House of Chains
Chapters - Steven Erikson
Prologue
Trull Sengar is dragged along the top of a great wall in the flooded warren of the Nascent by his brothers and chained in place. The Shorning ritual is performed: a symbol carved into his forehead, his braid hacked off, his scalp treated with unguent to kill remaining hair. He is declared outcast for crimes he insists he did not commit. His brothers accuse him of betrayal, of calling their enemies Pure Kin and forbidding their deaths. They leave him alone with the lapping water and feeding crabs. Trull reflects that his brothers and people have shattered Nature's balance, and nature does not abide an imbalance.
On page: Trull Sengar
Faces in the Rock
Chapter 1
Karsa Orlong, a young Teblor warrior of the Uryd clan, plans to raid Silver Lake as his grandfather Pahlk once did. He visits the Faces in the Rock and vows slaughter in the name of the god Urugal, then sets out with companions Bairoth Gild and Delum Thord. After they depart, seven disfigured T'lan Imass entities rise from beneath the glade, freed from ancient imprisonment and now serving a new master. Karsa's father Synyg gives him his horse Havok but refuses his blessing. The trio ride through Rathyd lands where Karsa slaughters a group of warriors, raids their village, and subjugates a pack of dogs led by Gnaw. The trio continue toward Silver Lake, harrying Rathyd hunting parties as they go.
On page: Karsa Orlong, Bairoth Gild
Chapter 2
Karsa Orlong, Bairoth Gild, and Delum discover ancient Teblor glyphs in a cave describing how the T'lan Imass hunted their ancestors and how the clans were established. Pressing into Sunyd lands, they find the villages abandoned and learn lowlanders have driven the Sunyd out. They free a Forkrul Assail named Calm from beneath a stone slab. She attacks them, cracking Delum's skull and leaving him brain-damaged. Bairoth reveals he and Dayliss are lovers and she carries his child; Karsa vows to enslave her. They fight lowlander priests and their magical fire has no effect on Karsa. Finally they reach Silver Lake, now a walled town, and assault it. Delum is slain. Karsa is impaled and captured. A guard reveals the truth about Pahlk's visit. The slaver Silgar arrives, and Bairoth is tortured and killed. Karsa is thrown into a slave pit where he meets Torvald Nom. They escape together but Karsa is recaptured by Malazans using an enchanted net. Captain Kindly arrests Silgar for attempted bribery.
On page: Karsa Orlong, Bairoth Gild, Torvald Nom, Silgar
Chapter 3
Karsa Orlong and Torvald Nom are loaded onto a wagon in chains, bound for the otataral mines in Seven Cities. Over weeks of travel, Karsa feigns brain damage. They cross the continent by ferry and ship. On the ocean voyage, Karsa has visions of the Seven Gods and chains descending from the sky. A storm destroys the ship, killing all sailors, and the two drift on Karsa's platform. They enter a strange freshwater sea, find stranded ships from an ancient battle, and free themselves. They encounter grey-skinned warriors whom Karsa slaughters. Eventually they reach a shoreline of detritus and a wall with a breach. Silgar reappears, and they pass through the portal together, emerging in water. They swim to shore and meet a man called Keeper near the Otataral Sea, who gives them money. Karsa and Torvald set off toward Ehrlitan.
On page: Karsa Orlong, Torvald Nom, Silgar
Chapter 4
Karsa and Torvald Nom travel through the A'rath Forest and are ambushed by Arak tribesmen led by Silgar. Torvald's throat is cut by an Arak before Gral raiders attack the camp. Silgar escapes through a warren with Karsa and Damisk. They emerge in Ehrlitan where Karsa is seized by Malazans who plan to send him to the otataral mines. In captivity, Karsa meets a blue-eyed stranger. Torvald reappears with Gral allies and helps them escape. The blue-eyed man leads Karsa through tunnels out of the city. They flee into the Pan'potsun Odhan, pursued by Silgar and Malazans. Karsa attacks the camp, cuts off Silgar's hands and feet, and drags him along. Eight days later, the blue-eyed man reveals himself as Leoman, servant of Felisin [[character:emskxqa00prvnpv1go12hgmk|Ganoes Paran]], and tells Karsa the Teblor are actually Thelomen Karsa Orlong, an ancient race older than the T'lan Imass.
