'It is not,' Karsa Orlong replied.
The tone was sufficient for the Preda, who spoke again. The yellowhaired witch's expression suddenly closed, and she related his words to the Taxilian in a strangely flat monotone.
She hides glee.
Suspicion rose within Samar Dev. What comes now?
The Taxilian said, 'The Preda well understands the… Toblakai's position. Indeed, he empathizes, for the Preda himself abhors what he has been commanded to do, along this entire foreign coastline. Yet he must follow the needs of his Emperor. That said, the Preda will order a complete withdrawal of his Tiste Edur forces, back to the fleet. Is the Toblakai satisfied with this?'
'No.'
The Taxilian nodded at Karsa's blunt reply, as the Preda spoke again.
Now what? 'The Preda again has no choice but to follow the commands of his Emperor, a standing order, if you will. The Emperor is the greatest warrior this world has seen, and he ever defends that claim in personal combat. He has faced a thousand or more fighters, drawn from virtually every land, and yet still he lives, triumphant and unvanquished. It is the Emperor's command that his soldiers, no matter where they are, no matter with whom they speak, are to relate the Emperor's challenge. Indeed, the Emperor invites any and every warrior to a duel, always to the death – a duel in which no-one can interfere, no matter the consequences, and all rights of Guest are accorded the challenger. Further, the soldiers of the Emperor are instructed to provide transportation and to meet every need and desire of such warriors who would so face the Emperor in duel.'
More words from the Preda.
A deep chill was settling in Samar Dev, a dread she could not identify – but there was something here… something vastly wrong.
The Taxilian resumed. 'Thus, if this Toblakai hunter seeks the sweetest vengeance of all, he must face the one who has so commanded that his soldiers inflict atrocities upon all strangers they encounter. Accordingly, the Preda invites the Toblakai – and, if desired, his companion – to be Guest of the Tiste Edur on this, their return journey to the Lether Empire. Do you accept?'
Karsa blinked, then looked down at Samar Dev. 'They invite me to kill their Emperor?'
'It seems so. But, Karsa, there is-'
Tell the Preda,' the Toblakai said, 'that I accept.'
She saw the commander smile.
The Taxilian said, 'Preda Hanradi Khalag then welcomes you among the Tiste Edur.'
Samar Dev looked back at the bodies lying sprawled through the camp.
And for these fallen kin, Preda Hanradi Khalag, you care nothing? No, gods below, something is very wrong here'Samar Dev,' Karsa said, 'will you stay here?'
She shook her head.
'Good,' he grunted. 'Go get Havok.'
'Get him yourself, Toblakai.'
The giant grinned. 'It was worth a try.'
'Stop looking so damned pleased, Karsa Orlong. I don't think you have any idea to what you are now bound. Can you not hear the shackles snapping shut? Chaining you to this… this absurd challenge and these damned bloodless Tiste Edur?'
Karsa's expression darkened. 'Chains cannot hold me, witch.'
Fool, they are holding you right now.
Glancing across, she saw the yellow-haired witch appraising Karsa Orlong with avid eyes.
And what does that mean, I wonder, and why does it frighten me so?
'Fist Temul,' Keneb asked, 'how does it feel, to be going home?'
The young, tall Wickan – who had recently acquired full-body blue tattooing in the style of the Crow Clan, an intricate geometric design that made his face look like a portrait fashioned of tesserae – was watching as his soldiers led their horses onto the ramps down on the strand below. At Keneb's question he shrugged. 'Among my people, I shall face yet again all that I have faced here.'
'But not alone any more,' Keneb pointed out. 'Those warriors down there, they are yours, now.'
'Are they?'
'So I was led to understand. They no longer challenge your orders, or your right to command, do they?'
'I believe,' Temul said, 'that most of these Wickans will choose to leave the army once we disembark at Unta. They will return to their families, and when they are asked to recount their adventures in Seven Cities, they will say nothing. It is in my mind, Fist Keneb, that my warriors are shamed. Not because of how they have shown me little respect. No, they are shamed by this army's list of failures.' He fixed dark, hard eyes on Keneb. 'They are too old, or too young, and both are drawn to glory as if she was a forbidden lover.'