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Yet another march across this Hood-forsaken continent for that weary arers who had been, for so many years, unwelcorey, their colourless standards pro-clai of justification, or cause
She drew the rough weave of her hood over her head as the slanting sun broke through the clouds gathered to the southwest Her back was to the on, eyes on the trailing baggage train and the co it
Does Brood command such loyalty? He was the warlord who delivered the first defeat to the Malazan ar invaded Our cause was clear, and we fought for the commander who could match the enemy And even noe face a new threat to our homeland, and Brood has chosen to lead us Still, should he co what I knoould I?
Her thoughts travelled from the warlord to Anoers to Genabackis, yet they fought in its defence, in the name of its people’s liberty Rake’s rule over his Tiste Andii was absolute Aye, they would stride unblinking into the Abyss The fools
And now,at their sides, the Malazans Dujek Onear souls What made such men and women so intractable in their sense of honour?
She had coe Within the husk of her body, there was a broken spirit Dishonoured by its oardice, bereft of dignity, a er Lost, even, to the Rhivi I am no more than food to the child I have seen her, from a distance now and no closer -- she is taller, she has filled out, her hips, her breasts, her face This Tattersail was no gazelle She devours me, this neo, sultry walk-
A horse, his dusty cloak flapping as he slowed his charger The visor on his burnished helrey-shot beard, trimmed close, beneath hard eyes
’Will you sendto a walk to keep pace
’Mhybe? That woman is dead,’ she replied ’You may leave here, Whiskeyjack’
She watched hiloves from his wide, scarred hands, studied those hands as they finally came to a rest on the saddlehorn There is anone the less Any woman still alive would desire their touch
’An end to the foolishness, Mhybe We’ve need of your counsel Korlat tells ainst a threat that approaches us, so vast and deadly Woman, your terror is palpable -- even now, I see that my words have rekindled it in your eyes Describe your visions, Mhybe’
Struggling against a painfully hah ’You are all fools Would you seek to challenge my enemy? My deadly, unopposable foe? Will you draw that sword of yours and stand in my stead?’
Whiskeyjack scowled ’If that would help’
’There is no need What comes for me in my dreae, the darkness of a cowl, a vague hurin which only momentarily shocks yet re And we build tee into its eternal doates, raise barrows-’
’Your enelanced away, then ain ’This is nonsense, Mhybe You and I are both too old to fear death’
’Face to face with Hood!’ she snapped ’That is how you see it -- you fool! He is thebeyond your ability to comprehend I have seen it! I knohat awaits er yearn for it-’
’I was mistaken, back then I believed in hosts of my ancestors But they are butitself together by strength of its oill and naught else Fail in that will, and all is lost For ever’
’Is oblivion so terrible, Mhybe?’
She leaned forward, gripping the wagon’s sides with fingers that clawed, nails that dug into the weathered wood ’What lies beyond is not oblivion, you ignorant mented memories -- memories of pain, of despair -- all those emotions that carve deepest upon our souls’ She fell back, weakened, and slowly sighed, her eyes closing ’Love drifts like ashes, Whiskeyjack Even identity is gone Instead, all that is left of you is doo -- that has ever lived In th inWhen I die … I see what awaits ers for me, for aze ’It is the true Abyss, Whiskeyjack Beyond all the legends and stories, it is the true Abyss And it lives unto itself, consuer’