‘Safe! Nowhere safer! Apt shall be at your side, as vigilant as ever! And comfort, oh yes, much comfort—’

‘Ugh,’ Fiddler said. ‘Sounds dull as death. Count me out.’

The god seemed to cock its head. ‘In truth, I owe you nothing, sapper. Only Apt speaks for you. Alas, she’s acquired a certain ... leverage. And oh, yes, you were a loyal enough soldier, I suppose. You wish to return to the Bridgeburners?’

‘No.’

Kalam turned in surprise, to see his friend frowning.

‘On our way up to Mock’s Hold,’ the sapper explained, ‘we listened in on a group of guards during a shift-change – seems there’s a last detachment of recruits holed up in Malaz Harbour on their way to join Tavore.’ He met Kalam’s eyes. ‘Sorry, Corporal, but I’m for getting involved in putting down that rebellion in your homeland. So, I’ll enlist... again.’

Kalam reached out a blood-smeared hand. ‘Just stay alive, then, that’s all I ask.’

The sapper nodded.

Shadowthrone sighed. ‘And with such soldiers, it is no wonder we conquered half a world – no, Fiddler, I do not mock. This once, I do not mock. Though Laseen does not deserve such as you. Nonetheless, when these mists clear, you will find yourself in the alley back of Smiley’s Tavern.’

‘That will do me fine, Kellanved. I appreciate it.’

A moment later the sapper was gone.

The assassin turned a jaded eye on Shadowthrone. ‘You understand, don’t you, that I won’t try to kill Laseen – my hunt’s over. In fact, I’m tempted to warn you and Cotillion off her – leave the Empire to the Empress. You’ve got your own, right here—’

‘Tempted to warn us, you said?’ The god swept closer. ‘Bite it back, Kalam, lest you come to regret it.’ The shadow-wrapped form withdrew again. ‘We do as we please. Never forget that, mortal.’

Minala edged to Kalam’s side and laid a trembling hand on his uninjured shoulder. ‘Gifts from gods make me nervous,’ she whispered. ‘Especially this one.’

He nodded, in full agreement.

‘Oh,’ Shadowthrone said, ‘don’t be like that! My offer stands. Sanctuary, a true opportunity to settle down. Husband and wife, hee hee! No, mother and father! And, best of all, there’s no need to wait for children of your own – Apt has found some for you!’

The mists surrounding them suddenly cleared, and they saw, beyond Apt and her charge, a ragtag encampment sprawled over the summit of a low hill. Small figures wandered among the tent rows. Woodsmoke rose from countless fires.

‘You wished for their lives,’ Shadowthrone hissed in glee. ‘Or so Apt claims. Now you have them. Your children await you, Kalam Mekhar and Minala Eltroeb – all thirteen hundred of them!’

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

The priest of Elder Mael

dreams rising seas ...

Dusk

Sethand