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They reached the rampart’s summit Trull saw that one of the prisoners was Prince Quillas He did not seem injured The other was a vvoman in mud-spattered ar the left side of her face with streaks of blood Her eyes were glazed with shock

Fear had turned to regard Trull and the demon, his expression closed ‘Brother,’ he said tonelessly, ‘it seees of the royal family’

‘This is Queen Janall?’

‘The prince expects ill ransom them,’ Fear said ‘He does not seem to understand the situation’

‘And what is the situation?’ Trull asked

‘Our emperor wants these two For himself’

‘Fear, we are not in the habit of parading prisoners’

A flicker of rage in Fear’s eyes, but his voice remained calm ‘I see you have had your demon healed What do you want?’

‘I want this KenylPrah in e creature Then he shrugged and turned away ‘As you like Leave us now, Trull I will seek you out later… for a private word’

Trull flinched ‘Very well’

The world felt broken now, irreparably broken

‘Go’

‘Colance over at Prince Quillas, and saw the terror in the young Letherii’s visage Rhulad wanted hi field, the rain puhter on all sides Figures werefallen comrades, wraiths on senseless patrols The thunder was closer

‘There is a river,’ Lilac said ‘I smelled it e first arrived It is the sae’

‘Yes,’ Trull replied ‘The Katter River’

‘I would see it’

‘Why not?’

They angled northwest Reached the loggers’ road that ran parallel to the forest and followed its three-rutted track until the treeline thinned on their right, and the river became visible

‘Ah,’ Lilac murmured, ‘it is so s water, the glittering skin it cast over boulders ‘A caster of nets,’ he said

‘My home, Denier’

The Tiste Edur walked down to the river’s edge He reached and plunged his bloodstained hand into the icy water

‘Are there not fish in there?’ Lilac asked