ Nil turned to face Rillish, and his gaze slid to the tent then back, cautious. ‘Thank you, Lieutenant.’

  ‘For what?’

  ‘For listening. Unlike many of my countrymen I think it useful to talk through things. I find that it helps unravel knots.’

  Rillish motioned to the tent once more. ‘Your countrymen do not seem averse to talk.’

  ‘Most use it only to tighten existing knots.’

  ‘Ah. I see.’

  The warlock took hold of the tent flap. ‘You need not endure any more of this tonight. Nether and I will manage things. I understand you have much more pleasant company awaiting you,’ and he grinned.

  An adolescent effort at adult banter? ‘Yes, thank you.’

  The grin faltered. ‘Now, if only I could find someone for my sister …’

  Rillish bowed quickly, ‘Goodnight.’

  On the dark road back to the farmhouse Rillish found two mounted figures waiting. Sergeant
s Chord and Talia. Sergeant Chord saluted, turned his mount, and rode off ahead. Rillish brought his mount alongside Talia's. ‘Sergeant…’

  ‘Lieutenant…’ She leaned aside and they kissed. There was something about her tonight; her smile was so bright in the dark, her eyes so full of a hidden humour.

  ‘You are looking … mysterious … this night.’