Malazan Book of the Fallen, #1
Gardens of the Moon
by Steven Erikson
Contents
Chapter Eighteen
Overview
Whiskeyjack’s squad abandons the search for Sorry and braces for a city fight. Paran delivers a dying Coll to the Phoenix Inn, where Mallet saves him; Paran then warns Whiskeyjack of Lorn’s betrayal and joins an open alliance with Dujek against Tayschrenn.
Rallick kills Ocelot atop a belfry but is gravely wounded. Serrat is mysteriously thwarted from striking Apsalar. Far north, Lorn and Tool seize the Jaghut Tyrant’s Finnest, awakening the greater threat to Darujhistan.
Summary
At their hideout, Whiskeyjack’s squad debates Sorry’s fate; Quick Ben cannot find her and concludes Cotillion’s hold is gone, likely meaning her death. The men challenge Whiskeyjack’s emotional detachment, and he grudgingly acknowledges their camaraderie before ordering Kalam to seek the Assassins’ Guild while the rest prepare for a looming fight.
On the road, Paran struggles to deliver a grievously wounded Coll to Darujhistan. At Worry Gate, a guard recognizes Coll and arranges a wagon to the Phoenix Inn. Simultaneously, Rallick scales a belfry to intercept Rallick Ocelot; using Baruk’s dampening dust, he nullifies a sorcerous bolt and, after a brutal struggle, kills Ocelot but suffers a deep chest wound.
In the city, Serrat awakens concussed on a rooftop, her planned strike on Apsalar foiled by an unknown hand. At the Phoenix Inn, Meese and Irilta hide Crokus and Apsalar in the attic as Coll is brought in downstairs. Paran, despairing of his “luck,” nearly breaks his sword Chance before Kalam arrives; Paran orders Kalam to fetch Mallet immediately.
Mallet examines Coll, discovers poisoned herbs in the bone-deep wound, and heals him just in time. Paran briefs Whiskeyjack: Lorn intends the Bridgeburners’ deaths, and a T’lan Imass accompanies her. Whiskeyjack reveals a communicator relic and contacts High Fist Dujek, who confirms plans to defy the Empress, warns of the imminent disbanding of the Bridgeburners, and shifts focus toward the rising Pannion Seer. Paran, seeking vengeance for Tattersail, agrees to ally, leaving Whiskeyjack in command.
Whiskeyjack insists Lorn must be kept alive initially, as she may be key to drawing the Jaghut Tyrant to Darujhistan; the mined intersections remain part of their strategy. Paran retrieves Chance, while the squad readies for the next move and Kalam continues efforts to reach the Guild.
Far away, Lorn and Onos T’oolan reach the Jaghut barrow’s burial chamber. Guided by Tool, Lorn identifies and pockets the Finnest—an acorn containing the Tyrant’s power—its aura muted by her Otataral blade. As they depart, Tool notes the Tyrant is waking and will seek the Finnest unerringly, setting the city on a collision course with an ancient terror.
Who Appears
- Ganoes Stabs Outrighthand ParanDelivers Coll to the Phoenix, nearly breaks Chance, summons Mallet, and allies with Whiskeyjack and Dujek against Lorn and Tayschrenn.
- WhiskeyjackLeads Ninth Squad, accepts Paran’s intel, contacts Dujek, and commits to defying the Empress while keeping Lorn alive for now.
- KalamTasked to contact the Assassins’ Guild; brings Mallet to heal Coll; skeptical of Oponn’s influence on Paran.
- MalletHealer who removes poisoned herbs and saves Coll from a fatal, marrow-infected wound.
- High Fist Dujek OnearmSpeaks via relic; confirms revolt, warns of disbanding, shifts focus to the Pannion Seer, sanctions alliance with Paran.
- Rallick NomAssassin who climbs the belfry and kills Ocelot using dampening dust; left gravely wounded.
- OcelotAssassins’ Guild Clan Leader; ambushes from the belfry but is slain by Rallick after a brutal fight.
- Adjunct LornRetrieves the Jaghut Tyrant’s Finnest with Tool; her actions threaten to draw the Tyrant to Darujhistan.
- Onos T’oolan (Tool)T’lan Imass companion to Lorn; explains the Finnest and confirms the Tyrant is awakening.
- Coll (Coll Jhamin)Brought near death to the Phoenix; healed by Mallet; central to local alliances around the inn.
- SerratTiste Andii assassin-mage mysteriously knocked out, losing her chance to kill Apsalar.
- MeeseGuards Crokus and Apsalar in the Phoenix attic; monitors tense developments downstairs.
- IriltaAssists Meese; reports on Coll’s arrival and city movements; maintains the Phoenix hideaway.
- Crokus YounghandHidden in the Phoenix attic under the Eel’s orders; unaware of unfolding events.
- Apsalar (Sorry)Amnesiac girl sheltered with Crokus; target of Serrat’s failed strike; Cotillion’s hold appears absent.
- Quick BenFails to locate Sorry magically; concludes Cotillion is no longer possessing her.
- FiddlerChallenges Whiskeyjack’s detachment; readies for urban sabotage with Hedge.
- HedgePrepares munitions with Fiddler; lightens tension among the squad.
- Mallet’s Inn SurgeonLocal cutter who declares Coll beyond help before Mallet proves otherwise.
- VildronGate guard who recognizes Coll and arranges a wagon to the Phoenix Inn.
- ScurvePhoenix Inn barkeep who manages the tense bar as events converge.
- TrottsBridgeburner present during initial planning and acceptance of looming conflict.