House of Chains
House of Chains
A Tale of the Malazan Book of the Fallen
Steven Erikson
For
Mark Paxton MacRae,
for the KO punch.
This one’s all yours, my friend.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The author wishes to thank his cadre of readers, Chris Porozny, Richard Jones, David Keck and Mark Paxton MacRae. Clare and Bowen as always. Simon Taylor and the crew at Transworld. And the terrific (and patient) staff at Tony’s Bar Italia: Erica, Steve, Jesse, Dan, Ron, Orville, Rhimpy, Rhea, Cam, James, Konrad, Darren, Rusty, Phil, Todd, Marnie, Chris, Leah, Ada, Kevin, Jake, Jamie, Graeme and the two Doms. Thanks also to Darren Nash (for the yeast always rises) and Peter Crowther.
DRAMATIS PERSONAE
THE URYD TRIBE OF THE TEBLOR
Karsa Orlong, a young warrior
Bairoth Gild, a young warrior
Delum Thord, a young warrior
Dayliss, a young woman
Pahlk, Karsa’s grandfather
Synyg, Karsa’s father
THE ADJUNCTS ARMY
Adjunct Tavore
Fist Gamet/Gimlet
T’amber
Fist Tene Baralta
Fist Blistig
Captain Keneb
Grub, his adopted son
Admiral Nok
Commander Alardis
Nil, a Wickan warlock
Nether, a Wickan witch
Temul, a Wickan of the Crow Clan (survivor of the Chain of Dogs)
Squint, a soldier in the Aren Guard
Pearl, a Claw
Lostara Yil, an officer in the Red Blades
Gall, Warleader of the Khundryl Burned Tears
Imrahl, a warrior of the Khundryl Burned Tears
Topper, the Clawmaster
MARINES OF THE 9th COMPANY, 8th LEGION
Lieutenant Ranal
Sergeant Strings
Sergeant Gesler
Sergeant Borduke
Corporal Tarr
Corporal Stormy
Corporal Hubb
Bottle, a squad mage
Smiles
Koryk, a half-Seti soldier
Cuttle, a sapper
Truth
Pella
Tavos Pond
Sands
Balgrid
Ibb
Maybe
Lutes
SELECTED HEAVY INFANTRY OF THE 9th COMPANY, 8th LEGION
Sergeant Mosel
Sergeant Sobelone
Sergeant Tugg
Flashwit
Uru Hela
Bowl
Shortnose
SELECTED MEDIUM INFANTRY OF THE 9th COMPANY, 8th LEGION
Sergeant Balm
Sergeant Moak
Sergeant Thorn Tissy
Corporal Deadsmell
Corporal Burnt
Corporal Tulip
Throatslitter
Widdershins
Galt
Lobe
Stacker
Ramp
Able
OTHER SOLDIERS OF THE MALAZAN EMPIRE
Sergeant Cord, 2nd Company, Ashok Regiment
Ebron, 5th squad, mage
Limp, 5th squad
Bell, 5th squad
Corporal Shard, 5th squad
Captain Kindly, 2nd Company
Lieutenant Pores, 2nd Company
Jibb, Ehrlitan Guard
Gullstream, Ehrlitan Guard
Scrawl, Ehrlitan Guard
Master Sergeant Braven Tooth, Malaz City Garrison
Captain Irriz, renegade
Sinn, refugee
Gentur
Mudslinger Hawl
NATHII
Slavemaster Silgar
Damisk
Balantis
Astabb
Borrug
OTHERS ON GENABACRIS
Torvald Nom
Calm
Ganal
SHA’IR’S ARMY OF THE APOCALYPSE
Sha’ik, The Chosen One of the Whirlwind Goddess (once Felisin of House Paran)
Felisin Younger, her adopted daughter
Toblakai
Leoman of the Flails
High Mage L’oric
High Mage Bidithal
High Mage Febryl
Heboric Ghost Hands
Kamist Reloe, Korbolo Dom’s mage
Henaras, a sorceress
Fayelle, a sorceress
Mathok, Warleader of the Desert Tribes
T’morol, his bodyguard
Corabb Bhilan Thenu’alas, an officer in Leoman’s company
Scillara, a camp follower
Duryl, a messenger