Welcome to the Malazan Reread of the Fallen! Every post will start off with a summary of events, followed by reaction and commentary by your hosts Bill and Amanda (with Amanda, new to the series, going first), and finally comments from Tor.com readers. In this article, we’ll cover part two of chapter twenty-four of The Crippled God.
A fair warning before we get started: We’ll be discussing both novel and whole-series themes, narrative arcs that run across the entire series, and foreshadowing.
Note: The summary of events will be free of major spoilers and we’re going to try keeping the reader comments the same. A spoiler thread has been set up for outright Malazan spoiler discussion.
CHAPTER SUMMARY
SCENE ONE
Three Forkrul Assail—Brother Grave, Brother Aloft and Sister Freedom—can feel that the assault against the Spire has begun, but they are concentrating on the task ahead of them. As is usual, the Forkrul Assail think that everything is just fine and dandy and they can defeat anything in their path. They determine to each possess an army. After some discussion about the armies, Aloft states that the forces facing them has the feel of a grand strategy, the product of a single individual’s will. then Grave and Freedom rather poo-poo his thoughts and state that they are facing a tyrant who has over-reached themselves. Freedom tells Aloft to kill all the Bonehunter marines.
SCENE TWO
Quick Ben and Kalam are riding towards where Tavore is supposed to be, sent by Paran to assist her. Quick Ben stops because he realises that Tavore has given up her sword, and he knows that she intends them to go there instead. Quick Ben tells Kalam that everyone—all of them—have been underestimating her from the very beginning. Kalam asks Quick Ben which of the Parans they should be obeying and Quick asks him in return which he’d rather face on the other side of the Gates to tell that he’d failed. Kalam is suddenly overcome with emotion, and then the two of them head towards the sword.
SCENE THREE
As the jade slashes move closer, Silchas and Tulas land and semble into their human forms, Silchas almost driven mad by the howling of the Hust sword he carries. Silchas admits he fears death, and Tulas assures him that oblivion doesn’t frighten him and he would try to fall in Silchas’ stead. When Silchas unsheathes the Hust sword, ghostly chains appear from the blade, and three dragons climb from the earth—Eloth, Ampelas and Kalse. Tulas tells Silchas to veer, that Shadowthrone/Cotillion have given them their Storm. Eloth makes a bargain with Silchas—that if they prevail, Silchas will break their chains.
SCENE FOUR
Telorast and Curdle are trying to escape the shadow of dragons that overcomes them, and then both are drawn in chains to join the Ancient Storm.
SCENE FIVE
Korabas is failing against the mass of Eleint arrayed against her. She knows she is going to die, even as she still strives to reach ‘that fated place’, the place that could be a trap or a promise. She worries about the fact that the power of T’iam is building in the presence of so many Storms, that she is likely to manifest. Just as she fights back one last time, she sees seven Ancient Dragons heading towards her, and knows that death has arrived. But then they fight against the Eleint surrounding her! In her mind, she begs them not to, she knows this is a fatal sacrifice. She does not understand why they do this, but she uses the reprieve to head towards where the sword has been placed.
SCENE SIX
Fiddler and the marines arrive at the Otataral sword, and he fears that this one thing, this one weapon will not be enough to break the chains that have bound the Crippled God. He thinks that he is trusting himself and his soldiers to the word of Tavore. Fiddler watches Hedge’s troops, and thinks how weighed down they are with… kittens. When he and Hedge talk about defending the small hill, Hedge reveals that Bavedict has concocted a lot more kittens, that he is a genius. Then Hedge babbles at Fiddler for a bit, to distract him, and Fiddler acknowledges that if Hedge wasn’t here, then his voice would still be in his head, and thanks him for the distraction. The marines start preparing for battle.
SCENE SEVEN
Bottle heads to find Fiddler and Hedge, and is joined by Deadsmell. Bottle tells Fiddler that there is a god there with them, that it isn’t the Crippled God. Fiddler asks who it is, and Deadsmell tells him that it is the Worm of Autumn.
SCENE EIGHT
Gilani joins Sinter and Kisswhere, complaining about Dal Honese men and their methods of foreplay. Sinter feels clouds, and scans the heavens for them.
SCENE NINE
Bottle’s squad prepare for battle by discussing the taste of glory—or possibly Widdershins—in the air. And cats.
SCENE TEN
Rim and Honey talk about his contribution to the battle.
SCENE ELEVEN
Fiddler studies the fortifications and troop placements and know they are too few to defend the hill. He studies the sky, in which the Jade Strangers are even more prominent. He goes through the House of Chains deck, and the Leper card is glistening with sweat—he thinks: “Aw, Hedge. I’m so sorry for that.”
SCENE TWELVE
Gu’Rull carries the heart of the Crippled God as he flies, thinking about all the fallen dead and the last scene he witnessed on the Spire. He knows he underestimated the Matron’s choices for Shield Anvil and Mortal Sword, and, in this moment, calls them kin and knows their sacrifice means he will see this through. As he flies, he is suddenly surrounded by a swirling darkness and knows he will not make this journey alone.
SCENES THIRTEEN–FIFTEEN
The Great Ravens arrive at the hill and begin to form a body for the Crippled God out of the bones that remain there in the barrow. Crone hopes that it will be enough to house the blood of their sacrifice.
SCENE SIXTEEN–SEVENTEEN
Gu’Rull watches as the Great Ravens make their sacrifice. He is joined by Crone, who tells him that he has one more task on the morrow, that he should look to the skies. She says that she has promised a most noble lord and her sweetest daughter will be returning. As the Ravens complete their task, Gu’Rull places the heart within the new body of the Crippled God. Finally, Crone—as the spark—strikes home.
