Chapter 5:

Big Reveal.

Batman and Joker were Dancer and the Emperor the whole time. I don’t want to accept it. In my mind, the Emperor is like this big, serious human version of Anomander Rake while Shadowthrone is similar to Kruppe.

In GoTM I almost wanted to call them Team Rocket, the title I initially gave to Oponn. But them being the Emperor and Dancer, did the process of becoming a god screw with them?

Fiddler figured it out when Apsalar started talking from Dancer’s POV. So they do remember their previous lives. Why did they attack their own soldiers at the beginning of GoTM? Why not join hands with Whiskeyjack and Dujek?

Also, somebody injured Moby. They better have a good explanation.

I want to see the reaction of other people when they discover this info. Kalam finally manages to make the delivery, and in return he gets a demon escort: the Aptorian demon. Was it this guy that Icarium and Mappo were stalking earlier? The demon is related to Shadowthrone as well. Is this the way Kalam will find out about Shadowthrone’s identity?

Anyway, after Kalam leaves, as soon as Sha’ik opens the book, the red capes who were following Kalam shoot her in the head. Her two protectors beat them up pretty well and wrap Sha’ik in a blanket.

Chapter 6:

There is so much sadness in this world. I feel it would be better for Felisin if she had died early on.

BTW, I have a theory: the Empress wanted to get rid of nobles for some reason. Maybe she feared something. What if the act of avoiding that fate eventually leads to just that, Felisin becomes an omega level threat? My theory hinges on the fact that two of three siblings have become important figures. I assume the third would follow as well.

She is obsessed with Beneth, her abuser. I guess he is the most predictable of the few people she knows.

When Beneth took her out during patrol past curfew, I thought that was the end for her. But luckily she survived. A soldier dude rescued her and took her to Heboric and Baudin. They were planning to escape, without her.

Well, I have a theory. Initially, H&B were planning to escape with her. But she moved more and more towards Beneth, and on top of that she is literally a child, they didn’t let her in on the plan. And I think the moment that sealed the deal and took her out of the plan was when she wanted to go back to Beneth after being brutally beaten by him.

Anyway, here she throws a fit that she wants Beneth. Baudin goes back to look for him. Man, I don’t want to read a Beneth redemption.

Heboric saves Felisin’s life from the flies. I’m inclined to say they are even now. BTW, when the flies avoided Heboric and his hands were glowing, weren’t they chopped off? Is he a mage?

Baudin comes back bearing the good news that Beneth is dead. Felisin thinks he is lying.

The thing is, Felisin is acting in a way that invites frustration. It is understandable. I hope she grows out of the infatuation she has with Beneth and sees things clearly after some time alone.

Duiker and Kulp are making moves to save Heboric; they meet up with some Malazan soldiers, and shit goes south. Kulp ends up on the boat with the Malazan soldiers, they seemed to be followers of Fener, the god Heboric used to follow, and Duiker has to pretend to be a rebel to get back to Coltaine.

This will be interesting. I wonder if he will join them against the Malazans?

After Mappo and Icarium fight Pust’s broom, he tells them that they have to leave. Mappo doesn’t want Icarium’s memories to return. Is this guy a prisoner, a hostage? What did Mappo do to him in the past? Or maybe Icarium has a traumatic past.

Fiddler had pretended to be a Gral, a people who are very serious about identity theft, and it’s his luck that he was on the same trail as a whole Gral tribe. They have one punishment for identity theft: death. This time Fiddler manages to get away. Also, what is going on with Moby? He is definitely a magic monkey. He disappears and appears at will. But is he fighting his own fights? Because last time he came back with injuries.

Also, there is something called Tremorlor that Fiddler wants to reach. Quick Ben told him about it, so I’m inclined to believe it.

I really like how Kalam isn’t clueless. He actually sensed out that someone was following him. The Red Blades should start counting their days. Kalam and the Apt demon are attacked by a D’iver wolf, I think the same one who was talking with Icarium and Mappo earlier. Anyway, they fight the wolves; Kalam loses one of his daggers but they manage to survive.

Chapter 4

Duiker and Sormo are going Phineas and Ferb on the desert/dead oasis, with Kulp as Perry.

Sormo says something is up: Soletaken and D’ivers are moving across the desert. We know why; they don’t.

Sormo does some ritual magic, not regular warrens. He wants to investigate what is going on in the desert. However, Soletaken and D’ivers somehow sense it and attack them. They fight among themselves as well.

My theory is that since Sormo is communicating with really old spirits, the Soletaken and D’ivers can sense it and zero in on them.

Ants start attacking Duiker; a demon shows up and starts defending them. There is a bear as well, I guess it’s Mappo’s friend.

Who is this demon?

Things get dicey and Duiker has to punch Sormo to stir him awake. As soon as he gains consciousness, they find themselves back at the oasis.

Sormo reveals that a convergence is underway and the place they found themselves in was Tellann. It is related to the T’lan Imass. I wonder what happened to Tool. And why were Soletaken and other creatures attracted to it?

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Icarium and Mappo are exploring the temple; they find signs of Soletaken and D’ivers being there, and the gate related to the Path of Hands is there as well.

I guess this is the end point of their convergence. It didn’t seem that far or that hard to find. I think convergence is power attracting power, so the gate must have attracted someone.

Also, Mappo is cursed? I was curious when he lied to Icarium, but if he is cursed, then I guess I can’t blame him.

I like Iskaral Pust and how he operates. Reminds me so much of Kruppe. I don’t think he is aware that he is thinking out loud and people don’t interrupt him for obvious reasons.

This quote from the last chapter made me laugh out loud. It described Pust’s way of speaking.

"The High Priest's rambles had a hypnotic quality. Each question the Trell voiced was answered with a bizarre rambling monologue that seemed to drain him of will beyond the utterance of yet another question. True to his assertions, Iskaral Pust could make the passing of time meaningless."

This quote fits so many people IRL. The kind of people who like to keep rambling, like the sound of their voice a little too much.

Anyway, Pust tells them to find his broom and Icarium takes the bait. It is clear Pust is buying time for something but I can’t put my finger on it. I found it really funny.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

At the beginning of the novel, I thought Tavore was actually saving Felisin’s life by sending her to Skullcup. But if this is what was waiting for her, maybe she did use Felisin as a stepping stone. I remember Paran saying that Tavore considered Felisin her competition or something like that.

