'Mamun, the thrice blessed and thrice cursed? Wondrous first apprentice of great Khalul, God's right hand? He is waiting. He and his brothers, and his sisters, they have a great tent outside the bounds of the city. They pray for victory, they listen to sweet music, they bathe in scented water, they laze naked and enjoy the pleasures of the flesh. They wait for the Gurkish soldiers to carry the walls of the city, and they eat.' He looked up at Bayaz. 'They eat night and day, in open defiance of the Second Law. In brazen mockery of the solemn word of Euz. Making ready for the moment when they will come to seek you out. The moment for which Khalul made them. They think it will not be long, now. They polish their armour.'

'Do they indeed?' hissed Bayaz. 'Damn them then.'

'They have damned themselves already. But that is no help to us.'

'Then we must visit the House of the Maker.' Ferro's head jerked up. There was something about that great, stark tower that had fascinated her ever since she first arrived in Adua. She found her eyes always drawn towards its mountainous bulk, rising untouchable, high above the smoke and the fury.

'Why?' asked Yulwei. 'Do you plan to seal yourself inside? Just as Kanedias did, all those years ago, when we came seeking our vengeance? Will you cower in the darkness, Bayaz? And this time, will you be the one thrown down, to break upon the bridge below?'

The First of the Magi snorted. 'You know me better than that. When they come for me I will face them in the open. But there are still weapons in the darkness. A surprise or two from the Maker's forge for our cursed friends beyond the walls.'

Yulwei looked even more worried than before. 'The Divider?'

'One edge here,' whispered Quai from the corner. 'One on the Other Side.'

Bayaz, as usual, ignored him. 'It can cut through anything, even an Eater.'

'Will it cut through a hundred?' asked Yulwei.

'I will settle for Mamun alone.'

Yulwei slowly unfolded himself from the chair, stood with a sigh.

'Very well, lead on. I will enter the Maker's House with you, one last time.'

Ferro licked her teeth. The idea of going inside was irresistible. 'I will come with you.'

Bayaz glared back. 'No, you will not. You can stay here and sulk. That has always been your special gift, has it not? I would hate to deny you the opportunity to make use of it. You will come with us,' he snapped at Quai. 'You have your business, eh, Yoru?'

'I do, Master Bayaz.'