On page: Karsa Orlong, Torvald Nom, Silgar, Leoman
Cold Iron
Chapter 5
Fist Gamet observes the chaos of the newly formed Malaz 14th Army in Aren. He and Commander Blistig clash over leadership and discipline. Adjunct Tavore [[character:emskxqa00prvnpv1go12hgmk|Ganoes Paran]] reorganises the army, promoting Blistig and Tene Baralta to Fist, assigning the Wickan mages Nil and Nether, and placing the young Wickan Temul as captain of her bodyguard. Tavore privately asks Pearl and Lostara Yil to find her sister Felisin Paran, revealing that the Talon agent Baudin was sent to protect Felisin but contact was lost at Skullcup. Strings arrives in Aren as a recruit, concealing his identity as Fiddler. He joins the Marines and meets Gesler and Stormy, who recognise him. Admiral Nok meets privately with Tavore and recounts the history of Kellanved's original companions and the Napan betrayal that led to Surly becoming Empress Laseen.
On page: Gamet, Blistig, Tavore Paran, Pearl, Lostara Yil, Fiddler, Nil, Nether, Gesler, Stormy, Truth, Nok, Keneb·Mentioned: Empress Laseen, Felisin Paran
Chapter 6
In Itko Kan, Apsalar and Cutter return to Apsalar's fishing village where her father Rellock has died. Crokus, reflecting on his changing identity, accepts the name Cutter after killing two murderers in the city of Kan. He decides to walk the path of ascendancy with Apsalar. Kalam Mekhar rides through the Warren of Shadow where he, Minala, and Apt are training thirteen hundred children as soldiers for Shadowthrone. Cotillion meets Kalam and hints that control of Shadow is being contested. Cotillion then visits Cutter on the shore and asks him to serve as his agent, promising the Hound Blind can be summoned in need. Apsalar knows Cotillion has visited and the pair set out by boat toward a drifting island. In the Nascent, Onrack comes upon the chained Trull Sengar and frees him. They travel together, finding giant statues of dog-like beasts. Onrack says two of the statues are alive.
On page: Apsalar, Crokus Younghand, Kalam Mekhar, Cotillion, Minala, Apt, Rellock, Onrack, Trull Sengar·Mentioned: Shadowthrone
Chapter 7
In the Raraku oasis camp, Heboric collects flowers for tea and speaks with [[character:vgkrzuj5cwsu90yq9w4bhjmp|Felisin Paran Younger]] about the Whirlwind Goddess and the history of the Seven Cities. Heboric then meets Leoman and Karsa Orlong, who discuss Bidithal's perverse interest in Felisin Younger. Heboric confronts Bidithal in his Rashan temple and threatens him with death if he touches the girl. Karsa reflects on Heboric, the Whirlwind Goddess, and the fall of the Toblakai people. He visits Sha'ik in his stone grove where she senses a strange magic emanating from him. In Sha'ik's command tent, the mages and commanders discuss the reshaping of the pantheon, Whiskeyjack's death, and the approach of Adjunct Tavore Paran's army. Sha'ik freezes at the mention of her brother Ganoes Paran, then dismisses everyone except Heboric and weeps.
On page: Heboric Light Touch, Felisin Younger, Karsa Orlong, Leoman, Bidithal, Felisin Paran, Silgar, Kamist Reloe·Mentioned: Korbolo Dom, Febryl, Ganoes Paran
Chapter 8
Adjunct Tavore [[character:emskxqa00prvnpv1go12hgmk|Ganoes Paran]] reviews the chaotic 8th Legion on the marshalling grounds of Aren. The sapper Cuttle arrives late from prison and, with Fiddler, uses a munition explosion to shock the soldiers into forming ranks. The child Grub appears holding a human longbone, creating an evil omen that the army sees as a death curse. Strings gathers the sergeants, reveals he was a Bridgeburner, and tells a story about Admiral Nok to illustrate how to handle bad omens. The soldiers adopt finger bones from a local graveyard as talismans. Tavore recognises this and orders a proper standard made. Lostara Yil recalls her past and receives a visit from Cotillion asking a favour. Pearl and Lostara question Gesler, Stormy, Pella, and Truth about Felisin Paran's escape from Skullcup. They then inspect the impounded ship Silanda and determine Felisin likely ended up in the rebellion.
