But think on this. Beneath such a banner, there is no end to those drawn to it, not from the weight of failure, but from the curse of surviving. Against death itself, the only legion who make of it an enemy belongs to the living.

Behold this army. It is doomed.

Still, even a blind man, in this moment, could not but see the shine in your eyes, my friend. You blaze with the poet’s heat, as you imagine this assembly, so silent and so determined, so hopeless and so … brilliant.

Let us rest for now in this tale.

Time enough, I say, for two old men to weep.

About the Author

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Archaeologist and anthropologist Steven Erikson’s debut fantasy, Gardens of the Moon, was shortlisted for the World Fantasy Award and introduced readers to his bestselling ten-book sequence ‘The Malazan Book of the Fallen’, which has been hailed as one of the finest works of fantasy of our time. Steve lived in the UK for a number of years – most recently in Cornwall – before returning to Canada in the summer of 2012. To find out more, visit www.malazanempire.com and www.stevenerikson.com.

Also by Steven Erikson

Also by Steven Erikson

THIS RIVER AWAKENS

The Malazan Book of the Fallen

GARDENS OF THE MOON

DEADHOUSE GATES

MEMORIES OF ICE

HOUSE OF CHAINS

MIDNIGHT TIDES

THE BONEHUNTERS

REAPER’S GALE

TOLL THE HOUNDS

DUST OF DREAMS

THE CRIPPLED GOD

THE FIRST COLLECTED TALES OF

BAUCHELAIN AND KORBAL BROACH

For more information on Steven Erikson and his books,

Copyright

TRANSWORLD PUBLISHERS
61–63 Uxbridge Road, London W5 5SA
A Random House Group Company
www.transworldbooks.co.uk

First published in Great Britain
in 2012 by Bantam Press
an imprint of Transworld Publishers

Copyright © Steven Erikson 2012
Maps copyright © Neil Gower 2012

Steven Erikson has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.

A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

Version 1.0 Epub ISBN 9781409032687
ISBNs 9780593062173 (cased)
9780593062180 (tpb)

This book is a work of fiction and, except in the case of historical fact, any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

This ebook is copyright material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any way except as specifically permitted in writing by the publishers, as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorized distribution or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the author’s and publisher’s rights and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly.

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