Dust of Dreams

by Steven Erikson

  ‘I will, Adjunct.’

  ‘And find them, Quick Ben.’

  ‘Again, whatever I can do, I will do it.’

  ‘We cannot lose any more veterans.’

  She did not need to add that without them the chains of this army would snap at the first moment of trouble. Even now, one more gust of ill wind could do us all in.

  Gesler and Stormy, you damned idiots. Probably tossing dice in that rank tent you shared—or stitching a solid wall down the middle to close another spat. As bad as brothers, you two were. And now you’re gone and there’s a huge hole in my company of marines, one I can’t hope to see filled.

  The Adjunct and the High Mage had left. Fiddler and Bottle drew close to their Fist.

  ‘Fire, sir.’

  Keneb frowned at Fiddler. ‘Excuse me?’

  ‘It’s the fire. The one they went through. Thinking on it, I doubt that winged lizard will be back. I can’t be sure, but my feeling is we’ve seen the last of it. And the last of them.’

  ‘You said this to the Adjunct?’

  ‘Just a feeling, sir. I’m sending Bottle out tonight, to see what he can find.’

  Bottle looked thrilled at the prospect.

  ‘Let me know what he discovers, Sergeant. Immediately—don’t wait until morning. I’m not sleeping anyway.’

  ‘I know the feeling, sir. As soon as we get something, then.’

  ‘Good. Go on, now. I’ll see to dispersing Gesler’s squad—hold on, why not take one now? Take your pick, Fid.’

  ‘Shortnose will do. He’s hiding a brain behind all that gnarly bone and whatnot.’

  ‘Are you sure?’ Keneb asked.

  ‘I sent him to collect four people in a specific sequence. I didn’t need to repeat myself, sir.’

  ‘And he’s a heavy?’

  ‘Aye, sometimes things ain’t what they seem, you know?’

  ‘I’ll have to think about that, Fiddler. All right, take him and get going.’

  Outrider Henar Vygulf walked up the main avenue between the ordered rows of the Letherii camp. Though a horseman, the ground trembled slightly with each step he took, and there was little debate as to who was the tallest, biggest soldier in Brys’s army. He drew curious stares as he made his way to HQ. He wasn’t astride his huge horse, after all, and not riding at a torrid pitch making people scatter as was his habit; thus, seeing him on foot was shocking in itself, quite apart from the fact that he was striding into the heart of the encampment. Henar Vygulf hated crowds. He probably hated people. Could be he hated the world.

  Trailing two steps behind him was Lance Corporal Odenid, who was attached to the commander’s staff as a message-bearer. This was his sole task these days: finding soldiers and dragging them back to Brys Beddict. The commander was conducting intensive and extensive interviews, right through the whole army. Odenid had heard that for the most part Brys was asking about the Wastelands, collecting rumours, old tales, wispy legends. The most extraordinary thing of all, when it came to these interviews, was Brys Beddict’s uncanny ability to remember names and faces. At day’s end he would call in a scribe and recount for her a complete and detailed list of those soldiers and support staff he’d spoken with that day. He would give ages, places of birth, military history, even family details such as he had gleaned, and he would add notes on whatever each soldier knew or thought they knew about the Wastelands.

  The Beddict brothers, Odenid concluded, were probably not even human. Probably both god-touched. Hadn’t Brys returned from the dead? And hadn’t he been the only one—until that Tarthenal—to have defeated the Emperor of a Thousand Deaths?

  Henar Vygulf had been summoned for an interview, but this time there was more to it, or so Odenid suspected. An officer from the Bonehunters had ridden into camp early this morning. Something had happened. Odenid didn’t rank high enough to be able to lounge around in the HQ tent, and the commander’s inner circle were a close-mouthed lot one and all. Whatever the news had been, it had stalled the march, probably until noon. And the Malazan was still there, in a private meeting with Brys and his Ceda—Odenid had seen them himself when he’d been summoned in and told to head to the outriders and bring back Henar Vygulf. ‘Or,’ had said Brys, ‘I think he is so named. The tall one, the one with Bluerose ancestry. Has in his train about ten specially bred horses strong enough to carry him—a family of horse-breeders, I seem to recall . . .’

  And the man slept on his right and pissed standing on one leg, yes, that’s him all right.

