With a smile, the Claw rose. "Alas, genteel conversation is done. Our way opens." He faced the road.
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Paran turned to see a curtain in the air tear open on the road, spilling dull yellow light. A Warren, the secret paths of sorcery. "Hood's Breath." He sighed, fighting off a sudden chill. Within he could see a grayish pathway, humped on either side by low mounded walls and vaulted overhead by impenetrable ocher-hued mist. The air swept past into the portal like a drawn breath, revealing the pathway to be of ash as invisible currents stirred and raised spinning dust-devils.
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"You will have to get used to this," Topper said.
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Paran collected his mare's reins and slung his helm on the saddlehorn. "Lead on," he said.
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The Claw cast him a quick appraising glance, then strode into the Warren.
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Paran followed. The portalway closed behind them, in its place a continuation of the path. Itko Kan had vanished, and with it all signs of life. The world they had entered was barren, deathly. The banked mounds lining the trail proved to be more ash. The air was gritty, tasting of metal.
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"Welcome to the Imperial Warren," Topper said, with a hint of mockery.
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"Pleasant.."
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"Carved by force out of. what was here before. Has such an effort ever been achieved before? Only the gods can say."
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They began walking.
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"I take it, then," Paran said, "that no god claims this Warren. By this, you cheat the tolls, the gatekeepers, the guardians on unseen bridges, and all the others said to dwell in the Warrens in service to their immortal masters."
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Topper grunted. "You imagine the Warrens as crowded as that? Well, the beliefs of the ignorant are ever entertaining. You shall be good company on this short journey, I think."
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Paran fell silent. The horizons beyond the banked heaps of ash were close, a vague blending of ocher sky and gray-black ground. Sweat trickled under his mail hauberk. His mare snorted heavily.
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"In case you were wondering," Topper said, after a time, "the Adjunct is now in Unta. We will use this Warren to cross the distance~-three hundred leagues in only a few short hours. Some think the Empire has grown too large, some even think their remote provinces are beyond the Empress Laseen's reach. As you have just learned, Paran, such beliefs are held by fools."
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The mare snorted again.
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"I've shamed you into silence, then? I do apologize, Lieutenant, for mocking your ignorance—"
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"It's a risk you'll have to live with," Paran said.
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The next thousand paces of silence belonged to Topper.
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No shifting of light marked the passing of time. On a number of occasions they came upon places where the ash embankments had been disturbed, as if by the passage of something large, shambling; and wide, slithery trails led off into the gloom. In one such place they found a dark encrusted stain and the scatter of chain links like coins in the dust. Topper examined the scene closely while Paran watched.
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Hardly the secure road he'd have me believe. There're strangers here, and they're not friendly.
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He was not surprised to find Topper increasing their pace thereafter. A short while later they came to a stone archway. It had been recently constructed, and Paran recognized the basalt as Untan, from the Imperial quarries outside the capital. The walls of his family's estate were of the same gray-black glittering stone. At the center of the arch, high over their heads, was carved a taloned hand holding a crystal globe: the Malazan Imperial sigil.
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Beyond the arch was darkness.
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Paran cleared his throat. "We have arrived?"
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Topper spun to him. "You answer civility with arrogance, Lieutenant. You'd do well to shed the noble hauteur."
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Smiling, Paran gestured. "Lead on. escort."
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In a whirl of cloak Topper stepped through the arch and vanished.
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The mare bucked as Paran pulled her closer to the arch, head tossing. He tried to soothe her but it was no use. Finally, he climbed into the saddle and gathered up the reins. He straightened the horse, then drove hard his spurs into her flanks. She bolted, leaped into the void.
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Light and colors exploded outward, engulfing them. The mare's hooves landed with a crunching thump, scattering something that might be gravel in all directions. Paran halted his horse, blinking as he took in the scene around them. A vast chamber, its ceiling glittering with beaten gold, its walls lined with tapestries, and a score of armored guards closing in on all sides.
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Alarmed, the mare sidestepped to send Topper sprawling. A hoof lashed out after him, missing by a handspan. More gravel crunched--only it was not gravel, Paran saw, but mosaic stones. Topper rolled to his feet with a curse, his eyes flashing as he glared at the lieutenant.
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The guardsmen seemed to respond to some unspoken order, slowly withdrawing to their positions along the walls. Paran swung his attention from Topper. Before him was a raised dais surmounted by a throne of twisted bone. In the throne sat the Empress.
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Silence fell in the chamber except for the crunch of semi-precious gems beneath the mare's hooves. Grimacing, Paran dismounted, warily eyeing the woman seated on the throne.
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Laseen had changed little since the only other time he'd been this close to her; plain and unadorned, her hair short and fair above the blue tint of her unmemorable features. Her brown eyes regarded him narrowly.
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Paran adjusted his sword-belt, clasped his hands and bowed from the waist. "Empress."
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"I see," Laseen drawled, "that you did not heed the commander's advice of seven years ago."
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He blinked in surprise.
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She continued, "Of course, he did not heed the advice given him, either. I wonder what god tossed you two together on that parapet-~I would do service to acknowledge its sense of humor. Did you imagine the Imperial Arch would exit in the stables, Lieutenant?"
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"My horse was reluctant to make the passage, Empress."
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"With good reason."
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Paran smiled. "Unlike me, she's of a breed known for its intelligence. Please accept my humblest apologies."
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"Topper will see you to the Adjunct." She gestured, and a guardsman came forward to collect the mare's reins.
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Paran bowed again then faced the Claw with a smile.
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Topper led him to a side door.
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"You fool!" he snapped, as the door was closed soundly behind them. He strode quickly down the narrow hallway. Paran made no effort to keep pace, forcing the Claw to wait at the far end where a set of stairs wound upward. Topper's expression was dark with fury. "What was that about a parapet? You've met her before-when?"
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"Since she declined to explain I can only follow her example," Paran said. He eyed the saddle-backed stairs. "This would be the West Tower, then. The Tower of Dust—"
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"To the top floor. The Adjunct awaits you in her chambers-there's no other doors so you won't get lost, just keep on until you reach the top."
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Paran nodded and began climbing.
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The door to the tower's top room was ajar. Paran rapped a knuckle against it and stepped inside. The Adjunct was seated at a bench at the far end, her back to a wide window. Its shutters were thrown open, revealing the red glint of sunrise. She was getting dressed. Paran halted, embarrassed.
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