Memories of Ice
Chapters - Steven Erikson
Prologue
During the 33rd Jaghut War, 298,665 years before Burn's Sleep, the Bonecaster Pran Chole and the Kron Imass hunt a Jaghut mother and her two children. Kilava, a lone Bonecaster, offers to save the children by sending them through the Rent at Morn, believing it leads to Omtose Phellack. In truth, the children are condemned to seal the Rent in eternal pain. Pran Chole arrives too late to stop her. Kilava refuses to enter the Rent herself and reveals she will not participate in the coming Ritual of Tellann, having slaughtered her own clan for her freedom. In a second scene set 119,736 years before Burn's Sleep, K'rul, Draconus, and the Sister of Cold Nights confront the tyrant Kallor after the The Crippled God was summoned to destroy him. Kallor has incinerated the entire continent of Jacuruku. The three elder gods curse him with eternal life and unending failure, and he curses them in return. They sweep the continent's ashes into a new warren so the land can heal.
On page: Pran Chole, Kilava, Kallor, Draconus, The Crippled God
The Spark and the Ashes
Chapter 1
Gruntle, Harllo, and Stonny wait outside Darujhistan with their employer Keruli's caravan, bound for Capustan. Gruntle meets Bauchelain and Korbal Broach at Raest's barrow, but refuses to accompany them inside. Toc awakens in a valley of obsidian dust after being thrown into a chaotic warren by Hairlock. He encounters Tool at the ruins of Morn, learning that two months have passed since the events in Darujhistan. Lady Envy arrives with Garath and Baaljagg, a prehistoric Ay. Tool reveals Envy is Draconus's daughter. Three enthralled Seguleh warriors accompany her, each compelled to challenge Tool. Senu is knocked unconscious before he can draw his blades. Envy has come to investigate the Rent at Morn, but Tool tells her she will find no answers, so she decides to travel north with him and Toc.
On page: Gruntle, Stonny Menackis, Keruli, Bauchelain, Korbal Broach, Toc the Younger, Onos T'oolan, Lady Envy·Mentioned: Anomander Rake
Chapter 2
Picker and Blend stop an artisan named Munug on a backroad and Picker purchases an arm torc blessed by Treach, the Tiger of Summer, which locks onto her arm. Munug is secretly working for the The Crippled God. Quick Ben tracks Munug's path and confronts the Crippled God, discovering that Burn has been poisoned. He is pulled underground by a giant figure within Burn's living warren who begs him to save the goddess. Quick Ben promises to find a way. Meanwhile, Paran is collecting tolls and suffering from illness since the Darujhistan fete. He meets with Whiskeyjack and Mallet, learning that the Bridgeburners will be sent on a separate mission while Dujek's forces march south. Whiskeyjack refuses treatment for his badly healed leg.
On page: Picker, Blend, Quick Ben, The Crippled God, Ganoes Paran, Whiskeyjack, Mallet, Trotts, Hedge
Chapter 3
The Mhybe awakens feeling unnaturally old, her youth drained by Silverfox who now appears ten years old despite being born six months ago. Korlat watches over the child while Kallor insists Silverfox is dangerous. At the parley between Dujek and Caladan Brood, Silverfox reveals knowledge beyond her apparent age. Dujek and Brood discuss their assets against the Pannion Domin, with Crone bringing word from Anomander Rake. Silverfox senses Whiskeyjack and Dujek are hiding a secret. During discussions in the command tent, Kallor grabs Silverfox and demands she be killed, but Whiskeyjack strikes him down. Silverfox then reveals she is the reborn souls of Tattersail and Nightchill, that she was birthed in the Tellann warren, and that she commands the T'lan Imass who will be needed in the coming battle.