  The added thought made Odenid smile. God-touched. Brys hadn’t even interviewed Henar yet.

  They reached the front entrance to the command tent. Henar halted, ignoring the lone guard standing beside the flap as he turned to Odenid. ‘Do you announce me?’

  ‘No. Just go in, Outrider.’

  Henar had to duck, something that never put him in a good mood. There were reasons for living out in the open, good ones, and even these flimsy walls of canvas and now silk seemed to push in on him. He was forced to deepen his breathing, struggling to beat down the panic rising within him.

  Two other aides waved him through to the inner chambers. He tried not to see them once the gestures were made. Walls were miserable enough; people crowded inside the tight spaces they made, with Henar trapped in there with them, was even worse. They were breathing his air. It was all he could do not to snap both their necks.

  That was the problem with armies. Too many people. Even the relatively open camp with its berms and corner fortlets and widely spaced tent rows could instil in him a wild desperation. When he delivered dispatches into such camps, he rode like a madman, just to push through and deliver the message and then get the damned out as quickly as possible.

  He made his way down a too-narrow passage and stepped through a cloying slit in the silks to find himself in a larger room, the ceiling peaked and morning sunlight making the air glow. Commander Brys sat in a folding chair, the Atri-Ceda Aranict standing on his left. Seated in another chair was the Malazan officer, her legs folded showing him a solid, muscled thigh—his eyes followed the sweeping curve of its underside and all at once his breathing steadied. A moment later his gaze lifted to her face.

  Brys waited for the huge man’s attention to return to him. It didn’t. Henar Vygulf was staring at Lostara Yil as if he’d never before seen a woman—granted, a beautiful woman in this instance. Even so . . . he cleared his throat. ‘Outrider Henar Vygulf, thank you for coming.’

  The man’s eyes flicked to Brys and then back again. ‘As ordered, sir.’

  ‘If I could have your attention? Good. You were attached to the Drene Garrison during the Awl Campaign, correct?’

  ‘Yes, sir.’

  ‘Liaising with the Bluerose Lancers, the company to which you once belonged.’

  ‘Yes, sir.’

  Brys frowned. ‘Well, this isn’t working. Outrider, may I introduce to you Captain Lostara Yil, adjutant to the Adjunct Tavore of the Bonehunters. Captain, this is Outrider Henar Vygulf.’

  In the manner of Bluerose court etiquette, Henar lowered himself on to one knee and bowed his head. ‘Captain, it is a pleasure.’

  Yil glanced over at Brys with raised brows.

  He shook his head, equally baffled. As far as he knew, the captain wasn’t nobleborn, and certainly not royalty.

  She hesitated, clearly uncomfortable, and then said, ‘Please rise, Henar. Next time, a salute will suffice.’

  He straightened. ‘As you command, sir.’

  ‘Now,’ said Brys, ‘might we resume?’

  Henar pulled his eyes from Lostara with obvious effort and then nodded. ‘Of course, sir.’

  ‘During the most recent campaign, a renegade Awl named Redmask infiltrated Drene. Blood was shed, and in the pursuit that followed, garrison soldiers were ambushed. Is this accurate so far?’

  ‘Yes, sir.’

  ‘There followed reports of two demonic creatures serving as bodyguards to this Redmask.’

  ‘Yes
, sir. Lizards, running on two legs, fast as a horse, sir. They were sighted and reported on in the campaign itself. The Atri-Preda included descriptions in her dispatches up to and including the first major battle. Thereafter, no messengers managed to make it back.’

  ‘Do you happen to know a soldier named Pride?’

  ‘No, sir.’

  ‘An Awl by birth, but raised by a family in Drene. He was old enough when taken to still remember a number of Awl legends regarding an ancient war for the land with an army of demons of similar description. The Awl were not victorious, but the war ended when the demons migrated east into the Wastelands. Once enemies, then allies? It is possible. Do we know what happened to Redmask? Does he still live?’

  ‘Sir, it’s assumed he’s dead, since the Awl are no more.’

  ‘But no direct proof.’

  ‘No, sir.’

  ‘Thank you, Henar Vygulf. You are dismissed.’

  The outrider saluted, looked once more upon Lostara Yil, and then departed.

  The Malazan captain blew out a breath. ‘Well.’

