Midnight Tides & The Bonehunters - By Steven Erikson Page 0,282

that,' he said. 'He's awake. How do you know?'

'A stirring in the shadows,' Udinaas said. 'Rhulad sets the world to a tremble. Well,' he amended, 'a small part of it. But it's growing. In any case, his fever has broken. He is weak, but alert.'

'Tell me,' Hull said as they walked into the vast camp, 'about Feather Witch.'

Udinaas grimaced. 'Why?'

'She is no longer Mayen's slave. She now serves the Edur healers. Was that your work?'

'The emperor's command, Hull Beddict.'

'You claim no influence on him? Few would believe that now.'

'Reciprocity.'

'And in return, you give Rhulad what?'

Friendship. 'I do not advise him, Hull Beddict. I do not seek to influence him. I cannot answer your question.' Rather, I won't.

'She affects to hold only hatred for you, Udinaas. But I am not convinced.'

'Oh, I am.'

'I think, perhaps, she has given her heart to you. Yet would fight it, for all the pointless prohibitions and prejudices of our people. What is the extent of your debt, Udinaas?'

'My debt? My father's debt. Seven hundred and twenty-two docks, from the day I was taken as a slave.'

Hull reached out and stopped him. 'That's it?'

'A Beddict might well say that. For most Letherii, that is insurmountable. Especially given the interest.' Udinaas resumed walking.

Hull came up alongside him. 'Who holds it?'

'A minor lender in Letheras. Why are you asking?'

'The lender's name?'

'Huldo.'

'Huldo.' After a moment, Hull snorted.

'You find that amusing?'

'I do. Udinaas, my brother Tehol owns Huldo.'

'Maybe once. As I understand it, Tehol owns nothing these days.'

'Let me tell you a story about my brother. He was, I guess, around ten years old, when a family debt was purchased by a particularly unscrupulous lender. The plan was to force us to relinquish a certain holding, and so the debt was called. We couldn't pay, not all at once, and of course the lender knew it. Now, it was at the time assumed by all that Tehol was at school every day during this crisis, and indeed, that, young as he was, he had no idea of the trouble our parents were in. Only much later did certain facts come to light. The fact that Tehol had finessed a debt of his own, over his tutor. Nothing large, but he was able to coerce the tutor into saying nothing about his absences, whilst he operated a business venture of his own down at a flow-out on the river. Two employees, both Nerek, sifting sewage. This particular out-flow issued from an estate district – extraordinary what treasures could be recovered. Jewellery, mostly. Rings, earrings, pearls. In any case, it seemed there was a windfall, a necklace, and the result was Tehol and his two Nerek employees found themselves suddenly flush—'

'By selling the necklace?'

'Oh no, from the reward. Their business was returning lost items. Shortly thereafter, the lender pressuring our family received payment in full on our debt, and was then subsequently financially gutted when a host of holdings on him were called.'

Udinaas grunted. 'Grateful patrons, indeed.'

'Probably. We never found out. And Tehol never explained a damned thing. It took me over a year to piece some of it together. My point is, Udinaas, Tehol's genius is of the diabolical kind. Destitute? Not a chance. Retired from business dealings? Impossible. I am now quite skilled at tracking my brother, you see. Huldo's not the only lender Tehol owns.'

'So,' Udinaas said as they approached the emperor's tent, 'I am Indebted to the Beddicts.'

'Not any more,' Hull said. 'I am clearing it. Right now. I am sure Tehol will forgive me, assuming I ever get a chance to corner him.'

Udinaas looked over at the man. Then he nodded. 'I see. Reciprocity.'

'I am without expectation, Udinaas.'

'Good. I knew you were a fast learner.'

Hull Beddict halted outside the entrance. 'I enjoyed speaking to you,' he said.

Udinaas hesitated, then smiled.

Seated on his throne, sweat streaming down between and over the gold coins on his face, neck and chest, some horrible insight burning in his eyes, the emperor trembled as if rabid. 'Udinaas,' he croaked. 'As you can see, we are well.'

'These southlands, Emperor, hold strange diseases—' 'We were not sick. We were ... travelling.' They were alone in the chamber. Hannan Mosag was overseeing the warriors, where some old feuds between tribes were threatening to breach the unity. Mayen was cloistered among the women, for it was said that Uruth Sengar was coming, summoned via the K'risnan. The air in the tent smelled of sour sweat.

'A long and difficult journey, then,' Udinaas said. 'Do you wish some