A third volley broke the Dosii, scattering them back into the darkness beyond the barracks.
A handful of slaves still lived. A sergeant barked an order and a dozen soldiers moved forward, checking the bodies littering the area, then pushing the survivors back towards the troop's position.
'Come with me,' a voice hissed beside Felisin.
She blinked, slow to recognize Pella's face. 'What?'
'We're quartering the slaves at the stables – but not you.' He gently took her arm. 'We're badly outnumbered. Defending slaves isn't a high priority, I'm afraid. Sawark wants this mutiny crushed. Tonight.'
She studied his face. 'What are you saying?'
The sergeant had pulled his troop into a more defensible position at an alley mouth. The twelve detached soldiers were pushing the slaves down the side street that led to the stables. Pella guided Felisin in the same direction. Once out of sight of the sergeant, he addressed the other soldiers. "Three of you, with me.'
One replied, 'Has Oponn stirred your brains, Pella? I don't feel safe as it is, and you want to split the squad?'
Another growled, 'Let's just get rid of these damned slaves and get back, afore the sergeant marches to rejoin the captain.'
'This is Beneth's woman,' Pella said.
'I don't think Beneth is still alive,' Felisin said dully.
'He was not five minutes ago, lass,' Pella said, frowning. 'Bloodied a bit, nothing more. He's rallying his militia right now.' He swung to the others. 'We'll need Beneth, Reborid, never mind Sawark's bluster. Now, three of you – we're not going far.'
With a scowl, the one named Reborid gestured to two others.
A fire had been started in Skullcup's western arm – somewhere on Spit Row. Unchecked, it was spreading fast, throwing a lurid orange glow up against the underbellies of billowing smoke.
As Pella dragged Felisin along, Reborid talked unceasingly. 'Where in Hood's name is the Be'thra Garrison? You think they can't see the flames? There were Malazan squads up patrolling Beetle Road – a rider would have been sent – the troop should be here by now, dammit.'
There were bodies in the streets, huddled, motionless shapes. The small party went around them without pause.
'Hood knows what Gunnip's thinking,' the soldier went on. 'Sawark will see every damn Dosii within fifty leagues of here gutted and left out under the sun.'
'This is the place,' Pella said, tugging Felisin to a halt. 'Defensive position,' he ordered the others. 'I'll be but a moment.'