A soft gasp from Silverfox startled the Mhybe. She looked down, brows raised questioningly, but the girl’s attention was swinging from the table to Whiskeyjack, then back again, a small smile on her lips. ‘Uncle Whiskeyjack,’ she said suddenly.

All eyes turned to Silverfox, who blithely continued, ‘Those sappers and their games – they cheat, don’t they?’

The bearded Malazan scowled. ‘Not an accusation I’d recommend you repeat, especially if there’s any Bridgeburners around, lass. A lot of coin’s gone one way and one way only in those games. Did Fid and Hedge cheat? They made their rules so complicated no-one could tell one way or the other. So, to answer you, I don’t know.’ His scowl was deepening as he studied Silverfox, as if the man was growing troubled by something.

Something . . . like a sense of familiarity ... Realization dawned within the Mhybe. Of course, he knows nothing about her – about what she is, what she was. It’s their first meeting, as far as he’s concerned, yet she called him uncle, and more, there’s that voice – throaty, knowing ... He knows not the child, but the woman she once was.

Everyone waited for Silverfox to say more, to offer explanation. Instead she simply walked up to the table and slowly ran her hand across its battered surface. A fleeting smile crossed her features. Then she pulled close one of the mismatched chairs and sat down.

Brood sighed, gestured to Hurlochel. ‘Find us that map of the Pannion Domin territories.’

With the large map laid out, the others slowly gathered round the table. After a moment, Dujek grunted. ‘None of our own maps are this detailed,’ he said. ‘You’ve noted the locations of various Pannion armies – how recent is this?’

‘Three days,’ Brood said. ‘Crone’s cousins are there, tracking movements. The notes referring to the Pannions’ means of organization and past tactics have been culled from various sources. As you can see, they’re poised to take the city of Capustan. Maurik, Setta and Lest have all fallen within the past four months. The Pannion’s forces are still on the south side of the Catlin River, but preparations for the crossing have begun—’

‘The Capustan army won’t contest that crossing?’ Dujek asked. ‘If not, then they’re virtually inviting a siege. I take it no-one expects Capustan to put up much of a fight.’

‘The situation in Capustan is a bit confused,’ the warlord explained. ‘The city’s ruled by a prince and a coalition of High Priests, and the two factions are ever at odds with each other. Problems have been compounded by the prince’s hiring a mercenary company to augment his own minimal forces—’

‘What company?’ Whiskeyjack asked.

‘The Grey Swords. Have you heard of them, Commander?’

‘No.’