On page: Mhybe, Silverfox, Korlat, Kallor, Dujek Onearm, Whiskeyjack, Caladan Brood, Crone
Chapter 4
Paran spends hours with Silverfox, struggling to reconcile her current form with his memories of Tattersail. Silverfox explains she is the first flesh and blood Bonecaster in hundreds of thousands of years and names Paran the Master of the Deck, a new unaligned card meant to impose order in an unseen war between the warrens. She tells him he must run toward the screaming child in his visions. Separately, Gruntle's caravan crosses a ford where Buke has joined Bauchelain's service, secretly planning to kill Korbal Broach. Quick Ben visits the Witch of Tennes and learns Burn sleeps to dream, but her fever from the The Crippled God's poison threatens all. Paran meets Dujek who delivers grim family news. Whiskeyjack tells Paran about Silverfox and arranges a meeting, warning that Kallor poses a threat to her and that Paran's journey into Dragnipur has made him a person of interest.
On page: Ganoes Paran, Silverfox, Gruntle, Stonny Menackis, Buke, Quick Ben, Whiskeyjack, Dujek Onearm, Mallet·Mentioned: Nightchill, Bellurdan
Chapter 5
Toc, Lady Envy, and Tool make camp north of Morn. Tool reveals Lady Envy was once Anomander Rake's companion and tells Toc about the Seguleh ranking system. Thurule challenges Tool to a duel but is defeated. Lady Envy recounts how Rake once visited the Seguleh island, killing twenty warriors before escaping. Meanwhile, Whiskeyjack, Quick Ben, and Mallet discuss Paran's mysterious illness, concluding his body resists the ascendancy being forced upon him. Whiskeyjack and Dujek discuss Moon's Spawn's role and agree Tattersail's soul must remain dominant in Silverfox. Caladan Brood questions Korlat and the The Mhybe about why Silverfox drains her mother's life force so rapidly. The Darujhistan delegation arrives led by Kruppe, who suggests the Trygalle Trade Guild supply the armies. Crone observes the Bridgeburners performing readings with the Deck of Dragons, discovering a new unaspected card. Anomander Rake arrives in dragon form, examines Silverfox, and reaches for Dragnipur, prompting Brood to unlimber his hammer. Paran appears before Rake, is transported to the Finnest House, and discovers the Beast Hold's empty thrones and the chained The Crippled God at the heart of Burn's wound. He realises Brood's hammer could shatter Burn and unleash the Crippled God.
On page: Toc the Younger, Lady Envy, Onos T'oolan, Whiskeyjack, Quick Ben, Mallet, Dujek Onearm, Caladan Brood, Korlat, Mhybe, Silverfox, Kallor, Kruppe, Coll, Murillio, Crone, Anomander Rake, Ganoes Paran, Mok, Picker, Blend, Hedge, Trotts, Spindle, The Crippled God·Mentioned: Draconus
Chapter 6
Gruntle's caravan enters Saltoan where Keruli orchestrates a meeting with the city's underworld to spread disinformation against the Pannion Domin. Outside Saltoan, they find burned bandit corpses and join three White Face Barghast siblings: Hetan, Cafal, and Netok. At Bauchelain's wrecked wagon, they learn undead K'Chain Che'Malle attacked. The party prepares for another attack, which comes in the form of K'ell Hunters. Bauchelain and Korbal Broach fight them with sorcery. Harllo dies trying to protect Gruntle, who is badly wounded and loses consciousness. Separately, Karnadas surveys Capustan's defences while Brukhalian struggles with the Mask Council. Quick Ben contacts the Grey Swords from afar. Itkovian leads troops outside Capustan and encounters an undead K'ell Hunter, which is destroyed at great cost. Pran Chole and the T'lan Imass arrive to deal with more hunters. Itkovian agrees to serve as bait while the T'lan Imass travel as dust. Toc has a vision through Baaljagg of the Ay's tragic history. He then sees through Trake's eyes as the dying god is saved by Kilava. Kilava visits Tool's camp briefly, and an Elder God tells Toc he will be sent into the Pannion Seer's hands.