Poor kid. She seems to have aged 10 years. Beneth takes her with him to see the captain. He is using her to get favors with officials. It’s like her body belongs to him. And the saddest part is that she doesn’t see it. Instead she wants to move in with Beneth. Can somebody take care of this bastard?

Anyway, the Captain guy is shocked to see Felisin. I imagine this makes Beneth feel like he’s losing control. First, he doesn’t know what’s going on with Baudin, now the Captain’s reaction to Felisin. So, he takes it out on her.

Beneth beats her senseless. Thinking she is going to die, he tells people that he hasn’t seen her or something. I thought this is where the transformation happens, where a new Felisin rises up. But this roller-coaster only goes down.

Afterward, Heboric saves the girl and patches her up. Felisin says the most heartbreaking thing. She wants to apologize to Beneth.

Is this North Korea or something?

She wants to go back to Beneth.

Not even that. She wants him to take her. Like her choice doesn’t matter or something and Heboric feeds this insanity that since he went along with Felisin’s lie of just being an orphan, Beneth might take her back.

I guess, since Baudin escaped and Felisin is looking like a hopeless cause, the old guy has given up. He doesn’t want to argue or debate about this. So he goes with the flow.

I hope Paran gives Tavore a good ass-kicking.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Kalam takes shelter from the storm in a Malazan-affiliated keep. It’s a discount Phoenix Inn where everything is expensive. I imagine it to be like bars/taverns in cowboy movies.

There is a lady who can read the Deck of Dragons, a sergeant, and two soldiers.

I loved this part where the character keeps exploiting the things they should have no right to exploit. Kalam concludes that the sergeant needs to be taken care of. So he asks him to talk in private. Kalam acts like he is so innocent and weak: “Do you really think I can take you?” It gave me a chuckle. Anyway, he takes him outside, shows him proof that he is a clawmaster (iykyk), and the sergeant’s whole vibe changes.

I like when situations resolve this way for characters. For example, Captain America’s whole “Hail Hydra” thing in the elevator.

Two strangers show up. One is covered in insects and is told to sit in the corner. They lock eyes with Kalam, and the sergeant is now even more confident that a clawmaster is at his side. He starts mouthing off.

Anyway, this is where I get confused.

The lady with the merchant is exposed by Kalam as a fraud. So she throws her cards at him; that action alone somehow gives a real reading as the cards fall in a certain pattern.

The Rope, surrounded by the House of Death.

Kalam thinks the Rope card in the middle is his card because of the book, but isn’t the Rope the one who possessed Sorry in the last book?

Kalam isn’t even a certified reader. The newcomers see this as well.

And a while later, the newcomer and her companion have murdered everyone in the keep. Did they do it after Kalam left? Is Kalam still there?

I guess RAFO.

Chapter 23

A lot happened in this chapter. First of all, Rake can turn into a dragon. It never crossed my mind. 

I know that Black dragons are shapeshifters who can change into people, and Silanah was the only real dragon, and it seems like Real Dragons can’t change forms.

I didn’t think Rake was a shapeshifter as well.  

Rake is such a cool character.

He goes to K’rul temple roof to gauge what’s going on in the city. I wonder if the ocelot corpse is still up there. Anyway, K’rul shows up. They bond over their “I don’t belong here” feelings. Rake tells K’rul that he will try not to destroy his temple. What a guy!

He talks to Silanah as well. Tells her to chill and go home. I do remember Kruppe picking her name from a list.

Anyway, he turns into a dragon and goes to fight the demon Lorn has summoned.

Also, Moon’s Spawn is a floating island. I wonder what makes it float though.

Paran can’t catch a break. After the fight with the Finnest, he finds himself in the Bat-cave. Batman is there as well with his hounds. They attack Paran at first but then recognize the dog in him and take a step back.

Batman is confused by this, and then they talk about Sorry, how Batman’s plan failed, etc. Paran thinks seeing Batman again is a sign of his luck going bad and offers him the sword. I find it kinda funny. I wonder if Rope’s feelings would get hurt if he knew why Paran was giving him the sword. Anyway, he accepts.

Also, Lorn is now chasing Crokus. If only she knew what happened to the last assassin. Here, a really dope thing happens. Her assassination attempt is interrupted by a Crimson Guard, and he overpowers Lorn without any magic. Lorn, who has grown dependent on Otataral and its properties, is now given a reality check. Otataral doesn’t mean shit if the opponent doesn’t use any magic. Then you are on your own. Sadly, she doesn’t make it. The job is finished by the Eel’s people, IMO. I kind of feel bad for her. But she chose her path. Does becoming an Adjunct come with free mind control by the Empress?

Paran is such a crafty person. When Oponn shows up to ask him about giving away the sword, he puts it all on Batman. He says, Rope demanded it. Lmao. I know such people. They go far in life.

Btw, isn’t Oponn’s power kind of exploitable? You use the item until you get bad luck, then throw it away, without any side effects.

Chapter 24

Vorcan is really powerful. She took out the Tiste Andii woman, almost killed Derudan, and might have taken out Baruk as well, but Oponn’s blessed Crokus showed up and knocked out Vorcan with 2 bricks to the head.

This reminds me of something I read a while ago where in Warhammer 40k some soldier guy took out a marine with a brick because he rolled a 20 a bunch of times in a row.

Will anyone explain to Crokus that the Bridgeburners didn’t blow up his uncle?

Anyway, Vorcan manages to get away. Meanwhile Rallick is still in the garden. The tree stump has grown into a house. Also, Rallick feels familiarity towards the house. Maybe because he sat on it for so long, the house now has his butt particles/spores. Vorcan shows up, asking Rallick to save her from Tiste Andii. They are after her because she killed Serat (it was the lady who tried to kill Crokus earlier). I kinda feel bad for Serat. Rallick takes Vorcan and runs into the house.

Now Tiste Andii reveal that this is an Azath house. Wasn’t it rising from a lake earlier? It offers a lot of power and opens its door to people it chooses. I guess those people feel a similar familiarity to it like Rallick does, and they can probably bring a +1.

There are a bunch of these houses, and one is in Malaz City called Deadhouse. Hood? It opened for the Emperor and Dancer? Are only two people allowed in?

I imagine they went in before they became the Emperor and Dancer. The house gave them power. Is Rallick about to become OP? I don’t want OP Vorcan though. Also, aren’t there three people in the house, or four in a way? The Finnest (it seems to have a will—I think of it like an AI made for one purpose), the Tyrant (I hope Rallick doesn’t mistake him for Mammot and make a mistake), Rallick, and Vorcan (who is almost dead). I guess the Jaghut is imprisoned, so he doesn’t count.

