Part 5 (1/2)

By David Gunn'I was hooked from page two, then hooked, landed, gutted and fried ... Yeah! Stars.h.i.+p Troopers Stars.h.i.+p Troopers meets Schwarzenneger's meets Schwarzenneger's Commando!' Commando!'NEAL ASHER Few survive the cage. Fewer still live to face the whipping post. But stubborn, insubordinate son-of-a-b.i.t.c.h Sven Tveskoeg does. As this ex-sergeant in the legion etrangere feels the first lash fall, he sees the desert tribes attack and watches them slaughter his comrades before his comrades can kill feels the first lash fall, he sees the desert tribes attack and watches them slaughter his comrades before his comrades can kill him ... him ...Rescued from certain death, Sven joins the tribes. However his ruthless skills have come to the attention of an elite special ops force, the infamous Death's Head.They want Sven to help them out with a little 'local difficulty'. He knows he's a p.a.w.n in an altogether more dangerous game and p.a.w.ns have a habit of being sacrificed. But Sven is n.o.body's sacrifice. And even a p.a.w.n can checkmate a king ...'An outrageous read: violent, witty and immense fun'DEATH RAY'Sven's a fun guy to hang out with ... always ready with an outrageously violent plan ... and things explode with indecent regularity'SFX'Powerful and explosive ... one of the cla.s.siest fictional hard men I've come across in a long time'SF REVU'Violent, graphic and at times a little crazy ... A fun ride'SFFWORLD9780553818710COMING SOON FROM BANTAM BOOKS

Deadhouse Gates

A Tale of the Malazan Book of the Fallen.

STEVEN ERIKSON

Table of Contents t.i.tle Page Dedication ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Maps DRAMATIS PERSONAE Prologue BOOK ONE: RARAKU CHAPTER ONE CHAPTER TWO CHAPTER THREE CHAPTER FOUR CHAPTER FIVE BOOK TWO: WHIRLWIND CHAPTER SIX CHAPTER SEVEN CHAPTER EIGHT CHAPTER NINE CHAPTER TEN BOOK THREE: CHAIN OF DOGS CHAPTER ELEVEN CHAPTER TWELVE CHAPTER THIRTEEN CHAPTER FOURTEEN BOOK FOUR: DEADHOUSE GATES CHAPTER FIFTEEN CHAPTER SIXTEEN CHAPTER SEVENTEEN CHAPTER EIGHTEEN CHAPTER NINETEEN CHAPTER TWENTY CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR EPILOGUE GLOSSARY The world of sorcery Extract: Memories of Ice

This novel is dedicated to two gentlemen: David Thomas Jr, who welcomed me to England with an introduction to a certain agent; and Patrick Walsh, the agent he introduced me to. There has been a lot of faith shown over the years, and I thank you both.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

With deepest grat.i.tude I acknowledge the following for their support: The staff at Cafe Rouge, Dorking (keep the coffees coming...); the folks at Psion, whose extraordinary 5 Series was home to this novel's first draft; Daryl and crew at Cafe Hosete; and, of course, Simon Taylor and the rest at Transworld.

For my family and friends, thank you for your faith and encouragement, without which all that I achieve means little.

Thanks also to Stephen and Ross Donaldson for their kind words, James Barclay, Sean Russell and Ariel. Finally, a big thank you to those readers who took time to write their comments on various websites writing is a solitary, isolating activity, but you have made it less so.

DRAMATIS PERSONAE.

ON THE PATH OF THE HAND.