SCENE EIGHTEEN
Fiddler is thrown down by the detonation of power. When he comes back to himself, he sees the broken and deformed figure of the Crippled God, bound with heavy chains, and thinks that they have made him more vulnerable. The Crippled God talks with Fiddler, admitting that when he first arrived on this world he saw the Malazans as something to be hurt like everything else, but his view gradually changed. That he learnt to believe in the Malazans as something different. He doesn’t understand why the Malazans would die to defend him, and Fiddler suggests that he might watch them in battle to get a better sense of them.
SCENE NINETEEN
Hedge tells Fiddler that, yes, the gods might have used them, but that it made them better people—and, therefore, they created better gods. He asks whether Fiddler will be saying anything to the troops, and Fiddler says that he will be doing the listening now.
SCENE TWENTY–TWENTY-ONE
Calm knows that the Forkrul Assail are falling, that they have lost the heart of the Crippled God, but she is watching over one last weapon that can destroy the world, thinks that it is time to wake Lifestealer. Mappo knows he is nearing Icarium, and breaks into a run to get there, even though he sees the Forkrul Assail figure ahead of him.
SCENE TWENTY-TWO–TWENTY-FOUR
Mappo faces Sister Calm, who tells him that the Nameless Ones weren’t interested in Icarium, that they used him as an excuse to reduce the danger of each protector they chose. That Icarium is destined to awaken over and over again, that he is uncontrollable. Mappo and Calm fight, and Calm kills Mappo. Just as she crushes Mappo’s throat and glories in the idea of freeing Icarium to kill this world, she is taken down by a rather angry and confused Toblakai.
SCENE TWENTY-FIVE
Brother Grave commands his troops to circle the hill, as he watches the clouds of birds descend. He anticipates the execution to come.
SCENE TWENTY-SIX
Vastly Blank tells Fiddler that they are surrounded, and gives the numbers and armour of the troops. He then eats his own toenail.
SCENE TWENTY-SEVEN
As the Kolansii advance, Urb watches Hellian and shouts to her that he loves her. She asks him what he said as first he watches some of the enemy troops dissolve under the power of one of the kittens, and then sees the Forkrul Assail fail in his attempt to command the Malazans. Hellian comes right up to him and asks again what he said. When he repeats it, she shows her delight and they kiss.
SCENE TWENTY-EIGHT–THIRTY-EIGHT
Erikson does his usual ‘flit about the viewpoints’ as battle is commenced:
- Cuttle watches as the Kolansii close and discharges his first crossbow quarrel
- Saltlick is stuck where he is by an arrow in the foot; he takes down a few Kolansii before he is killed in turn
- Koryk battles furiously, and hears Smiles laugh as more Kolansii close
- Corabb fights, revelling in the glory that he is a marine, a heroic soldier
- Deadsmell and Throatslitter fight side by side, protected by the quarrels of Widdershins
- Sinter howls as she watches Badan Gruk die
- Lap Twirl receives a spear thrust, kills the person who did it to him, then snaps off the head of the spear and goes back into the fray, thinking he can take down a few more
- Skulldeath plunges into the enemy and finds himself surrounded, then is killed
- Hedge stands over the corpse of Bavedict and directs his troop to cover Fiddler’s group with arrows.
- Fiddler thinks he is done for as his ankle twists in front of a Kolansii, but then the man is felled by a crossbow bolt and Fidd is dragged back to safety by Hedge, who then goes to work
- Bottle receives a spear to the thigh, as he thinks that these Kolansii are slaves and not asking to do battle. Tarr draws out the spear and, as Bottle stuffs the hole with bandages, he feels heat and hears screams from downslope
SCENE THIRTY-NINE
The Crippled God realises, in his new body, just what a gift that these soldiers offer up in the moment of their deaths. He witnesses.
SCENE FORTY
The Seven T’lan Imass stand near the Malazan regulars. It was their plan to go and join the Malazan marines, to witness the rising of their god, but they decide instead to stand with Tavore, to witness the actions of the regulars who seek to prevent the Forkrul Assail reaching the Crippled God. Thenik announces, after some discussion, that he will sacrifice himself to take down the Forkrul Assail.
SCENE FORTY-ONE
Lostara watches as Tavore prepares for battle. The Adjunct opens a box that bears the family crest of House Paran, and draws out a necklace—a simple leather string and an eagle’s talon of brass or gold. Tavore asks Lostara to tie it for her, and Lostara does so. As she catches the faint scent of perfume from Tavore’s hair, she is overcome with ineffable sorrow.
SCENE FORTY-TWO
Banaschar waits, holding the horse that the Adjunct will ride to deliver her speech to the troops, and he remembers the last speech she gave, aboard the ships that took them to the Letherii Empire. As she emerges, he pays tribute to Tavore and tells her how honoured he is to be there.
SCENE FORTY-THREE
Tavore speaks to her soldiers, speaks to the regulars. Lets them know that she has seen them, that she knows them. She says they will be unwitnessed by history, but that they will be witnessed by each other.
SCENE FORTY-FOUR
Blistig is a dick and just doesn’t get it.
SCENE FORTY-FIVE
Sister Freedom and Brother Aloft watch as Tavore makes her speech to the troops, and they plan their assault. Freedom warns not to use the power of Akhrast Korvalain because there is something affecting it. They see no cheers from the soldiers as Tavore finishes her speech and think that she has lost her troops, that they will rout. They say they will next meet standing on the corpses of these wretched upstarts.
Amanda’s Reaction
Ah, we’re getting familiar with the rather breathtaking arrogance of the Forkrul Assail by now, but this did jump out: “We shall face humans. Thus far, in all my thousands of years of life, I have yet to be impressed by these creatures.” It just strikes me that Brother Grave is about to have this viewpoint reversed.
I was impressed by Aloft’s attempt to tell the other two that his instincts warned him they were facing someone who has planned this invasion, and there is one powerful strategic mind governing the army placement etc, and then, of course, he is shouted down. But I suspect he might be more cautious engaging with these puny humans.