These houses seem super interesting. There must be a lot of undiscovered ones.

The assassins leave the house because it’s young, and young things are innocent. How can a house be guilty?

Anomander Rake fights the Galayn lord like a champ. The lord can turn into a dragon as well, IIRC. But Rake has Dragnipur, his shaved knuckle in the hole, and with it, he takes out the Galayn lord.

The demon was talking too much shit, telling Rake that he’d allow him to run away. Now even Rake can’t free him.

Where did Dragnipur come from? Is it an artifact of Tiste Andii’s mother that they left? We know that even Rake can’t free the souls imprisoned in Dragnipur; that means he can’t utilize its full power. That means at some point the sword will end up in the hands of someone who can.

Whiskeyjack and Paran go back to Phoenix Inn and basically reveal their entire plan to fake-sleeping Coll. Kalam and Fiddler return Sorry to her village. Paran becomes the commander of the Bridgeburners. They will try to make a deal with Caladan Brood to fight the Panini Priest. Coll has heard all of it, and being the bro he is, he offers to get them out of the city. I wonder if he would make the same decision if he knew that all of his problems were solved while he was sleeping.

Crokus still believes that Sorry has been kidnapped. Man, I don’t want this fight.

Epilogue

Thank god, Crokus knows. He knows Sorry is not being kidnapped, and he probably knows about Mammot as well. He has decided to go with Sorry to her home town. And on top of that, he throws away Oponn’s coin. Oponn is being disrespected left and right.

Also Paran can talk to Tattersail in his mind. That is so sweet.

Whiskeyjack’s headaches have started to heal, and Quick Ben is hatching a scheme that he thinks will make WhiskeyJack lose his mind. Better now than later is what I would say, but Quick Ben decides to wait.

My thoughts:

I loved this novel. I was dropped in the middle of a war and had to figure out what’s what. It feels like a collection of cut-scenes. A lot of times when novels start from the beginning, some stuff has to be shortened, skipped, etc. Which is okay until the stuff you like gets skipped. The comedy is well written. I lost it at the ship bit where the Bridgeburners loaded the ship before getting it into the lake.

The only problem I have is that I didn’t get to know about more important people. I would have loved more chapters from Brood’s assistant who claimed that he had raised many empires and ruled them. Some chapters from the Empress would have been nice. But I guess it builds the mystery.

I still have a lot of questions that will probably be answered in later books. Thank you for reading these.

Chapter 22

The Tyrant’s power is no joke. Even without the Acorn, he is going toe to toe with the Dragons. Although, the only issue I have is that he’s not a character who can be talked into peace. Therefore, he must die by the end of this book or escape. Because of that, I feel like he came a little too late into the book. The only things I know about him are that he enslaved people and is a bit of an ass. He reminds me of Kratos in a way.

He finds himself in Kruppe’s dream. He tries to attack Kruppe, but his homies pull up. K’rul and Tool? WTH? What is Tool doing here?

They have a dialogue which is essentially, “Times have changed, old man.” K’rul offers a choice to the Tyrant: let Tool kill him, or die at the hands of Anomander Rake.

He chooses “phone a friend” and abandons his body.

I’m not sure what made Mammot a target for possession. Was it due to the Jaghut mask he was wearing? Or the investigation he was doing for Baruk? But the Tyrant was not awake then.

A lot of stuff is happening at Lady Simtal’s party. I don’t know if she’ll even have an estate by the end of this book. There is something going on with the garden. Paran and Kalam reunite with New Sorry (the fisher girl + grandma). I love how upfront she is. She straight up confesses that she killed Paran. Kind of funny that after that comment, Kalam and Paran feel more at ease.

I’m pretty sure Paran remembers Anomander Rake telling Shadowthrone to sod off. So, he tells Whiskeyjack about Sorry and goes to get the doctor.

There is definitely something up with the garden, as Mallet refuses to go in there. It’s anti Mallet’s warren. He confirms that Sorry is no longer possessed by Batman, but there is another being in there. It’s Gram Gram, isn’t it? She’s been protecting the girl :). Paran gives the green light to Mallet for helping the grandma.

Kruppe has dropped his Kruppe-ness. This kind of disturbs Rallick, and he runs into Vorcan. I don’t buy that Vorcan was not going to punish Rallick. However, Rallick defeating Ocelot definitely changed that assessment. I would want a guy like that in my guild. She does the smart thing and tells him it was actually Ocelot who broke the rules and that he is free.

Crokus gets a reality check. Challice says it like it is. Crokus is a broke boy, and the guy she is seeing is not. She doesn’t like Crokus. And from the exchange, it felt like he didn’t even like her. He likes Sorry. Lmao. Good luck, lad.

He then goes to the garden and sees Sorry with the Bridgeburners. He thinks they are doing something to Sorry. I hope he doesn’t do anything stupid.

At the same time, Vorcan and Rallick arrive. They meet the Bridgeburners and accept the contract for taking out the people who run the city. Damn. Otataral buffed Rallick can mess with the weird stuff in the garden. He can stop the growth of the stump.

BTW, if Rallick knew Crokus was hiding nearby, I’m certain Kalam was aware of it as well. Anyway, Rallick tells Crokus to inform Baruk of what happened here. Rallick has to stay because only he can stop the weird stump thing from growing.

Mammot is possessed, and somehow a lady knows what’s up. Maybe I missed who she is. But she hits Mammot with a spell, and Quick Ben protects her from Mammot’s counterattack. Paran is transported somewhere where a T’lan Imass is battling the Finnest. Did Lorn know this would happen? The Finnest tries to enslave Paran, but the dog inside him wakes up. “Hounds can’t be enslaved?” Weren’t they enslaved in Dragnipur? Or is the power only limited to their blood? Anyway, Paran gets a buff and turns the fight around. The T’lan Imass has to step in and stop Paran from destroying the Finnest. I doubt it can be destroyed, however. Also, an Azath House is rising from the lake, which is now powerful enough to overpower the Finnest. Is the abnormality in the garden related to this?

The Jaghut Tyrant loses his life in a manner I didn’t see coming. K’rul did say that in this age, humans can kill gods. But the Bridgeburners didn’t kill him, they blew him up. There was something said about the Moranth munition that it is attracted to magic, and considering how powerful the Tyrant was, I think he took 100% of the explosion. My only worry is that somewhere, Crokus is hiding and watching the Bridgeburners blow up his uncle without any context. I don’t want him to seek revenge.