Icarium, a mixed-blood Jaghut wanderer a mixed-blood Jaghut wandererMappo, his Trell companion his Trell companionIskaral Pust, a High Priest of Shadow a High Priest of ShadowRyllandaras, the White Jackal, a D'ivers the White Jackal, a D'iversMessremb, a Soletaken a SoletakenGryllen, a D'ivers a D'iversMogora, a D'ivers a D'ivers THE MALAZANSFelisin, youngest daughter of House Paran youngest daughter of House ParanHeboric Light Touch, exiled historian and ex-priest of Fener exiled historian and ex-priest of FenerBaudin, companion to Felisin and Heboric companion to Felisin and HeboricFiddler, 9th Squad, Bridgeburners 9th Squad, BridgeburnersCrokus, a visitor from Darujhistan a visitor from DarujhistanApsalar, 9th Squad, Bridgeburners 9th Squad, BridgeburnersKalam, a corporal in the 9th Squad, Bridgeburners a corporal in the 9th Squad, BridgeburnersDuiker, Imperial Historian Imperial HistorianKulp, cadre mage, 7th Army cadre mage, 7th ArmyMallick Rel, chief adviser to the High Fist of the Seven Cities chief adviser to the High Fist of the Seven CitiesSawark, commander of the guard in the Otataral mining camp, Skullcup commander of the guard in the Otataral mining camp, SkullcupPella, a soldier stationed at Skullcup a soldier stationed at SkullcupPormqual, High Fist of the Seven Cities, in Aren High Fist of the Seven Cities, in ArenBlistig, Commander of Aren Guard Commander of Aren GuardTopper, Commander of the Claw Commander of the ClawLull, a captain in the Sialk Marines a captain in the Sialk MarinesChenned, a captain in the 7th Army a captain in the 7th ArmySulmar, a captain in the 7th Army a captain in the 7th ArmyList, a corporal in the 7th Army a corporal in the 7th ArmyMincer, a sapper a sapperCuttle, a sapper a sapperGesler, a corporal in the Coastal Guard a corporal in the Coastal GuardStormy, a soldier in the Coastal Guard a soldier in the Coastal GuardTruth, a recruit in the Coastal Guard a recruit in the Coastal GuardSquint, a bowman a bowmanPearl, a Claw a ClawCaptain Keneb, a refugee a refugeeSelv, Keneb's wife Keneb's wifeMinala, Selv's sister Selv's sisterKesen, Keneb and Selv's first-born son Keneb and Selv's first-born sonVaneb, Keneb and Selv's second-born son Keneb and Selv's second-born sonCaptain, owner and commander of the trader craft owner and commander of the trader craft Ragstopper RagstopperBent, a Wickan cattle-dog a Wickan cattle-dogRoach, a Hengese lapdog a Hengese lapdog WICKANSColtaine, Fist, 7th ArmyTemul, a young lancer a young lancerSormo E'nath, a warlock a warlockNil, a warlock a warlockNether, a warlock a warlockBult, a veteran commander and Coltaine's uncle a veteran commander and Coltaine's uncle THE RED BLADESBaria Setral (Dosin Pali) (Dosin Pali)Mesker Setral, his brother (Dosin Pali) his brother (Dosin Pali)Tene Baralta (Ehrlitan) (Ehrlitan) Aralt Arpat Aralt Arpat (Ehrlitan) (Ehrlitan) Lostara Yil Lostara Yil (Ehrlitan) (Ehrlitan) n.o.bLES ON THE CHAIN OF DOGS (MALAZAN)Nethpara Lenestro Lenestro Pullyk Alar Pullyk Alar Tumlit Tumlit FOLLOWERS OF THE APOCALYPSESha'ik, leader of the rebellion leader of the rebellionLeoman, captain in the Raraku Apocalypse captain in the Raraku ApocalypseToblakai, a bodyguard and warrior in the Raraku Apocalypse a bodyguard and warrior in the Raraku ApocalypseFebryl, a mage and elder adviser to Sha'ik a mage and elder adviser to Sha'ikKorbolo Dom, renegade Fist leading the Odhan army renegade Fist leading the Odhan armyKamist Reloe, High Mage with the Odhan army High Mage with the Odhan armyL'oric, a mage with the Raraku Apocalypse a mage with the Raraku ApocalypseBidithal, a mage with the Raraku Apocalypse a mage with the Raraku ApocalypseMebra, a spy in Ehrlitan a spy in Ehrlitan OTHERSSalk Elan, a traveller on the seas a traveller on the sea.s.shan, a Hound of Shadow a Hound of ShadowGear, a Hound of Shadow a Hound of ShadowBlind, a Hound of Shadow a Hound of ShadowBaran, a Hound of Shadow a Hound of ShadowRood, a Hound of Shadow a Hound of ShadowMoby, a familiar a familiarHentos Ilm, a T'lan Ima.s.s Bonecaster a T'lan Ima.s.s BonecasterLegana Breed, a T'lan Ima.s.s a T'lan Ima.s.sOlar Ethil, a T'lan Ima.s.s Bonecaster a T'lan Ima.s.s BonecasterKimloc, a Tanno Spiritwalker a Tanno SpiritwalkerBeneth, a crime lord a crime lordIrp, a small servant a small servantRudd, an equally small servant an equally small servantApt, an aptorian demon an aptorian demonPanek, a child a childKarpolan Demesand, a merchant a merchantBula, an innkeeper an innkeeperCotillion, patron G.o.d of a.s.sa.s.sins patron G.o.d of a.s.sa.s.sinsShadowthrone, Ruler of High House Shadow Ruler of High House ShadowRellock, a servant a servant

