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‘They range through the forest, working inland Cautious They know they are not alone’
‘How many can you sense?’
‘This first party numbers perhaps a score We shallus sufficient roo us a wall to which we can set our backs in the last few moments’
‘Hood’s breath, Darist, if we drive them back you’ll likely die of shock’
The Tiste Andu glanced back at the Daru, then gestured ‘Follow me’
A half-dozen similarly ruined chambers were traversed before they came to the courtyard The vine-latticed walls were twice the height of a hued-topped Faded frescoes were hinted at beneath the overgrowth Opposite the inner entrance through which they strode was an arched gateway, beyond which a trail of pine needles, snaking roots and moss-covered boulders wound into the shadows of enored the yard to be twenty paces wide, twenty-five deep ‘There’s too et flanked-’
‘I will coht indeed try to get past me’
Cutter recalled Anomander Rake’s battle with the de style the Son of Darkness had employed demanded plenty of rooht in a similar manner-but the sword’s blade was, to Cutter’s s ‘Is there sorcery invested in that blade of yours?’ he asked
‘Not as invest the weapon and wrapping both hands about the grip, one high under the hilt, the other just above the pommel ‘The power of Grief lies in the focused intent in its creation The sword deular will in its wielder With such a will, it cannot be defeated’
‘And have you that singular will?’
Darist slowly lowered the tip to the ground ‘Had I, huate Now, I suggest you draw your weapons The Edur have discovered the path and now approach’
Cutter found his hands were tre knives He possessed four others, two under each ars-which he now pulled clear These four eighted for throwing Once done, he adjusted his grip on the knives in his hands, then had to dry his palms and repeat the task
A soft whisper of sound hting stance, though the tip of the sword still rested on the flagstones
And Cutter saw sostones was intowards the gate’s end of the courtyard, and out to heap against the walls to either side