  ‘Please accept my apologies,’ said Brys. ‘There are somewhat fewer women in my army than there are in yours—certainly not by policy, but Letherii women seem more inclined to pursue other professions. It may be that Henar has not—’

  ‘I take your point, Commander, if you’ll forgive the interruption. Besides, it must be said that he is a most impressive man, so there is no need for you to apologize.’ She uncrossed her legs and rose. ‘In any case, sir, the lizards he mentioned certainly seem to fit with descriptions of K’Chain Che’Malle. These were living specimens? Not undead?’

  ‘There was no evidence to suggest that they were anything but alive. In the first battle, they took wounds.’

  Lostara nodded. ‘Then Quick Ben is probably right.’

  ‘He is.’ Brys leaned back, regarded the tall woman for a moment, and then said, ‘There was a god once . . . I know its name but that isn’t particularly relevant now. What is relevant is where it dwelt: in the lands we now call the Wastelands. It lived there and it died there. Its life was stolen from it by a force, a power coming from the K’Chain Che’Malle—a civilization, by the way, that I’d never heard of, but in that god’s memories there are the name itself and scattered . . . images.’ He shook his head, and after a moment continued, ‘It may be that this power’—and he glanced over at Aranict for a moment—‘is one of these warrens you Malazans have brought to us. Or it could have been a ritual of some sort. Its name was Ahkrast Korvalain. What it did, Captain, was steal the life-force of the land itself. In fact, it may well have created the Wastelands, and in so doing it killed the spirits and gods dwelling there, and with them, their worshippers.’

  ‘Interesting. The Adjunct needs to hear all of this.’

  ‘Yes, we must pool our knowledge as best we can. Please, Captain, can you ride to the Adjunct and inform her that we will be paying her a visit.’

  ‘At once, Commander. How soon?’

  ‘Let us make it the midday meal.’

  ‘I had best go, then, sir.’ And she saluted.

  Brys smiled. ‘No need for that in here, Captain. Oh, on your way out, could you please tell one of my aides to get in here.’

  ‘Of course. Until noon then, Commander.’

  After she had left the chamber, Brys gestured to the now empty chair. ‘Sit down, Atri-Ceda. You look a little pale.’

  She hesitated, and then relented. He watched her settle nervously on the chair’s edge. Well, it’s a start.

  There was a scuffing sound at the room’s flap and then Corporal Ginast entered and stood at attention.

  ‘Corporal, attach Henar Vygulf to my staff. Furthermore, he is to accompany my entourage when I attend a lunch today at the Malazan camp. Issue him the appropriate cloak and inform him he is now a lance corporal.’

  ‘Er, excuse me, Commander, but isn’t Vygulf Bluerose?’

  ‘He is. What of it?’

  ‘Well, military regulations state that no Bluerose-born soldier is eligible for any officer’s rank in the regular Letherii forces, sir. Only among the Bluerose Lancers can a Bluerose-born soldier ascend in rank, and even there only to that of lieutenant. It was written into the capitulation agreement following the conquest of Bluerose, sir.’

  ‘The same agreement that demanded horses and stirrups from the Bluerose, not to mention the creation of the Lancers themselves?’

  ‘Yes, sir.’

  ‘And the stirrups they sent us were rubbish, weren’t they?’

  ‘A nasty trick, sir, that one. I’m surprised the King has not insisted on proper reparations.’

  ‘You are most welcome to your surprise, Ginast, but not to your disapproving tone. As far as those stirrups are concerned, I admit to applauding the Bluerose in their deviousness. Revenge most deserved. As for the ceiling on advancement in the Letherii army, I have this to say: from now on, any and every soldier in the Letherii army, no matter where they originally come from, has equal opportunity for advancement based on merit and exemplary service to the kingdom. Bring in a scribe and we’ll get that written up immediately. As for you, Ginast, best hurry since you need to track Henar down in time for him to return here, mounted and ready as my escort, understood?’

  ‘Sir, the highborn officers will not like—’

  ‘I understand the Malazan Empress conducted a campaign that scoured her armies of those ranks bought by privilege and station. Do you know how she went about it, corporal? She arrested the officers and either executed them or sent them to work in mines for the rest of their lives. A most charming solution, I think, and should the nobleborn in my forces prove at all troublesome, I might well advise my brother to adopt something similar. Now, you are dismissed.’

