“Yet here you stand, Wizard.”
Quick Ben bowed again. “I would strike a deal, Lord.”
The god giggled, then raised a hand. “No, dear Shan. Strike naught.”
Quick Ben stiffened. The black Hound stepped around him, and ascended the dais. She lay down before her god and eyed the wizard blankly.
“Do you know why I just saved your life, Wizard?”
“I do, Lord.”
Shadowthrone leaned forward. “Shan wants you to tell me.”
Quick Ben met the Hound's red stare. “Shadowthrone loves deals.”
The god sighed and sank back. “Acolyte, indeed. Well, then, Wizard, speak on, while you can.”
“I must begin with a question, Lord., “Ask it.”
“Does Gear still live?”
Shan's eyes flared and she half rose before the god's hand touched her head.
“Now that,” Shadowthrone said, “is quite a question. You've managed something few, alas, have been able to do. Wizard, my curiosity is piqued. So, I answer you: yes, Gear survives. By all means, continue.”
“Lord, I would deliver into your hands the one who offended your Hound.”
“How? He belongs to Oponn.”
“Not him, Lord. But the one who led Gear to that chamber. The one who sought to take Gear's soul, and would have succeeded if not for Oponn's mortal tool.”
“In exchange for what?”
Quick Ben cursed inwardly. He could read nothing from the god's tone, and that made things even trickier than he'd expected. “My life, Lord. I wish the Rope's reward lifted from me.”
“Anything else?”
“Yes.” He hesitated, then continued, “I wish to choose the time and place, Lord. Otherwise, this one of which I speak will escape your Hounds through its Warren of Chaos. Only I can prevent that.
“Thus, it must be part of the deal. All that you need do is have your Hounds ready. I will call upon you at the proper moment, providing you with the creature's precise location. The rest-is up to your Hounds.”
“You've planned this well, Wizard,” Shadowthrone said. “As of yet, I can think of no way to kill both the creature and you. I commend you. How then, do you intend to call upon me? Surely, you'll not once again enter my realm.”
“Lord, you will be contacted. I guarantee this, but I can say no more about it.”
“And if I were to lay my powers upon you now, Wizard? If I were to wring whatever lies hidden in that frail brain of yours, how would you prevent me?”
“To answer that, Lord, you must answer my proposal first.”
Shan growled and this time the god made no motion to still her.
Quick Ben went on hastily, “Given that you will seek to betray me at every opportunity, given that you'll hunt for the weaknesses in my plan, given all this, I would have your word that you will complete your part of the deal if all else fails you, Lord. Give me that, and I will answer your last question.”
Shadowthrone was silent for a long minute. “Ah well,” he muttered. “Your cunning is admirable, Wizard. I am astonished and, I must admit, delighted by this duel. My only regret is that you departed the Paths of Shadow-you would have risen far. Very well. You have my word. The Hounds will be ready. Now, why shouldn't I shred your brain here and now, Wizard?”
“Your answer, Lord, is in your very words.” Quick Ben raised his arms.
“I did indeed rise far, Shadowthrone, in service to you.” He opened his Warren. “You'll not have me, Lord, because you can't.” Quick Ben whispered his word of recall, a word born of Chaos. Power burst around him, and he felt as if a giant hand had closed around him. As it pulled him back into his Warren, he heard Shadowthrone's scream of recognition.
“It is you! Delad! You shape-shifting bastard!”
Quick Ben smiled. He'd done it. He was out of reach. He'd done it-again.
Kruppe was ushered into Baruk's study with none of the delays he was so fond of confounding. Slightly disappointed, he took his seat and wiped his forehead with his handkerchief.
Baruk entered. “You took your time getting here,” he growled. “Well, never mind. Have you any news?”
Kruppe laid his handkerchief on his lap and began carefully to fold it.
“We continue to protect the Coin Bearer, as instructed. As for the presence of Malazan infiltrators, no luck.” It was a major lie, but necessary. “I am to convey a message to you,” he continued, “most unusual in its source. Indeed, strange in fact was its delivery to Kruppe.”