The Tyrant is still alive, though. However, he is dragged away by some roots. I think they’re Azath House roots, or maybe the Finnest’s roots. Not sure. Anyway, Hedge and Fiddler go away to blow up the mines they’ve buried when Kalam realizes that the entire city runs on gas that is transferred through pipes. If they go through with their plans, the entire city will be blown up. I’m so proud that I considered that as a possibility in my first Darujhistan chapter. However, are the Greyfaces truly irrelevant? I’m not sure.

Chapter 21

I tried to Draw Rake, I'm sure you guys know the reference art I used.

The author has an ability to make you care about characters you don't even know anything about.

I was really anxious about the Circle Breaker. It was his last day and I was seeing death flags left and right. So glad he made it out.

Circle has been mended.

Kruppe is the Eel? That makes so much sense. I was kinda pissed off that he wasn't looking for Crokus while in reality, he was aware of where Crokus was the whole time. The phoenix inn ladies work for him. By the way, how powerful is Kruppe? He made Murillio forget his train of thought without any sign of him casting a spell.

Also, Crokus being framed for murder was a lie. Kinda genius plan by Kruppe. If it was some other person, they would still be in Phoenix Inn, but since it's Crokus, he was gonna break the rules at some point.

Lorn decided to plant the Jaghut Tyrant's acorn. I don't understand why. Wasn't the Otataral Blade blocking the effects of it?

I have a hidden feeling that she might be getting influenced by something. Not certain though.

Lorn is clearly not a person to be sent out on missions like these. She's falling apart. I kinda want her to fall apart as well. Maybe she'll become more understanding.

Anyway, since she can't locate Sorry, she decides to find and kill the Coin Bearer. Kinda funny that it will also lead her to Sorry.

Our major parties have made it to Simtal's Estate. Rake is wearing a dragon's mask, which kinda felt too on the nose. Maybe it's magical. Also, him standing out like a sore thumb was really funny. A seven foot guy carrying a great-sword in a celebration sounds more like a merc/security than a ruler, and he IS security, from the Empress and the Tyrant.

Kruppe and Rake have a conversation this chapter. What I found interesting and amusing is that Rake didn't dismiss him. Instead, he told Baruk that Kruppe is a walking lesson to be learned for powerful people like Rake, Baruk, etc. I couldn't agree more.

Rallick challenges Turban Orr to a duel, and Turban makes a big deal out of it. He gets the member of opposition as his +1, and Rake volunteers to be +1 for Rallick. Man, talk about bringing a gun to a knife fight. Here it's a nuke, and it showed up to the fight on its own. Turban Orr has no idea about who Rake is. If only he knew.

I do feel Rallick, Paran, Rake, Dujek, and WhiskeyJack would get along pretty well. It'll be funny when Coll wakes up and all of his problems have been solved.

Anyway, Turban Orr doesn't put up much of a fight. Afterwards, Rallick finds Murillio with Simtal and tells her that Turban is dead. I was hoping she'll lash out, call the guards, or something. It would have been satisfying, but instead of lashing out, she breaks. That didn't bring me any joy.

All the mages in the vicinity, including QuickBen, are fighting a whole other battle. They can sense the Jaghut fighting the dragons, and he is winning. Chills. All of them want to access their Warrens for self soothing/assurance, but they know it'll act as a beacon or magnet, and they will be enslaved.

WhiskeyJack is informed of this by QuickBen, and he tells Fiddler and Hedge to make preparations. They will probably come back with sticks of dynamite. Lol.

CHAPTER 20

This chapter feels like the beginning of the final Act.

First of all, I love the names of the Warrens. They are so cool. They flow really well: Kurald Galain, Starvald Demelain, Omtose Phellack, etc. Feels like a mouthful.

Even the characters' names are nice: Whiskeyjack, Anomander Rake, etc.

I don't think I dislike anyone. Probably Lorn. I really love the fact that this story is honest with me. With other novels, it feels like the MC opens a warren of philosophy and tries to drown you in it. Some stories feel like the Bible in the latter half. I appreciate stories where that's all I'm getting. All the philosophy is there, but hidden. It doesn't get in the way.

Those stories aren't bad. What I'm saying is that it requires a lot of skill to hide it in plain sight. Philosophy isn't the main dish, it's the oil that you can't serve as a meal on its own. It's the spices/dots that people can connect at their leisure, and this book pulls it off.

I am grateful that I got to read this book. I am grateful that the series is already finished.

Alright,
Lorn meets up with Whiskeyjack in this chapter. Is Fiddler a seer? While Fiddler was playing the game and changing the rules, Lorn was observing very intently. But Fiddler dupes her. She owes him 10 gold coins. 10 minutes with the Bridgeburners and she's already paying for it.

The exchange between Whiskeyjack and Lorn was so good that I couldn't stop reading it. Lorn thinks she's in charge, but we all know Whiskeyjack is playing her like a fiddle. It reminded me of that Bane scene from Batman: "Do you feel in charge?"

She wants to take command of the mission, but she soon realizes that the Bridgeburners don't see her as the commander. Whiskeyjack shows her what he wants her to see. He brings her up to date with the events, and she is flabbergasted. Lorn sees that Whiskeyjack will be a pain in the ass, and that he'll do it on purpose.

Everything is converging towards Lady Simtal's party.

Whiskeyjack and company are going there.

Anomander Rake is going there to protect the nobility.

Baruk is going as well.

Rallick and Murillio are going there.

I'm certain Crokus and Sorry will end up there too.

Paran will probably end up there as well.

I wonder if Coll would make a surprise entrance too.

The life of lady who is trying to kill Crokus has turned into a Mr. Bean episode. Oponn’s power probably. She is getting smacked left and right. At first, I thought it was somehow Sorry or Grandma inside her. However, it was Caladan Brood's men. How powerful is this guy.

The Jaghut Tyrant is awake. He's angry. His acorn is missing. Lorn took it, and she is 3 days away, while 5 dragons are ready to jump him. Also, is there a goddess sleeping underground?

A dragon named Silanah is different from the rest. I remember Kruppe reading the history of Darujhistan, and Silanah's name came up. She probably played a role in the Tyrant's capture.

I'm pretty sure Silanah is going to lose, and the Tyrant will reach the party.

CHAPTER 14

Holy Lore Drop.

Tool's Warren is of the same "flavor" as the Tyrant's Warren. I think it means different flavors of cheese, but cheese nonetheless. Furthermore, T'lan Imass can be enslaved if even one person from their clan is enslaved, a huge weakness in my opinion. That's why Tool was chosen: he is clan-less.