On page: Tavore Paran, Gamet, Fiddler, Cuttle, Keneb, Blistig, Lostara Yil, Pearl, Gesler, Stormy, Truth·Mentioned: Cotillion, Nil, Nether, Nok
Chapter 9
Kalam Mekhar browses a shop in G'danisban where he learns of the new House of Chains in the Deck of Dragons and buys two knives, one alloyed with otataral. He infiltrates the siege at B'ridys fortress by posing as a rebel. Inside, he allies with the young mage Sinn, who has poisoned the rebel water supply. Kalam summons an Azalan demon from one of Cotillion's shadow diamonds to retrieve the rebel captain Irriz. Together with the Malazan garrison, including Sergeant Cord and Corporal Shard, they retake the fortress. On Drift Avalii, Cutter and Apsalar's boat is wrecked in a storm. Cutter meets the Tiste Andii Darist underground and they discuss the Throne of Shadow and the Tiste Edur attack. In the Nascent, Onrack frees two Hounds of Darkness from the statues but they tear off his arm. Shorn from the Ritual of Tellann, Onrack continues with Trull Sengar. They use a Moranth munition to break a ward and encounter four Tiste Liosan led by Seneschal Jorrude. After a standoff, Monok Ochem and Ibra Gholan arrive. The groups negotiate a ritual to create a gate using Trull's Edur blood.
On page: Kalam Mekhar, Crokus Younghand, Apsalar, Onrack, Trull Sengar·Mentioned: Cotillion, Iskaral Pust
Chapter 10
In the stone forest near Sha'ik's camp, Karsa Orlong finishes carving statues of the seven Teblor gods and his dead friends. Leoman invites him on a raiding mission and tells him of Jhag horses in the west. Inside Sha'ik's tent, Heboric, Bidithal, L'oric, and Febryl review the new House of Chains cards in the Deck of Dragons. Heboric and [[character:vgkrzuj5cwsu90yq9w4bhjmp|Felisin [[character:emskxqa00prvnpv1go12hgmk|Ganoes Paran]] Younger]] discuss his need to retrace his path to the jade statue. Karsa agrees to seek a horse but worries about leaving Felisin Younger unprotected from Bidithal. The seven Teblor gods awaken and demand Karsa destroy the carvings of his friends; he refuses and warns he can shatter them instead. Karsa departs, and the gods reveal they are nearly free. Heboric and L'oric exchange knowledge about the Jade statues and the Master of the Deck. Kamist Reloe and Korbolo Dom plot to have Febryl kill Sha'ik, then destroy Tavore Paran, assassinate the Empress, and take the throne.
On page: Karsa Orlong, Leoman, Heboric Light Touch, Bidithal, Febryl, Felisin Paran, Felisin Younger, Korbolo Dom, Kamist Reloe·Mentioned: Bairoth Gild
Chapter 11
Gamet walks with Tavore Paran through Coltaine's Fall, now a site of pilgrimage. On the march, Fiddler and Gesler discuss faith in commanders and observe the fetishes the soldiers have adopted. Gamet visits Tavore's tent where she seals her otataral sword in a stone box, allowing Clawmaster Topper to arrive through a portal with news of losses on Genabackis. Bottle eavesdrops magically and brings word of Whiskeyjack's and the Bridgeburners' deaths to Strings, who grieves alone and meets the young Wickan leader Temul. Topper reports Ganoes Paran's death and Dujek's weakened state. Tavore asks Gamet to find T'amber. Strings speaks with Cuttle about what makes a good army, and they agree Tavore is made of cold iron.
On page: Gamet, Tavore Paran, Fiddler, Gesler, Cuttle, Bottle·Mentioned: Ganoes Paran
Something Breathes
Chapter 12
Cutter and Darist fight Tiste Edur on Drift Avalii to defend the Throne of Shadow. Apsalar arrives with young Tiste Andii whom Darist had hidden. Darist reveals his brother is Anomander Rake. Cutter finds shipwrecked Malazans in a cave, including a Dal Honese man named Traveller. Another Edur assault wounds Darist and knocks Apsalar unconscious. Cutter summons the Hound Blind, but it cowers before an Edur sorcerer. Cotillion arrives and slaughters the Edur. Traveller takes up Darist's sword, choosing the name Vengeance, and agrees to guard the Throne. Kalam Mekhar investigates a well inside B'ridys fortress and encounters a chained demon that exchanges with him. He flees toward Raraku but is attacked by a possessed enkar'al, which he kills. The wounded Kalam is found by Iskaral Pust. In the Nascent, Onrack and Trull Sengar speak with the Tiste Liosan. The Liosan and Trull give blood to tear open a gate; Trull and Onrack pass through while Monok Ochem vanishes in chaos. Pearl and Lostara Yil traverse the Imperial Warren where they find a crucified otataral dragon. They follow tracks to a decapitated T'lan Imass, Olar Shayn, who tells them his kin delivered mortal wounds to a false god.