On page: Gruntle, Stonny Menackis, Keruli, Hetan, Cafal, Bauchelain, Korbal Broach, Buke, Karnadas, Brukhalian, Itkovian, Pran Chole, Quick Ben, Whiskeyjack, Toc the Younger, Lady Envy, Onos T'oolan, Kilava
Hearthstone
Chapter 7
Gethol, wounded by Brukhalian, crawls through Omtose Phellack and encounters the The Crippled God, who offers him the position of Herald of the new House of Chains. Gethol accepts. Kruppe dominates a knuckle game against Murillio, Coll, and Quick Ben. Whiskeyjack visits Anomander Rake and shares Quick Ben's history: the twelve mages of a Holy Protector's cadre transferred their souls and powers into Quick Ben's body during a chase across Raraku, and Kalam had been secretly aiding them. Rake promises not to probe Quick Ben and pledges to protect Silverfox. Rake instructs Korlat to guard Silverfox and authorises the Tiste Andii to prepare a full unveiling of Kurald Galain against Kallor if needed. The Mhybe dreams of young Imass footprints in her dreamworld. Kruppe gives her copper adornments from ancient Rhivi altars to ease her pain. Paran's company prepares to meet the White Face Barghast, with Trotts needing to fight challenge duels to secure an alliance. Quick Ben travels between corrupted warrens and discovers Talamandas, one of the first Barghast, bound as a sticksnare. He frees Talamandas in exchange for help against the Crippled God.
On page: Whiskeyjack, Anomander Rake, Quick Ben, Korlat, Kruppe, Murillio, Coll, Mhybe, Silverfox, Kallor, Crone, The Crippled God, Ganoes Paran, Talamandas, Antsy, Spindle·Mentioned: Kalam Mekhar, Picker, Fiddler, Hedge
Chapter 8
Toc, Lady Envy, and Tool march toward Pannion Domin lands from the south. Envy tells Toc the Imass have outlived their gods and the gathering might be their end. When an undead K'ell Hunter appears, the three Seguleh destroy it effortlessly, with Mok decapitating it. Tool insists he must eventually duel Mok to maintain his title as First Sword, but Envy knocks Mok unconscious to prevent it. At a hamlet near Bastion, they find impaled corpses and are hosted by Seerdomin Kahlt who plans treachery. Envy slaughters the Pannion soldiers overnight. At Bastion, they find the population has turned to cannibalism under the Tenescowri. A priest describes the Children of the Dead Seed and how Anaster leads the starving army. When a mob attacks, Envy unleashes sorcery while Toc flees to join the Tenescowri, reasoning they will eventually bring him near the Malazan army.
On page: Toc the Younger, Lady Envy, Onos T'oolan, Mok·Mentioned: Anaster
Chapter 9
Toc, Lady Envy, and Tool approach Pannion Domin lands. The Seguleh destroy an undead K'ell Hunter with ease, and Tool insists he must eventually duel Mok. At a village near Bastion, they find walls lined with impaled corpses. Seerdomin Kahlt hosts them but plans treachery. Envy kills the Pannion soldiers overnight with magic while the Seguleh slaughter the rest. At Bastion, they find the population has turned to cannibalism under the Tenescowri. Toc learns about the Children of the Dead Seed. When a mob attacks, Toc flees and joins the Tenescowri, hoping they will eventually bring him near the Malazan army. Separately, Itkovian and the Grey Swords encounter Bauchelain and Korbal Broach and the wreckage of Gruntle's caravan. The survivors are in a magical sleep. Pran Chole strikes Korbal Broach down when he approaches. They escort the wounded to Capustan. In a meeting with Prince Jelarkan, Karnadas learns the Mask Council is pushing for suicidal tactics. Three Kron T'lan Imass Bonecasters appear to meet Brukhalian, warning that someone lurks in the Pannion Seer's shadow. Gethol appears to Brukhalian as Hood's herald, offering a way out of Capustan, but Brukhalian wounds him. Gruntle awakens near Capustan and learns Harllo died in the K'Chain Che'Malle attack.
On page: Toc the Younger, Lady Envy, Onos T'oolan, Mok, Anaster, Itkovian, Bauchelain, Korbal Broach, Pran Chole, Brukhalian, Karnadas, Gruntle, Stonny Menackis
Chapter 10
Gruntle is slapped awake by Stonny after binge drinking over Harllo's death. Buke tells him the Pannion Domin has surrounded Capustan and they will be caught in the siege. They visit the Grey Swords barracks seeking healing. Buke reveals he is still employed by Bauchelain and Korbal Broach, trying to prevent Broach's murders. Itkovian sees the 80,000 Pannion troops and 100,000 Tenescowri arrayed before Capustan. Hetan and Cafal address the Mask Council to demand the return of Barghast ancestral remains. The council chamber floor is torn up, revealing nine dugout canoes and sixty ancient bodies. Stonny takes Gruntle to thank Keruli for saving their lives during the K'ell Hunter attack. Keruli gives Gruntle a clay bird for Buke. Itkovian and Cafal examine carvings on the canoes showing Barghast fighting the T'isten'ur, likely the Tiste Edur. Rath'Trake warns of Trake's ascendancy threatening Fener's position as god of war.