  The aide saluted and then fled.

  Brys glanced over to see shock on Aranict’s face. ‘Oh come now, Atri-Ceda, you don’t really think I’d suggest such a thing, do you?’

  ‘Sir? No, of course not. I mean, it wasn’t that. Well, sorry, sir. Sorry.’

  Brys cocked his head and regarded her for a moment. ‘What then? Ah, you are perhaps surprised that I’d indulge in a little matchmaking, Atri-Ceda?’

  ‘Yes, sir. A little.’

  ‘That was the first hint of life I’ve seen in Captain Yil’s face since I first met her. As for Henar, why, he seems man enough for her, don’t you think?’

  ‘Oh yes, sir! I mean—’

  ‘He clearly has a taste for the exotic. Do you think he stands a chance?’

  ‘Sir, I wouldn’t know.’

  ‘As a woman, rather, what think you?’

  Her eyes were darting, her colour high. ‘She saw him admiring her legs, sir.’

  ‘And made no move to cover up.’

  ‘I’d noticed that, sir.’

  ‘Me too.’

  There was silence then in the chamber, as Brys studied Aranict while she in turn endeavoured to look everywhere but at her commander.

  ‘For the Errant’s sake, Atri-Ceda, make use of the rest of that chair, will you? Sit back.’

  ‘Yes, sir.’

  Throatslitter’s high-pitched laugh cut across from behind the captain’s tent. Again. Wincing, Cuttle leaned over and dragged close his studded hauberk. No point in crawling into the thing until they were finally ready to march. But it was getting patchy, needing some grease. ‘Where’s the rend pail?’

  ‘Here,’ said Tarr, collecting the small bucket and passing it over. ‘Don’t take too much, we’re getting low and now that Pores is in charge of the quartermaster’s—’

  ‘The bastard ain’t in charge of nothing,’ Cuttle snapped. ‘He’s just set himself up as a middleman, and we all choke our way through him to get anything. Quartermaster’s happy since so few requests ever reach ’im, and between the two of ’em they’re hoarding and worse. Someone should tell Sort, so she can tell Kindly, so he can—’

  ‘Kindly’s got nothing to do with Pores any more, Cuttle.’

  ‘
So who does?’

  ‘Nobody, s’far as I can tell.’

  Smiles and Koryk trudged back into the camp—which wasn’t much of a camp any more, just a smouldering hearth and a ring of kit packs and gear. ‘First bell after noon,’ said Smiles, ‘and no sooner.’

  ‘Any other word on Ges and Stormy?’ Cuttle asked her.

  ‘Fid can say what he wants,’ said Koryk, ‘and same for the others. They probably bolted.’

  ‘Don’t be an idiot,’ retorted Cuttle. ‘Veterans don’t walk. That’s what makes them veterans.’

  ‘Until they decide they’ve had enough.’

  ‘Go ask Bottle,’ said Tarr, his face darkening as he glared at Koryk, ‘and he’ll tell you the same. They got snatched.’

  ‘Fine, they got snatched. Point is, they’re gone. Probably dead by now. Who’s next?’

  ‘With luck,’ said Smiles, slumping down to lean against her pack, ‘you, Koryk.’ She looked over to Tarr. ‘His brain is burnt out—Koryk ain’t the Koryk I once knew, and I bet you’re all thinking the same.’ She was on her feet again. ‘Piss on this, I’m going for a walk.’

  ‘Take your time,’ said Koryk.

  Another piping laugh from Throatslitter. Cuttle scowled. ‘What’s so fucking funny?’

  Corabb had been sleeping, or pretending to sleep, and now he sat up. ‘I’ll go find out, Cuttle. It’s getting on my nerves too.’

  ‘If he’s being a bastard, Corabb, punch his face in.’

  ‘Aye, Cuttle, count on it.’

  Cuttle paused to watch him tramp off. He grinned over at Tarr. ‘Catch all that?’

  ‘I’m sitting right here.’

  ‘He ain’t on the outside of us no more, is he. He’s our heavy. That’s good.’

  ‘So he is and so it is,’ said Tarr.

  ‘I’m this squad’s heavy,’ said Koryk.