Page 141 (1/2)

’Other solutions present themselves,’ Lady Envy said, ’with respect to our canine co ’You, pup, are far too … alar in appearance … in your present form Shall we make you smaller?’

The ay had not moved, and watched as she reached out a slier on its brow

Between blinks, Baaljagg shifted fro, Lady Envy glanced southward ’Those yelloolves are still following, so very curious, but it see huuleh to the size of children would achieve little in the way of anonyer?’

The Malazan conjured in his’children’, and a ination was in full retreat ’Uh,’ he ed, ’No I mean, yes Yes, I concur’

’The hamlet yonder,’ she continued, ’will prove a uleh If further illusory adjustments to our party prove necessary, we can address them later Have I covered all considerations, ruht have an inn of some sort’

’I wouldn’t count on it, Lady These trader tracks haven’t seen use in years’

’How uncivilized! Shall we make our way down there in any case?’

The first drops of rain were spattering the stony trail when they reached the first of the has It had once been a travellers’ inn, complete with stables and a loalled compound for merchant carts, but was now unoccupied and partially dismantled, the wood and dressed stone of the kitchen wall scavenged, leaving the interior exposed to the elerasses and herbs rose as lay just beyond the abandoned inn Smithy and tack stall, and a tithe-collector’s office and residence All lifeless The only structure showing evidence of upkeep was on the other side of the shallow ford High-walled -- the stones revealing disparate provenance -- and gated ooden doors beneath an arch, all that was visible of the structure within was a pyramidal peak scaled in polished copper

’I’d guess that to be a te in the centre of the ha on the other side of the stream

’Indeed,’ Lady Envy replied ’And those within are aware of us’

He shot her a glance ’Hoare?’

She shrugged ’We are strangers from Lamatath -- a priest within has the power to quest, but he’s easily led You forget-’ She senerations in which to perfect my innocuous persona’

Innocuous? Hood’s breath, wo!