Love the Quick Ben and Kalam scene, where Quick finally realises what Tavore has done and where she intends them to be. Talk about stuck between a rock and a hard place, with having to decide which Paran sibling to obey—although, with everything that has happened, I entirely agree with their final choice. Sure, Ganoes is pretty hardass and all, but, damn, imagine telling Tavore you had failed her. That is… not a good thing to imagine.
And that last exchange just says it all:
“Quick—how did she manage to cross that desert anyway?”
“Guess we… underestimated her.”
And, since we’re talking about grand strategies and underestimating, it seems fitting to then go to a scene where we see one of the long results of Shadowthrone and Cotillion’s planning, as the three Ancient Dragons are unleashed from the Hust sword and join Tulas and Silchas in a Storm. That was a real moment of clarity, as I remembered all those mysterious scenes where I wasn’t sure what Cotillion was up to, or why Shadowthrone was doing this and that. Honestly, how could they know and prepare for something like this? For Silchas and Tulas being brought together? For the requirement of an Ancient Dragon Storm? It just boggles the mind what those two have planned.
These two—Telorast and Curdle—have been a point of joke for so long (and let’s do think back to the first time we saw them, and how long they have been lurking around in this series—and then congratulate Erikson on his own looooooooong vision) that it comes as almost a surprise to be reminded that they are Ancients, and have this spectacular names: Telorast Anthras and Kerudas Karosias.
Oh, bless Korabas. I know that she is the very death of magic and all that, but she is such a tragic character. I really felt her pain as she watched the new Storm descending and then, realising they were fighting for her, her begging them not to die for her. She has been made beautiful by Erikson’s writing of her viewpoints, where we have discovered that she hates the part of her that destroys everything, and that she wishes she could be the creator of something.
Ah, Fiddler and Hedge—from the fact that Fiddler knew all about the secret kittens, to the moment where Fiddler thanks Hedge for babbling, that “if you wasn’t here, Hedge, I’d have to invent you,” it’s just wonderful to see these two reunited. Although it leaves me with a massive sense of foreboding, that they have been given this time only to have one of them die. I hope I’m wrong.
Okay, that scene where Bottle and Deadsmell go to tell Fiddler and Hedge that there is a foreign god there—I pretty much choked with laughter the whole way through. Just… the whole thing made me giggle helplessly. From the cute backside comment to the Widdershits thing. From Fiddler’s “You idiot. That’s the whole fucking point” to Deadsmell’s “I was working up to that, damn you!” Gods above and below, this was just about the perfect scene to showcase the Malazans. I would point to this scene to new readers, and say, “This makes all the confusion worthwhile.” Of course, those new readers would have to travel through ten books and confusion to get why this is so funny and perfect…
I’m curious as to why the Leper card in the House of Chains deck is sweating, and why Fiddler thinks: “Aw, Hedge. I’m so sorry for that.” Does this mean that Hedge is going to die? Or that he has now taken his place as the Leper?
This chapter is most certainly a point where some of the longest reveals are occurring. Crone and the Great Ravens were first seen in Gardens of the Moon, and here they perform the sacrifice of their bodies so that the Crippled God will have flesh again. Outstanding. Just curious as to the sweetest daughter that Crone refers to, but I’m sure that will be revealed soon.
The quiet scene between Fiddler and the Crippled God is a much-needed one, I think. It gives the sceptical reader a final thought and reasons behind why we should look on him with compassion. That, in his first chaining and hurt, he lashed against all he believed were hurting him. And it was only gradually that he realised the Malazans might be something different.
And here we have the Malazans defined:
“No matter, Malazan. If I am to lie here, bound for the rest of days, still—you will fight to defend me.”
Fiddler nodded.
I especially like Hedge’s words about the gods—particularly Shadowthrone and Cotillion. That, yes, they used the mortals, but that they made them better people, they demanded more from them. And, as a consequence, those mortals demanded better gods. We’re seeing that, from gods like Mael, and the Worm of Autumn—gods who have seen what the mortals are capable of achieving and so pledge what support they can.
Poor Mappo. Poor broken Mappo. Did Calm really need to break his spirit before she broke his body? This poor creature. To realise that his whole life and purpose was a sham? To know that he will never again be with Icarium? To know that his failure might mean the end of existence? That is not a peaceful way to die. And it therefore gives me the greatest glee to watch Calm taken down by Ublala in a pretty ignominious way.
And then the relief of a brief comedy moment, as we watch Widdershins say: “Worm says fuck you, Assail!” That is brilliant—and nice to know that the Worm of Autumn is playing a role. See? Gods doing better because mortals are acting better!
It’s definitely an ‘awwwww’ moment with Urb and Hellian.
And then the deaths begin. People we have spent time with, watched grow. Wounds taken in the defence of fellow soldiers. Hedge’s careful watch of Fiddler—that tears at the heart. And over all of it, the Crippled God’s realisation of what a gift these Malazans are giving him. The only gift that they have the power to bestow on him. I love that they are being witnessed, and by a god, no less.
That gentle scene between Lostara and Tavore had so many layers of meaning. And some I’m not clear on—like the talon that she wishes to wear to battle. Is that of the Talon? Is she showing her true colours here? What I am clear on is how much feeling Lostara has here for the woman she has chosen to follow.
I was powerfully affected by Tavore and Banaschar’s encounter, where he tells her how honoured he is and that he is kneeling beside her. How far he has come from that drunken sot. These words affected me: “She rode straight in her saddle, a figure in tattered chain, upon a starved, dying horse. The image seemed to sear itself in Banaschar’s mind.” And so the Consort rides to battle.
