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There was pandehast warriors surged forward, weapons out yet clearly confused as to what they should do with theeburners contracting within a ring of shrieking, belligerent savages

Gods, it’s all coh the cacophony Faces turned Senan warriors were reasserting the sanctity of the Circle, bellowing as they pushed the other tribesh his mace, a silent yet inescapable dehast surrounding the coeburners, and the captain saw Moranth hast were recoiling, drawing lances back to throw

’Bridgeburners!’ Paran shouted, striding towards thes away! Now!’

The horn sounded a second tirenados disappeared once more beneath rain-capes and cloaks

’Stand at ease!’ Paran growled as he reached them In a lower voice, he snapped, ’Hold fast, you damned fools! Nobody counted on a Hood-dao to Mulch and find out what in Fener’s naet the bad news on Trotts -- I know, I know, he looked done for But so’s the lad Who knows, maybe it’s a question of who dies first-’

’Captain,’ one of the sergeants cut in ’They were gonna have at us, sir, that’s all We wasn’t planning on nothing -- aitin’ for your signal, sir’

’Glad to hear it Now keep your eyes open, but stay cal round and headed towards the Circle

The Barghast warchief ’s face was grey, his gaze returning again and again to the sround a dozen paces away A half-dozentotheh the crowd A glance to his right showed Aimless crouched down beside Mulch The healer had a hand pressed tight against the wound in Trotts’s left ar under his breath, his eyes closed Slight eburner still lived And, the captain realized, he had ceased his thrashing around So breath Paran shook his head in disbelief Crush a h Denul healer nearby and Mulch isn’t, he’s a cutter with a handful of cantrips at his disposal -- the man’s pulled off a miracle

’Malazan!’ Huestured ’We must speak, you and I’ He switched fro hilares towards the captain

A hast warchief stood face to face Humbrall Taur studied him for a moment, then said, ’Your warriors think little of you Soft blood, they say’

Paran shrugged ’They’re soldiers I’m their new officer’

’They are disobedient You should kill one or two of them, then the others will respect you’