Memories of Ice (Malazan Book of the Fallen, #3)

by Steven Erikson

‘He’s on his way back. It’s protective sorcery that’s keeping him asleep.’ ‘Can you speed things up?’ ‘Sure.’ The healer slapped the wizard. Quick Ben’s eyes snapped open. ‘Ow. You bastard, Mallet.’

‘Thank you. I’ll not deny I am impressed by your mastery of six warrens, Quick Ben. In retrospect, you should have held back on at least half of what you command.’ The man made to rise. ‘But, Bauchelain,’ the wizard replied, ‘I did.’

He walked, seeing nothing of the soldiers to his left and right, stepping clear of the uneven line, leaving behind the army that now stood, weapons lowered, broken before the battle had even begun – broken by a man’s death.

N’ARUHL’S COMMENTARY ON ORMULOGUN’S SLAYING OF WHISKEYJACK

Rock, ragged, scarred – a Hood-damned mountain! – rising from the harbour, lifting the vast net with it. And the mountain grew larger, rose higher, darkness bleeding from it in radiating waves. ‘They’ve unveiled Kurald Galain!’ Quick Ben shouted through the roaring wind. ‘All of them!’ Paran stared. Moon’s Spawn. Rising. Rake hid it – —oh, Abyss below, did Rake hide it!

Our wagon. The wagon carrying the dead Bridgeburners. First in. Last out. For the last time.

Picker began to turn back to her companions – when the man began speaking. ‘Very well, permit me, if you will, on this night. To break your hearts once more. This is the story of the Chain of Dogs. Of Coltaine of the Crow Clan, newly come Fist to the 7th Army …’ This ends the Third Tale of The Malazan Book of the Fallen