‘In some places,’ cut in Faint, ‘they use blood.’
‘So I’ve heard. In One Eye Cat, it was honey, so that the flies stuck. Flies and wasps, actually. Anyway, I was with my grandfather, who’d been a soldier in the Revenants-’
‘Gods, it’s been a long time since I last heard them mentioned!’ Faint stared across at Sweetest Sufferance. ‘Is this true? Your grandfather was with the Revenants?’
‘So he always told it. When I was very young, I believed every word he said. When I was older, I didn’t believe any of it. And now I’m still older, I’ve gone back to believing him. Things in his house, the carved flagstones, the broken masks he had on the wall… yes, Faint, I believe he was at that.’
‘Commanded by a Seguleh-’
‘An outlawed Seguleh, yes. Anyway, it was my grandfather who took me to watch his old company’s patron temple and all the priests and priestesses doing their flies thing.’
‘Wait. The Revenants were supposed to have all disappeared-taken by Hood himself, to serve him in the realm of the dead. So what was your grandfather do-ing living in One Eye Cat?’
‘He lost his sword arm in a battle. He’d been left for dead, and by the time any-one found him it was too late for any serious healing. So they seared the stump and retired him out. Now, you going to let me tell my tale or not?’
‘Yes, fine. Sorry.’
‘He said the priests were getting it all wrong, with that honey. The flies and wasps weren’t the important thing in the ceremony. It was the blood-honey, but that symbolized blood. The Revenants-who were as good as Hood’s own warrior-priests, in the mortal world anyway-well, they were flagellants. Blood on the skin, life bled out to die on the skin-that was the important detail. It’s why Hood cherishes dead soldiers more than any other of the countless dead that stumble through the gate. The Merchants of Blood, the army that will fight on the hidden plain called Defiance Last.’ She paused, then licked her lips. ‘That’s what the
Dawn of Flies is about. A final battle, the dead gathered, on a hidden plain called
Defiance last.’
‘So,’ said Faint, feeling chilled by Sweetest Sufferance’s story, ‘maybe that’s why Hood took the Revenants. Because that battle is coming.’
‘Give me some more of that,’ Sweetest Sufferance said, reaching for the wine-skin.
Glanno Tarp nudged Reccanto Ilk. ‘See ’em? They’re talking about us. Well, me, mostly. It’s gonna happen, Ilk, sooner or later, it’s gonna happen.’
Reccanto Ilk squinted across at the man. ‘What, they gonna kill you in your sleep?’