Gardens of the moon free download

This eBook is copyright material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any way except as specifically permitted in writing by the publishers, as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law Any unauthorised distribution or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the author's and publisher's rights and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly ISBN 9781409092414 Version 1.0 www.randomhouse.co.uk Steven Erikson is an archaeologist and anthropologist and a graduate of the Iowa Writers' Workshop The first seven novels in his Malazan Book of the Fallen sequence – Gardens of the Moon, Deadhouse Gates, Memories of Ice, House of Chains, Midnight Tides, The Bonehunters and Reaper's Gale – have met with widespread international acclaim and established him as a major voice in the world of fantasy fiction The thrilling eighth installment in this remarkable story, Toll the Hounds, is coming soon from Bantam Press Steven Erikson lives in British Columbia, Canada Acclaim for Steven Erikson's The Malazan Book of the Fallen: 'Steven Erikson is an extraordinary writer My advice to anyone who might listen to me is: treat yourself Stephen R Donaldson 'Give me the evocation of a rich, complex and yet ultimately unknowable other world, with a compelling suggestion of intricate history and mythology and lore Give me mystery amid the grand narrative Give me the world in which every sea hides a crumbled Atlantis, every ruin has a tale to tell, every broken blade is a silent legacy of struggles unknown Give me in other words, the fantasy work of Steven Erikson a master of lost and forgotten epochs, a weaver of ancient epics' Salon.com 'I stand slack-jawed in awe of The Malazan Book of the Fallen This masterwork of the imagination may be the high watermark of epic fantasy' Glen Cook 'Truly epic in scope, Erikson has no peer when it comes to action and imagination, and joins the ranks of Tolkien and Donaldson in his mythic vision and perhaps then goes one better' SF Site 'Rare is the writer who so fluidly combines a sense of mythic power and depth of world with fully realized characters and thrilling action, but Steven Erikson manages it spectacularly' Michael A Stackpole www.rbooks.co.uk/stevenerikson 'Like the archaeologist that he is, Erikson continues to delve into the history and ruins of the Malazan Empire, in the process revealing unforeseen riches and annals that defy expectation this is true myth in the making, a drawing upon fantasy to recreate histories and legends as rich as any found within our culture' Interzone 'Gripping, fast-moving, delightfully dark Erikson brings a punchy, mesmerizing writing style into the genre of epic fantasy, making an indelible impression Utterly engrossing' Elizabeth Hayden 'Everything we have come to expect from this most excellent of fantasy writers; huge in scope, vast in implication and immensely, utterly entertaining' alienonline 'One of the most promising new writers of the past few years, he has more than proved his right to A-list status' Bookseller 'Erikson's strengths are his grown-up characters and his ability to create a world every bit as intricate and messy as our own' J V Jones 'An author who never disappoints on delivering stunning and hard-edged fantasy is Steven Erikson a master of modern fantasy' WBQ magazine 'Wondrous voyages, demons and gods abound dense and complex ultimately rewarding' Locus 'Erikson is able to create a world that is both absorbing on a human level and full of magical sublimity A wonderfully grand conception splendidly written fiendishly readable' Adam Roberts 'A multi-layered tale of magic and war, loyalty and betrayal Complexly drawn characters occupy a richly detailed world in this panoramic saga' Library Journal 'Epic in every sense of the word Erikson shows a masterful control of an immense plot the worlds of mortals and gods meet in what is a truly aweinspiring clash' Enigma Gardens of the Moon A Tale of the Malazan Book of the Fallen STEVEN ERIKSON Table of Contents Copyright Page About the Author Acclaim for Steven Erikson's The Malazan Book of the Fallen: Title Page Dedication Acknowledgements Preface to Gardens of the Moon redux Maps DRAMATIS PERSONAE Title Lament Epigraph 