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

by Steven Erikson

‘The House of Chains must be denied!’ The wizard blinked, knocked sideways by Hood’s statement. ‘The House of Chains? It’s the poison we’re trying to excise, isn’t it? Burn’s fever – the infected warrens—’ ‘The Master of the Deck must be convinced, mortal. The Crippled God’s House is finding … adherents—’ ‘Wait a moment. Adherents? Among the pantheon?’ ‘Betrayal, aye. Poliel, Mistress of Pestilence, aspires to the role of Consort to the King in Chains. A Herald has been … recruited. An ancient warrior seeks to become Reaver; whilst the House has found, in a distant land, its Mortal Sword. Mowri now embraces the Three – Cripple, Leper and Fool – which are in place of Spinner, Mason and Soldier. Most disturbing of all, ancient power trembles around the last of the dread cards … mortal, the Master of the Deck must not remain blind to the threat.’