Another trick of the Clan witches – this small, private warren beyond the drawstrings. Should never have lasted this long. They said a month, maybe two. Not centuries. His gaze fell again to the weapon in his hands. There was power in these bones to start with – the witches simply did some enhancements, spells of binding to keep the parts together and such. Perhaps the bone feeds the warren in the sack somehow . . . or the handful of irritating people I’ve stuffed inside in my own fits of ill temper. Wonder where they all went... He sighed and rewrapped the weapon, returned it to the sack and cinched tight the drawstrings. Then he straightened, turning to offer Icarium a smile.

The Jhag had collected his own weapons. ‘It seems our journey to find Tremorlor shall have to wait a while longer,’ he said, shrugging. ‘Apsalar has set off in pursuit of her father.’

‘And thus will be led to the place where Sha’ik’s body awaits.’

‘We are to go after her,’ Icarium said. ‘Perhaps we can circumvent Iskaral Pust’s intentions.’

‘Not just Pust, it seems, but the Whirlwind goddess – who may well have shaped this from the very start.’

The Jhag frowned.

Mappo sighed again. ‘Think on it, friend. Sha’ik was anointed as the Seeress of the Apocalypse almost as soon as she was born. Forty or more years in Raraku, preparing for this year ... Raraku is not a kind place, and four decades will wear down even a chosen one. Perhaps preparation was all the Seeress was meant to achieve – the war itself requires new blood.’

‘Yet did not the soldier say that Cotillion’s relinquishing of the lass was forced upon him by the threat of Anomander Rake? The possession was meant to last much longer, taking the lass ever closer to the Empress herself...’

‘So everyone assumes,’ Mappo said. ‘Iskaral Pust is a High Priest of Shadow. I think it best to assume that no matter how devious Pust is, Shadowthrone and Cotillion are more devious. By far. A truly possessed Apsalar would never get close to Laseen – the Claws would sniff it out, not to mention the Adjunct and her Otataral sword. But an Apsalar no longer possessed ... well. .. and Cotillion’s made sure she’s not just a simple fishergirl any more, hasn’t he?’

‘A scheme within a scheme. Have you discussed this with Fiddler?’

Mappo shook his head. ‘I may be wrong. It may be that the Rulers of Shadow simply saw an opportunity here, a means to take advantage of the convergence – the dagger is honed, then slipped in amidst the tumult. I have been wondering why Apsalar’s memories are returning so swiftly . .. and so painlessly.’

‘And we have no role in this?’

‘That I do not know.’