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’It wasn’t just Moranth munitions, was it?’

’No The situation in Seven Cities couldn’t be more desperate Anyway, I’ve done what I could As to its effectiveness, we’ll see’

’You’re a remarkable man, Quick Ben’

’No, I’m not Now, best keep all this as private an affair as possible Hedge will keep his trap shut, and so will Whiskeyjack-’

’Gentle at the voice boo directly behind them

’Kruppe!’ Quick Ben hissed ’You slippery-’

’No, Kruppe begs your indulgence ’Twas mere happy accident that Kruppe heard your ad ever so quietly on your heels, and indeed, now desires nothing else than to partake, ever so hueous enterprise!’

’If you speak a word of this to anyone,’ Quick Ben growled, ’I will slit your throat’

The Daru withdrew his decrepit handkerchief and mopped his forehead, three quick dabs that seemed to leave the silk cloth sodden with sweat ’Kruppe assures deadly wizard that silence is as Kruppe’s closest able Whilst at the same time, Kruppe proclaims that the fair citizens of Darujhistan will hark to such a noble cause -- Baruk himself so assures and would do so in person were he able Alas, he has naught but this to offer’ With that Kruppe withdreith a flourish a slass ball froround It broke with a soft tinkle Mists rose, gathered knee-high between the Daru and the two Malazans, and slowly assumed the form of a bhokaral

’Aai,’ Kruppe ly, indeed visually offensive, creatures’

’Only because you resemble them all too closely,’ Quick Ben pointed out, his eyes on the apparition

The bhokaral twisted its neck to look up at the wizard, glittering black eyes in a black, grapefruit-sized head The creature bared its needle teeth ’Greet! Baruk! Master! Would! Help!’

’Sadly terse effort on dear, no doubt overworked Baruk’s part,’ Kruppe said ’His best conjurations display linguistic grace, if not a, alas, evinces-’

’Quiet, Kruppe,’ Quick Ben said He spoke to the bhokaral ’Uncharacteristic as it sounds, I would welcome Baruk’s help, but I must wonder at the alchemist’s interest This is a rebellion in Seven Cities, after all A Malazan matter’

The bhokaral’s head bobbed ’Yes! Baruk! Master! Raraku! Azath! Great!’ The head juain

’Great?’ Paran echoed

’Great! Danger! Azath! Icarium! More! Coltaine! Admire! Honour! Allies! Yes! Yes?’