Prologue

What see you in the horizon's bruised smear That cannot be blotted out By your raised hand?The Bridgeburners Toe the Younger

1163rd Year of Burn's Sleep Ninth Year of the Rule of Empress Laseen Year of the CullHe came shambling into Judgement's Round from the Avenue of Souls, a misshapen ma.s.s of flies. Seething lumps crawled on his body in mindless migration, black and glittering and occasionally falling away in frenzied clumps that exploded into fragmented flight as they struck the cobbles. The Thirsting Hour was coming to a close and the priest staggered in its wake, blind, deaf and silent. Honouring his G.o.d on this day, the servant of Hood, Lord of Death, had joined his companions in stripping naked and smearing himself in the blood of executed murderers, blood that was stored in giant amphorae lining the walls of the temple's nave. The brothers had then moved in procession out onto the streets of Unta to greet the G.o.d's sprites, enjoining the mortal dance that marked the Season of Rot's last day.The guards lining the Round parted to let the priest pa.s.s, then parted further for the spinning, buzzing cloud that trailed him. The sky over Unta was still more grey than blue, as the flies that had swept at dawn into the capital of the Malazan Empire now rose, slowly winging out over the bay towards the salt marshes and sunken islands beyond the reef. Pestilence came with the Season of Rot, and the Season had come an unprecedented three times in the past ten years.The air of the Round still buzzed, was still speckled as if filled with flying grit. Somewhere in the streets beyond a dog yelped like a thing near death but not near enough, and close to the Round's central fountain the abandoned mule that had collapsed earlier still kicked feebly in the air. Flies had crawled into the beast through every orifice and it was now bloated with gases. The animal, stubborn by its breed, was now over an hour in dying. As the priest staggered sightlessly past, flies rose from the mule in a swift curtain to join those already enshrouding him.It was clear to Felisin from where she and the others waited that the priest of Hood was striding directly towards her. His eyes were ten thousand eyes, but she was certain they were all fixed on her. Yet even this growing horror did little to stir the numbness that lay like a smothering blanket over her mind; she was aware of it rising inside but the awareness seemed more a memory of fear than fear now alive within her.She barely recalled the first Season of Rot she'd lived through, but had clear memories of the second one. Just under three years ago, she had witnessed this day secure in the family estate, in a solid house with its windows shuttered and cloth-sealed, with the braziers set outside the doors and on the courtyard's high, broken-gla.s.s-rimmed walls billowing the acrid smoke of istaarl leaves. The last day of the Season and its Thirsting Hour had been a time of remote revulsion for her, irritating and inconvenient but nothing more. Then she'd given little thought to the city's countless beggars and the stray animals bereft of shelter, or even to the poorer residents who were subsequently press-ganged into cleanup crews for days afterwards.The same city, but a different world.Felisin wondered if the guards would make any move towards the priest as he came closer to the Cull's victims. She and the others in the line were the charges of the Empress now Laseen's responsibility and the priest's path could be seen as blind and random, the imminent collision one of chance rather than design, although in her bones Felisin knew differently. Would the helmed guards step forward, seek to guide the priest to one side, lead him safely through the Round?'I think not,' said the man squatting on her right. His half-closed eyes, buried deep in their sockets, flashed with something that might have been amus.e.m.e.nt. 'Seen you flicking your gaze, guards to priest, priest to guards.'The big, silent man on her left slowly rose to his feet, pulling the chain with him. Felisin winced as the shackle yanked at her when the man folded his arms across his bare, scarred chest. He glared at the approaching priest but said nothing.'What does he want with me?' Felisin asked in a whisper. 