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‘I am… pleased, Crokus’

‘I am now nah, I suppose Even so, there was the hint of deadly charm in your old Daru name Are you sure you will not reconsider?’

Cutter shrugged, then said, ‘Crokus had no… patron god’

‘Of course And one day, a man will arrive in Darujhistan With a Malazan name, and no-one will know him, except perhaps by reputation And he will eventually hear tales of the young Crokus, a lad so instruht of the Fete, all those years ago Innocent, unsullied Crokus So be it… Cutter I see you have a boat’

The change of subject startled hihtly, then he nodded ‘We have’

‘Sufficiently provisioned?’

‘More or less Not for a long voyage, though’

‘No, of course not Why should it be? May I see your knives?’

Cutter unsheathed theod, pommels forward

‘Decent blades,’ Cotillion murmured ‘Well balanced Within them are the echoes of your skill, the taste of blood Shall I bless the is without ic,’ the Daru replied

‘You desire no sorcerous investment?’

‘No’

‘Ah You would follow Rallick Nom’s path’

Cutter’s eyes narrowed Oh, yes, he would recall hih Sorry’s eyes, at the Phoenix Inn, perhaps Or h I find that difficult to believe‘I think I would have trouble following that path, Cotillion Rallick’s abilities are… were-’

‘Formidable, yes I do not think you need use the past tense when speaking of Rallick Nom, or Vorcan for that matter No, I’ve no news… simply a suspicion’ He handed the knives back ‘You underestimate your own skills, Cutter, but perhaps that is for the best’

‘I don’t knohere Apsalar’s gone,’ Cutter said ‘I don’t know if she’s co back’

‘As it has turned out, her presence has proved less vital than expected I have a task for you, Cutter Are you a a service to your patron?’