A Malazan Book of the Fallen Collection 4 by Steven Erikson Page B

of
affable comfort.
    'Tanal, our guest is being most insistent with respect to
his suspicions. Sufficient to convince me that we must
devote considerable attention to finding the source of the
threat.'
    'Invigilator, is the intent sedition or treason, or are we
dealing with a thief?'
    'A thief, I should think,' Karos replied, glancing over at
Rautos Hivanar.
    The man's cheeks bulged, before he released a slow sigh.
'I am not so sure. On the surface, we appear to be facing an
obsessive individual, consumed by greed and, accordingly,
hoarding wealth. But only as actual coin, and this is why it
is proving so difficult to find a trail. No properties, no
ostentation, no flouting of privilege. Now, as subtle
consequence, the shortage of coin is finally noticeable.
True, no actual damage to the empire's financial structure
has occurred. Yet. But, if the depletion continues,' he shook
his head, 'we will begin to feel the strain.'
    Tanal cleared his throat, then asked, 'Master, have you
assigned agents of your own to investigate the situation?'
    Rautos frowned. 'The Liberty Consign thrives precisely
because its members hold to the conviction of being the
most powerful players in an unassailable system. Confidence
is a most fragile quality, Tanal Yathvanar. Granted, a few
who deal specifically in finances have brought to me their
concerns. Druz Thennict, Barrakta Ilk, for example. But
there is nothing as yet formalized – no true suspicion that
something is awry. Neither man is a fool, however.' He
glanced out of the window behind Karos Invictad. 'The
investigation must be conducted by the Patriotists, in
utmost secrecy.' The heavy-lidded eyes lowered, settling on
the Invigilator. 'I understand that you have been targeting
academics and scholars of late.'
    A modest shrug and lift of the brows from Karos Invictad.
'The many paths of treason.'
    'Some are members of established and respected families
in Lether.'
    'No, Rautos, not the ones we have arrested.'
    'True, but those unfortunate victims have friends,
Invigilator, who have in turn appealed to me.'
    'Well, my friend, this is delicate indeed. You tread now on
the thinnest skin of ground, with naught but mud beneath.'
He sat forward, folding his hands on the desk. 'But I shall
look into it nonetheless. Perhaps the recent spate of arrests
has succeeded in quelling the disenchantment among the
learned, or at least culled the most egregious of their lot.'
    'Thank you, Invigilator. Now, who will conduct your
investigation?'
    'Why, I will attend to this personally.'
    'Venitt Sathad, my assistant who awaits in the courtyard
below, can serve as liaison between your organization and
myself for this week; thereafter, I will assign someone
else.'
    'Very good. Weekly reports should suffice, at least to
start.'
    'Agreed.'
    Rautos Hivanar rose, and after a moment Karos Invictad
followed suit.
    The office was suddenly very cramped, and Tanal edged
back, angry at the intimidation he felt instinctively rising
within him. I have nothing to fear from Rautos Hivanar. Nor Karos. I am their confidant, the both of them. They trust me.
    Karos Invictad was a step behind Rautos, one hand on
the man's back as the Master opened the door. As soon as
Rautos stepped into the hallway, Karos smiled and said a few
last words to the man, who grunted in reply, and then the
Invigilator closed the door and turned to face Tanal.
    'One of those well-respected academics is now staining
your sheets, Yathvanar.'
    Tanal blinked. 'Sir, she was sentenced to the Drowning—'
    'Revoke the punishment. Get her cleaned up.'
    'Sir, it may well be that she will recall—'
    'A certain measure of restraint,' Karos Invictad said in a
cold tone, 'is required from you, Tanal Yathvanar. Arrest
some daughters of those already in chains, damn you, and
have your fun with them. Am I understood?'
    'Y-yes sir. If she remembers—'
    'Then restitution will be necessary, won't it? I trust you
keep your own finances in order, Yathvanar. Now,