So, this speech of Tavore’s. Apart from breaking my heart, it is clever, clever work by our author. Supremely clever. All the way along we have been seeing the squads of the marines, of the heavies. We have found affection for them and grown with them. And their deaths pain us. And here, we are forced to realise that we have not witnessed the whole army. We have not seen the quiet heroics of members of the regulars. In fact, they have been faceless and nameless, and but a footnote in the history of these books. And here, Erikson quietly chides us and shows us that every soldier matters, whether named or not, witnessed or not. Every person matters. It is brilliantly done, as we see Tavore name the regulars and show that they have been on their own journey and fighting their own battles through the desert.
It is so incredibly moving and powerful, what she says, and then Blistig’s reaction just shows how little he has understood… well, anything.
Bill’s Reaction
While I chuckled a bit at the Forkrul Assail scene, mostly it just slowed things for me and I could have done without it.
On the other hand, any time I can spend with Kalam and Quick Ben I’m happy with. Especially here when we see the closeness of their relationship, Kalam having his momentary sob at considering telling Tavore he failed and being fine with it because it’s in front of Quick Ben. Quick Ben staying silent (and let’s remember, this is Quick Ben) “because true friends know when to keep silent, to give all the patience needed.
I love too that devil’s choice they face—the sword or the Adjunct, Paran or Tavore. Or how it, as it so often does at this close, come down to faith. In this case, Quick Ben’s faith that they have all along underestimated Tavore and his faith she will not die if they choose the sword.
And from one pair of friends to another. And then what a great scene (both plot-wise and visually)—Shadowthrone’s gift of the Hust sword coming clear—it holding the chains of Eloth, Ampelas, and Kalse. And now all that time Cotillion spent with them, we can at least some some of its purpose. And I don’t know about you all, but I get a lump at the “He is a god with honour.” I love this scene!
And from the second pair of friends to the, well, kind of third pair in Telorast and Curdle. From dragons to dragons. And now a storm of seven. And we all know seven is a good number in any story involving magic and gods and dragons.
From dragon to dragon (craftily smooth transitions here btw). Korabas, whom if you recall had such a moving scene earlier from her POV. And hearing her speak of failure and death now, knowing help is on the way is a great moment for the reader. And as she flies off, saved by the new-born storm, she leaves us with yet another uber-poignant moment—“I was free, even if only for a moment. I was free.” And I’ll just remind you here as well that we’ve had a nice parallel built up between Korabas and the Crippled God. Just saying.
And now from chains to chains, from Korabas to Fiddler’s mission, finally laid bare: to break the chains binding the Crippled God.
And amidst all this heaviness, how good is it to get Hedge’s lines here:
What is this, some bad fairy tale? Why not a demon king? Or a giant three-headed ogre with scorpion tails at the end of every finger and a big one on his cock for added measure? Breathing fire outa his arse too… What else should I know? We got to kiss that fucking heart awake once we get it? Put a hat on it? Dance in fucking circles round it?
Oh, thank you Hedge. As Fiddler says, and what a great line, “If you wasn’t here, I’d have to invent you.”
And thank you Reliko and unnamed woman soldier.
And Bottle and Deadsmell. And Bottle and Fiddler for:
“There a god here with us.”
“You idiot, that’s the whole fucking point.”
I’m still laughing as I’m typing. We needed this relief.
Those references to the Jade Strangers are coming fast and furious now
Speaking of coming fast and furious—the Ravens (and for some reason I want to be Bilbo shouting “The Eagles. The Eagles have come!”) have made their full circle journey here at the very end. Oh, how long, long ago that was that we were getting subtle hints about just what they were, and then figured it out, and now here we are, their sacrifice to embody the Crippled God, and then the heart put in place by, and who would have thought this all those books ago, by a K’Chain Che’Malle. Oh, how I love the turns this series has taken.
And drip by drip, we get educated a bit more. The ravens were formed at the will of the Crippled God. The Crippled God was a bad guy (though out of pain and anguish), thinking the Malazans mere tools of the cruel gods. Dassem rejected Hood at the chaining because it was “unjust”—a word we get a lot of in the book a word the Malazans do what they can to reduce. And Dassem paid for his “temerity”—a word akin to “audacity,” another word we’ve gotten a lot in this series associated with the Malazans. And boy, we are seeing a lot of audacity here at the end.
And what a great quiet moment between the Crippled God and Fiddler—god to man—trying to understand the willingness to sacrifice. That act predicated upon compassion and empathy, but as was just spoken of earlier in the chapter via Tavore—those emotions aren’t enough—action also need be taken.
But Fiddler is feeling more than that. He’s feeling that weight of command, that agony of love for his soldiers, his soldiers who will die because he’s asking them to. There’s a bit of an echo of Hal here, the commander wanting to listen to his army the night before the big battle.
And I like here Hedge’s arguments about the gods, about Shadowthrone and Dancer, about the Empire. The idea that those two “demand [ed] the best in us.” That vision of a god who was made by better people, and because they were better, the god was better: “Not vicious, not vengeful, not arrogant or spiteful. Not selfish, not greedy. Just clear-eyed, with no time for all our rubbish.”
More revelations. And more grief. Oh Mappo. This is, I think, one of the more painful deaths in this series. I think way back to our first meeting with him and subsequent time spent with him. And how it all began to change. And then that moment with the children and Olar Ethil. And now here, not just to die, but to die being told that his whole purpose (though not his existence I’d say) had been a manipulation and a lie, and to die so close to Icarium, and to die thinking he could not protect Icarium, and that Icarium will be woken and used as a weapon. I think Mappo is dying here in the middle of his worst nightmare.
But at least Ublala makes me feel a little better. Not a lot, but it’s something.
Oh, how I love Widdershin’s response to the all-mighty intonation of the Voice: “Worm says fuck you, Assail.” I may have that printed on a tee-shirt.
And I’m not going to say anything here, but I’ll just ask: How many first-time readers are thinking: If Erikson kills either Urb or Hellian now, he’s dead to me. Dead I say. Dead. (hmm, think I’ve said that before…)
And then the carnage begins: Saltlick. Badan Gruk. Lap Twirl. Skulldeath. Bavedict.
