Malazan Book of the Fallen, #1
Gardens of the Moon
by Steven Erikson
Contents
Chapter Nineteen
Overview
Crokus defies his protectors and flees with Apsalar; Serrat’s ambush is mysteriously thwarted. Murillio rescues a bloodied Rallick, who confirms Ocelot’s death. Kruppe becomes Baruk’s conduit to the Eel. Paran confronts Whiskeyjack’s plan and learns Dujek needs Darujhistan to resist the Pannion Seer, while Lorn rides for the city with the Finnest.
Summary
Crokus, hidden by Meese and Irilta, grows impatient and slips out with Apsalar at dusk. As they climb to the rooftops, Serrat, cloaked in sorcery, launches an attack on Crokus but is hurled away by an unseen force, leaving the pair unaware of how narrowly they escaped.
Crokus leads Apsalar to an abandoned tower of K’rul for a secret refuge. On the moonlit platform they find a dead assassin with a head wound and a crossbow, evidence of the ongoing guild war. Apsalar speaks dreamlike of oceans on the moon and a peaceful future, unsettling Crokus.
Elsewhere, Murillio fears for Rallick until the assassin collapses at his door. Rallick confirms he killed Ocelot but oddly bears only an old scar despite heavy blood loss, attributing his success to Baruk’s magic-deadening powder. Murillio resolves to seek the Eel.
At Baruk’s, Kruppe endures questioning until Baruk reveals his need to contact the Eel and threatens to unmask Circle Breaker; Kruppe agrees to deliver a message by evening. This forges a tentative line of alliance to confront looming threats to the city.
At the Phoenix Inn, Paran challenges Whiskeyjack’s strategy, deducing that chaos in Darujhistan would allow Dujek’s outlaw army to enter and secure resources. Whiskeyjack reveals the greater danger: the Pannion Seer’s genocidal holy war to the south, making Darujhistan’s wealth and stability essential. Whiskeyjack departs to court the Assassins’ Guild, leaving Paran hidden from Lorn.
Beyond the city, Lorn parts from Tool, intending to plant the Finnest before the Jaghut Tyrant fully wakes. Tool remains to observe. Lorn rides hard toward Darujhistan, resolved to confront Sorry and serve the Empress’s aims.
Who Appears
- Crokus YounghandDefies his protectors, escapes with Apsalar to K’rul’s tower, narrowly avoiding Serrat’s ambush.
- ApsalarAccompanies Crokus; an unseen force repels Serrat; speaks eerily of oceans on the moon and future peace.
- SerratTiste Andii agent who attempts to seize Crokus on a rooftop but is forcefully repelled mid-attack.
- MurillioFinds Rallick grievously bloodied, tends him, and sets out to confront the Eel.
- Rallick NomArrives wounded, confirms killing Ocelot using Baruk’s powder; his fresh injury is inexplicably an old scar.
- KruppeEndures Baruk’s interrogation, then agrees to contact the Eel on Baruk’s behalf.
- BarukDiscloses reliance on the Eel’s agent Circle Breaker and tasks Kruppe to open communication.
- Ganoes ParanChallenges Whiskeyjack’s plan and learns of the Pannion Seer threat; remains hidden from Lorn.
- WhiskeyjackConfirms strategy to leverage Darujhistan for Dujek’s rebels; reveals the Pannion Seer as the greater threat.
- Kalam MekharNames the Pannion Seer and explains the genocidal holy war; supports contacting the Guild.
- Adjunct LornDeparts the barrow with the Finnest, riding for Darujhistan; plans to confront Sorry.
- Tool (Onos T’oolan)Concludes his task and remains to observe the Jaghut Tyrant’s awakening without interference.
- MeeseStreet tough guarding Crokus and Apsalar; leaves to confer, enabling their escape.