King
Queen
Knight (Anomander Rake)
Magi
Captain
Soldier
Weaver
Mason
Wife
High House Shadow
King (Shadowthrone/Ammanas)
Queen
Assassin (The Rope/Cotillion)
Magi
Hound
High House of Chains
The King in Chains
The Consort (Poliel)
Reaver (Kallor)
Knight (Toblakai)
The Seven of the Dead Fires (The Unbound)
Cripple
Leper
Fool
Unaligned
Oponn
Obelisk (Burn)
Crown
Sceptre
Orb
Throne
Chain
Master of the Deck (Ganoes Paran)
Elder Races
Tiste Andii: Children of Darkness
Tiste Edur: Children of Shadow
Tiste Liosan: Children of Light
T’lan Imass
Eres/Eres’al
Trell
Jaghut
Forkrul Assail
K’Chain Che’Malle
The Eleint
The Barghast
The Thelomen Toblakai
The Teblor
The Warrens
Kurald Galain: The Elder Warren of Darkness
Kurald Emurlahn: The Elder Warren of Shadow, the Shattered Warren
Kurald Liosan
Kurald Thyrllan: The Elder Warren of Light
Omtose Phellack: The Elder Jaghut Warren of Ice
Tellann: The Elder Imass Warren of Fire
Starvald Demelain: The Eleint Warren
Thyr: The Path of Light
Denul: The Path of Healing
Hood’s Path: The Path of Death
Serc: The Path of the Sky
Meanas: The Path of Shadow and Illusion
D’riss: The Path of the Earth
Ruse: The Path of the Sea
Rashan: The Path of Darkness
Mockra: The Path of the Mind
Telas: The Path of Fire
Peoples and Places
Anibar: a tribe dwelling in Shield lands north of the Jhag Odhan, Seven Cities
Ehrlitan: a port city in Seven Cities
G’danisban: a city in Seven Cities
Gral: a tribe of Seven Cities
Hanar Ara: an ancient city, City of the Fallen
Hatra: a city in Seven Cities
Hedori Kwil: extinct city, Seven Cities
Inath’an Mersin: old name for Mersin, Seven Cities
Kanarbar Belid: old name for Belid, city in Seven Cities
Karashimesh: a city of Seven Cities
Kartool: city and island off Quon Tali mainland
Malaz City: birthplace of the Malazan Empire, on Malaz Island, off the Quon Tali mainland
Minikenar: extinct city of the First Empire, Seven Cities
Mock’s Hold – old keep overlooking Malaz City
Monkan: sister island of Sepik (smaller)
Nemil: an expansionist kingdom northwest of the Jhag Odhan
N’Karaphal: extinct city, Seven Cities
Pan’potsun: a city in Seven Cities
Pardu: a tribe of Seven Cities
Perish: a kingdom west of Nemil
Rampart Way: descent from Mock’s Hold, Malaz City
Raven Hill Park: a park in Malaz City
Sepik Island: an island kingdom, Seven Cities
Septarch District: the temple district of Kartool City
Shal-Morzinn: an empire southwest of Nemil
Tramara: extinct city, Seven Cities
Trebur: extinct city, Seven Cities (City of Domes)
Ugarat: a city in Seven Cities
Vedanik: a tribe of the Thalas Mountains, Seven Cities
Vinith: extinct city, Seven Cities
Vithan Taur: extinct city of the First Empire, Seven Cities
Y’Ghatan: a city of Seven Cities
Terms
Aptorian: a species of demon native to the Shadow Realm
Ashok Regiment: old regiment, now in the Fourteenth Army
Atri-Preda: equivalent of Commander or Fist among the Letherii
Avower: term for Royal Torturer in Ugarat
Azalan: a species of demon native to the Shadow Realm
Bhederin: a large semi-domesticated or wild ungulate
Black Glove (The): a secret cult within the Claw
Blackwood: a rare seaworthy wood
Bloodwood: a rare wood used by the Tiste Edur
Bokh’aral: a small rock-dwelling ape
Bonecaster: T’lan Imass term for a shaman of their kind
Capemoth: a large scavenging insect of Seven Cities
Carelbarra: a honey also known as the God Bringer for its hallucinogenic qualities
Carrier: a vector for plague
Chigger fleas: a wind-borne insect of Seven Cities
