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’Enough!’ Brood roared ’All of you, follow me!’ He whirled and stomped towards the Tiste Andii encalance fro Dujek joined him a moment later, then the others

Silverfox squeezed her hand ’Kruppe has already revealed his value,’ she said in low voice, ’don’t you think?’

’Aye, child, that he has Co up with the warlord’

As soon as all ithin the coun, Paran strode over to Councillor Coll ’It is good to see you again,’ the captain said, ’though,’ he added in a low tone, ’you wore a soldier’s armour with rih in that Do you know I at tiht caia We weren’t anything but ourselves, then’ He met Paran’s eyes with a flicker of worry at what he saw They gripped hands ’Simpler times …’

’An unlikely toast,’ a voice said and they turned as Whiskeyjack joined the in one hand ’There’s tankards there behind you, Councillor, on what passes for a table Brood has no servants as such so I’ve electedthree tankards close, Paran frowned at the table ’This is the bed of a wagon -- you can still see the straw’

’Which also explains this place s the tankards full of Gredfallan ale ’Brood’s ht’

Coll raised an eyebrow ’Someone stole a table ?’

’Not so at Paran ’Your Bridgeburners, Captain I’d lay a column on it’

’What in Hood’s na you’ll have to find out Fortunately, the warlord’s only complaint was at the inconvenience’

Caladan Brood’s deep voice rose then ’If one and all will find seats, we can get to the business of supply and materiel’

Kruppe was the first to lower himself into a chair -- at the head of the makeshift table He held a tankard and a handful of Rhivi sweetcakes ’Such rustic environs!’ he sighed, round face flushed with pleasure ’And traditional pastries of the plains to lure the palate More, this ale is most delicious, perfectly cooled-’

’Be quiet, da in that chair?’

’Why, sitting, friend Coll Our mutual friend the alchemist-’

’Would skin you alive if he knew you were here, clai to represent him’