‘You are? Have I read you? Are you famous?’
‘Famous? Probably. But I doubt you’ve read me, since I’ve yet to write anything down.’
‘Ah, a lecturer!’
‘A scholar, swimming across the ocean of history.’
‘I like that. I could paint that.’
‘So, may I see your painting?’
A grand gesture with a multicoloured hand. ‘Come along, then, old friend. See my genius for yourself.’
The board perched on its easel was wider than it was high, in the manner of a landscape painting or, indeed, a record of some momentous vista of history. At least two arm-lengths wide. Bugg walked round for a look at the image captured on the surface.
And saw two colours, divided in a rough diagonal. Scratchy red to the right, muddy brown to the left. ‘Extraordinary,’ Bugg said. ‘And what is it you have rendered here?’
‘What is it? Are you blind?’ The painter pointed with a brush. ‘The column! Those approaching Edur, the vast army! The standard, of course. The standard!’
Bugg squinted across the distance to the tiny patch of red that was the vanguard’s lead standard. ‘Ah, of course. Now I see.’
‘And my brilliance blinds you, yes?’
‘Oh yes, all comprehension has been stolen from my eyes indeed.’
The artist deftly switched legs and perched pensively, frowning out at the Edur column. ‘Of course, they’re closer now. I wish I’d brought another board, so I could elaborate yet further on the detail.’
‘Well, you could always use this wall.’
Bushy brows arched. ‘That’s… clever. You are a scholar indeed.’
‘I must be going, now.’
‘Yes, yes, stop distracting me. I need to focus, you know. Focus.’
Bugg quietly made his way down the stone stairs. ‘A fine lesson,’ he muttered under his breath as he reached street level. Details… so many things to do this day.
He walked deserted streets, avoiding the major intersections where barricades had been raised and soldiers moved about in nervous expectation. The occasional furtive figure darted into and out of view as he went on.
A short time later the manservant rounded a corner, paused, then approached the ruined temple. Standing near it was Turudal Brizad, who looked over as Bugg reached his side.
‘Any suggestions?’ the god known as the Errant asked.
‘What do you mean?’
‘The mortal I requested for this task has not appeared.’
‘Oh. That’s not good, since the Jheck are at the gates even as we speak.’
‘And the first Edur from the ships have disembarked, yes.’
‘Why not act for yourself?’ Bugg asked.
‘I cannot. My aspect enforces certain… prohibitions.’
‘Ah, the nudge, the pull or the push.’
‘Yes, only that.’
‘You have been about as direct as you can be.’
The Errant nodded.
‘Well, I see your dilemma,’ Bugg said.
‘Thus my query – do you have any suggestions?’
The manservant considered for a time, whilst the god waited patiently, then he sighed and said, ‘Perhaps. Wait here. If I am successful, I will send someone to you.’
‘All right. I trust you will not be overlong.’
‘I hope not. Depends on my powers of persuasion.’
‘Then I am encouraged.’
Without another word, Bugg headed off. He quickened his pace as he made his way towards the docks. Fortunately, it was not far, and he arrived at Front Street to see that only the main piers had been commandeered by the landing warriors of the Tiste Edur. They were taking their time, he noted, a sign of their confidence. No-one was opposing their landing. Bugg hurried along Front Street until he came to the lesser berths. Where he found his destination, a two-masted, sleek colt of a ship that needed new paint but seemed otherwise relatively sound. There was no-one visible on its deck, but as soon as he crossed the gangway he heard voices, then the thump of boots.
Bugg had reached the mid-deck when the cabin door swung open and two armed women emerged, swords out.
Bugg halted and held up his hands.
Three more figures appeared once the two women stepped to either side. A tall, grey-maned man in a crimson surcoat, and a second man who was clearly a mage of some sort. The third arrival Bugg recognized.
‘Good morning, Shand. So this is where Tehol sent you.’
‘Bugg. What in the Errant’s name do you want?’
‘Well said, lass. And are these fine soldiers Shurq Elalle’s newly hired crew?’
‘Who is this man?’ the grey-haired man asked Shand.
She scowled. ‘My employer’s manservant. And your employer works for my employer. His arrival means there’s going to be trouble. Go on, Bugg, we’re listening.’
‘First, how about some introductions, Shand?’
She rolled her eyes. ‘Iron Bars-’
‘An Avowed of the Crimson Guard,’ Bugg cut in, smiling. ‘Forgive me. Go on, please.’
‘Corlo-’
‘His High Mage. Again, forgive me, but that will have to do. I have very little time. I need these Guardsmen.’
‘You need us for what?’ Iron Bars asked.
‘You have to kill the god of the Soletaken Jheck.’
The Avowed’s expression darkened. ‘Soletaken. We’ve crossed paths with Soletaken before.’
Bugg nodded. ‘If the Jheck reach their god, they will of course protect it-’
‘How far away?’
‘Just a few streets, in an abandoned temple.’
Iron Bars nodded. ‘This god, is it Soletaken or D’ivers?’
‘D’ivers.’
The Avowed turned to Corlo, who said, ‘Ready up, soldiers, we’ve some fighting ahead.’
Shand stared at them. ‘What do I tell Shurq if she shows up in the meantime?’
‘We won’t be long,’ Iron Bars said, drawing his sword.
‘Wait!’ Shand swung to Bugg. ‘You! How did you know they’d be here?’
The manservant shrugged. ‘Errant’s nudge, I suppose. Take care, Shand, and say hello to Hejun and Rissarh for me, won’t you?’
Fifty paces’ worth of empty cobbled road between them and the yawning gates of Letheras. Trull Sengar leaned on his spear and glanced over at Rhulad.
The emperor, fur-shouldered and hulking, was pacing like a beast, eyes fixed on the gateway. Hannan Mosag and his surviving K’risnan had advanced ten paces in the midst of shadow wraiths, the latter now sliding forward.
The wraiths reached the gate, hovered a moment, then swept into the city.
Hannan Mosag turned and strode back to where the emperor and his brothers waited. ‘It is as we sensed, Emperor. The Ceda’s presence is nowhere to be found. There are but a handful of minor mages among the garrison. The wraiths and demons will take care of them. We should be able to carve our way through the barricades and reach the Eternal Domicile by noon. A fitting time for you to ascend the throne.’
‘Barricades,’ Rhulad said, nodding. ‘Good. We wish to fight. Udinaas!’
‘Here.’ The slave stepped forward.
‘This time, Udinaas, you will accompany the Household, under Uruth’s charge.’