Child Death Song: a Seti rite of passage into adulthood involving ritual burial
Coraval: a type of fish, the primary harvest around Malaz Island
D’bayang: an opiate
D’ivers: a form of shape-shifting into multiple animals
Demidrek: a high priest or priestess of D’rek
Destriant: a mortal representative for a particular faith
Dinal: a species of demon in the Shadow Realm
Drake: a Tanno pilgrim ship
Dromon: a warship
Eleint: another term for pure-blood dragons
Enkar’al: a large predator of Seven Cities (now extinct)
Eraga: a breed of cattle thought to be extinct on Seven Cities
Escura: a plant used to kill chigger fleas
Goldfinch: a tree native to Seven Cities
Gothar flower: used as a bleaching agent
Grey Helms: a military religious order
Imbrules: an unspecified animal native to Starvald Demelain
Jhistal: a high priest of an Elder God who employs human blood in ritual magic (Elder equivalent of Destriant)
Kethra knife: a large wide-bladed knife from Seven Cities
Long-tails: another name for K’Chain Che’Malle
Luthuras: an unspecified animal native to Starvald Demelain
Maethgara: Y’Ghanii name for buildings used to store olive oil
Mahybe: ancient term meaning vessel (now known as Mhybe among the Rhivi)
Meer-rat: a reptilian rodent
Mortal Sword: a martial champion to a god
Nameless Ones (The): an ancient cult devoted to the Azath Houses
Obsidian Throne: traditional seat of power of Bluerose
Onyx Wizards/Council: traditional rulers in Bluerose
Paralt: the name for a spider and a snake, both venomous (also the name for the poison itself)
Preda: Letherii equivalent to Captain
Purlith: a species of bat native to Starvald Demelain
Rhizan: a small winged, insectivorous reptile
Shield Anvil: mortal repository for the fallen (dead), sworn to a particular god
Short-Tails: another name for K’Chain Nah’ruk
Soletaken: shape-shifting
Stantars: an unspecified animal native to Starvald Demelain
Stormriders: an ocean-dwelling species
Stormwall: a barrier to the predations of the Stormriders on Korel
Surveyants: a maker of maps among the Trygalle Trade Guild
Telaba: a traditional outer garment worn in Seven Cities
T’rolbarahl: an ancient form of D’ivers from the period of the First Empire
Thrones of War: name for the war catamarans used by the Perish
Trell Wars (The): wars of genocide against the Trell conducted by the Nemil
Troughs: a board game popular among Malazans
Verdith’anath: The Bridge of Death (Jaghut und
erworld)
Watcher: a Tiste Andii agent hidden among the Tiste Edur of the Lether Continent
Whispers (The): voices of guidance in the cult of Sha’ik Reborn
REAPER’S GALE
BOOK SEVEN OF THE
MALAZAN BOOK OF THE FALLEN
STEVEN ERIKSON
This is a work of fiction. All the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
REAPER’S GALE: BOOK SEVEN OF THE MALAZAN BOOK OF THE FALLEN
Copyright © 2007 by Steven Erikson
Originally published in Great Britain in 2007 by Bantam Press, a division of Transworld Publishers.
All rights reserved.
Maps by Neil Gower
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.
eISBN: 978-1-4299-2588-4
To Glen Cook
Acknowledgments
Thank you to my advance readers: Rick, Chris, Mark, Bill, Hazel and Bowen. Thanks also to the folks at Black Stilt Cafe, Ambiente Cafe and Cafe Teatro in Victoria for the table, the coffees and AC access. And for all the other support that keeps me afloat, thanks to Clare, Simon at Transworld, Howard and Patrick, the scary mob at Malazanempire.com, David and Anne, Peter and Nicky Crowther.
