'For himself, he committed crimes that could only be answered with death. Execution at the hands of those survivors among his victims. But not a simple death — he seeks something more. He seeks damnation as his sentence. An eternity of damnation. I cannot fathom such self-loathing.'
I can, for I feel as if I am tottering on the very edge of that steep slope myself. One more misstep … Whiskeyjack looked away, towards the Malazan legions massed on the distant ridge. The sun flashing from armour and weapons was blinding, making his eyes water.
Dujek moved his horse away, rejoining Artanthos, Brood and Kallor.
Leaving Whiskeyjack alone with Korlat.
She reached up, touched his gauntleted hand.
He could not meet her gaze, continued studying the motionless lines of his soldiers.
'My love,' she murmured. 'Those women — they were not defenceless. The power they drew on came from the Warren of Chaos itself. My Lord's initial attack was intended to destroy them; instead, it but left them momentarily stunned. They were recovering. And, in their awakened power, they would have unleashed devastation. Madness and death, for your army. This entire day could have been lost.'
He grimaced. 'I do not rail at necessity,' he said.
'It seems … you do.'
'War has its necessities, Korlat, and I have always understood that. Always known the cost. But, this day, by my own hand, I have realized something else. War is not a natural state. It is an imposition, and a damned unhealthy one. With its rules, we willingly yield our humanity. Speak not of just causes, worthy goals. We are takers of life. Servants of Hood, one and all.'
'The Women of the Dead Seed would have killed hundreds, perhaps thousands, Whiskeyjack-'
'And I have commanded the same, in my time, Korlat. What difference is there between us?'
'You are not afraid of the questions that follow such acts,' she said. 'Those that you willingly ask of yourself. Perhaps you see that as self-destructive ruthlessness, but I see it as courage — a courage that is extraordinary. A man less brave would have left my Lord to his unseemly task.'
'These are pointless words, Korlat. The army standing over there has witnessed its commander committing murder-'
Korlat's hissing retort shocked him. 'Do not dare underestimate them!'
'Underest-'
'I have come to know many of your soldiers, Whiskeyjack. They are not fools. Perhaps many of them — if not most — are unable to articulate their fullest understanding, but they understand none the less. Do you not think that they — each in his or her own way — have faced the choice you faced this morning? The knife-point turn of their lives? And every one of them still feels the scar within them.'
'I see little-'
'Whiskeyjack, listen to me. They witnessed. They saw, in fullest knowing. Damn you, I know this for I felt the same. They hurt for you. With every brutal blow, they felt the old wounds within them resonate in sympathy. Commander, your shame is an insult. Discard it, or you will deliver unto your soldiers the deepest wound of all.'
He stared down at her. 'We're a short-lived people,' he said after a long moment. 'We lack such complexity in our lives.'
'Bastard. Remind me to never again apologize to you.'
He looked back once more at the Malazan legions. 'I still fear to face them at close range,' he muttered.
'The distance between you and them has already closed, Whiskeyjack. Your army will follow you into the Abyss, should you so command.'
'The most frightening thought uttered thus far today.'
She made no reply to that.
Aye, war's imposition — of extremities. Harsh, yet simple. It is no place for humanity, no place at all. 'Dujek was displeased,' he said.
'Dujek wants to keep his army alive.'
His head snapped round.
Her eyes regarded him, cool and gauging.
'I have no interest in usurping his authority-'
'You just did, Whiskeyjack. Laseen's fear of you be damned, the natural order has reasserted itself. She could handle Dujek. That's why she demoted you and put him in charge. Gods, you can be dense at times!'
He scowled. 'If I am such a threat to her, why didn't she-' He stopped, closed his mouth. Oh, Hood. Pale. Darujhistan. It wasn't the Bridgeburners she wanted destroyed. It was me.
'Guard your trust, my love,' Korlat said. 'It may be that your belief in honour is being used against you.'
He felt himself go cold inside.
Oh, Hood.
Hood's marble balls on an anvil.