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He nodded ’More than you know’

Her hand was still on his shoulder ’Come with me back to my tent, Whiskeyjack’

His brows rose, then he sht to be alone-’

’Don’t be a fool!’ she snapped ’I did not ask for company -- I asked for you Not a faceless need that must be answered, and anyone will do Not that Am I understood?’

’Not entirely’

’I wish us to becoht I wish to awaken in your ars formoment, then he said, ’I’d be a fool not to, Korlat, but I had also considered it even more foolish to attempt any advance I assumed you were mated to another Tiste Andii -- a union no doubt centuries long-’

’And ould be the point of such a union?’

He frowned, startled ’Well, uh, companionship? Children?’

’Children arrive Rarely, aselse Tiste Andii do not find coo, Whiskeyjack Yet even rarer is the occasion of a Tiste Andii e a reprieve froer to her lips ’No more I am honoured to accept you, Korlat More than you will ever realize, and I will seek to be worthy of your gift’

She shook her head, eyes dropping ’It is a scant gift Seek my heart and you may be disappointed in what you find’

The Malazan stepped back and reached for his belt-pouch He untied it, upended the small leather sack into one cupped hand A few coins fell out, then a sled, multicoloured knot of cloth strips, followed by a lone dark, sht,’ he said slowly, eyes on the objects in his hand, ’that one day I ht have the opportunity to return as clearly of value to those fallen Tiste Andii All that was found in that search … I realized -- even then -- that I could do naught but honour them’