“Unwitnessed” Tavore had told them. But we see them fall, don’t we? And so does someone else:
A flitting light, a moment’s breath. I hear you surrendering it. This one gift that is the only gift ever given you—you yield it back into the firmament. And the world passes on barely taking notice. Will no one notice? I will heed your deaths. I will remember.
From witness and sacrifice to witness and sacrifice. Another quiet moment. This one with the Seven, who have been moved as the Crippled God has been moved, and so they will make a sacrifice and “out of defiance” stand with Tavore against the Forkrul Assail. Remember when these were the bad guys?
Oh man, and what is this that Tavore is pulling out of that box? A talon? A talon?! And then “I am a child of the Emperor—what more is there for you to understand?” And let the speculation begin in three, two…
And what a perfect closing line to that scene—“Now, the chain.” “Of course.” Absolutely perfect.
Tavore, you break my heart.
And Blistig, you’ve never understood, have you?
Or you, silly Forkrul Assail. Have you not read the rest of the book? Don’t you know what happens when one of you says something about “making quick work” of somebody? Silly, silly Forkrul Assail.
Amanda Rutter is the editor of Strange Chemistry books, sister imprint to Angry Robot.
Bill Capossere writes short stories and essays, plays ultimate frisbee, teaches as an adjunct English instructor at several local colleges, and writes SF/F reviews for fantasyliterature.com.
well it looks amazing Clara Bush
I can’t even comment on these posts because just the summaries and reactions keep me choked up…
And some I’m not clear on—like the talon that she wishes to wear to
battle. Is that of the Talon? Is she showing her true colours here?
“I am a child of the Emperor—what more is there for you to understand?”
This is one of my favourite lines in the series because suddenly a whole world of speculation opens up about HOW and WHY Tavore knows what she does.
She wears a talon, the emblem of Dancer’s military assassins. She had knowledge and access to Baudin Younger, one of the greatest still alive to safeguard her sister. She grew up meeting generals, tacticians, and the preeminent strategists of the empire.
More and more it becomes clear that she is a weapon … carefully prepared, honed, and aimed, not by the Emperor, but by Dancer. Remember, ST himself complains of having to have faith in her to Ganoes.
She is the knife that goes exactly where it is aimed, but not the obvious weapon. As Adjunct, I thought she was initially aimed at Laseen, but I think when ST & Cots got Ambitious, things changed. And yet. And yet.
“Worm says fuck you, Assail” is my favorite line from this series.
It says something about how much these books affected me when I get misty-eyed just reading this re-read–and I’m not even re-reading TCG right now, I’ve just been silently following everyone’s comments on this re-read for all these years.
Hellian’s response (or perhaps I should say “reaction”) to Urb’s confession is one the most memorable moments in the series for me.
OMG I got here at the begining of the thread – it took me ages of almost a chaptI really wanted to be here at the end……. and now its all crawiling along. Two posts a week is agony!
I have such respect for you Amanda and Bill, what a marvelouse commitment, years of reading and posting. I have gained such insight via your comments and the comments of those others here.
Thank you
Credit where credit is due – Sister Freedom is a nice break from the “I will assume I cannot be surprised and bask in my superiority” notions of Brother Diligence, Sister Reverance, etc.
ie:
Nice to see one of the FA being less cliche evil overlord than the rest. Aloft, too, breaks the mold a bit with his realizing the coordination of the enemy forces and pointing out how Ganoes’ force broke two of their armies and fought its way through the mountain passes
—
There is so much to comment about, even in just this third of a chapter.
Urb+Hellian coming together is magnificent.
On the flipside, Badan Gruk dying before he and Sinter every really resolved anything is painful.
Awesome learning Telorast and Curdle are Anthras and Karosis, named amongst Rud Elalle’s list of “Pure Dragons” as far back as Midnight Tides.
Of course the Tavore speculation is going to explode now :P I love that it can go so many ways. As Mayhem says above, she could have been prepared by Dancer since almost as early as she was born – the Claw train recruits from a very young age, the Talon could be no different. And she certainly has Talon contacts, not only Baudin but she revealed the Talon link with the Malazan nobility to Laseen as well.
On the other hand, she also apparently spent a long time studying Kellanved, Dancer and incidents of the early days. Who is to say she didn’t start getting involved on her own and then form an arrangement later?
And then there’s T’amber to consider…
Oh Mappo. That death and its manner hit me hard.
Sacrifice, courage and friendship. The Forkrul Assail know nothing.
Just wanted to jump in and second (third?) the motion for a “Worm says fuck you, Assail” t-shirt. It could have just as easily been Bottle who yelled it out, but how much sweeter that it is from Widdershins and not a more central character. Tops my list for favorite badass Malazan one-liners (and thus my favorite in the wide genre).
This series repeatedly leaves all others in its wake.
The Adjunct opens a box that bears the family crest of House Paran, and draws out a necklace—a simple leather string and an eagle’s talon of brass or gold.
A while back, I posed a theory in the spoiler thread, about Tavore inheriting her Talon status from her father, just like Baudin had inherited his. This is something I intend to bring up in the Q&A.
This isn’t hard evidence of course, but the fact the Talon necklace is kept in a box wearing the Paran family crest is another pointer to me.
Tavore being a Talon really fits, as does her Father being one. She sent a Talon to rescue Felisin (the fact that the mission was a total failure doesn’t change anything there). As Mayhem pointed out above, she had access to military minds at a young age, which no mere merchant could accomplish. Also, it explains the connection with Shadowthrone and Cotillion, and why Cotillion kept an interest in Lostara.
Also, we knew there was a second Talon in the Bonehunter Army. Throatslitter’s POV showed that in DoD, when he thought about Talon signals being left for him to see.
