Luthar gave a sickening grin. 'What other way is there to think about women? If you ask me—gah!' A large clod of bird shit splattered against the shoulder of his coat, throwing specks of black and grey all over his hair, his face, his newly cleaned swords. 'What the… ?' He scrambled from his seat and stared up at the wall above him. Ferro was squatting on top, wiping her hand on a spray of ivy. It was hard to tell with the bright sky behind, but Logen wondered if she might not have the trace of a smile on her face.

Luthar certainly wasn't smiling. 'You fucking mad bitch!' he screamed, scraping the white goo from his coat and flinging it at the wall. 'Bunch of bloody savages!' And he shoved angrily past and through the fallen arch. Laughter was one thing, it seemed, but the respect might be a while coming.

'In case any of you pinks are interested,' called Ferro, 'the riders are gone.'

'Which way?' asked Bayaz.

'Away east, the way we came, riding hard.'

'Looking for us?'

'Who knows? They didn't have signs. But if they are looking, more than likely they will find our trail.'

The Magus frowned. 'Then you'd best get down from there. We need to move.' He thought about it for a moment. 'And try not to throw any more shit!'

And Next… My Gold

And Next… My Gold

« ^ »

To Sand dan Glokta,
Superior of Dagoska, and for his eyes alone.

I am most troubled to discover that you think yourself short of both men and money.

As far as soldiers are concerned, you must make do with what you have, or what you can procure. As you are already well aware, the great majority of our strength is committed in Angland. Unfortunately, a certain rebellious temper among the peasantry throughout Midderland is more than occupying what remains.

As to the question of funds, I fear that nothing can he spared. You will not ask again. I advise you to squeeze what you can from the Spicers, from the natives, from anyone else who is to hand. Borrow and make do, Glokta. Demonstrate that resourcefulness that made you so famous in the Kantic War.

I trust that you will not disappoint me.

Sult
Arch Lector of his Majesty's Inquisition.

'Matters proceed with the greatest speed, Superior, if I may say so. Since the gates to the Upper City were opened the work-rate of the natives has tripled! The ditch is down below sea level across the entire peninsula, and deepening every day! Only narrow dams hold back the brine at either end, and at your order the entire business is ready to be flooded!' Vissbruck sat back with a happy smile on his plump face. Quite as if the whole thing had been his idea.