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 This novel is dedicated to I C Esslemont worlds to conquer worlds to share Acknowledgements 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 Darkness spoke thus of Light when it was first born: "It is new, and what is new is innocent, and what is innocent is precious Observe this child of wonder, and know respect."' Orfantal scowled 'Thus did Light survive, and so was Darkness destroyed, the purity vanquished – and now you would have us flawed as our Queen was flawed Light became corrupted and destroyed our world, Korlat, or have you forgotten?' Korlat's smile was a sad one 'Cherish such flaws, dear sister, for our Queen's was hope, and so is mine Now we must leave.' Kruppe's expression was benign as he watched Crokus approach, clearly exhausted by this night of endless running He nudged Murillio and fluttered his fingers in the young thief's direction 'The lad returns with undue haste, yet I fear such sad tidings as Kruppe must bring.' 'He's had a rough night all around,' Murillio commented He leaned against the gate's support wall outside the Simtal Estate The streets remained empty, the citizens shocked numb with the night's horrors Kruppe gestured at Moon's Spawn, now a league to the west, well beyond the city's walls 'A remarkable contraption, that However, Kruppe is pleased that it has chosen to depart Imagine, even the stars blotted out, leaving naught but dread in this world.' 'I need a drink,' Murillio muttered 'Excellent idea,' Kruppe said 'Shall we await the lad, however?' The wait was not long Crokus recognized them and slowed his frantic run 'Apsalar's been kidnapped by the Empire!' he shouted 'I need help!' He wobbled to a halt before Murillio 'And Rallick's still in the garden—' 'Tut, tut,' Kruppe said 'Easy, lad Apsalar's location is known to Kruppe As for Rallick, well ' He faced the street and waved his arms expansively 'Breathe the night air, Crokus! A new year has begun! Come, let us walk, the three of us, masters of Darujhistan!' He linked arms with his comrades and pulled them forward Murillio sighed 'Rallick's missing,' he explained 'There's some kind of extraordinary house in Coil's garden now.' 'Ah, so much unveiled in that single statement!' Kruppe leaned against Crokus 'While, no doubt, the lad's secret, overriding concern at the moment regards the fate of a fair young maiden, whose life was saved at the last moment by a nobleson named Gorlas, of all things Saved, Kruppe says, from a ton of masonry shrugged off a wall 'Twas heroic, indeed The lass nearswooned with satisfaction.' 'What are you talking about?' Crokus demanded 'Who was saved?' Murillio snorted 'I think, dear Kruppe, Master of Darujhistan, you've got the wrong fair maiden in mind.' 'She's not fair, anyway,' Crokus asserted Kruppe's chest swelled slightly 'You need but ask the gods, lad, and they'll tell that life itself isn't fair Now, are you interested in how Lady Simtal's estate has just this night become Coil's estate? Or is your mind so thoroughly enamoured of this new love of yours that even the fates of your dearest friends – Kruppe included – yield such lack of interest?' Crokus bridled 'Of course I'm interested!' 'Then the story begins, as always, with Kruppe ' Murillio groaned 'Thus spake the Eel.' EPILOGUE I have seen a rumour born swathed in snug mystery left lying under the sun in the hills of the Gadrobi where the sheep have scattered on wolf-laden winds and the shepherds have fled a whispering of sands and it blinked in the glare a heart hardened into stone whilst the shadow of the Gates of Nowhere crept 'cross the drifting dust of home I have seen this rumour born a hundred thousand hunters of the heart in a city bathed in blue light Rumour Born (I i-iv) Fisher (b.?) The sun lit the morning mists into a shield of white over the lake Down on the beach a fisher-boat rocked in the freshening waves Unmoored, it was moments before pulling free of the pebbles Mallet helped Whiskeyjack to a dome of rock above the beach, where they sat The healer's gaze hesitated on the figure of Quick Ben, standing with shoulders hunched and staring across the lake He followed the wizard's gaze Moon's Spawn low on the horizon, a gold cast to its ravaged basalt Mallet grunted 'It's heading south I wonder what