Steven Erikson - Gardens of the Moon (The Malazan Book of the Fallen, Vol. 1)

Gardens of
the Moon

Also by Steven Erikson

THE MALAZAN BOOK OF THE FALLEN

Gardens of the Moon
Deadhouse Gates
Memories of Ice
House of Chains
Midnight Tides
The Bonehunters
Reapers Gale
Toll the Hounds
Dust of Dreams
The Crippled God

STEVEN ERIKSON

B OOK O NE OF THE
M ALAZAN B OOK OF THE F ALLEN

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously.

GARDENS OF THE MOON: BOOK ONE OF THE MALAZAN BOOK OF THE FALLEN

Copyright 1999 by Steven Erikson

Maps by Neil Gower

Originally published in Great Britain in 1999 by Bantam Books, a division of Transworld Publishers

All rights reserved.

A Tor Book
Published by Tom Doherty Associates, LLC
175 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10010

www.tor-forge.com

Tor is a registered trademark of Tom Doherty Associates, LLC.

The Library of Congress has catalogued the hardcover edition as follows:

Erikson, Steven.
Gardens of the moon / Steven Erikson.
p. cm.
A Tom Doherty Associates Book.
ISBN-13: 978-0-7653-1001-9
ISBN-10: 0-7653-1001-5
1. Fantasy fiction. I. Title.
PR9199.4.E745 G37 2004
823.92dc22
2004301319

ISBN-13: 978-0-7653-2288-3 (trade paperback)
ISBN-10: 0-7653-2288-9 (trade paperback)

Printed in the United States of America

0 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2

This novel is dedicated to

I. C. E SSLEMONT

worlds to conquer worlds to share

No novel is ever written in isolation. The author wishes to thank the following for their support over the years: Clare Thomas, Bowen, Mark Paxton-MacRae, David Keck, Courtney, Ryan, Chris and Rick, Mireille Theriacelt, Dennis Valdron, Keith Addison, Susan, David and Harriet, Clare and David Thomas Jr, Chris Rodell, Patrick Carroll, Kate Peach, Peter Knowlson, Rune, Kent and Val and the kids, my tireless agent Patrick Walsh, and Simon Taylor, one terrific editor.

O NEARMS H OST

Tattersail, Cadre Sorceress, 2nd Army, a reader of the Deck of Dragons

Hairlock, Cadre Mage, 2nd Army, an unpleasant rival of Tayschrenn

Calot, Cadre Mage, 2nd Army, Tattersails lover

Toc the Younger, scout, 2nd Army, a Claw agent badly scarred at the Siege of Pale

T HE B RIDGEBURNERS

Sergeant Whiskeyjack, 9th Squad, past commander of the 2nd Army

Corporal Kalam, 9th Squad, an ex-Claw from Seven Cities

Quick Ben, 9th Squad, a Seven Cities Mage

Sorry, 9th Squad, a deadly killer in the guise of a young girl

Hedge, 9th Squad, a sapper

Fiddler, 9th Squad, a sapper

Trotts, 9th Squad, a Barghast warrior

Mallet, 9th Squad, the squad healer

Sergeant Antsy, 7th Squad

Picker, 7th Squad

T HE I MPERIAL C OMMAND

Ganoes Stabro Paran, a noble-born officer in the Malazan Empire

Dujek Onearm, High Fist, Malazan Armies, Genabackis Campaign

Tayschrenn, High Mage to the Empress

Bellurdan, High Mage to the Empress

Nightchill, High Sorceress to the Empress

AKaronys, High Mage to the Empress

Lorn, Adjunct to the Empress

Topper, Commander of the Claw

Empress Laseen, Ruler of the Malazan Empire

H OUSE P ARAN (U NTA )

Tavore, Ganoes sister (middle-child)

Felisin, Ganoes youngest sister

Gamet, House Guard and veteran

I N THE E MPERORS T IME

Emperor Kellanved, the founder of the Empire, assassinated by Laseen

Dancer, the Emperors chief adviser, assassinated by Laseen

Surly, Laseens old name when Commander of the Claw

Dassem Ultor, the First Sword of Empire, killed outside Yghatan, Seven Cities

Toc (the Elder), disappeared in Laseens purges of the Old Guard

T HE P HOENIX I NN R EGULARS

Kruppe, a man of false modesty

Crokus Younghand, a young thief

Rallick Nom, an assassin in the Guild

Murillio, a courtier

Coll, a drunk

Meese, a regular

Irilta, a regular

Scurve, the barman

Sulty, a serving woman

Chert, an unlucky bully

T HE T ORRUD C ABAL

Baruk, a High Alchemist

Derudan, a Witch of Tennes

Mammot, a High Priest of Driss and eminent scholar, uncle to Crokus

Travale, a pious soldier of the Cabal

Tholis, a High Mage

Parald, a High Mage

T HE C OUNCIL

Turban Orr, a powerful councilman and Simtals lover

Lim, an ally of Turban Orr

Simtal, Lady of Simtal Estate

Estraysian DArle, a rival of Turban Orr

Challice DArle, his daughter

T HE G UILD OF A SSASSINS

Vorcan, Mistress of the Guild (also known as the Master of Assassins)

Ocelot, Rallick Noms Clan Leader

Talo Krafar, an assassin of Jurrig Denattes Clan

Krute of Talient, an agent of the Guild

A LSO IN THE C ITY

The Eel, a rumoured master-spy

Circle Breaker, an agent of the Eel

Vildrom, a city guard

Captain Stillis, Captain of Guard, Simtal Estate

T HE T ISTE A NDII

Anomander Rake, Lord of Moons Spawn, Son of Darkness, Knight of Darkness

Serrat, second-in-command to Rake

Korlat, a night-hunter and blood-kin to Serrat

Orfantal, a night-hunter

Horult, a night-hunter

T HE T LAN I MASS

Logros, Commander of the Tlan Imass Clans serving the Malazan Empire

Onos Toolan, a clanless warrior

Pran Chole, a Bonecaster (shaman) of the Kron Tlan Imass

Kig Aven, a Clan Leader

O THERS

Crone, a Great Raven and servant to Anomander Rake

Silanah, an Eleint and companion to Anomander Rake