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’What is all this?’ Coll hissed dangerously ’Baruk doesn’t even know you’re here!’
’Amore The alchemist’s desire was plain to Kruppe, he assures you one and all! Whilst Kruppe may well and with so proposal, alas, he must bow to the virtue of truthfulness and therefore acknowledge Master Baruk’s minor -- yet vital -- contribution Why, it was only yesterday that he ent in question, and if this was not a hint as to his desires, then what, dear Coll, could it have been?’
’Get on with it, sir,’ Estraysian D’Arle grated
’Kruppe delights in doing so, friend Councillor -- and by the way, how fares your daughter, Challice? Has she indeed partaken of rets histhat no doubt sumptuous event-’
’Which has yet to occur,’ D’Arle snapped ’She is well, sir My patience with you is growing very thin, Kruppe-’
’Alas, I can only dreaent in question is none other than the newly arrived alle Trade Guild’ Beaether over his belly
Brood turned to Coll ’An enterprise I have never heard of…’
The councillor was frowning ’As Kruppe said, newly arrived in Darujhistan Froarth, I believe We used theularly difficult delivery of funds to Dujek Oneared, then spoke
’They havethe contracts to supply the combined ars -- that single use of the a scowl on Kruppe ’Given their obvious lack of interest, ould you -- or, rather, Master Baruk -- believe that this Trygalle Trade Guild is aator?’
Kruppe poured himself another tankard of ale, sipped, then salle Trade Guild does not offer bids, for every other enterprise would be sure to greatly underbid the In other words, they are not cheap More exactly, their services de you can be sure of, however, is that they will do precisely what they have been hired to do, no istics’
’You’ve invested in them, haven’t you, Kruppe?’ Coll’s face had darkened ’Soto do with you being here You’re acting on behalf of this Trygalle Trade Guild, aren’t you?’
’Kruppe assures, the conflict of interest is a matter of appearance only, friend Coll! The truth is ence The needs are evident here before us all, and so too is thethem! Happy coincidence! Now, Kruppe would partake of more of these delicious Rhivi cakes, whilst you discuss the merits of said proposal and no doubt reach the propitious, inevitable conclusion’
Crone could s No, not Tiste Andii, not the Rhivi spirits awakened either … She circled over the enca with all her senses The afternoon had drawn into dusk, then night, as thewithin Caladan Brood’s command tent stretched on, and on The Great Raven was quickly bored by interminable discussions of caravan routes and how many tons of this and that were required on a weekly basis to keep two arnant creature Kruppe was a to cross a rope bridge orth a cackle or three A finely honed rotesque affectations, she well knew, and his ability at earning his seat at the head of the table and of confounding the flailing councillors of Darujhistan was h display of deftness … until Crone had sensed the stirrings of e tent directly below … I know it The place where the Rhivi dress the Tiste Andii dead Crooking her wings, she dropped in a tight spiral
She landed a few paces frohtly tied, but the leather thongs and their knots were poor obstacles for Crone’s sharp beak Insilently and unseen beneath the huge table -- a table she recognized with a silent chuckle -- and a a few scattered folded cots in the darkness
Four figures leaned on the table above her, whispering and h to Crone, and she cocked her head