He grunted. ‘Yes, it does, doesn’t it?’

Neither spoke for a time, until Faror Hend began to wonder if she had been dismissed.

Then Calat spoke. ‘You were displeased when the Yan Shake assumed responsibility for the Azathanai. I imagine they now regret their presumption.’

She thought back to Caplo Dreem with his airs of superiority, and Warlock Resh’s bludgeoning presence. ‘It would be pleasing to think so, sir. But then, by the Azathanai’s will, their river god was resurrected.’

‘Just so, and from this added injury to their ambitions, Warden, I wager your name has been cursed more than once.’

‘Sir, you imply a taint of cynicism to the brothers and sisters of the cult.’

‘You think me pessimistic by nature, Warden? Perhaps you are right. When Captain Finarra Stone is busy speaking with Mother Sheccanto, take the measure of the Shake. I will value your opinion on their determination.’

‘Sir, I am already of the opinion that Urusander’s Legion will regret antagonizing the Shake.’

‘If they rely upon the neutrality of the Wardens, then indeed they will.’

Shock rippled through Faror Hend and then she nodded. ‘We delivered T’riss to the Shake, sir, it is true. Rather, I did, and so I must bear some responsibility for all that has happened.’

‘Hardly. The Azathanai set out seeking an audience with Mother Dark. She would have managed it sooner or later even if unaccompanied.’

‘But would she have resurrected the river god if she had not encountered the Shake?’

He shrugged. ‘That we will never know. We deceive ourselves if we imagine that we proceed through life with any semblance of control over what is to come, and we should be thankful for the humility. For if it had been otherwise, if indeed every event in history were guided by our hands, then we have long since relinquished any claim to virtue. Every triumph we might weigh would be little more than a redressing of scales to answer our own crimes in the past.’ He gestured, as if dismissing not only his own words, but all of history and its host of sordid truths.

‘Sir, when I depart the monastery, will Spinnock Durav remain with the captain?’

‘Spinnock Durav will be riding with me to the Sea of Vitr, Warden.’

‘Oh. I see.’

He studied her. ‘Observe well the likely failure of my intercession, Faror Hend, and consider for yourself the crimes your loss of control shall force upon not just you, but many others.’

She felt herself grow cold and was unable to respond.

Calat Hustain looked away. ‘Dismissed,’ he said.