'Ah, I see.'
'I want to know what happened. You understand that? I need to know.'
Masan Gilani nodded.
'I can see how it is,' Shard went on, looking away and rubbing at his face. 'We all cope in our own ways…'
'But you're her brother,' she said, still nodding. 'And you've been following her around. To make sure nobody does anything with her they shouldn't do.'
His sigh was heavy. 'Thanks, Masan Gilani. I wasn't really worried about you-'
'I doubt you'd need worry about any of us,' she replied. 'Not the squads here.'
'You know,' he said, and she saw tears trickle down his cheeks, 'that' s what's surprised me. Here, with these people – all of us, who came out from under the city – they've all said the same thing as you just did.'
'Shard,' she said gently, 'you still Ashok Regiment? You and the rest?'
He shook his head. 'No. We're Bonehunters now.'
That's good. 'I got some extra thread,' she noted. 'Might be I could borrow your cloaks… on a warm day…'
'You've got a good hand, Masan Gilani. I'll tell the others, if that's okay.'
'It is. Not much else for us to do now anyway, on these bloated hippos.'
'Still, I appreciate it. I mean, everything, that is.'
'Go get some sleep, Corporal. From your sister's breathing, that's what she's doing right now.'
Nodding, he moved away.
And if some soldier who doesn't get it tries to take advantage of this broken thing, all forty-odd of us will skin him or her alive. Add one more. Faradan Sort.
Four children scrambled across the deck, one squealing with laughter.
Tucked in Masan Gilani's arms, Sinn stirred slightly, then settled in once more, her mouth planted firm on the woman's nipple. The Dal Honese woman stared after the children, pleased to see that they'd recovered from the march, that they'd begun their own healing. We all cope in our own ways, aye.
So who was Sinn seeing, when she said that they were all dead?
Gods below, I don't think I want to know. Not tonight, anyway. Let her sleep. Let those others play, then curl up beneath blankets somewhere below. Let us all sleep to this beast's swaying. Quick Ben's gift to us, all of this.
Brother and sister stood at the prow, wrapped against the chill, and watched as stars filled the darkness of the north sky. Creaking cordage, the strain of sails canted over as the ship made yet another tack. Westward, a ridge of mountains blacker than the heavens marked the Olphara Peninsula.
The sister broke the long silence between them. 'It should have been impossible.'
Her brother snorted, then said, 'It was. That's the whole point.'
'Tavore won't get what she wants.'
'I know.'
'She's used to that.'
'She's had to deal with us, yes.'
'You know, Nil, he saved us all.'
A nod, unseen beneath the heavy hood of Wickan wool.
'Especially Quick Ben.'
'Agreed. So,' Nil continued, 'we are also agreed that it is a good thing he is with us.'
'I suppose,' Nether replied.
'You're only sounding like that because you like him, sister. Like him the way a woman likes a man.'
'Don't be an idiot. It's those dreams… and what she does…'
Nil snorted again. 'Quickens your breath, does it? That animal hand, gripping him hard-'
'Enough! That's not what I meant. It's just… yes, it's a good thing he's with this army. But her, with him, well, I'm not so sure.'
'You're jealous, you mean.'
'Brother, I grow weary of this childish teasing. There's something, well, compulsive about it, the way she uses him.'
'All right, on that I would agree. But for you and me, sister, there is one vital question remaining. The Eres'al has taken an interest.
She follows us like a jackal.'
'Not us. Him.'
'Exactly. And that is at the heart of the question here. Do we tell her? Do we tell the Adjunct?'
'Tell her what? That some wet-crotched soldier in Fiddler's squad is more important to her and her army than Quick Ben, Kalam and Apsalar all put together? Listen, we wait until we discover what the High Mage tells the Adjunct – about what just happened.'
'Meaning, if he says little, or even claims complete ignorance-'
'Or takes credit and struts around like a First Hero – that's when we decide on our answer, Nil.'