Midnight Tides & The Bonehunters - By Steven Erikson Page 0,53

his way at the Great Meeting?'

'It might well be too late by that time, Brys. Assuming that is my intention.'

'It isn't?'

'I haven't decided.'

'You want war?'

Gerun's gaze remained level. 'That particular tide stirs the deepest silts. Blinding everyone. A man with a goal can get a lot done in that cloud. And, eventually, it settles.'

'And lo,' Brys said, unable to hide his bitterness, 'the world has changed.'

'Possibly.'

'War as the means—'

'To a peaceful end—'

'That you will find pleasing to your eye.'

Gerun pushed his plate away and sat back once more. 'What is life without ambition, Brys?'

Brys rose, his meal pried apart into a chaotic mass on the plate before him. 'Tehol would be better at answering that than am I, Finadd.'

Gerun smiled up at him. 'Inform Nifadas and Kuru Qan that I am not unaware of the complexities wrought through the impending Great Meeting. Nor am I blind to the need to usher me out of the city for a time. I have, of course, compensated for my own absence, in anticipation of my triumphant return.'

'I will convey your words, Finadd.'

'I regret your loss of appetite, Brys. The fish was excellent. Next time, we will speak of inconsequential things. I both respect and admire you, Champion.'

'Ah, so I am not on your list.'

'Not yet. A joke, Brys,' he added upon seeing the Champion's expression. 'Besides, you'd cut me to pieces. How can I not admire that? I see it this way – the history of this decade, for our dear Letheras, can be most succinctly understood by a faithful recounting of the three Beddict brothers. And, as is clear, the tale's not yet done.'

So it would seem. 'I thank you, Finadd, for the company and the invitation.'

Gerun leaned forward and picked up the Champion's plate. 'Take the back exit, if you please,' he said, offering Brys the plate. 'There's a starveling lad living in the alley. Mind, he's to return the silver – make sure he understands that. Tell him you were my guest.'

'Very well, Finadd.'

'Try these on.'

Tehol stared at the woollen trousers, then reached for them. 'Tell me, Bugg, is there any point in you continuing?'

'Do you mean these leggings, or with my sorry existence?'

'Have you hired your crew?' He stripped off his skirt and began donning the trousers.

'Twenty of the most miserable malcontents I could find.'

'Grievances?'

'Every one of them, and I'm pretty certain they are all legitimate. Granted, a few probably deserved their banishment from the trade.'

'Most de-certifications are political, Bugg. Just be sure none of them are incompetent. All we need is for them to keep a secret, and for that, spite against the guilds is the best motivation.'

'I'm not entirely convinced. Besides, we've had some warnings from the guilds.'

'In person?'

'Delivered missives. So far. Your left knee will stay warm.'

'Warm? It's hot out there, Bugg, despite what your old rheumy bones tell you.'

'Well, they're trousers for every season.'

'Really? Assure the guilds we're not out to underbid. In fact, the very opposite. Nor do we pay our crew higher rates. No benefits, either—'

'Barring a stake in the enterprise.'

'Say nothing of that, Bugg. Look at the hairs on my right thigh. They're standing on end.'

'It's the contrast they don't like.'

'The guilds?'

'No, your hairs. The guilds just want to know where by the Errant I came from. And how dare I register a company.'

'Don't worry about that, Bugg. Once they find out what you're claiming to be able to do, they'll be sure you'll fail and so ignore you thereafter. Until you succeed, that is.'

'I'm having second thoughts.'

'About what?'

'Put the skirt back on.'

'I'm inclined to agree with you. Find some more wool. Preferably the same colour, although that is not essential, I suppose. In any case, we have a meeting with the three darlings this evening.'

'Risky.'

'We must be circumspect.'

'That goes both ways. I stole that wool.'

Tehol wrapped the sheet once more about his waist. 'I'll be back down later to collect you. Clean up around here, will you?'

'If I've the time.'

Tehol climbed the ladder to the roof.

The sun's light was deepening, as it edged towards the horizon, bathing the surrounding buildings in a warm glow. Two artists had set up easels on the Third Tier, competing to immortalize Tehol and his bed. He gave them a wave that seemed to trigger a loud argument, then settled down on the sun-warmed mattress. Stared up at the darkening sky.

He had seen his brother Brys at the Drownings. On the other side of the canal, in conversation with Gerun Eberict. Rumour had it that Gerun