The Dal Honese High Priest pushed into view again, scowling. ‘You mock my name, soldier?’

‘Not I, High Priest.’

The old man grunted, adjusted his grip on the broom, then scampered from the room.

Fiddler sat up gingerly, moving like an ancient. He was tempted to ask Mappo for an assessment of the damage, especially his ankle, but decided to hold off hearing the likely bad news a while longer. ‘What’s that man’s story?’

‘I doubt even he knows.’

‘I awoke when he was sweeping my head.’

‘Not surprising.’

There was an ease to the Trell’s presence that relaxed Fiddler. Until he recalled the warrior’s name. Mappo, a name ever chained to another’s. And enough rumours to fill a tome. If any were true . . . ‘Icarium scared off the D’ivers.’

‘His reputation carries weight.’

‘Is it earned, Mappo?’ Even as he asked, Fiddler knew he should have bitten back the question.

The Trell winced, withdrew slightly. ‘I shall get you food and drink, then.’

Mappo left the small room, moving silently despite his considerable bulk, the combination raising an echo that brought Kalam to mind. Did you outrun the storm, old friend?

Iskaral Pust eased back into the chamber. ‘Why are you here?’ he whispered. ‘Do you know why? You don’t, but I’ll tell you. You and no-one else.’ He leaned close, plucking at his spiral wisps of hair with both hands. ‘Tremorlor!’

Laughing at Fiddler’s expression, he spun about in wild, capering steps before settling once more in front of the sapper, their faces inches apart. ‘The rumour of a path, a way home. A small wriggling worm of a rumour, even less, a grub, smaller than a nail clipping, the compacted and knotted mess wrapped around something that might be a truth. Or not. Hee hee!’

Fiddler had had enough. Grimacing through the pain, he grabbed the man’s collar and shook. Spittle struck his face, the High Priest’s eyes rolled about like marbles in a cup.

‘What, again?’ Iskaral Pust managed to say.

Fiddler pushed him away.

The old man staggered, righted himself and made a show of reassembling his dignity. ‘A concurrence of reactions. Too long out of social engagements and the like. Must examine my manners, and more, my personality.’ He cocked his head. ‘Honest. Forthright. Amusing. Gentle and impressive integrity. Well! Where’s the problem, then? Soldiers are crude. Callow and thick. Distempered. Do you know the Chain of Dogs?’

Fiddler started, blinked as if shaken from a trance. ‘What?’

‘It’s begun, though not yet known. Anabar Thy’lend. Chain of Dogs in the Malazan tongue. Soldiers have no imaginations, meaning they’re capable of vast surprises. There are some things even the Whirlwind cannot sweep aside.’

Mappo Trell returned, bearing a tray. ‘Harassing our guest again, Iskaral Pust?’