Malazan Book of the Fallen, #1
Gardens of the Moon
by Steven Erikson
Contents
Chapter Four
Overview
Tattersail joins Whiskeyjack’s covert moves against Tayschrenn while suspicion tightens around Sorry’s tie to Shadow. Ganoes Paran is murdered but held at Hood’s Gate by Oponn, then recovered by the Bridgeburners.
As the squad departs with Moranth aid, a Hound (Gear) attacks Tattersail; Hairlock and Tattersail resist, and Paran, buoyed by Oponn’s luck, wounds the Hound, forcing its retreat—escalating open conflict between Oponn and Shadow.
Summary
Tattersail meets Whiskeyjack, Quick Ben, Kalam, and Fiddler to assess Hairlock’s growing Chaos-tainted power. They plan to uncover Tayschrenn’s network indirectly. Pressed by Tattersail, Quick Ben reveals suspicions that Sorry is entangled with House Shadow, tied to a massacre by the Hounds. Whiskeyjack resists the demon theory but concedes Hairlock will investigate.
Meanwhile, Ganoes Paran awakens before Hood’s Gate, where Oponn forestalls his passage and bargains with Hood’s servant: in Paran’s shadow another will die in his stead. Shadowthrone arrives with Hounds to finish the murder, but, seeking certainty, stays his hand to track whoever opposes him.
Picker and Antsy find Paran’s body; Mallet later confirms mysterious intervention healed the flesh but not the shock. The Bridgeburners return him covertly to Tattersail’s quarters. Dujek informs Whiskeyjack that Paran was Adjunct Lorn’s man and orders the Darujhistan infiltration to proceed; he even offers Whiskeyjack leave to walk if they survive. At dawn, Moranth Quorl arrive to ferry the squad; tensions flare around Sorry.
Quick Ben tracks Hairlock pursued through Shadow by Hounds. As the squad must depart, Mallet and Hedge watch over Paran. In Tattersail’s room, Hairlock boasts of evasion just as Gear, a Hound of Shadow, smashes into the compound, slays guards, and storms Tattersail’s chambers. Tattersail’s wards hold barely; Hairlock lashes out with Chaos seeking Gear’s soul.
Paran, dazed but mobile, emerges and lunges, his sword piercing Gear—an Oponn-touched stroke—forcing the Hound to flee through a rift. Hairlock threatens Tattersail and hides; she braces for Tayschrenn’s approach as she fades, hearing the telltale spinning of a coin.
Who Appears
- TattersailSorceress aiding the Bridgeburners; reads the Deck; battles Gear and curbs Hairlock; resolves not to flee.
- WhiskeyjackBridgeburners’ sergeant; weighs suspicions about Sorry; accepts perilous Darujhistan mission; readies squad.
- Quick BenMasterful wizard; links to Hairlock; reveals Sorry–Shadow ties; tracks Hounds; sets plans in motion.
- KalamEx-Claw assassin; pressures Sorry; coordinates movement; fears Hounds; helps manage Paran’s recovery.
- Ganoes ParanNew captain; murdered then stalled at Hood’s Gate by Oponn; later wounds Gear, forcing its retreat.
- HairlockSoul-shifted puppet; wields Chaos; hunted by Hounds; attempts to seize Gear’s soul; hides after setback.
- Oponn (Twins of Chance)Ascendants who intervene at Hood’s Gate, bargain reciprocity, and tilt luck to keep Paran in play.
- ShadowthroneLord of Shadow; arrives with Hounds to secure Paran’s death, then delays to follow opposing meddling.
- Gear (Hound of Shadow)Seventh Hound; hunts Hairlock to Tattersail’s quarters; battles wards; wounded by Paran and withdraws.
- High Fist Dujek OnearmCommander; mandates Darujhistan mission; hints at political pressure; offers Whiskeyjack leave to walk.
- MalletHealer; confirms external intervention healed Paran’s body but not shock; oversees his recovery.
- FiddlerSapper with instincts; warns of looming chaos; helps assemble squad for Moranth transport.
- PickerBridgeburner who finds Paran’s body; calls for a healer; helps move him covertly.
- HedgeSapper; watches over Paran; prepares to depart with the squad.
- SorryAloof recruit suspected of Shadow; vanishes during night; tensions rise around her before departure.