'What have I done to earn a priest of Hood's attention?'The squatting man rocked back on his heels, tilting his face into the late afternoon sun. 'Queen of Dreams, is this self-centred youth I hear from those full, sweet lips? Or just the usual stance of n.o.ble blood around which the universe revolves? Answer me, I pray, fickle Queen!'Felisin scowled. 'I felt better when I thought you asleep or dead.''Dead men do not squat, la.s.s, they sprawl. Hood's priest comes not for you but for me.'She faced him then, the chain rattling between them. He looked more of a sunken-eyed toad than a man. He was bald, his face webbed in tattooing, minute, black, square-etched symbols hidden within an overall pattern covering skin like a wrinkled scroll. He was naked but for a ragged loincloth, its dye a faded red. Flies crawled all over him; reluctant to leave they danced on but not, Felisin realized, to Hood's bleak orchestration. The tattooed pattern covered the man the boar's face overlying his own, the intricate maze of script-threaded, curled fur winding down his arms, covering his exposed thighs and s.h.i.+ns, and the detailed hooves etched into the skin of his feet. Felisin had until now been too self-absorbed, too numb with shock to pay any attention to her companions in the chain line: this man was a priest of Fener, the Boar of Summer, and the flies seemed to know it, understand it enough to alter their frenzied motion. She watched with morbid fascination as they gathered at the stumps at the ends of the man's wrists, the old scar tissue the only place on him unclaimed by Fener, but the paths the sprites took to those stumps touched not a single tattooed line. The flies danced a dance of avoidance but for all that, they were eager to dance.The priest of Fener had been ankle-shackled last in the line. Everyone else had the narrow iron bands fastened around their wrists. His feet were wet with blood and the flies hovered there but did not land. She saw his eyes flick open as the sun's light was suddenly blocked.Hood's priest had arrived. Chain stirred as the man on Felisin's left drew back as far as the links allowed. The wall at her back felt hot, the tiles painted with scenes of imperial pageantry now slick through the thin weave of her slave tunic. Felisin stared at the fly-shrouded creature standing wordless before the squatting priest of Fener. She could see no exposed flesh, nothing of the man himself the flies had claimed all of him and beneath them he lived in darkness where even the sun's heat could not touch him. The cloud around him spread out now and Felisin shrank back as countless cold insect legs touched her legs, crawling swiftly up her thighs she pulled her tunic's hem close around her, clamping her legs tight.The priest of Fener spoke, his wide face split into a humourless grin. 'The Thirsting Hour's well past, Acolyte. Go back to your temple.'Hood's servant made no reply but it seemed the buzzing changed pitch, until the music of the wings vibrated in Felisin's bones.The priest's deep eyes narrowed and his tone s.h.i.+fted. 'Ah, well now. Indeed I was once a servant of Fener but no longer, not for years Fener's touch cannot be scrubbed from my skin. Yet it seems that while the Boar of Summer has no love for me, he has even less for you.'Felisin felt something s.h.i.+ver in her soul as the buzzing rapidly s.h.i.+fted, forming words that she could understand. 'Secret. . . to show . . . now . . .''Go on then,' the one-time servant of Fener growled, 'show me.'Perhaps Fener acted then, the swatting hand of a furious G.o.d Felisin would remember the moment and think on it often or the secret was the mocking of immortals, a joke far beyond her understanding, but at that moment the rising tide of horror within her broke free, the numbness of her soul seared away as the flies exploded outward, dispersing in all directions to reveal ... no-one.The former priest of Fener flinched as if struck, his eyes wide. From across the Round half a dozen guards cried out, wordless sounds punched from their throats. Chains snapped as others in the line jolted as if to flee. The iron loops set in the wall s.n.a.t.c.hed taut, but the loops held as did the chains. The guards rushed forward and the line shrank back into submission.'Now that,' the tattooed man shakily muttered, 'was uncalled for.'