that means?' Whiskeyjack squinted against the glare He began to massage his temples 'More headaches?' Mallet asked 'Not so bad, lately,' the grizzled man said 'It's the leg that worries me,' the healer muttered 'I need to work on it some more, and you need to stay off it awhile.' Whiskeyjack grinned 'As soon as there's time,' he said Mallet sighed 'We'll work on it then.' From the forested slope behind them Hedge called, 'They're coming in!' The healer helped Whiskeyjack stand 'Hell,' he whispered 'It could've been a lot worse, right, Sergeant?' Whiskeyjack glared across the lake 'Three lost ain't that bad, considering.' A pained expression crossed Mallet's face He said nothing 'Let's move,' Whiskeyjack growled 'Captain Paran hates tardiness And maybe the Moranth have good news Be a change, wouldn't it?' From the beach, Quick Ben watched Mallet supporting his sergeant up the slope Was it time? he wondered To stay alive in this business, no one could afford to let up The best plans work inside other plans, and when it's right to feint, feint big Keeping the other hand hidden is the hard part The wizard felt a stab of regret No, it wasn't time Give the old man a chance to rest He forced himself into motion He wouldn't let himself look back – never a good idea The scheme was hatched 'Whiskeyjack's going to howl when he hears this one,' he whispered to himself Captain Paran listened to the others on the beach below, but made no move to join them Not yet His brush with Ascendants seemed to have left him with a new sensitivity – or perhaps it was the Otataral sword scabbarded at his side But he could sense her, now, already in her adolescence, plump as he knew she'd be, smiling with her heavy-lidded eyes deceptively sleepy as she studied the morning sky I will come to you, he promised her When this Pannion Seer and his cursed holy war is crushed, I will come to you then, Tattersail I know He stiffened That voice in his head had not been his own Or had it? He waited, waited for more Tattersail? Only silence answered him Ah, my imagination, nothing more To think you would call up enough of your old life, to find the feelings you once held for me, find them and feel them once again I am a fool He rose from his crouch at Lorn's graveside – a mound of rocks – and brushed twigs and orange pine needles from his clothing Look at me now Agent for the Adjunct once, now a soldier Finally, a soldier Smiling, he made his way down to his squad Then I shall await the coming of a soldier Paran stopped in his tracks, then, smiling, continued on 'Now that,' he whispered, 'was not my imagination.' The tradecraft hugged the southern shore, making for Dhavran and the river mouth Kalam leaned on the gunwale, his gaze sweeping the north horizon's ragged, snow-capped mountains Near him stood another passenger, hardly memorable and disinclined to talk The only voices reaching the assassin came from Apsalar and Crokus They sounded excited, each revolving around the other in a subtle dance that was yet to find its accompanying words A slow, half smile quirked Kalam's mouth It'd been a long time since he'd heard such innocence A moment later, Crokus appeared beside him, his uncle's demon familiar clutching his shoulder 'Coll says that the Empire's capital, Unta, is as big as Darujhistan Is it?' Kalam shrugged 'Maybe A lot uglier I don't expect we'll have a chance to visit it, though Itko Kan lies on the south coast, while Unta is on Kartool Bay, the north-east coast Miss Darujhistan already?' An expression of regret came over Crokus's face He stared down into the waves 'Just some people there,' he said The assassin grunted 'Know how you feel, Crokus Hell, look at Fiddler back there, mooning away as if somebody had cut off one of his arms and one of his legs.' 'Apsalar still can't believe you'd go to all this trouble for her She doesn't remember being much liked in your squad.' 'Wasn't her, though, was it? This woman here is a fishergirl from some two-copper village And she's a long way from home.' 'She's more than that,' Crokus muttered He had a coin in his hand and was playing with it absently Kalam threw the boy a sharp look 'Really,' he said, deadpan Crokus nodded affably He held up the coin and examined the face on it 'Do you believe in luck, Kalam?' 