Dramatis Personae
THE LETHERII
Tehol Beddict, a destitute resident
Bugg, Tehol’s manservant
Shurq Elalle, an itinerant pirate
Skorgen Kaban, Shurq’s First Mate
Ublala Pung, an unemployed Tarthenal half-blood
Ormly, a member of the Rat Catchers’ Guild
Rucket, Chief Investigator of the Rat Catchers’ Guild
Karos Invictad, Invigilator of the Patriotists
Tanal Yathvanar, Karos’s personal assistant
Rautos Hivanar, Master of the Liberty Consign of Merchants
Venitt Sathad, Rautos’s principal field agent
Triban Gnol, Chancellor of the New Empire
Nisall, First Concubine of the old emperor
Janall, deposed empress
Turudal Brizad, ex-consort
Janath Anar, a political prisoner
Sirryn Kanar, a palace guard
Brullyg (Shake), nominal Ruler of Second Maiden Fort
Yedan Derryg (The Watch)
Orbyn ‘Truthfinder’, Section Commander of the Patriotists
Letur Anict, Factor in Drene
Bivatt, Atri-Preda of the Eastern Army
Feather Witch, Letherii slave to Uruth
THE TISTE EDUR
Rhulad, ruler of the New Empire
Hannan Mosag, Imperial Ceda
Uruth, Matriarch of the Emperor and wife to Tomad Sengar
K’risnan, warlocks of the Emperor
Bruthen Trana, Edur in palace
Brohl Handar, Overseer of the East in Drene
ARRIVING WITH THE EDUR FLEET
Yan Tovis (Twilight), Atri-Preda of the Letherii Army
Varat Taun, her lieutenant
Taralack Veed, a Gral agent of the Nameless Ones
Icarium, Taralack’s weapon
Hanradi Khalag, a warlock of the Tiste Edur
Tomad Sengar, Patriarch of the Emperor
Samar Dev, a scholar and witch from Seven Cities
Karsa Orlong, a Toblakai warrior
Taxilian, an interpreter
THE AWL’DAN
Redmask, an exile who returned
Masarch, a warrior of the Renfayar Clan
Hadralt, War Leader of Ganetok Clan
Sag’Churok, a bodyguard to Redmask
Gunth Mach, a bodyguard to Redmask
Torrent, a Copperface
Natarkas, a Copperface
THE HUNTED
Seren Pedac, a Letherii Acquitor
Fear Sengar, a Tiste Edur
Kettle, a Letherii orphan
Udinaas, a Letherii runaway slave
Wither, a shadow wraith
Silchas Ruin, a Tiste Andii Ascendant
THE REFUGIUM
Ulshun Pral, an Imass
Rud Elalle, an adopted foundling
Hostille Rator, a T’lan Imass
Til’aras Benok, a T’lan Imass
Gr’istanas Ish’ilm, a T’lan Imass
THE MALAZANS
Bonehunters
Tavore Paran, Commander of the Bonehunters
Lostara Yil, Second to Tavore
Keneb, Fist in the Bonehunters
Blistig, Fist in the Bonehunters
Faradan Sort, Captain
Madan’tul Rada, Faradan Sort’s lieutenant
Grub, adopted son of Keneb
Beak, mage seconded to Captain Faradan Sort
8th Legion, 9th Company
4th Squad
Fiddler, sergeant
Tarr, corporal
Koryk, half-blood Seti, marine
Smiles, Kanese, marine
Cuttle, sapper
Bottle, squad mage
Corabb Bhilan Thenu’alas, soldier
5th Squad
Gesler, sergeant
Stormy, corporal
Sands, marine
Shortnose, heavy infantry
Flashwit, heavy infantry
Uru Hela, heavy infantry
Mayfly, heavy infantry
7th Squad
Cord, sergeant
Shard, corporal
Limp, marine
Ebron, squad mage
Crump (Jamber Bole), sapper
Sinn, mage
8th Squad
Hellian, sergeant
Touchy, corporal #1
Brethless, corporal #2
Balgrid, squad mage
Tavos Pond, marine
Maybe, sapper
Lutes, squad healer
9th Squad
Balm, sergeant
Deadsmell, corporal
Throatslitter, marine
Galt, marine
Lobe, marine
Widdershins, squad mage
12th Squad
Thom Tissy, sergeant
Tulip, corporal
Ramp, heavy infantry
Jibb, medium infantry
Gullstream, medium infantry
Mudslinger, medium infantry
Bellig Harn, heavy infantry
13th Squad
Urb, sergeant
Reem, corporal
Masan Gilani, marine
Bowl, heavy infantry
Hanno, heavy infantry
Saltlick, heavy infantry
Scant, heavy infantry
8th Legion, 3rd Company
4th Squad
Pravalak Rim, corporal
Honey, sapper
Strap Mull, sapper
