Malazan Book of the Fallen, #1
Gardens of the Moon
by Steven Erikson
Contents
Chapter Twelve
Overview
Crone warns Baruk that two northern powers converge on the Gadrobi Hills; Baruk reveals a buried Jaghut Tyrant and withholds the barrow’s secret. Quick Ben bargains with Shadowthrone for the chance to deliver Hairlock. Baruk orders Kruppe’s circle to hide Crokus and observe the hills. Meanwhile, Sorry directs Kalam and Quick Ben to the Phoenix Inn as the Assassins’ Guild sets a trap, and Crokus resolves to return the stolen jewels.
Summary
In Mammot’s study, Kruppe skims an ancient account of the Crippled God and notes claims of Moon’s Spawn hosting dragons, linking Coll’s drunken outburst to possible truths. He and Mammot discuss Crokus’s sudden determination and education, but Mammot is abruptly contacted by Baruk, who summons Kruppe.
Crone reports to Baruk that a soul‑shifted puppet from Chaos (Hairlock) hunts a power heading for the Gadrobi Hills. Baruk reveals the target: a buried Jaghut Tyrant. He offers the location of a standing stone but refuses to divulge the barrow’s entrance, wary of Anomander Rake’s intentions. Baruk then calls for Mammot and Kruppe.
Escorted by Hounds into Shadowkeep, Quick Ben parleys with Shadowthrone. He offers to deliver the one who led Gear into a trap—Hairlock—in exchange for lifting the Rope’s mark and choosing time and place. When Shadowthrone agrees, Quick Ben escapes via a Chaos-born recall, the god recognizing him as Delat.
Kruppe meets Baruk, relays the Eel’s message to seek answers in the streets, and receives orders: gather Murillio, Rallick, and Coll, keep Crokus safe, and secretly observe the Gadrobi Hills. If Oponn turns Crokus against them, Rallick is authorized to kill the boy.
Quick Ben returns to Kalam; Sorry arrives, having traced Quick Ben through fleeting “cracks,” and directs them to an assassin at the Phoenix Inn. They decide to use her for now. At the inn, Rallick marks the southern assassin (Kalam). Ocelot orders Rallick to draw him openly into a trap at Tarlow’s warehouse, a tactic Rallick distrusts. The target slips away before Rallick can act.
Elsewhere, Crokus, exhausted and conflicted, climbs toward the D’Arle estate to return the jewels he stole, committing to undo his theft.
Who Appears
- BarukDarujhistan’s alchemist; learns of a Jaghut Tyrant, withholds the barrow’s secret, tasks Kruppe’s circle to guard Crokus and observe.
- Quick Ben (Delat)Bridgeburner mage; bargains with Shadowthrone to deliver Hairlock and escapes using a Chaos recall.
- KruppeSchemer of Darujhistan; researches, speaks with Mammot, conveys the Eel’s message, and is ordered to lead an observation mission.
- CroneGreat Raven; reports Hairlock and another power converging on the Gadrobi Hills to Baruk.
- ShadowthroneAscendant of Shadow; debates and deals with Quick Ben inside Shadowkeep, recognizes him as Delat.
- KalamBridgeburner assassin; supports Quick Ben, is lured toward the Phoenix Inn by Sorry’s lead.
- Sorry (Apsalar)Possessed assassin; tracks Quick Ben through fleeting links, points the team to the Phoenix Inn.
- MammotScholar and Crokus’s uncle; hosts Kruppe, receives an urgent summons from Baruk.
- Rallick NomAssassins’ Guild operative; identifies Kalam, is ordered by Ocelot into an open trap he distrusts.
- OcelotGuild Clan Leader; commands Rallick to draw the target into Tarlow’s warehouse.
- Crokus YounghandCoin Bearer; conflicted, resolves to return the jewels to the D’Arle maiden.
- CollKruppe’s ally; cited in plans to join the observation mission, previously spoke of Moon’s Spawn.
- Blind, Baran, Shan, Doan (Hounds of Shadow)Escort Quick Ben into Shadowkeep; Shan nearly strikes before Shadowthrone stays her.