Malazan Book of the Fallen, #1
Gardens of the Moon
by Steven Erikson
Contents
Epilogue
Overview
At lakeside, the Bridgeburners regroup as Moon’s Spawn drifts south. Quick Ben delays a hidden scheme, and Whiskeyjack’s injuries persist. Paran senses Tattersail’s reborn presence and vows to return after the Pannion war. Meanwhile, Kalam, Fiddler, Apsalar, and Crokus depart by sea; Crokus rejects Oponn’s coin, while Circle Breaker notes the Eel’s quiet triumph.
Summary
At dawn by a misted lake, Mallet helps the limping Whiskeyjack to a rock while Quick Ben watches Moon’s Spawn, now gold-lit and drifting south. Hedge reports arrivals, and Whiskeyjack counts three losses, grimly weighing the cost. Quick Ben considers—but postpones—a larger scheme, deciding to let Whiskeyjack rest.
Nearby, Captain Paran lingers at Lorn’s cairn, reflecting on his path from Adjunct’s agent to soldier. Sensing Tattersail’s reborn presence—now adolescent—he promises to come after the Pannion Seer’s holy war is ended. A confirming voice answers, and Paran accepts it as real.
On a tradecraft along the southern shore bound for Dhavran, Kalam travels with Apsalar, Crokus, Fiddler, and a silent passenger. Kalam observes Crokus and Apsalar’s tentative closeness and Fiddler’s melancholy. Crokus asks about Unta, then idly toys with a coin before flipping it into the sea, pointedly rejecting Oponn’s luck.
As the boat continues, Circle Breaker watches from the bow, recognizing the implications of the discarded coin. He silently notes that the Eel will be pleased and contemplates what it might mean to no longer remain anonymous. The tale closes with these quiet pivots: Moon’s Spawn heading south, vows made, luck renounced, and hidden powers satisfied.
Who Appears
- Ganoes ParanCaptain; reflects at Lorn’s grave, senses reborn Tattersail, vows to return after Pannion war.
- WhiskeyjackBridgeburner leader; injured leg worries Mallet, counts three dead, presses on with command.
- Quick BenMage; observes Moon’s Spawn, withholds a deeper plan to let Whiskeyjack rest.
- MalletHealer; aids Whiskeyjack, urges rest and treatment for the leg.
- KalamAssassin; escorts Apsalar with Fiddler, watches over Crokus, bound for Dhavran.
- CrokusYoung thief; grows closer to Apsalar, pointedly discards Oponn’s coin into the sea.
- ApsalarFormerly possessed fishergirl; traveling south, uncertain but central to the group’s purpose.
- FiddlerSapper; melancholic on the voyage, part of Apsalar’s escort.
- Circle BreakerWatcher for the Eel; notes the coin’s loss and anticipates the Eel’s relief.
- Moon’s SpawnFloating fortress; drifts south, signaling a shifting Andii withdrawal.
- Tattersail (reborn)Ascendant-reborn adolescent sensed by Paran; tacitly acknowledges his vow.
- HedgeBridgeburner sapper; announces arrivals from the forested slope.