were insufficient.'
As Antsy set his hand upon Picker's brow he hissed and snatched it back. 'She's ice cold!' 'Yet her heart struggles on,' Raest said.
'Will she come back? Raest, you damned lich! Will she come back?'
'I don't know. She spoke, for a time, before the situation . . . changed. Presumably, she was speaking to Ganoes Paran.'
'What did she say?'
'Questions, for the most part. I was able, however, to glean a single name. Kruppe.'
Antsy bared his teeth. He set his hand again upon her forehead. Slightly warmer? Possibly, or this time he'd been expecting it, making it less of a shock. Hard to tell which. 'Help me get her back downstairs,' he said.
'Of course. And now, in return for my assistance, I will tell you what I seek from you.'
He glared up at the Jaghut. 'You can't be serious.'
'This time, I am, Sergeant Antsy. I wish to have a cat.'
A cat. 'To eat?'
'No, as a pet. It will have to be a dead cat, of course.
Now, permit me to take her legs, whilst you take her arms.
Perhaps some time before the hearth will revive her.'
'Do you think so?'
'No.'
This had all been his idea, and now look at what had happened. 'Picker,' he whispered, 'I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.'
'A white one,' said Raest.
'What?'
'A white cat. A dead white cat, Sergeant.'
Oh, aye, Raest. One stuffed lumpy with cussers. Here, catch, you damned bastard.
Shit, we're down to two now. Down to two . . .
'Never bargain with the dead. They want what you have and will give you what they have to get it. Your life for their death. Being dead, of course, whatever life they grab hold of just ends up slipping through their bony fingers. So you both lose.'
'That is rather generous of you, Hinter,' said Baruk. 'In fact, I do not recall you being so loquacious the last time we spoke.'
The apparition stood within the door frame of the tower. 'The struggle I face is between my desire to close my ghostly fingers about your throat, High Alchemist, and providing whatever service I can to this fair city. It must also be noted, the return of the Tyrant would also mark the end of what limited freedom I possess, for I would be quickly enslaved. And so, self-interest and altruism prove unlikely allies, yet sufficient to overwhelm my natural murderous urges.'
'The debate is moot,' Baruk replied, interlacing his fingers and resting his hands on his stomach, 'since I have no intention of coming within reach of your deadly grasp. No, I will remain here, in the yard.'
'Just as well,' Hinter replied. 'I haven't dusted in centuries.'
'There are forces in the city,' Baruk said after a moment, 'formidable, unpredictable forces. The threat—'
'Enough of that,' Hinter cut in. 'You know very well why most of those entities are in the city, since you invited them, High Alchemist. And as for the others on the way, well, few of those will surprise you much. They are . . . necessary. So, an end to your dissembling.'
'Not all of what approaches is my doing,' Baruk countered. 'Were you aware that both Lady Envy and Sister Spite are here right now? The daughters of Draconus were not invited, not by me at any rate. One is bad enough, but both . . .' he shook his head. 'I fear they will leave the entire city a smouldering heap of ashes, given the chance.'
'So do something to ensure that does not happen,' Hinter said airily.
'Any suggestions on that count?'
'None whatsoever.'
'Has either one paid you a visit?'
'You strain my altruism, High Alchemist. Very well, of course Lady Envy has visited, and more than once.'
'Does she know her sister is here?'
'Probably.'
'What does Envy want, Hinter?'
'What she has always wanted, High Alchemist.'
Baruk hissed under his breath and glanced away. 'She can't have it.'
'Then I suggest you pay her sister a visit. She resides aboard—'
'I know where she is, thank you. Now, have you heard of that self-proclaimed High Priest of the Crippled God who's now squatting in an abandoned Temple of Fener? And leads a congregation growing by the day?'
'No, I have not. But are you surprised?'
'The Fallen God is a most unwelcome complication.'
'The legacy of messing with things not yet fully understood – of course, those precipitous sorcerors all paid with their lives, which prevented everyone else from delivering the kind of punishment they truly deserved. Such things are most frustrating, don't you think?'
Baruk's gaze narrowed on the ghost in the doorway.
After a moment Hinter waved an ethereal