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‘Then the Errant looks kindly upon you,’ Udinaas said

‘I aht see it that way’

‘It is a waste of time, Hull Beddict, to fashion intricate plans for restitution What you did before, all you did before – the mistakes, the bad decisions – they are dead, for everyone but you None of it has purchased a future clai’

‘Has not the emperor heeded my advice?’

‘In this war? When it suited hi any consideration in return’ Udinaas turned, met Hull’s eyes ‘Ah, I think you are’

‘Reciprocity, Udinaas Surely the Tiste Edur understand that, since it is so essential within their own culture’

‘There is no reciprocity when you display expectation, Hull Beddict Poof ! It vanishes And that was just my point earlier: there is much that we can teach the future conquered Letherii’

‘I am blood-bound to Binadas,’ Hull said, ‘yet you accuse me of insensitivity to the mores of the Tiste Edur’ His expression ry ‘I as You remind me of Seren Pedac’

‘The Acquitor who escorted you? I saw her, in Trate’

Hull stepped close, suddenly intent ‘During the battle?’

Udinaas nodded ‘She was in bad shape, but alive She’d found a worthy escort of her own – I have no doubt she still lives’

‘An escort of her own? Who?’

‘I’ners One of them killed Rhulad and his chosen brothers’ Udinaas collected another stone ‘Look at that, Hull Beddict, a river of gold Flowing into the sunset’ He flung the stone, broke the mirrored perfection Mo’

‘I did Whoever that foreigner was, he was terrifying’

‘More terrifying than Rhulad’s return?’

Udinaas said nothing for a tie He stared into the shallows, saw thewith newborn eels ‘Do you knohat is co, Hull Beddict?’

‘No Do you?’

‘Dresh Lake That’s what’s co’

‘I don’t understand’

‘Doesn’t matter Don’t mind me, Hull Beddict Well, I’d best return The emperor is awake’