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’Well,’ a slightly breathless voice said beside her, ’that’s the largest card of the Deck I’ve ever seen’
She pulled her gaze away, stared wide-eyed at the lithe, dark-skinnedbeside her ’Quick Ben …’
The Bridgeburner stepped forward then, raising his hands ’Please excuse my interruption, everyone! Whilst it seeht I suggest the absence of … uh, wisdo violence here and nohen it is clear that the significance of all that see is as yet undeterht now Well, I trust you see what I e a moment, then, with a faint smile, he sheathed his sword ’Cautious words, but wise ones Who ht you be, sir?’
’Just a soldier, Son of Darkness, come to retrieve ed fro, no doubt bruised crowd that had cushioned his fall Brushing dust froly unaware to halt directly between the kneeling Paran and Ano owlishly ’What an unseemly conclusion to Kruppe’s post-breakfast repast! Has theadjourned?’
Captain Paran was insensate to the power bleeding into hi hard, rough flagstones, the clash of his ar uncontrollably, he raised his head
In the diht of reflected lanterns, he saw that he was sprawled in a narro-ceilinged hallway Heavy twin doors divided the strangely uneven wall on his right; on his left, opposite the doors, was a wide entrance, with niches set in its flanking walls On all sides, the stone appeared rough, undressed, rese the bark of trees A heavier door of sheeted bronze -- black and pitted -- was at the far end, eight or so paces distant Two shapeless humps lay at the inner threshold
Where? What?
Paran pushed hiaze was drawn once again to the shapes at the foot of the bronze door He staggered closer
A htly bound clothes of an assassin, his narrow, s black braids still glistening with oil An old-fashioned crossbow lay beside hi at his side, a woed her across the threshold A nasty head wound glittered wetly on her brow, and, frostones, she was the bearer of other wounds as well
They’re both Daru wait, I have seen the man before At Simtal’s Fete and the woman! She’s the Guild Master
Rallick Noht of the ill-fated fete I am in Darujhistan, then I must be
Silverfox’s words returned to hi noith veracity He scowled The table -- the card, with ned newly coons powers unknown I have walked within a sword It seems now that I can walk anywhere
And this place, this place … I am in the Firmest House Gods, I am in a House of the Azath!
He heard a sound, a shufflingthe twin doors opposite, and slowly turned, reaching for the sword belted at his hip
The wooden portals side
Hissing, Paran backed up a step, his blade sliding fro before hi, strips of flayed skin and aunt, ravaged face twisted as he bared his tusks ’Welcome,’ he rumbled ’I areets you, asstone is able I see that, unlike the two sleeping in the threshold, you have no need for doors So be it’ He lurched a step closer, then cocked his head ’Ah, you are not here in truth Only your spirit’
’If you say so’ His thoughts travelled back to that last night of the fete The debacle in the estate’s garden Memories of sorcery, detonations, and Paran’s unexpected journey into the realm of Shadow, the Hounds and Cotillion A journey such as this one … He studied the Jaghut standing before hihut Tyrant -- the one freed by Lorn and the T’lan Imass -- or, rather, what’s left of hirin broadened ’Follow me’
Raest stepped into the corridor and turned to his right, each bared foot dragging, grinding as if the bones beneath the skin were all broken Seven paces along, the hallway ended with a door on the left and another directly in front The Jaghut opened the one on the left, revealing a circular cha spiral stairs of root-bound wood There was no light, yet Paran found he could see well enough