Malazan Book of the Fallen, #1
Gardens of the Moon
by Steven Erikson
Contents
Chapter Twenty-one
Overview
At Lady Simtal’s fête, Anomander Rake appears as Rallick Nom provokes and swiftly kills Councilman Turban Orr, collapsing Simtal’s political protection. Murillio’s liaison precedes Rallick’s warning that Simtal’s power is over, breaking her. Circle Breaker receives the Eel’s retirement and escapes. Meanwhile, Crokus drags Challice into the garden, Lorn hunts the Coin Bearer, and Raest’s storm draws near as the Bridgeburners hold position.
Summary
Adjunct Lorn slips from Simtal’s garden, confronting her fraying resolve and vowing one last task: find and kill the Coin Bearer to seize Oponn’s Coin. She vanishes into the swelling crowds as dry thunder from the east—Raest’s advance—intensifies.
Kruppe heads to the fête, reading a troubling pattern that ends tonight. Crokus and Apsalar set out, with Apsalar guiding him through darkness. Whiskeyjack positions the Bridgeburners as house guards, while Quick Ben senses the oncoming Jaghut sorcery. Kalam and Paran leave the Phoenix, with Kalam coercing a citywide message to the Assassins’ Guild, offering an Empress-backed contract.
Baruk arrives with Anomander Rake. Inside, Turban Orr spots Circle Breaker and recognizes him as the long-sought spy. Rallick Nom confronts Orr, forcing a public duel. Rake volunteers as Rallick’s second; Estraysian D’Arle seconds Orr but disavows any vengeance pact. At Baruk’s signal, Rallick executes a blinding two-knife kill, piercing Orr’s heart and slashing his neck. Derudan confers with Baruk and Rake as Raest’s threat looms; Rake withholds a separate suspicion.
Murillio is with Simtal when Rallick intrudes to declare Orr dead and Coll’s return inevitable, stripping Simtal’s last protection. Simtal collapses inward; Murillio departs in silent despair, leaving a dagger.
In the garden tumult, Crokus attempts to reach Challice, is mistaken for Gorlas, then drags a struggling Challice into the shadows. Circle Breaker receives the Eel’s retirement letter and slips away from the estate toward a new life. The Bridgeburners keep their burning-diversion contingency ready as the storm of Raest’s sorcery presses closer.
Who Appears
- Rallick NomAssassin who publicly duels and kills Turban Orr, then ends Simtal’s power with a warning.
- Turban OrrCouncilman who recognizes Circle Breaker as spy; provoked into a duel and swiftly slain.
- Anomander RakeArrives masked; seconds Rallick; counsels caution with Baruk and Derudan as Raest nears.
- BarukHosts Rake, referees the duel, coordinates with Derudan amid growing sorcerous pressure.
- MurillioLiaisons with Simtal; witnesses her collapse after Rallick’s news; leaves in regret.
- Lady SimtalHostess absent from the duel; loses protection with Orr’s death and emotionally unravels.
- Circle BreakerHouse guard and Eel agent identified by Orr; receives retirement orders and escapes.
- Crokus YounghandInfiltrates the garden to reach Challice; seizes her when mistaken identity foils approach.
- Challice D’ArleWaits by the fountain; mistakes Crokus for Gorlas; dragged into the garden.
- Adjunct LornShaken but resolute; commits to killing the Coin Bearer and hunts within the crowds.
- KalamPressures the Phoenix Inn to summon the Assassins’ Guild with an Empress-funded contract.
- Ganoes ParanExhausted but determined; partners with Kalam to confront Lorn at the fête.
- WhiskeyjackPositions the Bridgeburners; identifies Rake; prepares burn diversion if plans collapse.
- Quick BenOverwhelmed by Raest’s sorcery; warns accessing Warrens would be lethal beacons.
- FiddlerHelps form the line; readies munitions as contingency for burning the estate.
- DerudanWitch who confers with Baruk and Rake, acknowledging the approaching magical storm.
- Estraysian D’ArleActs as Orr’s second but renounces vengeance, politically isolating Orr.
- MammotBriefly appears in a Jaghut mask; worries over his missing nephew.
- TrottsBridgeburner ‘Niganga’; growls at Stillis, stands guard with the squad.
- Captain StillisSimtal’s house guard captain who assigns the Bridgeburners to the terrace.
- KruppeEel in cherub mask; banters with Rake and Baruk; naps; aids Circle Breaker.