In the manner of Bluerose court etiquette, Henar lowered himself on to one knee and bowed his head. ‘Captain, it is a pleasure.’
Yil glanced over at Brys with raised brows.
He shook his head, equally baffled. As far as he knew, the captain wasn’t nobleborn, and certainly not royalty.
She hesitated, clearly uncomfortable, and then said, ‘Please rise, Henar. Next time, a salute will suffice.’
He straightened. ‘As you command, sir.’
‘Now,’ said Brys, ‘might we resume?’
Henar pulled his eyes from Lostara with obvious effort and then nodded. ‘Of course, sir.’
‘During the most recent campaign, a renegade Awl named Redmask infiltrated Drene. Blood was shed, and in the pursuit that followed, garrison soldiers were ambushed. Is this accurate so far?’
‘Yes, sir.’
‘There followed reports of two demonic creatures serving as bodyguards to this Redmask.’
‘Yes, sir. Lizards, running on two legs, fast as a horse, sir. They were sighted and reported on in the campaign itself. The Atri-Preda included descriptions in her dispatches up to and including the first major battle. Thereafter, no messengers managed to make it back.’
‘Do you happen to know a soldier named Pride?’
‘No, sir.’
‘An Awl by birth, but raised by a family in Drene. He was old enough when taken to still remember a number of Awl legends regarding an ancient war for the land with an army of demons of similar description. The Awl were not victorious, but the war ended when the demons migrated east into the Wastelands. Once enemies, then allies? It is possible. Do we know what happened to Redmask? Does he still live?’
‘Sir, it’s assumed he’s dead, since the Awl are no more.’
‘But no direct proof.’
‘No, sir.’
‘Thank you, Henar Vygulf. You are dismissed.’
The outrider saluted, looked once more upon Lostara Yil, and then departed.
The Malazan captain blew out a breath. ‘Well.’
‘Please accept my apologies,’ said Brys. ‘There are somewhat fewer women in my army than there are in yours-certainly not by policy, but Letherii women seem more inclined to pursue other professions. It may be that Henar has not-’
‘I take your point, Commander, if you’ll forgive the interruption. Besides, it must be said that he is a most impressive man, so there is no need for you to apologize.’ She uncrossed her legs and rose. ‘In any case, sir, the lizards he mentioned certainly seem to fit with descriptions of K’Chain Che’Malle. These were living specimens? Not undead?’
‘There was no evidence to suggest that they were anything but alive. In the first battle, they took wounds.’
Lostara nodded. ‘Then Quick Ben is probably right.’
‘He is.’ Brys leaned back, regarded the tall woman for a moment, and then said, ‘There was a god once… I know its name but that isn’t particularly relevant now. What is relevant is where it dwelt: in the lands we now call the Wastelands. It lived there and it died there. Its life was stolen from it by a force, a power coming from the K’Chain Che’Malle-a civilization, by the way, that I’d never heard of, but in that god’s memories there are the name itself and scattered… images.’ He shook his head, and after a moment continued, ‘It may be that this power’-and he glanced over at Aranict for a moment-‘is one of these warrens you Malazans have brought to us. Or it could have been a ritual of some sort. Its name was Ahkrast Korvalain. What it did, Captain, was steal the life-force of the land itself. In fact, it may well have created the Wastelands, and in so doing it killed the spirits and gods dwelling there, and with them, their worshippers.’
‘Interesting. The Adjunct needs to hear all of this.’
‘Yes, we must pool our knowledge as best we can. Please, Captain, can you ride to the Adjunct and inform her that we will be paying her a visit.’
‘At once, Commander. How soon?’
‘Let us make it the midday meal.’
‘I had best go, then, sir.’ And she saluted.
Brys smiled. ‘No need for that in here, Captain. Oh, on your way out, could you please tell one of my aides to get in here.’
‘Of course. Until noon then, Commander.’
After she had left the chamber, Brys gestured to the now empty chair. ‘Sit down, Atri-Ceda. You look a little pale.’
She hesitated, and then relented. He watched her settle nervously on the chair’s edge. Well, it’s a start.
There was a scuffing sound at the room’s flap and then Corporal Ginast entered and stood at attention.
‘Corporal, attach Henar Vygulf to my staff. Furthermore, he is to accompany my entourage when I attend a lunch today at the Malazan camp. Issue him the appropriate cloak and inform him he is now a lance corporal.’
‘Er, excuse me, Commander, but isn’t Vygulf Bluerose?’
‘He is. What of it?’
‘Well, military regulations state that no Bluerose-born soldier is eligible for any officer’s rank in the regular Letherii forces, sir. Only among the Bluerose Lancers can a Bluerose-born soldier ascend in rank, and even there only to that of lieutenant. It was written into the capitulation agreement following the conquest of Bluerose, sir.’
‘The same agreement that demanded horses and stirrups from the Bluerose, not to mention the creation of the Lancers themselves?’
‘Yes, sir.’
‘And the stirrups they sent us were rubbish, weren’t they?’
‘A nasty trick, sir, that one. I’m surprised the King has not insisted on proper reparations.’
‘You are most welcome to your surprise, Ginast, but not to your disapproving tone. As far as those stirrups are concerned, I admit to applauding the Bluerose in their deviousness. Revenge most deserved. As for the ceiling on advancement in the Letherii army, I have this to say: from now on, any and every soldier in the Letherii army, no matter where they originally come from, has equal opportunity for advancement based on merit and exemplary service to the kingdom. Bring in a scribe and we’ll get that written up immediately. As for you, Ginast, best hurry since you need to track Henar down in time for him to return here, mounted and ready as my escort, understood?’
‘Sir, the highborn officers will not like-’
‘I understand the Malazan Empress conducted a campaign that scoured her armies of those ranks bought by privilege and station. Do you know how she went about it, corporal? She arrested the officers and either executed them or sent them to work in mines for the rest of their lives. A most charming solution, I think, and should the nobleborn in my forces prove at all troublesome, I might well advise my brother to adopt something similar. Now, you are dismissed.’
The aide saluted and then fled.
Brys glanced over to see shock on Aranict’s face. ‘Oh come now, Atri-Ceda, you don’t really think I’d suggest such a thing, do you?’
‘Sir? No, of course not. I mean, it wasn’t that. Well, sorry, sir. Sorry.’
Brys cocked his head and regarded her for a moment. ‘What then? Ah, you are perhaps surprised that I’d indulge in a little matchmaking, Atri-Ceda?’
‘Yes, sir. A little.’
‘That was the first hint of life I’ve seen in Captain Yil’s face since I first met her. As for Henar, why, he seems man enough for her, don’t you think?’
‘Oh yes, sir! I mean-’
‘He clearly has a taste for the exotic. Do you think he stands a chance?’
‘Sir, I wouldn’t know.’
‘As a woman, rather, what think you?’
Her eyes were darting, her colour high. ‘She saw him admiring her legs, sir.’
‘And made no move to cover up.’
‘I’d noticed that, sir.’
‘Me too.’
There was silence then in the chamber, as Brys studied Aranict while she in turn endeavoured to look everywhere but at her commander.
‘For the Errant’s sake, Atri-Ceda, make use of the rest of that chair, will you? Sit back.’