There were no windows as such, but many of the slick surfaces looked semi-translucent and seemed to glow with an inner light. As far as Quick Ben could see, there was no door, no gate, no drawbridge.

They arrived, and the wizard exclaimed in surprise as Blind strode into the stone and disappeared. He hesitated, and Boran came as close to nudging him as Quick Ben allowed. He walked up to the mottled stone and held out his hands as he stepped into it. He felt nothing, passing through effortlessly to find himself in a hallway that could have been found in any mundane estate.

Barren of trappings, the corridor led straight forward for, perhaps, thirty feet and ended at double doors. Blind and Doan sat to either side of these doors, which now opened of their own accord.

Quick Ben entered the room beyond. The chamber was domed. Opposite him stood a simple obsidian throne on a slightly raised dais. The dull, cobbled floor bore no rugs, and the walls were bare except for torches spaced every ten feet. Quick Ben counted forty, but the light was fitful, seeming to struggle against encroaching shadows.

At first he thought the throne unoccupied, but as he approached he saw the figure seated there. It seemed composed of almost translucent shadows, vaguely human in form, but hooded, preventing even the glint of eyes. Still, Quick Ben could feel the god's attention fixed solely on him, and he barely repressed a shiver.

Shadowthrone spoke, his voice calm and clear. «Shan tells me you know the names of my Hounds.»

Quick Ben stopped before the dais. He bowed. «I was once an acolyte within your temple, Lord.»

The god was silent for a time, then he said, «Is it wise to admit such a thing, Wizard? Do I look kindly upon those who once served me but then abandoned my ways? Tell me. I would hear from you what my priests teach.»

«To begin upon the Path of Shadow and then to leave it is rewarded by the Rope.»

«Meaning?»

«I am marked for assassination by all who follow your ways, Lord.»

«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.»

«Get on with it.»

Kruppe winced. Baruk was in a terrible mood. He sighed. «A message to you personally, Master.» He completed folding his handkerchief and looked up. «From the Eel.»

Baruk stiffened, then a scowl darkened his features. «Why not?» he muttered. «The man even knows who my agents are.» His gaze cleared and he watched Kruppe. «I'm waiting,» he growled.

«Of course.» Kruppe shook loose his handkerchief and mopped his brow. "'Look to the streets to find those you seek." That, and no more. Delivered to Kruppe by the smallest child he'd ever seen-» He stopped and shook his head. No, such exaggeration would never do, not with Baruk's mood as foul as it appeared to be. «A small child, in any case.»

Baruk stood glowering at the dying embers in the fireplace, his hands clasped behind his back, fingers twisting a large silver ring. «Tell me, Kruppe,» he asked slowly, «what do you know of this Eel?»

«Little, Kruppe admits. Man, woman? Unknown. Origins? A mystery. Designs? Perpetuating a status quo defined by aversion to tyranny. Or so it's said. Influence? Far-reaching, even if one discounts nine out of ten rumours associated with the Eel, his or her agents must number in the hundreds. All devoted to protecting Darujhistan. «Tis said that Councilman Turban Orr is even now hunting them down, convinced they've ruined all his schemes. Mayhap they have, and for that we can all be relieved.»

Baruk seemed anything but relieved. Kruppe thought he could almost hear the man's teeth grinding. However, he turned to Kruppe and nodded. «I have an assignment. For it, you will need to round up Murillio, Rallick and Coll. And take the Coin Bearer with you, just to keep him safe.»