Malazan Book of the Fallen, #1
Gardens of the Moon
by Steven Erikson
Contents
Chapter Three
Overview
Topper orders Captain Paran to secretly take command of Whiskeyjack’s squad and stay close to the dangerous recruit, Sorry. In Pale, Tattersail’s Reading reveals Oponn, the Rope, and Darujhistan, while Whiskeyjack, Kalam, and Quick Ben set their own countermoves in motion. Toc the Younger brings Paran to the Bridgeburners, but Sorry ambushes and mortally wounds him, as Shadowthrone and Cotillion hint at a larger game.
Summary
Aboard an Imperial trireme, Topper emerges from the Imperial Warren to brief Captain Ganoes Paran: assume command of Whiskeyjack’s squad near Pale, stay close to the recruit (Sorry), maintain secrecy, and await orders. Topper warns of a god’s involvement, of Dujek possibly being "disarmed," and of wider threats tied to Darujhistan.
In Genabaris, an agent escorts Paran to Moranth transport, explaining Quorls and Green/Black clans. Meanwhile in Pale, Tattersail finds Bellurdan kneeling vigil beside Nightchill’s remains, blaming herself and suspecting Tayschrenn’s role, but Bellurdan defends the High Mage. Summoned to the walls, Tattersail performs a Reading for Tayschrenn: Orb (Judgment), Death’s Virgin (bloody, blindfolded), the Assassin of Shadow (the Rope), Oponn, and the Crown (Darujhistan). She senses Oponn’s meddling and withholds her suspicion that the Virgin is Sorry.
Outside Pale, Whiskeyjack, Kalam, and Quick Ben assess a purge within the Empire, decide to turn the game using Hairlock as their covert probe, and plan to draw Tattersail fully in while leaving Sorry untouched for now. Toc the Younger rides out to meet Paran, briefs him on Whiskeyjack’s past command, the soldiers’ loyalty to Dujek, and the tension with Tayschrenn, then sends Paran on alone into chaotic Pale.
Paran seeks the Bridgeburners: Picker and Antsy direct him to Knobb’s Inn, where he meets Hedge, Mallet, and Trotts of the Ninth. He declares that if he dies by a dagger it must be earned, then departs. In an alley, a shadowed assailant—Sorry—strikes, stabbing Paran in chest and side. As he fades, he overhears Ammanas and Cotillion discussing an intrusion into their Warren, their long game against Laseen, and Lorn being drawn in. A coin seems to spin endlessly in Paran’s mind.
Who Appears
- Ganoes Stabro ParanNewly minted captain sent to command Whiskeyjack’s squad; reaches Pale, meets the Ninth, then is ambushed and gutted by Sorry.
- TattersailCadre sorceress; comforts Bellurdan, then performs a potent Deck Reading for Tayschrenn revealing Oponn, the Rope, and Darujhistan.
- WhiskeyjackBridgeburner sergeant; weighs suspicions of Imperial purges and authorizes Quick Ben and Kalam’s plan, seeking Tattersail’s support.
- SorryUncanny recruit; later ambushes and stabs Paran in a Pale alley, then departs, implying deeper ties to Shadow.
- TayschrennHigh Mage overseeing Pale; requests a Reading, is shown Oponn’s maze and the Rope; tension persists over recent losses.
- TopperClaw Master who orders Paran to take Whiskeyjack’s squad, keep close to Sorry, and await further secret instructions.
- Kalam MekharBridgeburner corporal; suspects Imperial house-cleaning, backs Quick Ben’s scheme, ready to act as the squad’s killer.
- Quick BenBridgeburner wizard; pushes the plan to use Hairlock for intelligence and to outmaneuver higher powers.
- Toc the YoungerScarred Claw and 2nd Army outrider; escorts Paran to Pale and briefs him on Whiskeyjack, Dujek, and Tayschrenn.
- BellurdanThelomen High Mage grieving over Nightchill’s remains; refuses healing, defends Tayschrenn, plans a barrow on the Rhivi Plain.
- PickerBridgeburner corporal; cynically sizes up Paran and directs him toward Knobb’s Inn.
- AntsyBridgeburner sergeant; gambler in over his head with Hedge, begrudgingly points Paran to Whiskeyjack’s people.
- HedgeBridgeburner sapper; cardsharp at Knobb’s Inn who introduces Paran to members of the Ninth.
- MalletBridgeburner healer who warns Paran that survival depends on listening to Whiskeyjack.
- TrottsBarghast in the Ninth; taciturn card dealer, emblematic of the squad’s hard-bitten survivors.
- Ammanas (Shadowthrone)Ascendant of Shadow; discusses an intruder in Shadow’s Warren and a broader game targeting Laseen.
- Cotillion (the Rope)Patron of Assassins; coordinates with Ammanas, confirms the larger plot while Sorry departs the scene.