On page: Gruntle, Stonny Menackis, Buke, Itkovian, Hetan, Cafal, Karnadas, Keruli·Mentioned: Brukhalian, Bauchelain, Korbal Broach
Chapter 11
Antsy's squad waits on the steppes for Quick Ben while the rest of the Bridgeburners meet the White Face Barghast. Mallet struggles to use his tainted warren and suffers debilitating sunburns. Quick Ben returns from Hood's Path, sick from the warren corruption, and concludes the Pannion Seer is a pawn of the The Crippled God. At the Barghast camp, Trotts fights a ceremonial duel against Humbrall Taur's unnamed son. Both fall mortally wounded, but a cutter named Mulch performs an emergency tracheotomy on Trotts, and Mallet arrives by quorl to heal him. Quick Ben is pulled underground by Barghast spirits and meets Talamandas again, who tells him the founding families' remains are trapped in Capustan. Mallet, channelling Barghast spirits through his warren, heals Trotts and is remade by the spirits' power. Trotts is recognised as a Barghast clan chief with the Bridgeburners as his clan. Paran convinces Humbrall Taur that Capustan matters to all clans. The Barghast spirits are reunited with the living clan members, and Humbrall Taur agrees to march on Capustan.
On page: Antsy, Quick Ben, Picker, Spindle, Hedge, Mallet, Blend, Ganoes Paran, Trotts, Humbrall Taur, Talamandas·Mentioned: The Crippled God
Chapter 12
Toc has marched with the Tenescowri for three weeks, gaining a reputation as a perceptive observer. Anaster takes him into his inner circle. Toc observes the army's ensorcelled condors and the cannibalism among the lieutenants, but refuses to eat human flesh. At the fortress of Outlook, the Pannion Seer heals Toc's starvation damage and questions him about Lady Envy's party. Toc denies knowledge of them. He briefly sees through Baaljagg's eyes as Tool, Envy, and the Seguleh battle through ice and snow created by Jaghut magic. The Seer reveals himself as a Jaghut controlled by grey tendrils leading to a deeper power source. He accuses Toc of attempting to claim the Throne of the Beast Hold. Toc is thrown into a dark room with the K'Chain Che'Malle Matron, who clings to him with insane need, shattering his bones repeatedly while the Seer's healing spell keeps him alive.
On page: Toc the Younger, Anaster·Mentioned: Lady Envy, Onos T'oolan
Chapter 13
Whiskeyjack approaches the Mhybe about her nightmares and is cursed for his reassurance. He learns from Korlat that Silverfox has withdrawn and is feeding on the Mhybe's life force in earnest. The Trygalle Trade Guild arrives dramatically, confirming the warrens are poisoned. Kallor burns a Century Candle and is visited by Gethol offering him the position of King of High House Chains. Kallor agrees on condition the The Crippled God provide an opportunity to strike at Silverfox. Whiskeyjack and Korlat begin a relationship, bonding over the Bridgeburners' history with the Tiste Andii at Blackdog Forest. The Mhybe dreams of being carried by an undead dragon and hearing an unseen voice saying Kruppe visited Silverfox in dreams to chastise her for abandoning her mother.
