The Malazan Empire Read online

  GARDENS OF THE MOON

  DEADHOUSE GATES

  MEMORIES OF ICE

  HOUSE OF CHAINS

  MIDNIGHT TIDES

  THE BONEHUNTERS

  REAPER’S GALE

  TOLL THE HOUNDS

  DUST OF DREAMS

  THE CRIPPLED GOD

  Steven Erikson

  The author and publisher have provided this e-book to you without Digital Rights Management software (DRM) applied so that you can enjoy reading it on your personal devices. This e-book is for your personal use only. You may not print or post this e-book, or make this e-book publicly available in any way. You may not copy, reproduce or upload this e-book, other than to read it on one of your personal devices.

  Copyright infringement is against the law. If you believe the copy of this e-book you are reading infringes on the author’s copyright, please notify the publisher at: us.macmillanusa.com/piracy.

  Contents

  BOOK 1: GARDENS OF THE MOON

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Acknowledgments

  Prologue

  Book One: Pale

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Book Two: Darujhistan

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Book Three: The Mission

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Book Four: Assassins

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Book Five: The Gadrobi Hills

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Book Six: The City of Blue Fire

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Book Seven: The Fête

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Epilogue

  Glossary

  BOOK 2: DEADHOUSE GATES

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Acknowledgments

  Maps

  Dramatis Personae

  Prologue

  Book One: Raraku

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Book Two: Whirlwind

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Book Three: Chain of Dogs

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Book Four: Deadhouse Gates

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Epilogue

  Glossary

  BOOK 3: MEMORIES OF ICE

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Acknowledgments

  Maps

  Dramatis Personae

  Prologue

  Book One: The Spark and the Ashes

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Book Two: Hearthstone

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Book Three: Capustan

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Book Four: Memories of Ice

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Epilogue

  Glossary

  BOOK 4: HOUSE OF CHAINS

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Acknowledgements

  Maps

  Dramatis Personae

  Prologue

  Book One: Faces in the Rock

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Book Two: Cold Iron

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Book Three: Something Breathes

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Book Four: House of Chains

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Epilogue

  Glossary

  BOOK 5: MIDNIGHT TIDES

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Acknowledgements

  Maps

  Dramatis Personae

  Prologue

  Book One: Frozen Blood

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Book Two: Prows of the Day

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Book Three: All That Lies Unseen

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Book Four: Midnight Tides

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Epilogue

  Glossary

  BOOK 6: THE BONEHUNTERS

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Epigraph

  Acknowledgements

  Maps

  Dramatis Personae

  Prologue

  Book One: The Thousand-Fingered God

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Book Two: Beneath This Name

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Book Three: Shadows of the King

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Book Four: The Bonehunters

  C
hapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Epilogue

  Glossary

  BOOK 7: REAPER’S GALE

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Acknowledgments

  Map

  Dramatis Personae

  Prologue

  Book One: The Emperor in Gold

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Book Two: Layers of the Dead

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Book Three: Knuckles of the Soul

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Book Four: Reaper’s Gale

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Epilogue

  Glossary

  BOOK 8: TOLL THE HOUNDS

  Copyright

  Praise

  Dedication

  Acknowledgments

  Maps

  Dramatis Personae

  Prologue

  Book One: Vow to the Sun

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Book Two: Cold-Eyed Virtues

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Book Three: To Die in the Now

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Book Four: Toll the Hounds

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Epilogue

  BOOK 9: DUST OF DREAMS

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Acknowledgments

  Author’s Note

  Map

  Dramatis Personae

  Prologue

  Book One: The Sea Does Not Dream of You

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Book Two: Eaters of Diamonds and Gems

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Book Three: Only the Dust Will Dance

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Book Four: The Path Forever Walked

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  BOOK 10: THE CRIPPLED GOD

  Copyright

  Epigraph

  Map

  Dramatis Personae

  Book One: ‘He was a soldier’

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Book Two: All the takers of my days

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Book Three: To charge the spear

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Book Four: The fists of the world

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Book Five: A hand upon the fates

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Book Six: To one in chains

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Book Seven: Your private shore

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Epilogue I

  Epilogue II

  Appendix

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Also by Steven Erikson

  GARDENS OF

  THE MOON

  BOOK ONE OF THE

  MALAZAN BOOK OF THE FALLEN

  STEVEN ERIKSON

  Gardens of

  the Moon

  This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

  GARDENS OF THE MOON: BOOK ONE OF THE MALAZAN BOOK OF THE FALLEN

  Copyright © 1999 by Steven Erikson

  Maps by Neil Gower

  Originally published in Great Britain in 1999 by Bantam Books, a division of Transworld Publishers

  All rights reserved.

  A Tor Book

  Published by Tom Doherty Associates, LLC

  175 Fifth Avenue

  New York, NY 10010

  www.tor-forge.com

  Tor® is a registered trademark of Tom Doherty Associates, LLC.

  The Library of Congress has catalogued the hardcover edition as follows:

  Erikson, Steven.

  Gardens of the moon / Steven Erikson.

  p. cm.