Their entire plan is stupid, if you ask me. They're counting on Anomander Rake fighting the Tyrant, but that dude has backed away from their previous fights. What makes them believe he will stand his ground now? What if they join forces?

Then we find out that Rake is probably an alien. His people came from a different world. I thought his name was Tiste Andii, like Tool's name was T'lan Imass. It turns out these are their species names. Really cool.

Their mother was lonely and sought “light?” I'm a bit confused. Her Tiste Andii children got annoyed and left her.

I would be angry too if it was anything like staring into the headlights of an oncoming car and trying to figure out if it's one car or two bikes.

Rake's enormous sword, which Baruk was nervously eyeing, also enslaves whatever is killed by it. Oh, and by the way, Baruk gave the heads of 2 runaway mages to Rake and surprisingly, he didn’t make a fuss.

Tool tells Lorn all of this while they are moving toward the Gadrobi Hills.

When they finally find the stone that marks the start or a hint of where the Tyrant is buried. Lorn has a crisis. “Why are we still here? Just to suffer type crisis.”

She starts relating to the Tyrant. She thinks he's scary because he became human. Being human-like made him scary.

I thought it was the enslavement of people.

Also, she’s being emotional. I believe it all started when she didn’t get to kill Tattersail.

Kruppe and friends are also moving in that direction from Darujhistan.

Kruppe was already warned about Lorn in the last chapter, so I guess he is prepared.

For some reason I thought people other than Crokus would know "the coin-bearer stuff," but it seems like they don't.

Sorry really wants Crokus dead; Kruppe is an afterthought now. I 100% know Kruppe would be offended by this.

"What's wrong with Kruppe being target number one? This is an outrage. Kruppe is not to be underestimated. Kruppe being irrelevant? A fool's thought, it is. Kruppe saw your mother in his dream last night." jk jk.

Death flags are being raised around Toc. Paran has lost his mind and reason to vengeance. I hope Toc is not used as a tool to get Paran to chill out. That dude should not even be here. Usually when I read revenge stories, I want carnage. Here, I want Toc to be safe.

CHAPTER 15

I don't believe that Toc is dead. Not even 1%. The dude had something going on with his eye and was thrown into a strange Warren. It was not the Chaos Warren because it was described as putrid.

Also, good on Paran for instructing Toc to run away if things get dicey. I didn't want Toc to be used as a tool for character progression.

Hairlock has gone full Gollum. Kinda tragic if you think about it. I don't know if he had to use the Chaos Warren or was always using it.

QuickBen summons Sorry to close the deal with Joker and gives him the location of Hairlock. I think he did that to save Paran's life and the real plan was to use it during the climax/finale. Drag another powerful being into the fight, create as much chaos as possible and sine the Bridgeburners thrive in it, they'll have a fighting chance.

Hairlock loses all of his bravado when the Hounds show up.

He quickly tries to escape but Ben is QUICKER.

They don't call him QuickBen for nothing.

He cuts the connection between himself and Hairlock, and the doll helplessly flops on the ground.

Hairlock is the type of villain that picks on people less powerful than him and grovels in front of people who are more powerful.

Naturally, he begs Paran to save his life. I knew it was over for him but a part of me was dreading that Paran might show mercy. He didn't.

The Hounds show up and tear Hairlock to shreds. What follows after is probably the highlight of this book so far, for me.

They want Paran's ass and he is ready to die. Before they can fight, though, Rake shows up. He and Paran bond over not learning from mistakes. XD

Paran asks him if he is a big deal, and Rake tells him to look at the Hounds and answer for himself. Paran probably surprised Rake when he revealed that he was the one who gave Gear his scar.

Rake tells the Hounds to back up. But they don't. So it seems like we're getting a fight after all.

As soon as the fight begins, it's over. Rake's sword works even if the wounds aren't deadly.

I wonder if the sword is sentient. It must be, after consuming so many souls.

Two Hounds are dead, enslaved to Dragnipur for all eternity.

I have soft spot for dogs, I don't want the Hounds to die like this. Maybe they deserve it. I don't know.

Anyway, Joker shows up. Rake tells him to take Batman and leave Darujhistan, otherwise he'll pay a visit to Gotham himself and it'll be messy.

Anomander Rake is quickly becoming one of my favorite characters in this book.

Joker agrees, and after he leaves, Rake asks Paran straight up if he's Oponn himself or Oponn's tool. Paran comes clean and Rake confirms that he's telling the truth. He tells Paran that Oponn treated him unkindly. Is that empathy? He mentions that Caladan Brood might be able to heal whatever is broken in Paran. His heart? His soul? My guess is Paran's soul. Tattersail mentioned it as a reason why he wasn’t waking up after Sorry’s attack.

He also tells Paran to get rid of the sword once his luck turns.

My theory is that the sword will end up with Crokus. Oponn's coin-bearer with Oponn's sword seems fitting.

After Rake leaves, Paran does the most idiotic thing ever and touches the wound and blood of the Hound that Rake took out. I guess he doesn’t know the lore. But if I was in Paran’s shoes, my guess would be poison or neuro-toxin. The Hound died from a non-lethal injury. That itself would make me stay away from it.

The blood was magical. Paran is transported inside the sword's realm. Is this place Dragnipur itself? A bunch of people and creatures are pulling a wagon that they are bound to via chains.

This is so interesting. Where are they going? Does something happen when they reach their destination?

Paran finds the two Hounds that were killed by Rake and they attack him, but for some reason they stop.

I don't know what is going on. I have theories but nothing concrete.

My theory is that when Rake said Oponn's treatment of Paran was unkind, he meant Paran's soul was broken or had a void inside it. When Paran touched the Hound's magical blood, it filled whatever gaps existed in his soul, giving him a partial Hound's identity. Not certain, though. But it also explains why he wants to free them so badly.

I have started to feel bad for Oponn. They are the Turban Orr of gods, taking it from all sides.

Here they get manhandled by Paran, but with their help, Paran manages to free the Hounds. I'm pretty sure Rake will find out about this. Paran has managed to do what nobody has probably done in thousands of years. If Rake regretted killing anyone, Paran now has a way to free them.

Back to Kruppe and gang: they are attacked by Lorn, who later regrets it. What is happening to this lady?

