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Commander Calat Hustain said, ‘Eleint. You misconstrue our purpose. We do not challenge your presence, nor your claim to freedom.’
‘This pleases me. What breed of creatures are you?’
‘We are Tiste Andii, of Kurald Galain.’
‘I see some advantage in your form. Less effort to fill your stomach. The bliss of modest shelter. A certain elegance in your crawl upon the ground.’
‘You emerged from the Vitr—’
‘Vitr! What giant ogre throwing stones has been whispering in your ear? Or, perhaps, some meddling Azathanai?’ The dragon lifted its head higher and seemed to sniff the air. ‘The Queen of Dreams haunts one of you. Poor bastard. But then, she failed the first time, yes?’
‘I do not understand,’ Calat Hustain said. ‘What can you tell us about the Vitr? How can we stop its advance?’
‘It advances upon this realm?’
‘It does. Slowly, but yes.’
‘There must be … a leak.’ The creature suddenly blurred, air swirling about it, lifting snow from the ground.
Squinting, Bursa saw the dragon shrink, its form losing its original shape. The spinning snow settled, revealing a naked Tiste woman where the creature had been.
She strode towards Calat, Spinnock and old Becker Flatt.
She spoke out loud now. ‘You wear furs for warmth. Give me some. Also, I hunger. And suffer thirst.’ Then she pointed up to Bursa. ?
??The Queen of Dreams sees me through his eyes. I care not. Horrid woman! Vile Azathanai! We threw your sister out. One of my kin then ate you – too bad he couldn’t keep you down!’ Returning her attention to Calat, she said, ‘Take me in. These things’ – she indicated her full breasts – ‘are turning into blocks of ice.’
Gallant as ever, Spinnock removed his cloak and advanced. ‘Milady,’ he said. ‘This will keep you warm until we reach the longhouse.’
Bursa saw her eyeing him, an appraisal he had seen before whenever a woman came face to face with Spinnock Durav.
‘Lovely,’ the woman said, taking the cloak and flinging it over one shoulder. ‘And … lovely.’
Calat Hustain said, ‘Welcome. I am Commander Calat Hustain of the Wardens of Glimmer Fate. Do you have a name?’
‘Of course I have a name. Who doesn’t?’ She was still staring at Spinnock Durav, and then she smiled and stepped close to the young man. ‘My kind greet gallantry with a kiss,’ she said.
‘Indeed?’ Spinnock replied, and though Bursa could not see his face, the sergeant well knew that charming smile with which Durav answered her. ‘Snout to snout as it were?’
‘Never. You surmise truly. I just made that up. Still, do humour me.’
‘At the very least,’ Spinnock said, ‘before I offer up this kiss, tell us your name.’
‘Telorast.’
Spinnock Durav stepped back and bowed to her. ‘Spinnock Durav. Calat you have met, and our companion is a veteran of the Wardens, Becker Flatt. And upon the wall behind us is Bursa.’
Telorast glanced back up at Bursa. ‘Sweet dreams, Bursa?’
He shook his head.
Dragons are not bad enough, it seems. Now they must wield uncanny magic. And tell me I am possessed.
She then took her kiss from Spinnock Durav, pressing her body against him as she did so.
Calat Hustain stood to one side. Bursa delighted in the man’s discomfort. Yes, he does this, commander. You should have known better. After a moment, while Telorast continued to squirm against Spinnock Durav – even as the man now sought to prise her arms from around his neck – Calat swung round and shouted, ‘Open the gate! We’re coming in!’
You forgot to add, ‘The dragon will be joining us for the evening meal.’ Commander, you will rue this gesture. Do I flee tonight? Or remain to satisfy my curiosity? One can hope she loses herself, and devours Durav in a single bite.