With what Tavore told Blistig on keeping him alive from assassination, I’d think those signals could have been meant to have Throatslitter protect Blistig. But that is something we’ll never know. I guess I should make a Q&A question of that as well.
More comments later :)
When I read this chapter, the sudden appearance of Great Ravens after what seems like a nine-book lacuna on the topic made me laugh out loud. So these birds that hung out with Rake on Moon’s Spawn were a manifestation of the Crippled God? That was some impressive plot-planning.
Then out comes the Talon from Tavore’s jewelry box, and several other plot holes or unsolved mysteries are suddenly filled in and theories confirmed, as Fiddler mentioned above. Neato.
Again, the death of Mappo is a pretty terrible and pointless way to go. I really loved the Icarium and Mappo of the first few books. Erikson is painfully good at showing just what a waste life is for most people. And so I was pleased when Ublala showed up to deal with Calm. It was also satisfying that what Karsa dug up Ublala ended up burying.
Observation: Like some of the other commenters have said over the past week or so, this forum and the chapter-by-chapter review of these works from Bill and Amanda has made reading this set of books a deeply rewarding experience for me. I would have understood less and struggled more, and the enjoyment would have been significantly reduced, without this site. Thank you.
Question: What character is the Dassem who objected to the last chaining? Is it Dassem Ultor the Malazan person, or Dessembrae the god of sorrow and regret? I had a hard time thinking that the last chaining was within the lifetime, even the abnormally long lifetime, of one of Kellanved’s cronies. If it is the god, and Dassem was just sort of channeling that viewpoint, it would be easier for me to digest.
They aren’t the same?
Wilbur, I’m pretty sure the ravens containing parts of the crippled god (through feeding off him at either his fall or one of the chainings) was revealed in GOTM or MOI. It has been quite a while since we have seen them though! speaks to the long range planning and fully constructed world of Malazan.
I think something has come to fruition within at this part of the reread. I really don’t think Tavore is ever going to work as a character for me. I feel worst than empty about her, I have negative feelings that alienate her away from me. I think this partly my designed (the unknowable of her not me disliking her) we’re not suppose to truly know what she wants or feels, we get little hints and peek-a-boos but never the full picture.
Another part of this is my own negative-bias toward for what she unintentionally put Felisin through, which concluded in her killing her own sister. One I very much enjoyed reading and was hoping to watch grow away from the people using her, be that a mad goddess or the man her sister sent to protect her. I understand the tragedy was suppose to be cathartic, or be a release of emotion but it really did was make her mad at Tavore. (Till this day I have a somewhat sadistic need for her to fully understand what happened to her sister, how she came to die, not because I feel like Tavore should feel more guilty, I think there’s plenty evidence she already does, but because Felisin deserves to be witnessed by more than one person who didn’t even know her. She died afraid, alone, and abandoned, and even in death she stays the same.)
Finally I’ve never really been convinced in her part in all this. I fully understand this is my personal interpretation of the character and not what the author intended but that being said for me she resembles a plot device much more than a character. Pulling her unwavering, certain, loyal troops with her from place to place being chewed up again and again. And without fail they jump up again and keep marching. Why? It just seems her talents manifest as the plot demands. Where was this tactical genius at Y’Ghatan? Or against the Short Tails? In Malaz City? Her being so central to the story during this reread has soaked some of the fun out of it. I don’t know why it didn’t bother me as much as my first time round.
Lastly I honestly apologize for what feels like always being a voice of dissention. I swear Malazan is one of favourite stories I have ever experienced, though this reread has removed a part of the luster for me. I’m afraid during this reread I have come down with what I like to call sympathy for the devil syndrome. Blistig, Sinn, the Crippled God in the early books, others. A lot of the ‘bad guys’ garner much more empathy from me than someone like Tavore, or even Tool (though as someone once patronizingly pointed out to me in the comments what he did in DoD was heroic and honourable, as is the way of Western Fiction, one must put their honour above family connection even if that means your family must die a much worse death than you for your honour as well. I’m still trying to wrap my head around it). Also the Crippled God saying ‘you Malazans are different’ just rubs me the wrong way though I won’t get into another debate about the nature of the Malazan Empire in the book as my point-of-view has been thoroughly debunked. I assume none of this is what the author had in mind when writing the books.
So yeah, I guess this reread wasn’t the greatest idea for me. I might bow out after Crippled God though I loathe miss discussing ICE’s books (though the fans and rereaders tend to negative in this regard) but I don’t really feel like I’m contributing to the discussion as I should. I still read them because the rereaders provide interesting insight as well as the commenters. Anyways this has become long, unwieldy, and worst of all confessional.
@12/13: Actually, Chapter 11 of TCG shows the Great Ravens leaving No-Longer-Black Coral. (And surely we saw Crone in TtH? I can’t recall.) And yes, one of the early books stated outright that they were birthed from the CG’s flesh or however it was stated.
About Mappo: he’s so debased by the end that I don’t feel much, and we have been set up for such an end. I would not necessary take Calm at her word either. Trull’s end was much more hard hitting.
@Wilbur (echoing endymion & SaltManZ) It was in Memories of Ice that the Great Raven/Crippled God connection first came to light.
From the encyclopediamalazia:
– Crone‘s thoughts
MoI, UK Trade, p.86
And then this was referred to later in that book through Korlat:
– Korlat
MoI, UK Trade, p.91
So yes, long game indeed. I also seem to recall Kruppe flirting with revealing that knowledge – although I can’t find the instance.
Re: Dassem at the chaining.
now the timeline is a jumbled mess of course, but i feel like dassem didn’t become a god until after he left the empire, which was after the chaining he attended. he may have been an ascendant and very powerful, but i think it took the events of the chaining (involving hood, dassem’s daughter etc) combined with logros making dassem first sword pushed him into godhood. certainly, i don’t think it was something dassem sought.
and it does seem as though dassem (or perhaps traveller is more accurate), exists in the mortal world, and an aspect of him exists among the gods as dessembrae. recall silchas’ visit to Coltaines fall.
in other news – so many feels. my heart was a twisted mess all through this chapter. happiness and sadness, you don’t know which way to jump! so happy for urb and hellian, so sad for sinter and badan.