'No,' the assassin growled Crokus grinned happily 'Me neither.' He flipped the coin into the air They watched it plummet into the sea, flash once, then vanish beneath the waves From near the bow, Circle Breaker slowly nodded to himself The Eel would be delighted with the news, not to mention greatly relieved Then he returned his attention to the west, and wondered what it would be like, no longer anonymous to the world This ends the first tale of the Malazan Book of the Fallen GLOSSARY TITLES AND GROUPS First Sword of Empire: Malazan and T'lan Imass, a title denoting an Imperial champion Fist: a military governor in the Malazan Empire High Fist: a commander of armies in a Malazan Campaign Kron T'lan Imass: the name of the clans under the command of Kron Logros T'lan Imass: the name of the clans under the command of Logros The Bridgeburners: a legendary elite division in the Malaz 2nd Army The Crimson Guard: a famous mercenary company commanded by a deposed prince The Pannion Seer: a mysterious prophet ruling the lands south of Darujhistan The Warlord: the name for Caladan Brood The Claw: the covert organization of the Malazan Empire PEOPLES (HUMAN AND NON-HUMAN) Barghast (non-human): pastoral nomadic warrior society Daru: cultural group sharing citizenry in cities in northern Genabackis Gadrobi: indigenous cultural group in central Genabackis Genabarii: cultural group (and language) in north-west Genabackis Forkrul Assail (non-human): extinct mythical people (one of the Four Founding Races) Jaghut (non-human): extinct mythical people (one of the Four Founding Races) K'Chain Che'Malle (non-human): extinct mythical people (one of the Four Founding Races) Moranth (non-human): highly regimented civilization centred in Cloud Forest Rhivi: pastoral nomadic society in central plains of Genabackis T'lan Imass: one of the Four Founding Races, now immortal Tiste Andii (non-human): an Elder Race Trell (non-human): pastoral nomadic warrior society in transition to sedentarianism ASCENDANTS Apsalar, Lady of Thieves Beru, Lord of Storms Burn, Lady of the Earth, the Sleeping Goddess Caladan Brood, the Warlord Cotillion/The Rope (the Assassin of High House Shadow) Dessembrae, Lord of Tragedy D'rek, the Worm of Autumn (sometimes the Queen of Disease, see Poliel) Fanderay, She-Wolf of Winter Fener, the Boar (see also Tennerock) Gedderone, Lady of Spring and Rebirth Great Ravens, ravens sustained by magic Hood (King of High House Death) Jhess, Queen of Weaving Kallor, the High King K'rul, Elder God Mowri, Lady of Beggars, Slaves and Serfs Nerruse, Lady of Calm Seas and Fair Wind Oponn, Twin Jesters of Chance Osserc, Lord of the Sky Poliel, Mistress of Pestilence Queen of Dreams (Queen of High House Life) Shadowthrone/Ammanas (King of High House Shadow) Shedenul/Soliel, Lady of Health Soliel, Mistress of Healing Tennerock/Fener, the Boar of Five Tusks The Crippled God, King of Chains The Hounds (of High House Shadow) Togg (see Fanderay), the Wolf of Winter Trake/Treach, the Tiger of Summer and Battle Son of Darkness/Moon's Lord/Anomander Rake (Knight of High House Dark) Treach, First Hero THE WORLD OF SORCERY The Warrens: (the Paths – those Warrens accessible to humans) Denul: the Path of Healing D'riss: the Path of Stone Hood's Path: the Path of Death Meanas: the Path of Shadow and Illusion Ruse: the Path of the Sea Rashan: the Path of Darkness Serc: the Path of the Sky Tennes: the Path of the Land Thyr: the Path of Light THE ELDER WARRENS: Kurald Galain: the Tiste Andii Warren of Darkness Tellann: the T'lan Imass Warren Omtose Phellack: the Jaghut Warren Starvald Demelain: the Tiam Warren, the First Warren THE DECK OF DRAGONS: – The Fatid (and associated Ascendants) High House Life King Queen (Queen of Dreams) Champion Priest Herald Soldier Weaver Mason Virgin High House Death King (Hood) Queen Knight (once Dassem Ultor) Magi Herald Soldier Spinner Mason Virgin High House Light King Queen Champion Priest Captain Soldier Seamstress Builder Maiden High House Dark King Queen Knight (Son of Darkness) Magi Captain Soldier Weaver Mason Wife High House Shadow King (Shadowthrone/Ammanas) Queen Assassin (the Rope/Cotillion) Magi Hound Unaligned Oponn (the Jesters of Chance) Obilisk (Burn) Crown Sceptre Orb Throne Bonecaster: a shaman of the T'lan Imass Chance: a sword