A Malazan Book of the Fallen Collection 2

Acclaim for Steven Erikson's
The Malazan Book of the Fallen:
    'Steven Erikson is an extraordinary writer . . . My advice to anyone who might listen to me is: treat yourself'
Stephen R. Donaldson
    'Give me the evocation of a rich, complex and yet ultimately unknowable other world, with a compelling suggestion of intricate history and mythology and lore. Give me mystery amid the grand narrative ... Give me the world in which every sea hides a crumbled Atlantis, every ruin has a tale to tell, every broken blade is a silent legacy of struggles unknown. Give me in other words, the fantasy work of Steven Erikson ... a master of lost and forgotten epochs, a weaver of ancient epics' Salon.com
    'I stand slack-jawed in awe of The Malayan Book of the Fallen. This masterwork of the imagination may be the high watermark of epic fantasy' Glen Cook
    'Truly epic in scope, Erikson has no peer when it comes to action and imagination, and joins the ranks of Tolkien and Donaldson in his mythic vision and perhaps then goes one better' SF Site
    'Rare is the writer who so fluidly combines a sense of mythic power and depth of world with fully realized characters and thrilling action, but Steven Erikson manages it spectacularly' Michael A. Stackpole
    'Like the archaeologist that he is, Erikson continues to delve into the history and ruins of the Malazan Empire, in the process revealing unforeseen riches and annals that defy expectation ... this is true myth in the making, a drawing upon fantasy to recreate histories and legends as rich as any found within our culture' Interzone
    'Gripping, fast-moving, delightfully dark . . . Erikson brings a punchy, mesmerizing writing style into the genre of epic fantasy, making an indelible impression. Utterly engrossing' Elizabeth Hayden
    'Everything we have come to expect from this most excellent of fantasy writers; huge in scope, vast in implication and immensely, utterly entertaining'
alienonline
    'One of the most promising new writers of the past few years, he has more than proved his right to A-list status'
Bookseller
    'Erikson's strengths are his grown-up characters and his ability to create a world every bit as intricate and messy as our own' J. V. Jones
    'An author who never disappoints on delivering stunning and hard-edged fantasy is Steven Erikson ... a master of modern fantasy' WBQ magazine
    'Wondrous voyages, demons and gods abound ... dense and complex ... ultimately rewarding' Locus
    'Erikson ... is able to create a world that is both absorbing on a human level and full of magical sublimity ... A wonderfully grand conception ... splendidly written ... fiendishly readable' Adam Roberts
    'A multi-layered tale of magic and war, loyalty and betrayal. Complexly drawn characters occupy a richly detailed world in this panoramic saga' Library Journal
    'Epic in every sense of the word ... Erikson shows a masterful control of an immense plot ... the worlds of mortals and gods meet in what is a truly awe-inspiring clash' Enigma

By Steven Erikson
    GARDENS OF THE MOON
    DEADHOUSE GATES
    MEMORIES OF ICE
    HOUSE OF CHAINS
    MIDNIGHT TIDES
    THE BONEHUNTERS
    REAPER'S GALE

Memories of Ice
    A Tale of the
Malazan Book of the Fallen
STEVEN ERIKSON

To R. S. Lundin

A CKNOWLEDGEMENTS
    I extend my gratitude to the following for their support and friendship: Clare, Bowen, Mark, David, Chris, Rick, Cam, Courtney; Susan and Peter, David Thomas Sr and Jr, Harriet and Chris and Lily and Mina and Smudge; Patrick Walsh and Simon and Jane. Thanks also to Dave Holden and his friendly staff (Tricia, Cindy, Liz, Tanis, Barbara, Joan, Nadia, Amanda, Tony, Andi and Jody) of the Pizza Place, for the table and the refills. And thanks to John Meaney for the disgusting details on dead seeds.





DRAMATIS PERSONAE
     
THE CARAVANSERAI
    Gruntle, a caravan guard
    Stonny Menackis, a caravan guard
    Harllo, a caravan guard
    Buke, a caravan guard
    Bauchelain, an explorer
    Korbal Broach, his silent partner
    Emancipor Reese, a manservant
    Keruli, a trader
    Marble, a sorcerer
     
IN CAPUSTAN
    Brukhalian, Mortal Sword of Fener's Reve (the Grey
Swords)
    Itkovian, Shield Anvil of Fener's Reve (the Grey Swords)
    Karnadas, Destriant of Fener's Reve (the Grey Swords)
    Recruit Velbara (the Grey Swords)
    Master Sergeant Norul (the Grey Swords)
    Farakalian (the Grey Swords)
    Nakalian (the Grey Swords)
    Torun (the Grey Swords)
    Sidlis (the Grey Swords)
    Nilbanas (the Grey Swords)
    Jelarkan, prince and ruler of Capustan
    Arard, prince and ruler in