@14 BDG
I’m sorry to hear you feel like your opinion isn’t (wasn’t) wanted or appreciated, and might be reason to leave the reread, even though you like ICE’s books. When your appreciation for the books themselves diminishes, I can understand that it might be the best solution for your memory of the (extended) series. But I’m sad that the interaction in the reread (debunking versus ‘just’ discussing) is also part of that decision, at least partly.
I think this reread has been wonderful in being respectful, even when opinions differ. Sometimes it gets heated, but I always experience it as involvement and not as personal. I think the lack of ‘hey, mod here, calm down’-comments say a lot.
But of course it can feel different when you see it’s your opinion debated time and again.
At least I can tell you I have never had ‘Oh, him again’ thoughts when I saw your posts… (or her, sorry if my mental image is wrong :-)).
About Tavore, when I think rationally, I really can’t understand as well why all those people follow her, while she stays such an enigma. Of course there is military hierarchy and all, but still.
But on the other hand I see it happen and that feels not unnatural for me (I can accept it, doesn’t take me out of the story).
And then, late in the series, we learned bit by bit more about her motivation. Compassion as Greater Cause. The signs might have been there before, but I needed the more explicit explanations in-story (and Bill’s analysis and focus on the central themes!) to grasp it.
That made my respect for her – and the understanding of her followers – grow, even though the questions about ‘how?!!’ remained. I think Mayhems comment about her being prepared by Dancer makes sense, but have to give that more time to think about when it’s less late :-).
So, more on this chapter-part later…
@Wilbur
From the MoI prologue
The Elder God had crossed the ruined continent, had looked upon the still-living flesh of the Fallen God, had seen the unearthly maggots that crawled forth from that rotting, endlessly pulsing meat and broken bone. Had seen what those maggots flowered into. Even now, as he reached the battered shoreline of Jacuruku, the ancient sister continent to Korelri, they wheeled above him on their broad, black wings. Sensing the power within him, they were hungry for its taste.
Re: Dassem
Well, Dassem at the last Chaining was a complicated fellow, apparently mostly mortal, but sworn to Hood as Knight of Death. And then at the Chaining something went wrong. Hood “took” his daughter (exactly what that means was never properly explained) and he by popular account he revoked his role and swore vengeance against Hood, at which point he assumed the role of Dessembrae.
At some stage after that, presumably around the time of the Emperor’s death, he divested himself of the “godly” part of the role, to roam the world as Traveller, while Dessembrae lives on as a god.
However, back in chapter 9 we get a very different account from Tool, absorbed in the clutches of Tellann.
The Adjunct Lorn had believed that it was the murder of the Emperor that had broken the human empire’s alliance with Logros T’lan Imass. She had been wrong. The spilled blood you should have heeded was Dassem Ultor’s, not Kellanved’s. And for all that neither man truly died, but only one bore the deadly kiss of Hood in all the days that followed. Only one stood before Hood himself, and learned of the terrible thing Logros had done to him.
They said Hood was his patron god. They said he had avowed service to the Lord of Death. They said that Hood then betrayed him. They understood nothing. Dassem and his daughter, they were Hood’s knives, striking at us. What is it, to be the weapon of a god?
Where are you now, Logros? Do you feel me, so fiercely reborn? My heir – your chosen child – has rejected the role. His footfalls now mark the passing of tragedy. You have made him the God of Tears, and now that Hood is gone he must hunt down the next one who made him what he was. Do you tremble, Logros? Dassem is coming for you. He is coming for you.
Which implies that Dassem became Dessembrae due to the influence of Logros, by the worship of the T’lan Imass. What are the odds that the Jaghut/Imass war is involved there in some way.
@BDG
While we might often disagree, due to differences in background, do not EVER think that your opinions are not valued here. You bring a very distinct insight to characters that many others may not have considered, and I always like to see what you have to say. If nothing else, it gives me something to argue against :)
“Worm says fuck you, Assail!”
Yeah, had to get that line in one more time :)
First we had the epic battle at the Spire, and now this – SE just keeps one-upping himself.
I do feel extremely sad for Mappo, but I also didn’t see it ending any other way. Mappo refused to change, refused to think outside of himself no matter how he convinced himself otherwise. Still a tragic end to that character from DG.
The deaths of Badan Gruk, Saltlick, and Skulldeath also hit hard, these soldiers who have been with us for books. Badan’s was one of those ‘no, surely he’s only badly wounded, he has to live for Sinter, right??’ deaths, whilst Skulldeath’s was so sad in seeing this lithe, dancing warrior basically be brutally bludgeoned by sheer numbers.
I also choked up a little during the Unbound’s conversation, about how they had decided basically to never see the thing they had worked so hard and so long for – the Unbound, for gods’ sakes! Remember how vile they seemed to be long ago?
And just to think how many more hard hits there are still left to go.
Forgot I also wanted to mention the powerful scene between Fiddler and the Crippled God – what a very different conversation to many of the ones we’ve seen Kaminsod engaged in previously.
I particularly like the way Fiddler always refers to him as ‘Lord’. That act of deference and humility after all they’ve been through and the ravaged, pathetic state of the Crippled God himself, was very touching.
@@@@@ 19 it’s less that my opinion is unwanted it’s more like I’m just not adding much to the conversation. Basically I’ve just been a negative nacy and that isn’t really fun for anyone, and that’s why were doing this I assume. As for Tavore I appericate her as a symbol for the themes of the series but as a character I find her lacking (and on top of that she killed one of favourite characters after she put said favourite characters in a terrible position lol). I enjoy the quick peeks into her humanity, the smell of perfume, the apologizing for ‘looking a mess’, and later the big one in the third part of this chapter. It makes her vunerable, and for me, that makes her much more interesting to read about, and more human. Though it came to little to late to really differ my view of the character as a sister-killer. She doesn’t exactly have the character arc that someone like Karsa gets.