  “A Tom Doherty Associates Book.”

  ISBN-13: 978-0-7653-1001-9

  ISBN-10: 0-7653-1001-5

  1. Fantasy fiction. I. Title.

  PR9199.4.E745 G37 2004

  823’.92—dc22

  2004301319

  ISBN-13: 978-0-7653-2288-3 (trade paperback)

  ISBN-10: 0-7653-2288-9 (trade paperback)

  0 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2

  eISBN 9781429926584

  This novel is dedicated to

  I. C. ESSLEMONT

  worlds to conquer worlds to share

  Acknowledgments

  No novel is ever written in isolation. The author wishes to thank the following for their support over the years: Clare Thomas, Bowen, Mark Paxton-MacRae, David Keck, Courtney, Ryan, Chris and Rick, Mireille Theriacelt, Dennis Valdron, Keith Addison, Susan, David and Harriet, Clare and David Thomas Jr, Chris Rodell, Patrick Carroll, Kate Peach, Peter Knowlson, Rune, Kent and Val and the kids, my tireless agent Patrick Walsh, and Simon Taylor, one terrific editor.

  Dramatis Personae

  The Malazan Empire

  ONEARM’S HOST

  Tattersail, Cadre Sorceress, 2nd Army, a reader of the Deck of Dragons

  Hairlock, Cadre Mage, 2nd Army, an unpleasant rival of Tayschrenn

  Calot, Cadre Mage, 2nd Army, Tattersail’s lover

  Toc the Younger, scout, 2nd Army, a Claw agent badly scarred at the Siege of Pale

  THE BRIDGEBURNERS

  Sergeant Whiskeyjack, 9th Squad, past commander of the 2nd Army

  Corporal Kalam, 9th Squad, an ex-Claw from Seven Cities

  Quick Ben, 9th Squad, a Seven Cities Mage

  Sorry, 9th Squad, a deadly killer in the guise of a young girl
/>
  Hedge, 9th Squad, a sapper

  Fiddler, 9th Squad, a sapper

  Trotts, 9th Squad, a Barghast warrior

  Mallet, 9th Squad, the squad healer

  Sergeant Antsy, 7th Squad

  Picker, 7th Squad

  THE IMPERIAL COMMAND

  Ganoes Stabro Paran, a noble-born officer in the Malazan Empire

  Dujek Onearm, High Fist, Malazan Armies, Genabackis Campaign

  Tayschrenn, High Mage to the Empress

  Bellurdan, High Mage to the Empress

  Nightchill, High Sorceress to the Empress

  A’Karonys, High Mage to the Empress

  Lorn, Adjunct to the Empress

  Topper, Commander of the Claw

  Empress Laseen, Ruler of the Malazan Empire

  HOUSE PARAN (UNTA)

  Tavore, Ganoes’ sister (middle-child)

  Felisin, Ganoes’ youngest sister

  Gamet, House Guard and veteran

  IN THE EMPEROR’S TIME

  Emperor Kellanved, the founder of the Empire, assassinated by Laseen

  Dancer, the Emperor’s chief adviser, assassinated by Laseen

  Surly, Laseen’s old name when Commander of the Claw

  Dassem Ultor, the First Sword of Empire, killed outside Y’ghatan, Seven Cities

  Toc (the Elder), disappeared in Laseen’s purges of the Old Guard

  In Darujhistan

  THE PHOENIX INN REGULARS

  Kruppe, a man of false modesty

  Crokus Younghand, a young thief

  Rallick Nom, an assassin in the Guild

  Murillio, a courtier

  Coll, a drunk

  Meese, a regular

  Irilta, a regular

  Scurve, the barman

  Sulty, a serving woman

  Chert, an unlucky bully

  THE T’ORRUD CABAL

  Baruk, a High Alchemist

  Derudan, a Witch of Tennes

  Mammot, a High Priest of D’riss and eminent scholar, uncle to Crokus

  Travale, a pious soldier of the Cabal

  Tholis, a High Mage

  Parald, a High Mage

  THE COUNCIL

  Turban Orr, a powerful councilman and Simtal’s lover

  Lim, an ally of Turban Orr

  Simtal, Lady of Simtal Estate

  Estraysian D’Arle, a rival of Turban Orr

  Challice D’Arle, his daughter

  THE GUILD OF ASSASSINS

  Vorcan, Mistress of the Guild (also known as the Master of Assassins)

  Ocelot, Rallick Nom’s Clan Leader

  Talo Krafar, an assassin of Jurrig Denatte’s Clan

  Krute of Talient, an agent of the Guild

  ALSO IN THE CITY

  The Eel, a rumoured master-spy

  Circle Breaker, an agent of the Eel

  Vildrom, a city guard

  Captain Stillis, Captain of Guard, Simtal Estate

  Further Players

  THE TISTE ANDII

  Anomander Rake, Lord of Moon’s Spawn, Son of Darkness, Knight of Darkness

  Serrat, second-in-command to Rake

  Korlat, a night-hunter and blood-kin to Serrat

  Orfantal, a night-hunter

  Horult, a night-hunter