Malazan Book of the Fallen, #1
Gardens of the Moon
by Steven Erikson
Contents
Chapter Thirteen
Overview
Kalam and Quick Ben shadow a Guild contact but are ambushed by Tiste Andii assassin-mages; Kalam is wounded and Quick Ben unleashes a Korvalah demon that Anomander Rake’s Dragnipur destroys. The Bridgeburners regroup, while Rallick warns Crokus of a Claw and sky-borne killers.
Rake admits orchestrating the Guild purge to block the Empress’s reach, sparking tension with Baruk. Meanwhile, Sorry marks Crokus for death, and K’rul warns Kruppe of awakening Elder magics tied to a Jaghut threat in the Gadrobi Hills.
Summary
Kalam arms up as Quick Ben casts spells to aid a covert meet with the Assassins’ Guild via shadowing Rallick Nom. On the rooftops, Kalam senses a trap just as Tiste Andii assassin-mages descend, turning the Guild’s ambush into a massacre. Kalam kills one attacker but is wounded; Quick Ben duels a mage and, to cover escape, summons a Korvalah demon, Pearl.
As more Andii arrive—one radiating overwhelming power—Pearl foresees its death. Quick Ben flees with Kalam; moments later the demon’s true death screams through the city, implying Anomander Rake’s Dragnipur devoured it. Elsewhere, Rallick survives the chaos, realizes a separate Claw presence, and withdraws with Ocelot.
Crokus returns Challice D’Arle’s jewels after a tense, awkward exchange, then flees her chamber only to spot Sorry watching from the garden. Rallick intercepts Crokus, warning him and Mammot about a Claw and sky-borne killers, and rejects a summons from Murillio to leave the city for Baruk’s task, citing critical ongoing plans.
Whiskeyjack’s squad reunites; Mallet heals Kalam as Quick Ben reports the Andii assault and the demon’s death. Concluding the Guild is neutralized and their cover blown, Whiskeyjack urges new plans to flush the city’s true rulers, abandoning thoughts of major demolitions.
Rake confronts Baruk, revealing he initiated the Guild purge to prevent the Empress’s Claw from contracting Vorcan against Darujhistan’s secret mages. Baruk protests the destabilization, but Rake confirms Dragnipur slew the demon and acknowledges Baruk’s hidden strength, leaving their alliance strained.
Sorry, rattled by the demon’s death, resolves to kill Crokus outside the city after learning Kruppe’s group will take him out for Baruk. In dreams, K’rul tells Kruppe Tattersail’s child is safe with a warlord, identifies Dragnipur’s nature, and warns that Tellann stirs against Omtose Phellack in the Gadrobi Hills, urging protection of the Coin Bearer.
Who Appears
- Quick Ben (Ben Adaephon Delat)Wizard; wards Kalam, duels Andii mage, summons Korvalah demon Pearl, then retreats as Dragnipur destroys it.
- Kalam MekharAssassin; tracks Rallick, fights rooftop attackers, is stabbed and later healed by Mallet, reports the failed meet.
- Anomander RakeLord of Moon’s Spawn; intervenes in Guild purge, wields Dragnipur to end the demon, debates strategy with Baruk.
- Rallick NomAssassin; bait in the rooftop trap, survives Andii assault, warns Crokus of a Claw and the aerial killers.
- SerratTiste Andii lieutenant; leads assassin-mages, reports casualties to Rake, confirms the trap and heavy fighting.
- WhiskeyjackBridgeburners’ sergeant; regroups squad, hears of Andii and demon, shifts plans to flush true city rulers.
- MalletHealer; treats Kalam’s wound, stabilizing him after the rooftop battle.
- Crokus YounghandCoin Bearer; returns Challice’s jewels, spotted by Sorry, warned by Rallick, slated to leave city with Kruppe’s group.
- BarukAlchemist and cabal leader; reels from the demon’s death, confronts Rake over the Guild purge and city stability.
- KruppeDreamer and schemer; in K’rul’s presence learns of Dragnipur and ancient magics, tasked to guard the Coin Bearer.
- K’rulElder God; explains Dragnipur and warns of Tellann and Omtose Phellack stirring near the Gadrobi Hills.
- SorryPossessed assassin; tails Crokus, resolves to kill him outside the city, ponders Oponn’s influence and politics.
- MurillioAssociate of Kruppe; summons Rallick for Baruk’s mission, intends to take Crokus out of Darujhistan.
- OcelotGuild Clan Master; coordinates rooftop trap, withdraws with Rallick amid Andii intervention.
- Pearl (Korvalah demon)Summoned by Quick Ben; challenges Andii, then is slain by Dragnipur.
- FiddlerBridgeburner sapper; proposes drastic sabotage, part of the waiting squad.
- HedgeBridgeburner sapper; banters with Fiddler, on standby during regroup.
- TrottsBarghast warrior; signals the squad as Kalam and Quick Ben return, wards against the demon.