Steven Erikson - Deadhouse Gates (The Malazan Book of the Fallen, Book 2)

With deepest gratitude I acknowledge the following for their support: the staff at Caf Rouge, Dorking (keep the coffees coming.); the folks at Psion, whose extraordinary 5 Series was home to this novels first draft; Daryl and crew at Caf Hosete; and, of course, Simon Taylor and the rest at Transworld. For my family and friends, thank you for your faith and encouragement, without which all that I achieve means little. Thanks also to Stephen and Ross Donaldson for their kind words, James Barclay, Sean Russell, and Ariel. Finally, a big thank-you to those readers who took time to write their comments on various Web siteswriting is a solitary, isolating activity, but you have made it less so.

On the Path of the Hand

Icarium , a mixed-blood Jaghut wanderer

Mappo , his Trell companion

Iskaral Pust , a High Priest of Shadow

Ryllandaras , the White Jackal, a Divers

Messremb , a Soletaken

Gryllen , a Divers

Mogora , a Divers

The Malazans

Felisin , youngest daughter of House Paran

Heboric Light Touch , exiled historian and ex-priest of Fener

Baudin , companion to Felisin and Heboric

Fiddler , 9th Squad, Bridgeburners

Crokus , a visitor from Darujhistan

Apsalar , 9th Squad, Bridgeburners

Kalam , a corporal in the 9th Squad, Bridgeburners

Duiker , Imperial Historian

Kulp , cadre mage, 7th Army

Mallick Rel , chief adviser to the High Fist of the Seven Cities

Sawark , commander of the guard in the Otataral mining camp, Skullcup

Pella , a soldier stationed at Skullcup

Pormqual , High Fist of the Seven Cities, in Aren

Blistig , Commander of Aren Guard

Topper , Commander of the Claw

Lull , a captain in the Sialk Marines

Chenned , a captain in the 7th Army

Sulmar , a captain in the 7th Army

List , a corporal in the 7th Army

Mincer , a sapper

Cuttle , a sapper

Gesler , a corporal in the Coastal Guard

Stormy , a soldier in the Coastal Guard

Truth , a recruit in the Coastal Guard

Squint , a bowman

Pearl , a Claw

Captain Keneb , a refugee

Selv , Kenebs wife

Minala , Selvs sister

Kesen , Keneb and Selvs first-born son

Vaneb , Keneb and Selvs second-born son

Captain , owner and commander of the trader craft Ragstopper

Bent , a Wickan cattle-dog

Roach , a Hengese lapdog

Wickans

Coltaine , Fist, 7th Army

Temul , a young lancer

Sormo Enath , a warlock

Nil , a warlock

Nether , a warlock

Bult , a veteran commander and Coltaines uncle

The Red Blades

Baria Setral (Dosin Pali)

Mesker Setral , his brother (Dosin Pali)

Tene Baralta (Ehrlitan)

Aralt Arpat (Ehrlitan)

Lostara Yil (Ehrlitan)

Nobles on the Chain of Dogs (Malazan)

Nethpara

Lenestro

Pullyk Alar

Tumlit

Followers of the Apocalypse

Shaik , leader of the rebellion

Leoman , captain in the Raraku Apocalypse

Toblakai , a bodyguard and warrior in the Raraku Apocalypse

Febryl , a mage and elder adviser to Shaik

Korbolo Dom , renegade Fist leading the Odhan army

Kamist Reloe , High Mage with the Odhan army

Loric , a mage with the Raraku Apocalypse

Bidithal , a mage with the Raraku Apocalypse

Mebra , a spy in Ehrlitan

Others

Salk Elan , a traveler on the seas

Shan , a Hound of Shadow

Gear , a Hound of Shadow

Blind , a Hound of Shadow

Baran , a Hound of Shadow

Rood , a Hound of Shadow

Moby , a familiar

Hentos Ilm , a Tlan Imass Bonecaster

Legana Breed , a Tlan Imass

Olar Ethil , a Tlan Imass Bonecaster

Kimloc , a Tanno Spiritwalker

Beneth , a crime lord

Irp , a small servant

Rudd , an equally small servant

Apt , an aptorian demon

Panek , a child

Karpolan Demesand , a merchant

Bula , an innkeeper

Cotillion , patron god of assassins

Shadowthrone , Ruler of High House Shadow

Rellock , a servant