I hear hes trying to stir up a religious crusade.

Sindawe seemed embarrassed. Yes. From the beginning some have clung to the Dark Mother. I didnt realize he was one of them-though I should have guessed. His ancestors were priests.

Whats he going to do now? I cant see him getting excited about me turning up.

I dont know. Im afraid hell claim youre not you. He may even believe youre a trick of the Shadowmasters. A lot of men thought they saw you killed. Even your standardbearer.

A lot of men saw me hit. If anyone questioned Murgen closely they know I was alive when he left me.

Sindawe nodded. I remain on the horns.

Croaker did not ask what would happen if he tried to eliminate Mogaba. The Nar would fight, Sindawe included. That was not his style, anyway. He did not eliminate a man because he was a nuisance.

Ill come over and confront him, then. Hell either accept me or he wont. Itll be interesting seeing where the Nar stand if he chooses mutiny.

Youll exact the penalty?

I wont kill him. I respect him. Hes a great soldier. Maybe he can continue to be a great soldier. Maybe not. If not, hell have to give up his part in our quest.

Sindawe smiled. Youre a wise man, Captain. Ill go tell him. And everyone else. Ill pray the gods remind him of his oaths and honor.

Fine. Dont dawdle. Since I dont want anything to do with this Ill be over as soon as I can.

Eh?

If I put off doing something unpleasant I never get around to dealing with it. Go. Ill be right behind you.

Chapter Seventy

Chapter Seventy

Longshadow consulted the shadows he had left in the cell with the missing woman. Then he visited the bedridden Howler. You idiot. You grabbed the wrong woman.

Howler did not respond.

That was Soulcatcher. Her. And whole. How had she managed that?

In a voice little more than a whisper, Howler reminded, You sent me there. You insisted Senjak was in Taglios.

And what did that have to do with the result? You couldnt scout the situation well enough to find out wed been deceived?

Contempt, poorly veiled, flashed across Howlers face. He did not argue. There was no point. Longshadow never made a mistake. Whatever dismayed him, it was always anothers fault.

Longshadow pitched a tantrum. Then he went coldly calm. Error, no error, fault, no fault, the fact is weve made an enemy. She wont bear it. She was just playing with her sister before. Now she wont be playing.

Howler smiled. He and Soulcatcher were not beloved of one another. He rasped out, Shes walking.