Kallor’s grin was feral. ‘It hasn’t yet.’
Skintick glanced back again, eyes bright, and all at once he laughed. ‘I am changing my mind about you.’
‘The Dying God has stolen Clip’s soul,’ Nimander said. ‘We’re going to get it back.’
‘Good luck.’
‘I suppose we will need it.’
‘I’m not the kind who helps, Nimander,’ Kallor said. ‘Even kin of Rake. Maybe,’ he added, ‘especially kin of Rake.’
‘What makes you think-’
The man interrupted with a snort. ‘I see him in all of you-excepting the empty one you call Clip. You are heading to Coral. Or you were, before this de-tour was forced upon you. Tell me, what do you imagine will happen when you find your glorious patron? Will he reach out one perfect hand to brush your brows, to bless the gift of your existence? Will you thank him for the privilege of being alive?’
‘What do you know about it?’ Nimander demanded, feeling the heat rise to flush his face.
‘Anomander Rake is a genius at beginning things. It’s finishing them he has trouble with.’
Ah, that stings of truth. Kallor, you have just prodded my own soul. A trait I inherited from him, then? That makes too much sense. ‘So, when I speak to him of you, Kallor, he will know your name?’
‘Were we acquaintances? Yes, we were. Did we delight in each other’s com-pany? You will have to ask him that one. Caladan Brood was simpler, easier to manage. Nothing but earth and stone. As for K’azz, well, I’ll know more when I fi-nally meet the bastard.’
‘I do not know those names,’ Nimander said. ‘Caladan Brood. K’azz.’
‘It’s of no real significance. We were allies in a war or three, that is all. And per-haps one day we will be allies once more, who can say? When some vast enemy forces us once again into the same camp, all on the same side.’ He seemed to think about that for a moment, then said, ‘Nothing changes.’
‘Are you then returning to Coral-where waits our father?’
‘No. The dust I kicked up last time will need a few centuries to settle, I ex-pect.’ He was about to add something more when his attention was pulled away, and he stepped across Nimander’s path-forcing him to halt-to walk to the road’s edge, facing north.