‘Yes, sir. Lizards, running on two legs, fast as a horse, sir. They were sighted and reported on in the campaign itself. The Atri-Preda included descriptions in her dispatches up to and including the first major battle. Thereafter, no messengers managed to make it back.’
‘Do you happen to know a soldier named Pride?’
‘No, sir.’
‘An Awl by birth, but raised by a family in Drene. He was old enough when taken to still remember a number of Awl legends regarding an ancient war for the land with an army of demons of similar description. The Awl were not victorious, but the war ended when the demons migrated east into the Wastelands. Once enemies, then allies? It is possible. Do we know what happened to Redmask? Does he still live?’
‘Sir, it’s assumed he’s dead, since the Awl are no more.’
‘But no direct proof.’
‘No, sir.’
‘Thank you, Henar Vygulf. You are dismissed.’
The outrider saluted, looked once more upon Lostara Yil, and then departed.
The Malazan captain blew out a breath. ‘Well.’
‘Please accept my apologies,’ said Brys. ‘There are somewhat fewer women in my army than there are in yours-certainly not by policy, but Letherii women seem more inclined to pursue other professions. It may be that Henar has not-’
‘I take your point, Commander, if you’ll forgive the interruption. Besides, it must be said that he is a most impressive man, so there is no need for you to apologize.’ She uncrossed her legs and rose. ‘In any case, sir, the lizards he mentioned certainly seem to fit with descriptions of K’Chain Che’Malle. These were living specimens? Not undead?’
‘There was no evidence to suggest that they were anything but alive. In the first battle, they took wounds.’
Lostara nodded. ‘Then Quick Ben is probably right.’
‘He is.’ Brys leaned back, regarded the tall woman for a moment, and then said, ‘There was a god once… I know its name but that isn’t particularly relevant now. What is relevant is where it dwelt: in the lands we now call the Wastelands. It lived there and it died there. Its life was stolen from it by a force, a power coming from the K’Chain Che’Malle-a civilization, by the way, that I’d never heard of, but in that god’s memories there are the name itself and scattered… images.’ He shook his head, and after a moment continued, ‘It may be that this power’-and he glanced over at Aranict for a moment-‘is one of these warrens you Malazans have brought to us. Or it could have been a ritual of some sort. Its name was Ahkrast Korvalain. What it did, Captain, was steal the life-force of the land itself. In fact, it may well have created the Wastelands, and in so doing it killed the spirits and gods dwelling there, and with them, their worshippers.’