Kruppe goes down in very Kruppe fashion. He falls off his donkey. Murillio gets bonked on the head and Coll suffers a wound on his thigh. After Crokus tells her that they don't want to fight, she backs off, and then Sorry arrives at the location.

After Rake told Joker to take Batman and get lost, Sorry was finally free. However, what is left is the fisher girl from Chapter 1. Maybe the grandmother is still inside her somewhere. I feel bad for the girl. Coll is able to tell that she was possessed and asks Crokus to take Sorry to his uncle.

CHAPTER 16

Lorn blames her loss of composure on Tool. It's always everyone else, isn't it.

I guess that's what awaits people who align with the Empress. Get used until you break. It kind of reminds me of Jesse from Breaking Bad. I wonder if she'll have a breakdown that causes Paran to reconsider fighting her.

Tool has found the barrow, and here I'm confused. They are taking away the Tyrant's power? Both of them don't want to free the Tyrant but Tool feels a compulsion to do so.

Is the enslavement a passive ability?

Anyway, Sorry is now Apsalar, a new name suggested by Crokus. Apsalar is the matron of thieves. I don't think it's a coincidence. Will she become a new matron of thieves? I think matron means god or goddess.

Sorry doesn't remember the war crimes she committed, the lives she took, or the Whiskeyjack squad.

She seems so innocent. I wonder if Batman being inside her has changed her body in any way. Imagine if Spider-Man possessed your body for two years. You would definitely retain the muscle memory. For Sorry I’m thinking an affinity towards dark arts or shadow abilities.

Crokus is developing a crush on Sorry/Apsalar.

When Kruppe regains consciousness, he realizes that keeping Coll and Murillio out of the loop has caused them to lose Crokus. So after a bit of back and forth, he finally reveals everything to Murillio.

They left Coll behind.

And holy shit. Coll was Lady Simtal's ex-husband. She wants him dead. I thought she was talking about Baruk. I was wrong. She has taken everything from Coll and now she wants his life.

Paran is having a bad day. He lost Toc, ran into the Hounds, Rake, and Joker, got transported to Dragnipur, and got attacked by the Hounds there before they spared him. Had to summon Oponn again. Manhandle Oponn, so the god is definitely pissed. I suppose touching the blood made him part Hound by filling the injury in his soul. Then he got attacked by Rhivi.

There is a silver lining, though. He met Tattersail. She told him via an old lady that they will meet again.

And by the way, there was a figure called Pran Chole, an Imass bonecaster who was scheduled to meet Tattersail after 300,000 years. At first I thought it was Tool. Is he in Brood's army? There was an old man there as well. Maybe it will be explored in later books.

Paran runs into Coll, who was left behind by Kruppe and Murillio. Crokus took his horse.

There is a moment where Paran points at the mule Kruppe left behind and asks Coll if it is a war mule. Coll says, "He probably thinks that." I still find that funny on a level I can't explain. Coll's armor is also probably feeding the mule's delusion.

They talk for a while and in exchange for information, Paran offers to take Coll safely to Darujhistan.

I really like that Paran comes clean, roughly 90%, and doesn't try to mislead Coll. Coll also shares his backstory: how Lady Simtal took everything from him.

It's a chill scene for this novel and I really appreciate it. They'll be great friends. I hope Paran recovers from his "people around me end up dying" curse. It's true for everyone.

There was a moment where Lorn considers that Humans fight wars spanning decades and centuries. T’lan Imass who themselves live for 300,000+ years, their wars must span 1000s of years and what if rise of humanity was planned and everything that is going on right now is just one of the ways/plans/strats in their war.

Like how people develop weapons, experiment on new viruses etc. Imass allowed humanity to develop for a purpose.

Chapter 11:

Tattersail is in Kruppe's dream, no idea how.

A guy called Pran Chole and a Rhivi Woman showed up in the dream. The Woman was pregnant and said the baby was a shapeshifter.

Is Tattersail going to be a shapeshifter from now on?

Also, K'rul is using Kruppe's dream and calls him "a Vessel of Change."

Is Kruppe a type of Behelit? XD

Pran Chole is sad that he won't see baby Tattersail again.

But K'rul reassures him that he'll see her in 300k years. That'll take a minute.

The dream is taking place in the past, so are those 300k years already over? I don't think Tattersail time-travelled 300k years into the past.

BTW, I thought the Deck of Dragons was just a medium that people like Tattersail and Kruppe used. But it seems to be a magical thing with its own power.

Also, Kruppe is a genius, he figured out that Malazan agents were in Darujhistan really quickly.

Those people are Whiskeyjack and company. As much as I want Whiskeyjack's squad and Kruppe's gang to work together and be friendly, I know that's not happening.

One reason being that Whiskeyjack is planting bombs in the city. That'll start any friendship on the wrong foot.

Also, what's happening with Sorry? When Whiskeyjack called Kruppe a seer, she got rattled. Is Batman's grip slipping?

Sorry follows Kruppe and he leads her to the Phoenix Inn — I think he knows she's following him. Good on Sorry for getting rid of that guard. BTW, it's really funny that Sorry probably thinks Kruppe and gang are a bunch of time-wasting fools.

Batman has a panic attack over being called Seer. Grandma + Real Sorry are probably waking up and crying/protesting. His method for dealing with it? He repeats:

I am Batman.

I am Vengeance.

I am Batman.

I am Vengeance.

again and again until Real Sorry + Grandma go quiet.

Chapter 12:

QuickBen travels to Gotham to strike a deal with Joker. He offers Hairlock in exchange for lifting the bounty on his head.

He used to be a priest for the joker but threw it all away to be with Whiskeyjack.

I think it's also revealed that QuickBen is a shapeshifter.

Are you thinking what I'm thinking? QuickBen is this reserved, soft-spoken GIGACHAD mage who is also a shapeshifter, who knows how old he is, 300k years perhaps.

Tattersail got birthed into a shapeshifter's body. Are they the same person? Did Paran bang QuickBen? Just a theory.

Batman can smell Gotham on QuickBen and shows up. Sorry already knows the location(phoenix inn) where they can find the guild assassin. What is Batman planning?

Kruppe was reading about a crippled and chained god who was banished.

There's a long list of people who helped chain him.

I wonder if that one is the real deal and everyone else is just really powerful mortals. In which case those assassin dudes from earlier calling Oponn an Ascendant would makes sense.

Moon's Spawn is also involved, and that's Rake's territory.

Speaking of Rake, Crone shows up to meet Baruk. She tells him about Hairlock, and Baruk is shook.

