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He found Ano cas stretched out before hi chair was opposite, and set to one side within reach of both was a soblets

’Thank you for coht of Dark said ’Please, make yourself comfortable’

Whiskeyjack settled into the chair

Rake leaned forward and filled the two goblets, passed one over to the coratefully ’With the proper perspective,’ the Tiste Andii said, ’even aWhat I contemplate at the moment is the nature of happenstance Men and wo in step, on parallel paths Whose lives brush close, howsoever briefly, and are so changed by the chance contact’

Whiskeyjack studied the h half-closed eyes ’I don’t view change as particularly threatening, Lord’

’Rake will suffice To your point, I agreethe command, of which I am sure you are fully aware’

The Malazan nodded

Rake’s veiled eyes sharpened on Whiskeyjack’s for a -bridled a Rivalries old and new The situation has the effect of … separating Each and every one of us, from all the others Yet, if we abide, the cal of hope’ The extraordinary eyes found the coain, a contact just as brief as the first

Whiskeyjack drew a slow, silent breath ’The nature of this hope?’

’My instincts -- at the instant when lives brush close, no matter how momentary -- inform me who is worthy of trust Ganoes Paran, for example We first met on this plain, not too far from where we are now camped A tool of Oponn, moments from death within the jaws of Shadowthrone’s Hounds A mortal, his every loss written plain, there in his eyes Living or dying, his fateto me Yet ’

’You liked him’