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Directly south, the old walls of Lest were visible There was no sign that repairs had been made since the Pannion conquest The air above the city was clear of smoke, empty of birds The Rhivi scouts had reported that there was naught but a few charred bones littering the streets There had been raised gardens once, for which Lest had been known, but the floater had ceased weeks past and fire had since swept through the city -- even at this distance Korlat could see the dark stain of soot on the walls

’Devastation!’ moaned Crone ’This is the tale before us! All the way to Maurik Whilst our alliance disintegrates before our eyes’

’It does nothing of the sort,’ ru

’Oh? And where is Silverfox? What has happened to the Mhybe? Why do the Grey Swords and Trake’s Legion er to leave our sides? And now, Anomander Rake and Moon’s Spawn have vanished! The Tiste Andii-’

’Are alive,’ Korlat cut in, her own patience frayed at last

Crone wheeled on her ’Are you certain?’

Korlat nodded Yet am 1? No Shall I then seek them out? No We shall see what is to be seen at Coral That is all Her gaze sloestward And you, hts, will you ever releasebeside Gruntle, Itkovian watched the two Grey Sword outriders canter towards the Shield Anvil and Destriant

’Where are they co rearguard,’ Itkovian replied

’With news to deliver, it seems’

’So it appears, sir’

’Well? Aren’t you curious? They’ve both asked you to ride with the that report right now, instead of slouching along with us riffraff Hey, that’s a thought -- I could divide ion into two companies, call one Riff and the other-’

’Oh, spare us!’ Stonny snapped behind the have you been in our shadooman?’

’I’m never in your shadow, Gruntle Not you, not Itkovian Not any ht, I’d have to be alongside you to be in your shadow, not that I would be, of course’

’So instead,’ the Mortal Sword grinned, ’you’re the woman behind me’

’And what’s that supposed toa fact, lass’