Assail (Novels of the Malazan Empire, #6)

by Ian C. Esslemont

‘To ample wine and rich women,’ Cartheron answered. ‘Or is it the other way round?’

If you have to chase and corner the wild animal, then it’s not yours. But if you stand very still and let it come to you – then it is yours.’

‘And what will you do with it?’ Kyle asked. The woman screwed up her face. ‘Do with what?’ ‘This … peak. All the money.’ ‘Who the fuck cares? I’ll buy a house so big there’ll be rooms I never use. I’ll eat quails’ eggs and fucking bird liver all day.’ ‘A life of luxury. Doing nothing.’ ‘That’s right.’ ‘So your goal is to do nothing with your life,’ Kyle affirmed. ‘I don’t know. Sounds … pathetic to me.’

Perhaps, she reflected, that was how lives went by. Long or short, they ran out like sand through your fingers before you could even think of closing your fist. And by then it was too late, and the sands were gone.