He concludes they're heading towards the Gadrobi Hills. He doesn't reveal anything beyond what's already out there. just the location of a stone and what is buried there. A Jaghut Tyrant. I don't remember if he was related to the T'lan Imass, but he could enslave people.

QuickBen and Kalam show up at the Phoenix Inn. This place must have its own magical properties by now with how much stuff happens here. Are we sure the innkeeper isn't Oponn's blessed?

Rallick and Kalam clock each other, and Rallick steps out. Oh no — they think Kalam and ChadBen are the assassins who attacked the guild a few chapters ago. Shit.

Chapter 13:

Rallick baits Kalam and QuickBen. Kalam thinks it's standard procedure.

I wonder if things would have gone differently if they'd just approached him the way QuickBen suggested.

I was really nervous they'd end up as enemies for life. But thank god for the real assassins showing up. They attack Rallick and Kalam and fail on both counts.

ChadBen had apparently pickpocketed Tayschrenn's pet demon a while back. And holy shit, this author can make you feel things for a demon you've known for five minutes.

RIP pearl

The assassins' identities are revealed.. Anomander's men. I'm getting annoyed by this dude. He's too smart.

After Caladan Brood's chapter I was expecting a murder hobo, not this. He's taking out the guild to make things difficult for the Malazan Empire. At least Rallick now knows the attack had nothing to do with Kalam.

Sorry is stalking Crokus when she hears the death cries of the demon ChadBen had summoned. Rake folded it in half with ease.

Now she can either watch a teenager fall in love or go have a fight to the death. Easy choice.

She stays.

There was a creature Baruk had summoned to patrol the city. Turns out it was Rake who kicked it in the face. Rake has it out for everybody. His hands are rated E for everyone.

Baruk was furious when Rake revealed he was wiping out the guild, but surprisingly, Rake showed real levelheadedness here. I think Baruk has been hiding his power levels, or nobody simply thought to ask.

Also his sword can trap souls and they slave away in there for life. Pearl is fucked. no RIP for pearl.

Kruppe really has the best gift/power. Gods come themselves to warn him of danger. Lmao.

I'm loving it so far. So excited for what's coming next.

Previous one

CHAPTER 8:

WhiskeyJack is DA MAN. He knew the plan was a flop and would get them killed. So many characters in fiction would reluctantly go along with it while acting like the biggest victims at the same time, not taking any agency. Not WhiskeyJack, though. He threw it away the first moment he could.

The Moranth People have an odd way of speaking. They keep saying "Bird that Steals" at the end of their sentences.

I think they are not just referring to WhiskeyJack, they probably call every human that, or Empire's people in general.

My theory is that since it was the Empress who made the alliance (the alliance was in 1156, and the Empress had been ruling for 7 years by 1161), and since she doesn't seem like a negotiator, she pulled a Piccolo and probably possesses a treasure or is holding some hostage in exchange for their loyalty.

QuickBen meets with Hairfall. My bad... Hairlock. He's losing it. Hairlock updates QuickBen on the Hound attack and Paran's condition. Maybe I didn't catch it the last time, but WhiskeyJack knew where Paran was and was acting otherwise in front of Dujek.

One thing that stood out to me: when QuickBen warned Hairlock about spending too much time in the Warren, he described it in a way and even self-admitted that he has spent time there himself. From his description, it felt like he spent a really long time there once, or made multiple visits.

QuickBen has been flying under the radar. I need to pay more attention to him.

The squad decides to act like fishermen, and only Sorry knows how to fish.

Bit of a bittersweet moment for me. I wonder if the girl is still in there. I don't think they even gave us her name.

Anyway, Batman/Grandma via Sorry approves of WhiskeyJack throwing out the Empress's plan.

The squad loaded up the equipment while the boat was still on the shore.

I laughed really hard here.

At least they are powerful enough that they can push it into the lake.

This ws a really short chapter. Usually chapters are rather long, but I don't feel their length once I'm engrossed. This book has 3 parts. Only 2 more chapters.

CHAPTER 9:

HOOD'S GATE!!!!

HOW LONG IS THIS CHAPTER.

Toc the Younger, he's the Claw member that gave Paran the rundown of the city. He seemed more loyal to the military than to the Claw. He's supposed to meet Lorn; I think she's looking for Paran.

However, at the meeting point, there are signs of magic and battle. Anomander Rake and someone called Caladan had people scouting this area. They found out about Lorn travelling to Pale and followed her.

Lorn got ganked by Barghast, part of the Crimson Guard. Her last two guards die protecting her before T'lan Imass (Zombie?) and Toc save her ass. She has a sword that's kryptonite to mages, but it can't deal with T'lan Imass's power and Elder Warrens... I'm not sure yet.

Toc shows up and updates Lorn on Paran's absence and morale within the command while they travel to Pale. Oh, and his horse is a good breed. They emphasized that.

Well, Paran doesn't fully remember fighting the Hound, and Tattersail fell sick after the fight. She's better now.

Hairlock wants to kill her, though. It's Paran's sword that kept him away.

Paran is in debt to Tattersail, tbh. Not a huge debt, but kind of.

I guess they're squared: But if we look at the facts, she took care of a stranger, and he took care of the person who shielded him from authorities and potentially saved his life.

They agree that they don't owe each other, though.

Tattersail says the coin dropped.

I'm guessing it's with Crokus in Darujhistan. I don't know if people will hear the spinning anymore.

He reveals the details of his meeting with Oponn (Team Rocket) to Tattersail. Aren't you getting too comfortable, Paran?

If he starts living there, Tattersail might as well become his agony aunt.

Now, this may just be semantics, but Tattersail says one of the twins pushes and the other pulls.

I wonder

• if they are one god then pushing and pulling doesn't really matter because the subject will go in one direction.
• If they are two gods. In that case, do they have different goals?

*GASP* What if it was a half-mad god that split into two. One sane, other insane. That would be very cool.

Paran bought his sword a while ago and named it Chance. What are the chances of that?

Is there romance brewing between Tattersail and Paran? I hope not. I have been imagining Tattersail as my dead grandma for some reason.

Lorn, after seeing the military camp and talking to Toc, comes to the conclusion that these soldiers are more loyal to Dujek than to the Empire. When people go through hardship together, they form tight bonds, and it shows here.

Lorn and Dujek have a talk where they discuss the Moranth; he calls the Empress an idiot. Dujek asks for more men and Lorn has to relent. I loved it.

About the Moranth... they said the Moranth were reluctant to fight against Caladan Brood. What is going on there?

