‘Someone’s got wise in Coral,’ Quick Ben said, ‘and realized that this place should have a company holed up here, as a guard – Trotts was keeping an eye on the city and watched them file out. They’ll reach us in a bell.’

‘A company,’ Paran scowled. ‘What’s that in Pannion terms?’

‘Four hundred Beklites, twenty Urdomen, four Seerdomin, one of them ranking and likely a sorcerer.’

‘And which approaches do you think they’ll use?’

‘The three stepped ones,’ Spindle replied, reaching to scratch under his hairshirt. ‘They go under trees all the way, lots of switchbacks, meaning the poor bastards will have a hard time rushing our positions once we let loose.’

Paran turned back to study the map. ‘Assuming they’re flexible, what will they choose as an alternative?’

‘The main ramp,’ Quick Ben said, rising to join the captain. He tapped a finger on the map. ‘The one they’d planned on using for the downward march to launch the ambush. No cover for them, but if they can lock shields out front and turtle ... well, there’s only forty of us ...’

‘Munitions?’

The wizard looked back at Spindle, who made a sour face and said, ‘We’re short. Maybe if we use ‘em right, we’ll squash this company – but then the Seer will know what’s up, and he’ll send twenty thousand up this mountainside. If Dujek doesn’t show soon, we’ll have to pull out, Captain.’

‘I know, Spindle, which is why I want you to set aside the cussers and burners – I want these tunnels rigged. If we have to scramble, we leave this strongpoint nothing but mud and ashes.’

The sapper gaped. ‘Captain, without them cussers and burners, the Seer won’t need to send anybody after this company – it’ll take us clean out!’

‘Assuming there’s enough of them left to regroup and come up the main ramp. In other words, Spindle, pull the sappers together and cook up the messiest stew you can for those three hidden trails. If we can make it seem like the whole Malazan army’s up here ... better yet, if we can make sure not one soldier in this company gets out alive, we’ll have purchased the time we need. The less certain we leave the Seer the safer we’ll be. So, close that mouth and find Hedge and the rest. Your moment of glory’s arrived, Spindle – go.’

Muttering, the man scrambled out of the chamber.

Paran faced the others. ‘A Seerdomin sorcerer, you said. All right, he needs to drop fast once the fun starts. What do you have in mind, gentlemen?’

Shank grinned. ‘My idea, Captain. It’s classic, deadly – especially because it’s so unexpected. I’ve already completed the ritual, left it primed – all Quick Ben needs to do is tell me when he’s spotted the bastard.’

‘What kind of ritual, Shank?’