Dust of Dreams (Malazan Book of the Fallen, #9)

by Steven Erikson

As he bowed again and turned away, Abrastal called out, ‘Warleader.’ He faced her again, a question in his eyes. The Queen hesitated, and then said, ‘When you spoke of your people’s opinions . . . of these marines of the Malazan Empire, was there truth to your words?’ He straightened. ‘Highness, although the great Coltaine of the Crow Clan had many Wickans with him, he also possessed marines. Together, they escorted thirty thousand refugees across a third of a continent, and each step of the journey was war.’ ‘Have I misunderstood then, Warleader? Did not Coltaine fail? Did he not die? And everyone with him?’ The warrior’s eyes were suddenly old. ‘He did. They all died—the Wickans, the marines.’ ‘Then I do not—’ ‘They died, Highness, even as they delivered those thirty thousand refugees to safety. They died, but they won.’