On page: Crokus Younghand, Apsalar, Cotillion, Kalam Mekhar, Iskaral Pust, Onrack, Trull Sengar, Pearl, Lostara Yil
Chapter 13
Sha'ik commands her forces as Leoman departs to scout the Malazan 14th Army. Sha'ik, Heboric, and Korbolo Dom discuss strategy. [[character:vgkrzuj5cwsu90yq9w4bhjmp|Felisin [[character:emskxqa00prvnpv1go12hgmk|Ganoes Paran]] Younger]] is tricked into Bidithal's temple where she is abused. L'oric returns wounded from Kurald Thyrllan and communes with T'riss, the Queen of Dreams, about his disguised Tiste Liosan nature and his father Osric. He finds the injured Felisin Younger crawling toward Karsa Orlong's grove. Heboric dreams of the Jade giants pursuing the The Crippled God into the world, with screaming humans trapped inside. He wakes transformed by the god Treach, his vision restored, otataral gone from his hands. Felisin Younger awakens in the grove surrounded by snakes, and the Teblor gods promise she shall have her vengeance.
On page: Felisin Paran, Heboric Light Touch, Korbolo Dom, Felisin Younger, Bidithal, Silgar·Mentioned: Leoman, Febryl, The Crippled God
Chapter 14
Wolves stalking Karsa Orlong in the mountains prove to be the D'ivers Ryllandaras, warning him of two dangerous travellers. Karsa ignores the warning and meets Mappo and Icarium in ruins. After a brief fight, both Karsa and Icarium are knocked unconscious. Karsa awakens alone and travels for six days to an empty farming town. Led by the ghosts of Bairoth Gild and Delum through warrens, he enters Tellann in the wake of a Logros T'lan Imass army, then Omtose Phellack where he frees the Jaghut woman Aramala from beneath a stone. She tells him of the Jhag Odhan and its preserved ancient life. Karsa enters the T'lan Imass flint-weapon cavern where Urugal and the seven gods confront him. Siballe raises an army of sacrificed children for him to lead. Karsa listens, then crafts his own flint blade imbued with the spirits of Bairoth and Delum. He accepts the title Knight of Chains, champion of the The Crippled God, but says he will break the Crippled God's chains and then kill him.
On page: Karsa Orlong·Mentioned: Bairoth Gild, The Crippled God
Chapter 15
Fiddler watches an army of three thousand trailing Tavore [[character:emskxqa00prvnpv1go12hgmk|Ganoes Paran]]'s force. He and Cuttle are surrounded by riders wearing crow wings who identify themselves as the Burned Tears of the Khundryl, a clan that rode under Coltaine. Their leader Gall swears to join the 14th Army and pledges to Temul. That night, Gamet joins Tavore and Gall to discuss the army's future. Gamet meets Keneb following a large cattle dog that may be searching for Coltaine. Strings sits alone feeling lonely until Gesler joins him. He then finds Nil and Nether performing a ritual with butterflies, and a presence tells him Raraku awaits and his kin will find him there. Gamet reaches the Vathar River crossing blocked with bones from the Chain of Dogs. Tavore orders sappers to clear the ford. Strings and Cuttle blow the debris clear. From a butte, Tavore and Gamet see the harbour city of Ubaryd crowded with Admiral Nok's ships, and on the horizon the Whirlwind wall.
On page: Fiddler, Cuttle, Tavore Paran, Gamet, Keneb, Gesler, Nil, Nether·Mentioned: Nok, Quick Ben, Kalam Mekhar
Chapter 16
Kalam Mekhar spends a week healing at Iskaral Pust's Temple of Shadow in Tesem. Pust helps him breach the Whirlwind Wall undetected using an Azalan demon's misdirection. On Drift Avalii, Cutter carries the unconscious Apsalar and finds Cotillion over the body of the Talon witch Hawl. Cotillion sends Cutter to the Edur ship with a mission to find the Master of the Talon. Cotillion carries Hawl's body to a glade where Shadowthrone materialises. They discuss Traveller, the Talon's schemes, and agree that whatever the Talon plans must fail. The destination is Raraku. Cutter carries Apsalar to shore where she awakens and reveals she knows Traveller from Dancer's memories. They prepare a boat. Pearl and Lostara Yil visit the site where Sha'ik Elder was assassinated. They deduce that Felisin [[character:emskxqa00prvnpv1go12hgmk|Ganoes Paran]] has become Sha'ik Reborn and resolve to pass through the Whirlwind. Because Lostara is Pardu the Goddess will not notice her. They slip through the wall and embrace.
On page: Kalam Mekhar, Iskaral Pust, Crokus Younghand, Apsalar, Cotillion, Shadowthrone, Pearl, Lostara Yil·Mentioned: Felisin Paran