Steven Erikson - Memories of Ice

She knew of him, of course. They all did. They all knew, as well, where he had come from.

He spoke not a word. Had not since the resurrection. No physical flaw kept him from finding his voice, Baruk had insisted.

The Imperial Historian had fallen silent. No-one knew why.

She sighed.

The grand opening of K'rul's Bar was a disaster. Tables waited, empty, forlorn in the massive main chamber. Paran, Spindle, Blend, Antsy, Mallet and Bluepearl sat at the one nearest the blazing hearth, barely managing a word among them. Nearby was the only other occupied table, at which sat Kruppe, Murillio and Coll.

And that's it. Gods, we're finished. We should never have listened to Antsy.

The front door swung open.

Picker looked over hopefully. But it was only Baruk.

The High Alchemist paused within the antechamber, then slowly made his way forward to where the other Daru sat.

'Dearest friend of honourable Kruppe! Baruk, stalwart champion of Darujhistan, could you ask for better company this night? Here, yes, at this very table! Kruppe was astonishing his companions — and indeed, these grim-faced ex-soldiers next to us — with his extraordinary account of Kruppe and this tavern's namesake, conspiring to fashion a new world.'

'Is the tale done, then?' Baruk asked as he approached.

'Just, but Kruppe would be delighted to-'

'Excellent. I'll hear it some other time, I suppose.' The High Alchemist glanced over at Duiker, but the Imperial Historian had not so much as even looked up. Head still bowed, eyes fixed on the cloth in his hands. Baruk sighed. 'Picker, have you mulled wine?'

'Aye, sir,' she said. 'Behind you, beside the hearth.'

Antsy reached for the clay jug, rose to pour Baruk a cup.

'All right,' Picker said in a loud voice, walking over. 'So, this is it. Fine. The fire's warm enough, we've drunk enough, and I for one am ready for some stories to be told — no, not you, Kruppe. We've heard yours. Now, Baruk here, and Coll and Murillio for that matter, might be interested in the tale of the final taking of Coral.'

Coll slowly leaned forward. 'So, you'll finally talk, will you? It's about time, Picker.'

'Not me,' she replied. 'Not to start, anyway. Captain? Refill your cup, sir, and weave us a tale.'

The man grimaced, then shook his head. 'I'd like to, Picker.'

'Too close,' Spindle grumbled, nodding and turning away.

'Hood's breath, what a miserable bunch!'

'Sure,' Spindle snapped, 'a story to break our hearts all over again! What's the value in that?'

A rough, broken voice replied, 'There is value.'

Everyone fell silent, turned to Duiker.

The Imperial Historian had looked up, was studying them with dark eyes. 'Value. Yes. I think, much value. But not yours, soldiers. Not yet. Too soon for you. Too soon.'

'Perhaps,' Baruk murmured, 'perhaps you are right in that. We ask too much-'

'Of them. Yes.' The old man looked down once more at the cloth in his hands.

The silence stretched.

Duiker made no move.

Picker began to turn back to her companions — when the man began speaking. 'Very well, permit me, if you will, on this night. To break your hearts once more. This is the story of the Chain of Dogs. Of Coltaine of the Crow Clan, newly come Fist to the 7th Army …'

This ends the Third Tale of the

Malazan Book of the Fallen

GLOSSARY

PANNION DOMIN TERMINOLOGY:

Pannion Seer:the political and spiritual leader of the Domin Septarch: ruler of one of seven districts in Domin (also commands armies) Urdo: commander of elite heavy infantry (Urdomen) Urdomen: elite heavy infantry, fanatical followers of the Seer Seerdomin: fanatical bodyguard and assassin sect of the Domin Betaklites: medium infantry Beklites: regular infantry (also known as the Hundred Thousand) Betrullid: light cavalry

Betakullid:medium cavalry

Scalandi:skirmishers

Desandi:sappers

Tenescowri:the peasant army

IN CAPUSTAN

The Grey Swords:a mercenary cult hired to defend against the Pannion Domin The Mask Council: High Priests of the Fourteen Ascendants represented in Capustan The Gidrath: soldiers serving the fourteen temples The Capanthall: Capustan's city garrison, under command of Prince Jelarkan The Coralessian Company: followers of exiled Prince Arard of Coral Lestari Guard: refugee Palace Guard from the city of Lest Capan: name for distinct self-contained neighbourhoods and people in Capustan Daru Quarter: old town at centre of Capustan The Thrall: old Daru keep now home to the Mask Council

THE FOURTEEN ASCENDANTS OF CAPUTAN'S MASK COUNCIL

Fener/Tennerock

Trake/Treach

D'rek

Hood

Burn

Togg

Beru

Mowri

Oponn

Soliel and Poliel

Queen of Dreams

Fanderay

Dessembrae

Shadowthrone

PEOPLES AND PLACES

The Rhivi:pastoral nomadic society in central plains of Genabackis The Barghast: a warrior caste tribe found on various continents: Ilgres Clan

White Face Clan (including: Senan, Gilk, Ahkrata, Barahn, Nith'rithal) T'lan Imass (the Armies of the Diaspora): Logros, Guardians of the First Throne Kron, First to the Gathering Betrule (lost)

Ifayle (lost)

Bentract (lost)

Orshayn (lost)

Kerluhm (lost)

Tiste Andii:an Elder Race

Jaghut:an Elder Race

K'Chain Che'Malle:one of the Four Founding Races, presumed extinct Moranth: a highly regimented culture, centred in Cloud Forest Daru: a cultural and linguistic group on Genabackis Capan: a citizen of Capustan Domin/Pannion: name for a new empire on Genabackis Lestari: a citizen of Lest

Coralessian:a citizen of Coral Morn: a ruined, haunted place on the southwest coast of Genabackis Coral: a city in the Pannion Domin Lest: a city in the Pannion Domin Capustan: a city on the north side of the Catlin River Darujhistan: last Free City on Genabackis Lamatath Plain: plains to south of Darujhistan Jhagra Til: T'lan Imass name for now-extinct inland sea

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

Rasham: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 Kurald Emurlahn: the Tiste Edur Warren 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