‘That’s a fact,’ the assassin agreed, sensing that he’d somehow stung the captain’s pride. ‘Soldiers are worth respect, and it’s true that sometimes fighting’s required. Soldiering means standing firm when that time comes. So, lad, if you still want to learn how to fight, learn how to soldier first.’

‘In other words, listen to your father,’ Minala said, giving Kalam a quick, wry smile.

Following some gesture or look the assassin did not catch, Selv rose and led the boys off to finish breaking camp. As soon as they were out of earshot Keneb said, ‘Aren’s what, three months away? Hood’s breath, there has to be a Malazan-held city or fortification that’s closer than that, Corporal.’

‘All the news I’ve heard has been bad,’ Kalam said. ‘Everything south of here is tribal lands, all the way to the River Vathar. Ubaryd’s close to the river, but I’d guess it’s been taken by Sha’ik’s Apocalypse – too valuable a port to leave unsecured. Secondly, I would think most of the tribes between here and Aren have set off to join Kamist Reloe.’

Keneb looked startled. ‘Reloe?’

Kalam frowned. ‘The bandits spoke of him as being southeast of here ...’

‘More east than south. Reloe is chasing Fist Coltaine and the Seventh Army. He’s probably wiped them out by now, but even so his forces are east of the Sekala River and that’s the territory he’s been charged to hold.’

‘You know much more of this than I,’ the assassin said.

‘We had Tithansi servants,’ Minala explained. ‘Loyal.’

‘They paid for that with their lives,’ the captain added.

‘Then is there an army of the Apocalypse south of here?’

Keneb nodded. ‘Aye, preparing to march on Aren.’

The assassin frowned. ‘Tell me, Captain . . . you ever heard the word “Jhistal”?’

‘No, not Seven Cities. Why?’

‘The bandits spoke of “a jhistal inside” Aren. As if it was a shaved knuckle.’ He fell silent for a moment, then sighed. ‘Who commands this army?’

‘That bastard Korbolo Dom.’

Kalam’s eyes narrowed. ‘But he’s a Fist—’

‘Was, till he married a local woman who just happened to be the daughter of Halaf’s last Holy Protector. He’s turned renegade, had to execute half his own legion who refused to step across with him. The other half divested the Imperial uniform, proclaimed themselves a mercenary company, and took on Korbolo’s contract. It was that company that hit us in Orbal. Call themselves the Whirlwind Legion or something like that.’ Keneb rose and kicked at the fire, scattering the last embers. ‘They rode in like allies. We didn’t suspect a thing.’

There was more to this tale, the assassin sensed. ‘I remember Korbolo,’ Kalam muttered.

‘Thought you might. He was Whiskeyjack’s replacement, wasn’t he?’