An hour pa.s.sed, an hour in which the mystery, shock and horror of Hood's priest sank down within Felisin to become but one more layer, the latest but not the last in what had become an unending nightmare. An acolyte of Hood ... who was not there. The buzzing of wings that formed words. Was that Hood himself? Had the Lord of Death come to walk among mortals? And why stand before a once-priest of Fener Was that Hood himself? Had the Lord of Death come to walk among mortals? And why stand before a once-priest of Fener what was the message behind the revelation? what was the message behind the revelation?But slowly the questions faded in her mind, the numbness seeping back, the return of cold despair. The Empress had culled the n.o.bility, stripped the Houses and families of their wealth followed by a summary accusation and conviction of treason that had ended in chains. As for the ex-priest on her right and the huge, b.e.s.t.i.a.l man with all the makings of a common criminal on her left, clearly neither one could claim n.o.ble blood.She laughed softly, startling both men.'Has Hood's secret revealed itself to you, then, la.s.s?' the ex-priest asked.'No.''What do you find so amusing?'She shook her head. I had expected to find myself in good company, how's that for an upturned thought? There you have it, the very att.i.tude the peasants hungered to tear down, the very same fuel the Empress has touched to flame had expected to find myself in good company, how's that for an upturned thought? There you have it, the very att.i.tude the peasants hungered to tear down, the very same fuel the Empress has touched to flame-'Child!'The voice was that of an aged woman, still haughty but with an air of desperate yearning. Felisin closed her eyes briefly, then straightened and looked along the line to the gaunt old woman beyond the thug. The woman was wearing her night-clothes, torn and smeared. With n.o.ble blood, no less. With n.o.ble blood, no less. 'Lady Gaesen.' 'Lady Gaesen.'The old woman reached out a shaking hand. 'Yes! Wife to Lord Hilrac! I am Lady Gaesen ...' The words came as if she'd forgotten who she was, and now she frowned through the cracked make-up covering her wrinkles and her red-shot eyes fixed on Felisin. 'I know you,' she hissed. 'House of Paran. Youngest daughter. Felisin!'Felisin went cold. She turned away and stared straight ahead, out into the compound where the guards stood leaning on pikes pa.s.sing flasks of ale between them and waving away the last of the flies. A cart had arrived for the mule, four ash-smeared men clambering down from its bed with ropes and gaffs. Beyond the walls encircling the Round rose Unta's painted spires and domes. She longed for the shadowed streets between them, longed for the pampered life of a week ago, Sebry barking harsh commands at her as she led her favourite mare through her paces. And she would look up as she guided the mare in a delicate, precise turn, to see the row of green-leafed leadwoods separating the riding ground from the family vineyards.Beside her the thug grunted. 'Hood's feet, the b.i.t.c.h has some sense of humour.'Which b.i.t.c.h? Felisin wondered, but she managed to hold her expression even as she lost the comfort of her memories. Felisin wondered, but she managed to hold her expression even as she lost the comfort of her memories.The ex-priest stirred. 'Sisterly spat, is it?' He paused, then dryly added, 'Seems a bit extreme.'The thug grunted again and leaned forward, his shadow draping Felisin. 'Defrocked priest, are you? Not like the Empress to do any temples a favour.''She didn't. My loss of piety was long ago. I'm sure the Empress would rather I'd stayed in the cloister.''As if she'd care,' the thug said derisively as he settled back into his pose.Lady Gaesen rattled, 'You must speak with her, her, Felisin! An appeal! I have rich friends-' Felisin! An appeal! I have rich friends-'The thug's grunt turned into a bark. 'Farther up the line, hag, that's where you'll find your rich friends!'Felisin just shook her head. Speak with her, it's been months. Not even when Father died. with her, it's been months. Not even when Father died.A silence followed, dragging on, approaching the silence that had existed before this spate of babble, but then the ex-priest cleared his throat, spat and muttered, 'Not worth looking for salvation in a woman who's just following orders, Lady, never mind that one being this girl's sister-'Felisin winced, then glared at the ex-priest. 'You presume-''He ain't presuming nothing,' growled the thug. 'Forget what's in the blood, what's supposed to be in it by your slant on things. This is the work of the Empress. Maybe you think it's personal, maybe you have to think that, being what you are ...''What I am?' Felisin laughed harshly. 'What House claims you as kin?'The thug grinned. 'The House of Shame. What of it? Yours ain't looking any less shabby.''As I thought,' Felisin said, ignoring the truth of his last observation with difficulty. She glowered at the guards. 'What's happening? Why are we just sitting here?'The ex-priest spat again. 