Reaper's Gale

She reached out and set a hand on his left shoulder. The lightest of touches, momentary, then withdrawn once more. Dare I? ‘Karos Invictad is perhaps the most ambitious of them all. He revels in his reign of terror among the Letherii, and would expand it to include the Tiste Edur. Highness, I am Letherii-I know men like the Invigilator, I know what drives them, what feeds their malign souls. He hungers for control, for his heart quails in fear at all that is outside his control-at chaos itself. In his world, he is assailed on all sides. Highness, Karos Invictad’s ideal world is one surrounded by a sea of corpses, every unknown and unknowable obliterated. And even then, he will find no peace.’

‘Perhaps he should face me in the arena,’ Rhulad said, with a sudden vicious smile. ‘Face to face with a child of chaos, yes? But no, I need him to hunt down his Letherii. The traitors.’

‘And shall this Letherii be granted domination over Tiste Edur as well?’

‘Treason is colourless,’ Rhulad said, shifting uneasily on the throne once more. ‘It flows unseen no matter the hue of blood. I have not decided on that. I need to think, to understand. Perhaps I should summon the Chancellor once again.’

‘Highness, you once appointed an Edur to oversee the Patriotists. Do you recall?’

‘Of course I do. Do you think me an idiot, woman?’

‘Perhaps Bruthen Trana-’

‘Yes, that’s him. Not once has he reported to me. Has he done as I commanded? How do I even know?’

‘Summon him, then, Highness.’

‘Why does he hide from me? Unless he conspires with the other traitors.’

‘Highness, I know for a truth that he seeks an audience with you almost daily.’

‘You?’ Rhulad glanced over at her, eyes narrowing. ‘How?’

‘Bruthen Trana sought me out, beseeching me to speak to you on his behalf. The Chancellor denies him an audience with you-’

Triban Gnol cannot deny such things! He is a Letherii! Where are my Edur? Why do I never see them? And now Tomad has returned, and Hanradi Khalag! None of them will speak to me!’

‘Highness, Tomad waits in the outer chamber-’

‘He knew I would deny him. You are confusing me, whore. I don’t need you-I don’t need anyone! I just need time. To think. That is all. They’re all frightened of me, and with good reason, oh yes. Traitors are always frightened, and when their schemes are discovered, oh how they plead for their lives! Perhaps I should kill everyone-a sea of corpses, then there would be peace. And that is all I want. Peace. Tell me, are the people happy, Nisall?’

She bowed her head. ‘I do not know, Highness.’

‘Are you? Are you happy with me?’

‘I feel naught but love for you, Emperor. My heart is yours.’

‘The same words you spoke to Diskanar, no doubt. And all the other men you’ve bedded. Have your slaves draw a bath-you stink of sweat, woman. Then await me beneath silks.’ He raised his voice. ‘Call the Chancellor! We wish to speak to him immediately! Go, Nisall, your Letherii stink makes me ill.’

As she backed away Rhulad raised his free hand. ‘My dearest, the golden silks-you are like a pearl among those. The sweetest pearl…’

Bruthen Trana waited in the corridor until Tomad Sengar, denied audience with the Emperor, departed the Citizens’ Chamber. Stepping into the elder’s path he bowed and said, ‘I greet you, Tomad Sengar.’

Distracted, the older Tiste Edur frowned at him. ‘Den-Ratha. What do you wish from me?’

‘A word or two, no more than that. I am Bruthen Trana-’

‘One of Rhulad’s sycophants.’

‘Alas, no. I was appointed early in the regime to oversee the Letherii security organization known as the Patriotists. As part of my responsibilities, I was to report to the Emperor in person each week. As of yet, I have not once addressed him. The Chancellor has interposed himself and turns me away each and every time.’

‘My youngest son suckles at Gnol’s tit,’ Tomad Sengar said in a low, bitter voice.

‘It is my belief,’ Bruthen Trana said, ‘that the Emperor himself is not entirely aware of the extent of the barriers the Chancellor and his agents have raised around him, Elder Sengar. Although I have sought to penetrate them, I have failed thus far.’

‘Then why turn to me, Den-Ratha? I am even less able to reach through to my son.’

‘It is the Tiste Edur who are being isolated from their Emperor,’ Bruthen said. ‘Not just you and I. All of us.’

‘Hannan Mosag-’

‘Is reviled, for it is well understood that the Warlock King is responsible for all of this. His ambition, his pact with an evil god. He sought the sword for himself, did he not?’

‘Then Rhulad is truly alone?’

Bruthen Trana nodded, then added, ‘There is a possibility… there is one person. The Letherii woman who is his First Concubine-’

‘A Letherii?’ Tomad snarled. ‘You must be mad. She is an agent for Gnol, a spy. She has corrupted Rhulad-how else could she remain as First Concubine? My son would never have taken her, unless she had some nefarious hold over him.’ The snarl twisted the elder’s features. ‘You are being used, warrior. You and I shall not speak again.’