Lying half-dead in the foam the Rider had asked a question – a single simple question that triggered an avalanche of inquiry in the old man’s thoughts.

‘Why are you killing us?’ the Rider asked, and he had stared, thinking the alien must not understand what he was asking. Us killing them? They were the demons that cracked ships open and sent men to their doom. But three more times the Rider asked before he’d managed to steel himself sufficiently to reach down close enough to draw his blade across its throat. He would never forget his surprise as the Rider’s blood gushed warm and red over his hand.

GLOSSARY

Titles and Groups

First Sword of the Empire: Malazan and T’lan Imass, a title denoting an Imperial Champion

The Sword: self-named bodyguard to Dassem Ultor, First Sword of the Empire

Fist: a military governor of the Malazan Empire

High Fist: a commader of armies within the Malazan Empire

T’lan Imass: ancient, undead army commanded by the Emperor

The Bridgeburners: a legendary elite division of the Malazan 2nd Army

The Crimson Guard: a famous mercenary company opposed to the Malazan Empire

The Claw: the covert organization of the Malazan Empire

The Talon: rumoured Imperial covert organization predating the Claw.

Shadow Cult: worshippers of the Shadow Realm

Peoples and Places

Stormriders, ‘Riders’: nonhuman inhabitants of Seas of Storms

Sea of Storms: an ocean strait between Malaz Island and the Korel subcontinent, inhabited by the Stormriders

Y’Ghatan: an ancient city of the Seven City region

Korel: one name for an archipelago and subcontinent south of Quon Tali. Also known as ‘Fist’.

Mock’s Hold: an old fort overlooking Malaz city

Shadow Hounds: guardians of the Shadow Realm

Sorcery

The Warrens: (Other realms/worlds from which mages draw their power)

Denul: The Path of Healing

D’riss: The Path of the Earth

Hood’s Path: The Path of Death

Meanas: The Path of Shadow and illusion

Ruse: The Path of the Sea

Rashan: The Path of Darkness

Sere: The Path of the Sky

Shadow: The Path of Shadow

Thyr: The Path of Light

Telas: The Path of Fire

The Elder Warrens

Kurald Galain: The Elder Warren of Darkness

Kurald Emurlahn: The Elder Warren of Shadow

Omtose Phellack: The Elder Jaghut Warren of Ice

IAN CAMERON ESSLEMONT grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He has studied archaeology and creative writing, has traveled extensively in Southeast Asia, and lived in Thailand and Japan for several years. He now lives in Alaska with his wife and children and is currently working on another novel set in the world of Malaz, a world he cocreated with his friend Steven Erikson.

Night of KnivesCoverTitleCopyrightDedicationAcknowledgmentsIntroductionDramatis PersonaePrologueA Path Within ShadowChapter One Portents and ArrivalsChapter Two AssignationsChapter Three Hounds of ShadowChapter Four Old Enemies, Old FriendsChapter Five Feints and FatesChapter Six ResolutionsEpilogueGlossary