'The Thirsting Hour's past. The mob outside needs organizing.' He glanced up at her from under the shelf of his brows. 'The peasants need to be roused. We're the first, girl, and the example's got to be established. What happens here in Unta is going to rattle every n.o.ble-born in the Empire.''Nonsense!' Lady Gaesen snapped. 'We shall be well treated. The Empress shall have to treat us well-'The thug grunted a third time what pa.s.sed for laughter, Felisin realized and said, 'If stupidity was a crime, lady, you would've been arrested years ago. The ogre's right. Not many of us are going to make it to the slave s.h.i.+ps. This parade down Colonnade Avenue is going to be one long bloodbath. Mind you,' he added, eyes narrowing on the guards, 'old Baudin ain't going to be torn apart by any mob of peasants ...'Felisin felt real fear stirring in her stomach. She fought off a s.h.i.+ver. 'Mind if I stay in your shadow, Baudin?'The man looked down at her. 'You're a bit plump for my tastes.' He turned away, then added, 'But you do what you like.'The ex-priest leaned close. 'Thinking on it, girl, this rivalry of yours ain't in the league of tattle-tails and scratch-fights. Likely your sister wants to be sure you-''She's Adjunct Tavore,' Felisin cut in. 'She's not my sister any more. She renounced our House at the call of the Empress.''Even so, I've an inkling it's still personal.'Felisin scowled. 'How would you know anything about it?'The man made a slight, ironic bow. 'Thief once, then priest, now historian. I well know the tense position the n.o.bility finds itself in.'Felisin's eyes slowly widened and she cursed herself for her stupidity. Even Baudin who could not have helped overhearing leaned forward for a searching stare. 'Heboric,' he said. 'Heboric Light Touch.'Heboric raised his arms. 'As light as ever.''You wrote that revised history,' Felisin said. 'Committed treason-'Heboric's wiry brows rose in mock alarm. 'G.o.ds forbid! A philosophic divergence of opinions, nothing more! Duiker's own words at the trial in my defence, Fener bless him.''But the Empress wasn't listening,' Baudin said, grinning. 'After all, you called her a murderer, and then had the gall to say she bungled the job!''Found an illicit copy, did you?'Baudin blinked.'In any case,' Heboric continued to Felisin, 'it's my guess your sister the Adjunct plans on your getting to the slave s.h.i.+ps in one piece. Your brother disappearing on Genabackis took the life out of your father... so I've heard,' he added, grinning. 'But it was the rumours of treason that put spurs to your sister, wasn't it? Clearing the family name and all that-''You make it sound reasonable, Heboric,' Felisin said, hearing the bitterness in her voice but not caring any more. 'We differed in our opinions, Tavore and I, and now you see the result.''Your opinions of what, precisely?'She did not reply.There was a sudden stirring in the line. The guards straightened and swung to face the Round's West Gate. Felisin paled as she saw her sister Adjunct Tavore now, heir to Lorn who'd died in Darujhistan ride up on her stallion, a beast bred out of Paran stables, no less. Beside her was the ever-present T'amber, a beautiful young woman whose long, tawny mane gave substance to her name. Where she'd come from was anyone's guess, but she was now Tavore's personal aide. Behind these two rode a score of officers and a company of heavy cavalry, the soldiers looking exotic, foreign.'Touch of irony,' Heboric muttered, eyeing the horsesoldiers.Baudin jutted his head forward and spat. 'Red Swords, the bloodless b.a.s.t.a.r.ds.'The historian threw the man an amused glance. 'Travelled well in your profession, Baudin? Seen the sea walls of Aren, have you?'The man s.h.i.+fted uneasily, then shrugged. 'Stood a deck or two in my time, ogre. Besides,' he added, 'the rumour of them's been in the city a week or more.'There was a stirring from the Red Sword troop, and Felisin saw mailed hands close on weapon grips, peaked helms turning as one towards the Adjunct. Sister Tavore, did our brother's disappearance cut you so deep? How great his footing you must imagine, to seek this recompense . . . and then, to make your loyalty absolute, you chose between me and Mother for the symbolic sacrifice. Didn't you realize that Hood stood on Sister Tavore, did our brother's disappearance cut you so deep? How great his footing you must imagine, to seek this recompense . . . and then, to make your loyalty absolute, you chose between me and Mother for the symbolic sacrifice. Didn't you realize that Hood stood on the side the side of both choices? of both choices? At least At least Mother is with her beloved husband now . . . Mother is with her beloved husband now . . . She watched as Tavore scanned her guard briefly, then said something to T'amber, who edged her own mount towards the East Gate. She watched as Tavore scanned her guard briefly, then said something to T'amber, who edged her own mount towards the East Gate.Baudin grunted one more time. 'Look lively. The endless hour's about to begin.'