On page: Whiskeyjack, Mhybe, Korlat, Silverfox, Kallor·Mentioned: The Crippled God, Kruppe
Capustan
Chapter 14
Gruntle waits in a bar as Capustan is surrounded by over a quarter million Pannion soldiers. Buke visits and discusses their efforts to contain Korbal Broach's murders. Itkovian watches Hetan and Cafal commune with Barghast spirits. Prince Jelarkan presses him for information about the approaching relief forces and learns they are five weeks distant with only 40,000 troops. Itkovian makes a failed attempt at seducing Hetan as ordered by Brukhalian, then confesses his struggle with his vows to Karnadas, who reveals Fener never required vows of abstinence. Movement is spotted in the Pannion camps. Gruntle and Buke discuss their efforts against Korbal Broach when the siege begins with ballistae striking the walls. Gruntle reluctantly heads toward Stonny's position with the Grey Swords. He finds her covered in gore, her armour in tatters, having been raped by a Seerdomin. He carries her to safety. Itkovian commands the city's defence from the barracks rooftop through messengers, his strategy of street-by-street contraction working brutally but the walls are breached by sheer numbers. Keruli demands a place on the Mask Council as Rath'Krul and warns of betrayal. Gruntle rallies a citizen militia, making a standard from a partially eaten child's tunic, and holds the West Gate. Itkovian recognises Trake's shadow over Gruntle.
On page: Gruntle, Buke, Itkovian, Karnadas, Stonny Menackis, Hetan, Cafal, Brukhalian, Keruli·Mentioned: Caladan Brood, Dujek Onearm, Bauchelain, Korbal Broach
Chapter 15
Whiskeyjack accompanies Rhivi scouts to a site of K'Chain Che'Malle bones destroyed by T'lan Ay. Silverfox summons thousands of T'lan Ay as her escort, worrying Whiskeyjack about her growing power. They discuss the findings with Dujek, Brood, and Kallor, who reveals extensive knowledge of the K'Chain Che'Malle and their history of civil war and extinction. Silverfox explains the T'lan Imass are joining to fight the K'Chain Che'Malle behind the Pannion Seer. Kallor accuses her of lying and a Trygalle Trade Guild mage suggests an unseen third power manipulates everything. Kruppe boldly claims he will stand against the unknown enemy, provoking Caladan Brood to slam his hammer into the earth, causing an earthquake that raises a small mountain range. Kruppe stands unharmed. Whiskeyjack sees fouled blood filling the fissures and realises the The Crippled God is poisoning Burn. Dujek is furious at being deceived about the Crippled God's involvement. Whiskeyjack calms him, expressing faith in Kruppe and whatever Elder God supports him, and comparing Kruppe's intelligence to Quick Ben's. The Mhybe dreams of being chased by wolves. Korlat tells her about the T'lan Ay, causing the Mhybe to react with terror. Korlat and Whiskeyjack argue about the Mhybe's fears. Crone reports to Brood that Capustan will not hold and the Seer wages war to the south with Omtose Phellack.
On page: Whiskeyjack, Korlat, Silverfox, Kruppe, Dujek Onearm, Caladan Brood, Kallor, Mhybe, Coll, Murillio, Crone·Mentioned: Quick Ben
Chapter 16
The Tenescowri overrun Capustan, climbing over each other and dying by the score. Itkovian rides into the fray on his warhorse, sustaining grievous wounds before reaching a clearing where surviving Grey Swords have gathered. He meets Brukhalian and passes out. Gruntle's appearance has changed with yellow eyes and striped skin as Trake transforms him. His militia fights with new abilities and communicates non-verbally. Karnadas dies from the poisoned warren's toll on his body. A messenger lures Brukhalian to the Thrall where Rath'Fener has betrayed them. Brukhalian knowingly leads 400 Grey Swords into an ambush by Septarch Kulpath's forces. Brukhalian and Nilbanas are killed fighting, and Hood appears to claim Brukhalian's soul. Buke flies over the carnage as a sparrow hawk. Itkovian awakens and the young Capan recruit Velbara reports only 137 Grey Swords survive. He marches to Jelarkan's palace and finds Anaster and his Tenescowri have killed, roasted, and eaten Prince Jelarkan. Itkovian offers to take Anaster's despair, but Anaster refuses in terror, knowing without his despair he would be nothing. The Grey Swords kill forty Seerdomin and hold the throne room in honour of the prince.
On page: Itkovian, Gruntle, Brukhalian, Karnadas, Anaster, Buke, Bauchelain, Korbal Broach, Keruli, Stonny Menackis