The Complete Malazan Book of the Fallen

by Steven Erikson

‘Do you intend to attempt harm upon these travellers, sir?’ ‘You well know who they are.’ ‘I do.’ ‘I had a friend … ‘Aye, the one named Buke. I recall him. A man broken by sorrow. I once offered to take his burdens, but he refused me.’ Gruntle’s head snapped round at that. ‘You did? He did?’ Itkovian nodded. ‘Perhaps I should have been more … direct.’ ‘You should have grabbed him by the throat and done it no matter what he wanted. That’s what the new Shield Anvil’s done to that one-eyed First Child of the Dead Seed, Anaster, isn’t it? And now the man rides at her side—’ ‘Rides unknowing. He is naught but a shell, sir. There was naught else within him but pain. Its taking has stolen his knowledge of himself. Would you have had that as Buke’s fate as well, sir?’ The man grimaced.