Really beyond that I feel these last two chapters are pretty much the best ending to a novel and series I have ever read (within the realm of fantasy at least).
@14 BDG, I agree with Mayhem.
Furthermore, I really have appreciated your viewpoints, and I often shared them in this re-read, as in your views on Tavore and Blistig, etc.
Sometimes this commentary has thinned out the books for me, also, but often even when the insights reduce the depth of appreciation I have for a section of the text or plot, at least now I have a clearer idea of what is true and what is not with regard to the textual criticism.
On the whole, however, I find that even these areas where I feel the insights have reduced my specific value for a particular portion of the book, my overall appreciation has improved. And usually this is because of some clash of ideas between two commenters, the thesis and antithesis forming a superior synthesis of understanding.
And while I am too old to argue on the internet, I value the efforts of others, like yourself, who cogently set out their position and tactfully defend it and sometimes gracefully concede a point or accept the victory of the ideas you espouse.
This board has been great for that, and really lacked the snark of others.
Hi all,
Not a lot of time here, but just wanted to get out a quick FYI that Steven has once again graciously set aside some time for a Q and A. As usual, a thread will be set up when we get nearer, but considering we’re at the very end here, and with no more worry about spoilers, I thought maybe you’d want some advance notice. Start makign those question lists!
Bill
If I recall correctly, it has been mentioned before that Tavore goal was achieving the rank of adjutant. Everyone was figuring she was very ambitious. What if the only reason she wanted the position was because of the sword that came with it?
Is it possible that SE has achieved the genius level of writing the Bonehunters exactly as the readers are? On the one side we have the Blistigs of the army, who don’t understand or like Tavore. On the other side we have those who are intensely loyal to her. It seems that as readers we come down on one of those two sides too. It seems the readership mirrors the army very closely.
I fully understand the perspective of BDG and others. Ok, maybe not fully, but I see why it’s there. Yet I find I fall into the Tavore loyalist camp. I find that very interesting.
Not that Tavore being a Talon isn’t an awesome reveal, and it speaks to her relationship with Cotillion, … but with Dancer (pre ascension)?
The Night of Knives occurs between the Prologue and Chapter 1 of GotM. So I find it worthy of remark (remarkable), that in Chapter 1 of GotM, Paran, having just come from a meeting with both the head and the founder of the Claw, goes home to see his sister, who, presumably by that point, was of some stature in an already decimated Talon. (So, yes, I am confused about much of this.)
As for the Bonehunters’ faith in Tavore, I never understood it, but could certainly go along with it. I think I would have appreciated more (some?) in text conversation or debate about it. That said, I could never find anything redeemable in the logic of someone who could stick a knife in Pores. Yes, argumentum ad hominem.
Corporal Clasp crawled up beside him “That’s one of them Fuckerals isnt’t it?”
Brilliant!
Such a great chapter. In fact all of the closing chapters in TCG were really something.
Love the banter between the Malazan Marines as they prepare to challenge gods, and the way that Tavore seems to grow on us readers (in a similar manner to which she grows on her troops) i.e. mentally sneaking up on our affections – considering how we are made to feel about her when we first hear about her (from Felisin Paran’s PoV), that’s some wonderfully paced characterisation by SE.
And then the deaths. Mappo’s death is one of the most tragic moments in the books IMO, a death with no hope of redemption or salvation, neither for himself nor for his friend – leaves a bleakness or emptiness of sorts on reading about it, and I really agree with Bill here that Calm’s death immediately afterwards at the hands of Ublala does little to lift ones spirit. As for the Malazans, seeing more of the Marines fall (and being reminded that we have lost some along the way in almost every book featuring them, soldiers, mages, commanders – like Truth, Beak, Keneb), getting the feeling that this might be it for them since its the final battle, that really hits close to the heart.
@Gruntle – I’m with you on that Corporal Clasp quote. I even preferred it to everyone else’s favorite quote from Widdershins, which was also fantastic.
Tavore = child of the Emperor = both are awesome
Tavore ‘no one sees you regulars … but I do’. Everyone else doubts them and demeans them, but Tavore has faith in them … of course.
Is anyone honestly interested in buying a “Worm Says…” t-shirt? ‘Cause if people want (if they like the design) I could put these up on CafePress. (I’ve also got a censored “F***” version if so desired.)
@@@@@ SaltManZ.
I like the design.
Maybe there should be one to fit the difficult reading style of the books (for me anyway).
One that abbreviates the lines into WSFYA. Upon being questioned as to the meaning you can say the “F***” version or something entirely else (depending on the reader/questioner) (We Say Fly Your Airplane) or something similarly obscure – Reserved for the 5 year old neighbour upon interrogation – Not wanting to win an award for bad neighbour of the year)
You can also be very devious and say “No” and/or you could put a RAFO on the back :-)
Seriously, just leave it as it is. I had a picture of a worm curled up around a hill/mountain in my head but I’m no artist and I’m still “suffering” having been beaten once already by my six year old in a drawing contest.
Moderator please feel free to delete my comment if off topic too much.
@Mayhem (#3): Indeed. And Tavore’s dressing-down and clueing-in of Blistig takes on new meaning… Hmmm…. Who EXACTLY did in those Claws on his tail…
@MacFeegle: Yeah, my first two or three sketches were of the worm curled in a circle around the words, but I just couldn’t make it work. Glad you like my solution. :) (And I confess I had a chuckle at “We Say Fly Your Airplane”.)
@SaltManZ: I can only imagine that the worm around the hill could look a bit suspect from a distance. (a dropping of sorts :-))