Page 163 (1/2)

The one named Orenas slipped down from his horse and approached the seneschal

Enias edged his horse closer to the T’lan Iht He bared his teeth ‘There is not s? Your chest has been in the jaws of some beast, I think The same that stole your arm? By what sorcery do you hold on to existence?’

‘You are of Tiste blood,’ Onrack observed

Thethe Liosan is the Tiste blood pure You have crossed paths with our tainted cousins, then They are little more than vermin You have not answered my questions’

‘I know of the Tiste Andu, but I have yet to meet them Born of Darkness, they were the first-’

‘The first! Oh, indeed And so tragically i blood They are a most sordid creation We tolerate the Edur, for they contain so of the Father, but the Andu-death by our hands is the only roeary of your rudeness, Lifeless One I have asked you questions and you are yet to answer a single one’

‘Yes’

‘Yes? What does that ree that I have not answered them Nor do I feel coant creatures Although that experience is singular: in answer to their arrogance we proclaimed eternal war, until they ceased to exist I have always believed the T’lan Imass should seek out a new eneant beings Perhaps you Tiste Liosan are nuh in your own realm to amuse us for a time’ The warrior stared, as if shocked speechless

Behind hihed ‘There is little value in conversing with lesser creatures, Enias They will seek to confound you with falsehoods, to lead you away frohteous path’

‘I see now,’ Enias replied, ‘the poison of which you have long warnedbrother, on the trail we must follow’ The warrior strode up to Onrack ‘You call yourself a T’lan Iros T’lan Imass’

‘Are there others of your kind in this ruined realm, Onrack?’