Shoaly, heavy infantry
Lookback, heavy infantry
5th Squad
Badan Gruk, sergeant
Ruffle, marine
Skim, marine
Nep Furrow, mage
Reliko, heavy infantry
Vastly Blank, heavy infantry
10th Squad
Primly, sergeant
Hunt, corporal
Mulvan Dreader, mage
Neller, sapper
Skulldeath, marine
Drawfirst, heavy infantry
OTHERS
Banaschar, the Last Priest of D’rek
Withal, a Meckros Swordsmith
Sandalath Drukorlat, a Tiste Andii, Withal’s wife
Nimander Golit, a Tiste Andii, offspring of Anomander Rake
Phaed, a Tiste Andii, offspring of Anomander Rake
Curdle, a possessed skeletal reptile
Telorast, a possessed skeletal reptile
Onrack, a T’lan Imass, unbound
Trull Sengar, a Tiste Edur renegade
Ben Adaephon Delat, a wizard
Menandore, a Soletaken (Sister of Dawn)
Sheltatha Lore, a Soletaken (Sister of Dusk)
Sukul Ankhadu, a Soletaken (Sister Dapple)
Kilmandaros, an Elder Goddess
Clip, a Tiste Andii
Cotillion, The Rope, Patron God of Assassins
Emroth, a broken T’lan Imass
Hedge, a ghost
Old Hunch Arbat, Tarthenal
Pithy, an ex-con
Brevity, an ex-con
Pully, a Shake witch
Skwish, a Shake witch
Prologue
The Elder Warren of Kurald Emurlahn
The Age of Sundering
In a landscape torn with grief, the carcasses of six dragons lay strewn in a ragged row reaching a thousand or more paces across the plain, flesh split apart, broken bones jutting, jaws gaping and eyes brittle-dry. Where their blood had spilled out onto the ground wraiths had gathered like flies to sap and were now ensnared, the ghosts writhing and voicing hollow cries of despair, as the blood darkened, fusing with the lifeless soil; and, when at last the substance grew indurate, hardening into glassy stone, those ghosts were doomed to an eternity trapped within that murky prison.
The naked creature that traversed the rough path formed by the fallen dragons was a match to their mass, yet bound to the earth, and it walked on two bowed legs, the thighs thick as thousand-year-old trees. The width of its shoulders was equal to the length of a Tartheno Toblakai’s height; from a thick neck hidden beneath a mane of glossy black hair, the frontal portion of the head was thrust forward – brow, cheekbones and jaw, and its deep-set eyes revealing black pupils surrounded in opalescent white. The huge arms were disproportionately long, the enormous hands almost scraping the ground. Its breasts were large, pendulous and pale. As it strode past the battered, rotting carcasses, the motion of its gait was strangely fluid, not at all lumbering, and each limb was revealed to possess extra joints.
Skin the hue of sun-bleached bone, darkening to veined red at the ends of the creature’s arms, bruises surrounding the knuckles, a latticework of cracked flesh exposing the bone here and there. The hands had seen damage, the result of delivering devastating blows.
It paused to tilt its head, upward, and watched as three dragons sailed the air high amidst the roiling clouds, appearing then disappearing in the smoke of the dying realm.
The earthbound creature’s hands twitched, and a low growl emerged from deep in its throat.
After a long moment, it resumed its journey.
Beyond the last of the dead dragons, to a place where rose a ridge of hills, the largest of these cleft through as if a giant claw had gouged out the heart of the rise, and in that crevasse raged a rent, a tear in space that bled power in nacreous streams. The malice of that energy was evident in the manner in which it devoured the sides of the fissure, eating like acid into the rocks and boulders of the ancient berm.
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