Deadhouse Gates (Malazan Book of the Fallen, #2)

by Steven Erikson

friend. At last, dear Elders, I am revealed to you. You chose wrongly. I am a coward. “I wish,” Icarium said slowly, haltingly, “I wish I could understand. The war I see within you breaks my heart, Mappo. You must realize by now…” “Realize what?” the Trell croaked, still unable to meet the Jhag’s eyes. “That I would give my life for you, my only friend, my brother.” Mappo wrapped his arms about himself. “No,” he whispered. “Do not say that.” “Help me end your war. Please.” The Trell drew a deep, ragged breath. “The city of the First Empire, the one upon the old island…” Icarium waited. “Destroyed…by your hand, Icarium. Yours is a blind rage…a rage unequaled. It burns fierce, so fierce all your memory of what you do is obliterated. I watch you—I have watched you stirring those cold ashes, ever seeking to discover who you are, yet there I stand, at your side, bound by a vow to prevent you ever committing such an act again. You have destroyed cities, entire peoples. Once you begin killing, you cannot stop, until all before you is…lifeless.”