Is that all, my Lord? called their foreman from the midst of their cringing group.
Unless any of you wish to stay, and witness the destruction of the indestructible Hundred Words?
The foreman squinted sideways at one of his fellows with some confusion. No. No, I think well just you know He and the rest of the workmen began to back off, taking their empty barrels with them. Soon they were away between the white palaces. Ferro and Bayaz were left alone in all that flat expanse of dust.
Just the two of them, and the Makers box, and the thing that it contained.
So. The trap is set. We need merely wait for our quarry. Bayaz tried his knowing grin, but Ferro was not fooled. She saw his gnarled hands fussing with each other, the muscles clenching and unclenching on the side of his bald head. He was not sure if his plans would work. However wise he was, however subtle, however cunning, he could not be sure. The thing in the box, the cold and heavy thing that Ferro longed to touch, was an unknown. The only precedent for its use was far away, in the empty wastes of the Old Empire. The vast ruin of blighted Aulcus.
Ferro frowned, and loosened her sword in its scabbard.
If they come, that will not save you.
You can never have too many knives, she growled back. How do you know they will even come this way?
What else can they do? They must come to wherever I am. That is their purpose. Bayaz pulled in a ragged breath through his nose, and blew it out. And I am here.
Sacrifices
Dogman squeezed through the gate along with a rush of others, some Northmen and an awful lot of Union boys, all pouring into the city after that excuse for a battle outside. There were a few folk scattered on the walls over the archway, cheering and whooping like they were at a wedding. A fat man in a leather apron was standing on the other side of the tunnel, clapping folk on the back as they came past. Thank you, friend! Thank you! He shoved something into Dogmans hand, grinning like a madman all the way. A loaf of bread.
Bread. Dogman sniffed at it, but it smelled alright. What the hells all that about? The man had a whole heap of loaves on a cart. He was handing them out to any soldier that came past, Union or Northman. Whos he, anyway?
Grim shrugged. A baker?
There werent much time to think on it. They were all getting shoved together into a big space full of men pushing, and grumbling, and making mess. All kind of soldiers and some old men and women round the edge, starting to get tired of cheering. A well-clipped lad in a black uniform was standing on top of a cart in the midst of this madness and screeching like a lost goat.
Eighth regiment, towards the Four Corners! Ninth towards the Agriont! If youre with the tenth you came through the wrong damn gate!
Thought we were to the docks, Major!
Poulders division are dealing with the docks! Were for the north part of the city! Eighth regiment towards the Four Corners!
Im with the Fourth!
Fourth? Wheres your horse?
Dead!
What about us? roared Logen. Northmen!
The lad stared at them, wide-eyed, then he threw up his hands. Just get in there! If you see any Gurkish, kill them! He turned back towards the gate, jerking his thumb over his shoulder into the city. Ninth regiment towards the Agriont!
Logen scowled. Well get no sense here. He pointed down a wide street, full of walking soldiers. Some great tall tower poked up above the buildings. Huge thing, mustve been built on a hill. We get split up well just aim at that. He struck off down that street and Dogman came after, Grim behind with Shivers and his boys, Red Hat and his crew further back. Wasnt long before the crowds thinned out and they were marching down empty streets, quiet except for some birds calling, happy as ever, not caring a thing for there having been a battle just now, and caring even less that there was another one coming.
Dogman wasnt giving it a lot of thought either, for all he had his bow loose in one hand. He was too busy staring at the houses down either side of the road. Houses the like of which hed never seen in his life. Made of little square, red stones, and black wood filled in with white render. Each one of em was big enough for a chieftain to be happy with, most with glass windows in as well.
Bloody palaces, eh?
Logen snorted. You think this is something? You should see this Agriont were aiming at. The buildings they got there. You never dreamed o the like. Carleons a pigsty beside this place.
Dogman had always found Carleon a good bit too built-up. This was downright ridiculous. He dropped back a way, found he was walking next to Shivers. He lore the loaf and held one half out.
Thanks. Shivers took a bite out of the end, then another. Not bad.
Aint nothing quite like it, is there? That taste o new bread? Tastes like peace, I guess.
If you say so. They chewed together for a while, saying nothing.
Dogman looked sideways. I think you need to put this feud o yours behind you.
What feuds that?
How many you got? The one with our new king up there. Ninefingers.
Cant say I havent tried. Shivers frowned up the road at Logens back. But whenever I turn around, there it is beside me.
Shivers, youre a good man. I like you. We all do. You got bones, lad, and brains too, and menll follow you. You could go a long way if you dont get yourself killed, and theres the problem. I dont want to see you start up something you cant put a good end to.
You neednt worry then. Anything I start Ill make sure I finish.
Dogman shook his head. No, no, that aint my point, lad, not at all. Maybe you come out on top, maybe you dont. My point is neither ones a victory. Blood makes blood, and nothing else. My point is it aint too late for you. It aint too late for you to be bettern that.
Shivers frowned at him. Then he tossed the heel of bread away, turned his big shoulder and headed off without another word. Dogman sighed. Some things cant be put right just with talk. Some things cant be put right at all.
They came out from the maze of buildings and onto a river. It mustve been as wide as the Whiteflow, only the banks on each side were made of stone. The biggest bridge the Dogman had ever seen spanned it, railings made of curly iron, wide enough to drive two carts across side by side. Another wall stood at the far end, even bigger than the one they came through first. Dogman took a few gawping steps forward, and he looked up and down the gleaming water, and he saw that there were more bridges. A lot more, and some even bigger, standing out from a great forest of walls, and towers, and soaring high buildings.
A lot of the others were staring too, eyes wide open like theyd stepped out onto the moon. Even Grim had a twist to his face that mightve been surprise.
Bloody hell, said Shivers. You ever see the like o this?
Dogmans neck was aching from staring round at it all. Theyve got so much here. Why do they even want bloody Angland? Place is a shit-hole.
Logen shrugged. Couldnt say. Some men always want more, I guess.
Some men always want more, eh, Brother Longfoot? Glokta gave a disapproving shake of his head. I spared your other foot. I spared your life. Now you want freedom, too?
Superior, he wheedled. If I may, you did undertake to release me I have upheld my side of the bargain. That door should open onto a square not far from the House of Questions
We shall see.
One last splintering blow of the axe and the door shuddered back on its rusty hinges, daylight spilling into the narrow cellar. The mercenary with the tattooed neck stood aside and Glokta limped up and peered out. Ah, fresh air. A gift we so often take for granted. A short set of steps led up to a cobbled yard, hemmed in by the grubby backs of grey buildings. Glokta knew it. Just round the corner from the House of Questions, as promised.