House of Chains

Until that moment, all that came before-all that afflicted him now-was but preparation. He would be the weapon of retribution, and it was the enemy itself that now honed him.



Blindness curses both sides, it seems. Thus, the truth of my words shall be shown.



Such were his last thoughts before consciousness once more faded away.



Excited voices awoke him. It was dusk and the air was filled with the smell of horses, dust and spiced foods. The wagon was motionless under him, and he could now hear, mingled with the voices, the sounds of many people and a multitude of activities, underscored by the rush of a river.



‘Ah, awake once more,’ Torvald Nom said.



Karsa opened his eyes but did not otherwise move.



‘This is Culvern Crossing,’ the Daru went on, ‘and it’s a storm swirling with the latest news from the south. All right, a small storm, given the size of this latrine pit of a town. The scum of the Nathii, which is saying a lot. The Malazan company’s pretty excited, though. Pale’s just fallen, you see. A big battle, lots of sorcery, and Moon’s Spawn retreated-likely headed to Darujhistan, in fact. Beru take me, I wish I was there right now, watching it crossing the lake, what a sight that’d be. The company, of course, are wishing they’d been there for the battle. Idiots, but that’s soldiers for you-’



‘And why not?’ Shard’s voice snapped as the wagon rocked slightly and the man appeared. ‘The Ashok Regiment deserves better than to be stuck up here hunting bandits and slavers.’



‘The Ashok Regiment is you, I presume,’ Torvald said.



‘Aye. Damned veterans, too, one and all.’



‘So why aren’t you down south, Corporal?’



Shard made a face, then turned away with narrowed eyes. ‘She don’t trust us, that’s why,’ he murmured. ‘We’re Seven Cities, and the bitch don’t trust us.’



‘Excuse me,’ Torvald said, ‘but if she-and by that I take you to mean your Empress-doesn’t trust you, then why is she sending you home? Isn’t Seven Cities supposedly on the edge of rebellion? If there’s a chance of you turning renegade, wouldn’t she rather have you here on Genabackis?’



Shard stared down at Torvald Nom. ‘Why am I talking to you, thief? You might damn well be one of her spies. A Claw, for all I know.’



‘If I am, Corporal, you haven’t been treating me very well. A detail I’d be sure to put in my report-this secret one, the one I’m secretly writing, that is. Shard , wasn’t it? As in a piece of broken glass, yes? And you called the Empress “bitch”-’



‘Shut up,’ the Malazan snarled.



‘Just making a rather obvious point, Corporal.’



‘That’s what you think,’ Shard sneered as he dropped back down from the side of the wagon and was lost from sight.



Torvald Nom said nothing for a long moment, then, ‘Karsa Orlong, do you have any idea what that man meant by that last statement?’



Karsa spoke in a low voice, ‘Torvald Nom, listen well. A warrior who followed me, Delum Thord, was struck on the head. His skull cracked and leaked thought-blood. His mind could not walk back up the path. He was left helpless, harmless. I, too, have been struck on the head. My skull is cracked and I have leaked thought-blood-’



‘Actually, it was drool-’



‘Be quiet. Listen. And answer, when you will, in a whisper. I have awakened now, twice, and you have observed-’



Torvald interjected in a soft murmur. ‘That your mind’s lost on the trail or something. Is that what I have observed? You babble meaningless words, sing childhood songs and the like. All right, fine. I’ll play along, on one condition.’



‘What condition?’



‘That whenever you manage to escape, you free me as well. A small thing, you might think, but I assure you-’



‘Very well. I, Karsa Orlong of the Uryd, give my word.’



‘Good. I like the formality of that vow. Sounds like it’s real.’



‘It is. Do not mock me, else I kill you once I have freed you.’



‘Ah, now I see the hidden caveat. I must twist another vow from you, alas-’



The Teblor growled with impatience, then relented and said, ‘I, Karsa Orlong, shall not kill you once I have freed you, unless given cause.’



‘Explain the nature of those causes-’



‘Are all Daru like you?’



‘It needn’t be an exhaustive list. “Cause” being, say, attempted murder, betrayal, and mockery of course. Can you think of any others?’