Deadhouse Gates (Malazan Book of the Fallen, #2)

by Steven Erikson

‘Bhok’aral!’ The word came from Iskaral Pust as a curse. ‘A pet? A pet? Madness!’ ‘My uncle’s familiar,’ Crokus said, approaching. The Hounds shrank from his path. Oh, lad, much more than that, it seems. ‘An ally, then,’ Mappo said.