After a moment, Torvald shrugged. ‘So be it. All this talk and I’m surprised everyone else in this line isn’t awake—’

‘They would be, only they’re all dead.’ The prisoner beside Karsa slowly straightened. ‘No-one likes criminals. Gral have a particular hatred for them, it seems.’

A second tribesman, who had been moving along the line, reached them. A large, curved knife was in one hand, slick with blood. More hand gestures, then the newcomer sheathed his weapon.

Muttering under his breath, Torvald crouched to unlock Karsa’s shackles.

‘You are as hard to kill as a Teblor,’ Karsa murmured.

‘Thank Hood that Arak was distracted at the time. Even so, if not for the Gral, I’d have bled to death.’

‘Why did they save you?’

‘The Gral like to ransom people. Of course, if they turn out worthless, they kill them. The trading partnership with the House of Nom took precedence over all that, of course.’

Torvald moved on to the other prisoner.

Karsa stood, rubbing his wrists. ‘What kind of trade?’

The Daru flashed a grin. ‘Brokering the ransoms.’

Moments later they were moving through the darkness towards the front gate, skirting the patches of light. Near the gatehouse a half-dozen bodies had been dragged up against the wall. The ground was soaked black with blood.

Three more Gral joined them. One by one, the group slipped through the gateway and into the street beyond. They crossed to an alley and made their way down to the far end, where they halted.

Torvald laid a hand on Karsa’s arm. ‘Friend, where would you go now? My own return to Genabackis will be delayed awhile. My kin here have embraced me with open arms – a unique experience for me, and I plan on savouring it. Alas, the Gral won’t take you – you’re too recognizable.’

‘He will come with me,’ the blue-eyed native said. ‘To a place of safety.’

Torvald looked up at Karsa, brows rising.

The Teblor shrugged. ‘It is clear that I cannot be hidden in this city; nor will I further endanger you or your kin, Torvald Nom. If this man proves unworthy I need only kill him.’

‘How long until the compound guards are changed?’ the blue-eyed man asked.

‘A bell at least, so you will have plenty—’

Sudden alarms shattered the night, from the direction of the Malazan garrison.

The Gral seemed to vanish before Karsa’s eyes, so quickly did they scatter. ‘Torvald Nom, for all you have done for me, I thank you—’

The Daru scurried over to a pile of rubbish in the alley. He swept it aside, then lifted into view Karsa’s bloodsword. ‘Here, friend.’ He tossed the sword into the Teblor’s hands. ‘Come to Darujhistan in a few years’ time.’

A final wave, then the Daru was gone.