Kellanved's Reach

As he watched the limited jostling among the vessels that was the only manoeuvre possible, it slowly became evident to Nedurian that Choss’s flag-waving and communiqués had established a loose arc, or Malazan defence, just inside the harbour mouth – he was prudently not about to allow his retreat to be cut off.

That at least was something of a relief. Now it was up to them to hold out and wait – for a time. It occurred to him then, rather belatedly, that as the flagship the Insufferable would be the last to withdraw.

He pulled a hand down his face and rubbed the scar that bisected his cheek. Things just kept getting better and better.

*

While the landing party climbed down the side of the Twisted to the waiting bireme, the

Blue Star, Dancer bade farewell to the sailors who would take their vessel offshore to await the dawn, and the outcome of their gamble. He then knocked and entered the single stateroom to fetch Kellanved.

He found the fellow at the desk, hastily dropping something into his pocket. Irritated, he asked, ‘What is that thing you keep fiddling with?’

The short mage brushed past him, walking stick in hand. ‘Nothing.’

Jaws clenched, Dancer followed.

On deck, Kellanved frowned down at the launch. He cocked an eye to Dancer. ‘This wasn’t the plan.’

Dancer nodded. ‘Apparently Surly’s made some refinements.’

Yet instead of being angered, or insulted, the mock-ancient mage lifted his brows in appreciation. ‘Of course. The little details.’ He motioned to the launch, inviting Dancer onward.

On board the Blue Star, Urko, Cartheron, Tocaras and Surly changed into Napan guard uniforms, while Dassem and his troop, Tayschrenn, Dancer and Kellanved would play the part of captured Malazan invaders. Dassem handed over his weapon to his Napan ‘captors’ first, and the rest of the troop followed suit. Dancer surrendered his two visible weapons – the rest he kept.

Docking at a pier, they filed up the gangway under the watch of Amaron’s picked crew, and were then marched to the palace.

Walking the empty narrow city streets, Dancer noticed that Kellanved had his hand in his pocket again, and lost his temper. ‘What is that?’

The mage yanked his hand free. ‘Nothing. Nothing at all.’

‘No. What is it? Show me.’

The grey-haired ancient waved a dismissal. ‘It’s nothing, really.’

‘No. Now,’ Dancer hissed furiously.

‘Quiet, prisoners!’ Amaron barked from the front.

Dancer glared his impatience as they walked along. At first Kellanved looked away as if admiring the architecture, but he kept glancing back, guiltily, Dancer thought, until finally, quite sheepishly, he dipped his hand into his pocket and withdrew a dark object.

Dancer couldn’t believe he was looking at the flint spear-point. ‘I knew it!’ he yelled, and reached for it. Kellanved covered it in both hands.

They tussled until strong arms – Urko’s – pulled Dancer away, and he found himself staring at a very worried-looking Cartheron. ‘Prisoners will remain quiet,’ the Napan hissed.

Dancer nodded his cooperation and Cartheron appeared relieved. Urko released Dancer’s arms and he returned to being marched along. All the while he glared at his partner, who was whistling soundlessly, seemingly engrossed in the shop-fronts.

After crossing a section of the city waterfront they passed through guard checkpoints at tunnels through doubled, many-feet-thick walls, and entered the grounds of the palace proper. Palace, however, was something of a misnomer, as the immense stone fortress served first as harbour stronghold, garrison and arsenal, and only last as residence for the Napan rulers.

Dancer didn’t like this marching into the lion’s den, but Surly appeared to have sympathizers all over the city. She and Amaron seemed to have planned this quite carefully.

Once admitted to what Dancer presumed was the main keep, Amaron’s people quickly subdued the guards. Amaron turned to Surly. ‘We’ll hold the doors. The rest is up to you.’ Surly gave a cool nod in answer. Everyone’s weapons were returned. Dassem had Kellanved and Tayschrenn in the middle of his picked Malazans while he led the way with the Napans. Dancer drifted to the rear with Dujek and Jack.

They started through the immense hulking building. Everyone they came across either ran or had to be subdued – few had been killed so far, only knocked unconscious or tied and left aside. They were, after all, soon to be Surly’s people.

To Dancer’s experienced eye everything was going too smoothly. Still, it just might be a testament to this Amaron fellow, and the degree of Surly’s secret support among the Napans. Yet, glancing back to empty halls, he could not shake the feeling that there was more to this play than had been revealed so far. At one point he caught Tayschrenn’s eye and sent a silent query. The mage shook his head in a negative – he’d detected nothing strange so far.