Tayschrenn shows up accusing Dujek of helping the nobility by burning the census data. Thank god this doesn't take place in the modern world. Eh, I'm not nobility. Wait, I'd be on the frontlines. Fuck.

Lorn reminds Tayschrenn that important things are being discussed.There's a bit where Dujek says he'll increase Tayschrenn's protection, and Tayschrenn hits back with "No thanks, why make your spies redundant?" LMAO.

Dinner is planned and Tattersail is going to join. It seems she and Lorn have a history. Did Tattersail save Lorn's life in the past?

After Dujek leaves, all the masks come off. These people are planning the murders of their own people. Why? They say it's because those people were loyal to the Emperor, but in my opinion it's because the Empress can't have any equals. If someone had seen her when she was just a normal soldier, the myth would have a harder time sticking. These people are evil.

Tayschrenn sacrificed the mage cadre on purpose.

They want WhiskeyJack dead.

Even Dujek is aware of that.

Sometimes I wonder if good people in positions of power burn in hell for allowing evil to prosper.

Lorn knows that if they lose Dujek's loyalty they'll probably lose the war, but they think his loyalty wouldn't change all that much if WhiskeyJack is killed.

They talk about Tattersail.. she's capable, alright.

They wanted her dead too, but she survived.

Tattersail is pissed about the invitation and doesn't want to go. She's even more alarmed when she finds out Paran worked for Lorn, and her suspicions about the Empire wanting the Bridgeburners dead are confirmed.

There is a portion about hanging the least liked nobles, which boosts recruitment, and "THUS COMPLETING THE CONSPIRACY." What conspiracy is that?

During dinner, Toc and Dujek hit it off and bond over their shared disability.

Lorn is probably wondering if Toc is compromised, and then Tattersail arrives.

Lorn wants revenge, and Tattersail basically goes "Sure, why not?"

Dujek is a GIGACHAD for stepping in and setting things straight. If Lorn wants justice for her parents and family, she'd better take it up with the Empress or start with herself for a change. At least Tattersail has a reason; Lorn is executing people because the Empress is insecure, in my opinion.

One thing, IIRC there's something special about Tattersail's Warren and the Otataral sword doesn't work well against Elder magic. What if...? It's Lorn who was saved because Dujek stepped in.

Lorn hears Tattersail's account of the Hound attack and her opinion. Toc is there as the Claw representative.

They talk about Team Rocket and they are declared a terrorist organization. Paran is screwed. However, Lorn is not satisfied and wants to hear Toc's evaluation. Brothers and sisters in arms look out for each other, and Tattersail manages to survive.

The Adjunct leaves the camp.

Tattersail tells Paran that Lorn wants the entire Bridgeburner squad dead.

He obviously doesn't believe it.

Sorry is bad news and WhiskeyJack needs to know about the recent updates. Hairlock is tracking the Adjunct, so Tattersail has to go herself. Paran wants to come with her, but she thinks Lorn will be able to locate him.

Tattersail says she has feelings for Paran. Then they end up spending the night together. I imagined Tattersail as my grandma in my head for some reason. How old is she?

There was also a moment where Tattersail looked at her Tarot cards but then Paran distracted her.

There was a portion with the Adjunct and T'lan Imass. However, I'm blanking on the details. There was a mention of someone called Dancer and Kron. The T'lan Imass have Bonecasters that they attacked and killed. Is it like an AI revolution?

This was a long chapter.

CHAPTER 10:

Paran finds Toc and tells him about Tattersail's suspicions, her departure and about the Empress wanting the Bridgeburners dead.

Toc is the friend you need in life. He's too good a person. I hope he lives.

He helps Paran get out of the city to pursue Tattersail.

Tattersail is in a bind. Bellurdan showed up and wants to take her back to Tayschrenn. They talk, and it is revealed that there is an even deeper layer to all of this. Tattersail can't go back now. She can't access her Warren because of the Zombie man 8 miles east of them who is travelling with Lorn.

She thinks about how Hairlock managed to survive, and then nukes herself. I think she transferred her soul into a puppet but was she carrying one? She definitely forgot a lot of things, so that seems unlikely. Hairlock was stalking the Adjunct. Is it possible that we have another Grandma + girl situation here? I'm not sure.

The explosion is so big that everyone from miles away can see it.

The Adjunct and the Zombie man talk about who is powerful enough to do such a thing.

The Zombie man mentions a god who has no worshippers left, and then there is a line about life being fire and fire being life. This reminds me of our friend who met Kruppe in his dream.

He gifted Kruppe the fire. I guess I'm stretching things a bit here.

When Paran finds ground zero, he quickly identifies Tattersail, and Toc identifies Bellurdan. Toc also identifies footprints that look small, like a child's.

A child? In the last chapter, when Paran and Tattersail spent time together. Is it possible she had a bun in the oven?

Paran connects the dots and concludes that Tattersail was right. I don't know if he connected the right dots, but he definitely reached the right conclusion. He wants to make Lorn pay for taking everything from him.

What happened during the time skip? Did his family die because of Lorn? If so, she is even more of a hypocrite.

But if it played out like the latter half of Chapter 1, as much as I want Tayschrenn and Lorn in a corner, bro, you joined the military. This is what you signed up for. What did she even take away? I guess having a connection that allows her to detect you at any time is a bit much, but that sets the bar at ground level compared to what other people are going through here.

We get introduced to Caladan Brood.

It's brief, but the Crone from the Darujhistan chapters is probably working for him.

He and Rake don't see eye to eye.

However, he commands the squad that almost did Lorn in, and on top of that, he seems reasonable. There was a mention of Rake's sword. I wonder what's special about it. Rake wants Team Rocket dead and anyone who even carries their scent. Caladan thinks otherwise;

Oponn have their uses.

He wants to protect Crokus from Rake and decides to do it himself. His advisor warns him one last time to get rid of Rake, which means he is powerful enough to actually do that. Whoa.

The Crone from earlier reunites with her pack, who are following what I presume to be Tattersail's new form. Tattersail is setting these birds on fire whenever she emerges from the warren.

The Crone suspects it's Elder magic, and when she gets folded in half by Tattersail, her theory is confirmed.

However, when Tattersail emerged from her Warren, she was laughing. Now, it could be the laughter of madness or the laughter of an amused child. We'll wait and see.

This section felt huge but was really interesting. I have new respect for Dujek and Toc, and I'm curious about QuickBen and the bigger plan. Thank you for reading all of this.