Toll the Hounds (Malazan Book of the Fallen, #8)

by Steven Erikson

The tall, undead monstrosity filled the doorway. Empty, shadow-drowned eye sockets regarded them – or not; it was impossible to tell. Antsy shifted from one foot to the other. ‘You busy, Raest? We need to make use of the hallway floor behind you—’ ‘Oh yes, I am very busy.’ The Falari blinked. ‘Really?’ ‘Dust breeds. Cobwebs thicken. Candle wax stains precious surfaces. What do you want?’ Antsy glanced back at Barathol. ‘Oh, a corpse with a sense of humour, what do you know? And surprise, it’s so droll.’ He faced the Jaghut again and smiled. ‘In case you ain’t noticed, the whole city has gone insane – that’s why I figured you might be suffering some—’ ‘I am sorry,’ cut in Raest, ‘is something happening?’ Antsy’s eyes bulged slightly. ‘The Hounds of Shadow are loose!’ Raest leaned forward as if to scan the vicinity, and then settled back once more. ‘Not in my yard.’