dedicated to Oponn D'ivers: a higher order of shape-shifting Dragnipur: a sword used by Anomander Rake Finnest: an object used as a repository of power by a Jaghut Otataral: a magic-negating reddish ore mined from the Tanno Hills, Seven Cities Soletaken: an order of shape-shifting The T'orrud Cabal: the Cabal of Darujhistan The Tyrant Kings: the ancient rulers of Darujhistan Warrens of Chaos: the miasmic paths between the Warrens PLACE NAMES: Apple A Genabackan Free City Blackdog Forest On the continent of Genabackis, large boreal forest on shield bedrock, site of major battles between the Malazan Empire and the Cloud Forest Darujhistan Dhavran Free Cities Gadrobi Hills Garalt Genabaris Gerrom Greydog Itko Kan Kan Laederon Plateau Lest Malaz City armies of Caladan Brood and the Crimson Guard during the First Campaigns Home of the Moranth, situated on the north-west coast of Genabackis Legendary city on Genabackis, largest and most influential of the Free Cities, situated on the south shore of Lake Azur and peopled mainly by Daru and Gadrobi populations; the only known city to use natural gas as an energy source A city west of Darujhistan Mercantile alliance of city-states in northern Genabackis, all but one of which has since been conquered by the Malazan Empire Hill range east of Darujhistan, sparsely inhabited at present although once the homeland of the Gadrobi people A Genabackan Free City Large Malazan-held city on northwest coast of Genabackis and principal debarkation point during the campaigns A small rural town in Itko Kan A Genabackan city Province on the continent of Quon Tali, within the Malazan Empire The capital city of Itko Kan Northern tundra of Genabackis City-state to the east of Darujhistan Island city and home of the founding Emperor of the Malazan Empire Malazan Empire An empire originating on Malaz Island off the coast of the Quon Tali continent The original founder was the Emperor Kellanved and his cohort Dancer, both of whom were assassinated by Laseen, the present Empress The Empire spans Quon Tali, the subcontinent of Falar, Seven Cities, and the coasts of north Genabackis Additional forays include the continents of Stratem and Korel Meningalle Genabackan name for Seeker's Deep Ocean Mock's Hold A Keep overlooking Malaz City where the Emperor and Dancer were assassinated Moon's Spawn A floating mountain of black basalt inside which is a city, home of the Son of Darkness and the Tiste Andii Moranth The mountain range encircling Cloud Forest Mountains Mott A Genabackan city Mouse Quarter An ill-fated district in Malaz City Nathilog Malazan-held city in north-west Genabackis Nisst A Genabackan Free City One Eye Cat A Genabackan Free City Pale Free City on Genabackis, recently conquered by the Malazan Empire Pannion Domin Emerging empire in south-east Genabackis, ruled by the Pannion Seer Porule A Genabackan Free City Quon Tali Home continent of the Malazan Rhivi Plain Seeker's Deep Setta Tahlyn Mountains Tulips Unta Empire Central plain, north Genabackis Malazan name for Meningalle Ocean City on eastern coast of Genabackis Mountain range on north side of Lake Azur A Genabackan Free City Capital of the Malazan Empire, on Quon Tali DARUJISTAN AND ENVIRONS Despot's Barbican: an ancient edifice and remnant of the Age of Tyrants Hinter's Tower: an abandoned sorcerer's tower in the Noble District Jammit's Worry: the east road K'rul's Belfry/Temple: an abandoned temple in the Noble District Phoenix Inn: a popular haunt in the Daru District Quip's Bar: a ramshackle bar in the Lakefront District The Estates (the Houses) The Old Palace (Majesty Hall): present site of the Council Worrytown: the slum outside the wall on Jammit's Worry ... graduate of the Iowa Writers' Workshop The first seven novels in his Malazan Book of the Fallen sequence – Gardens of the Moon, Deadhouse Gates, Memories of Ice, House of Chains, Midnight Tides, The. .. ruling the Pannion Domin Gardens of the Moon Now these ashes have grown cold, we open the old book These oil-stained pages recount the tales of the Fallen, a frayed empire, words without warmth The. .. found their success in writing down to their readers? Hardly Well, not all of them But then, consider it from my point of view It took eight years and a move to the UK for Gardens of the Moon