Malazan Empire: Khanna - Viewing Profile - Malazan Empire

Hey guys. So in Reaper's Gale there is a scene where Bruthen Trana, Knuckles and Kilmandaros sit in a room. At some point Knuckles say, "The grains run the river, Mother." What does "grains run the river" mean? I thought they were like the sands in a hourglass but the word "river" confuses me.

Hey guys. Since English is not my native language, there's something I just couldn't figrure out. Any help is greatly appreciated.

So in Reaper's Gale Tehol Beddict and Rucket have this conversation:


Rucket: "Where are you going?"
Tehol: "Why, to your private room, of course."
"Oh, how nice."
"Aren't you joining me, Rucket?"
"What would be the point? The name 'fat root' is a woman's joke, you know."
"I haven't drunk any yellow smelling tea!"
"In the future, I advise you to use gloves."


"Fat root" and "yellow smelling tea" is from a previous conversation betwenn Tehol and a witch. Can someone explain to me what is all this? What is fat root exactly? What does Rucket mean when she says "fat root is a woman's joke?" What the hell am I missing? Thank you.