House of Chains/Chapter 21

'There is no death in light.'

Anarmann,
High Priest of Osserc

Raraku

Febryl

Walking out of the Raraku encampment, Febryl envisages the world as plunging into chaos, but dreams of a rebirth. He recalls how the Holy Falah'd Enqura had ordered him, then High Mage Iltara, to destroy the ancient holy texts of the city of Ugarat and crucify its savants, so as to keep them from the advance of Dassem Ultor, who would take Enqura's life as punishment. Febryl himself had temporarily lost his mind, murdering his parents who had disowned him over the outrage. The sorcery he had unleashed on them and their household had left him prematurely aged, enabling him to escape the city unrecognised. He wonders if his betrayal by destroying so much knowledge was more unforgivable than the T'lan Imass slaughter of the inhabitants of Aren. What he finds most unforgivable is that Sha'ik knows all this, having plundered his secrets. So she must be removed. He understands that Korbolo Dom has imperial ambitions and that Mallick Rel is heading to Aren to surrender himself and announce that Korbolo has been working in Empress Laseen's interests all along. Febryl believes Korbolo has agents in the palace at Unta. Despite his temporary accommodation with Korbolo, Febryl intends to defeat him in the end.

Arriving at a clearing ringed by low stones, Febryl meets Kamist Reloe and four of Korbolo's assassins. He warns that the path they wish to follow is long and treacherous. He says the stones around them are the tops of menhirs, and reveals that the Whirlwind Goddess, though no longer bound by the Vow of the Ritual of Tellann, originated as a spirit of the T'Lan Imass, whose reign came before the "First Empire" of Dessimbelackis. When humans rebelled against the Imass, they buried the few they destroyed in sacred sites like the one in which Febryl and Kamist stand. Febryl says the goddess's rage may come from memory of a betrayal, and that Raraku itself holds power-filled memories of the sea. Kamist asks Febryl to open the path, and thinking that his civilisation will flower again Febryl raises his hands.

L'oric

L'oric feels bestial powers approaching, and hears whispers of a song. He knows he should leave, taking Felisin Younger with him, but his curiosity holds him. Unable to enter Kurald Thyrllan to seek answers, he will try for Tellann. Despite his contempt of fighting, he dons Tiste Liosan armour.

At the glade, Felisin Younger sleeps. Facing the statues of Toblakai's gods, where he hopes a remnant of Tellann remains, L'oric unveils power.

The Memory of Raraku

L'oric journeys to a beach on a huge lake. He encounters a hyena, which flees, then finds the body of an ape-like creature. He realises he is not in the Warren of Tellan, but in Raraku's most ancient memory, which underlay Toblakai's glade. He sees a herd of cattle running in panic. They are chased by seven gigantic black hounds, flanked by a score of half-human creatures like the one whose body he had found. Then he notices three K'Chain Che'Malle K'ell Hunters tracking the hounds. From studies by his father in Moon's Spawn, he understands that both hounds and hunters are intruders in this realm. The hounds disappear into a basin then ambush the hunters, rapidly destroying two. As he warily retreats towards the lake, the hounds turn to follow him. He is rescued by a gold and white dragon which closes him in its claws and flies him over a sea to a tower on an island. Calling the dragon "father", L'oric says he had been looking for him.

Osserc by Grimhilde

He tells Osric, who is now in Liosan form, that the Queen of Dreams thinks he is lost. Osric replies that this is what he wishes. He says he uses the Jaghut tower to observe K'Chain Che'Malle skykeeps, like Moon's Spawn, as they approach over water from the north. Moon's Spawn itself had been damaged, but reached a glacier north of the Laederon Plateau which hid it until Osric and Anomander Rake had found it. Osric has seen three skykeeps arrive here, only to be destroyed by the Deragoth—his name for the Hounds of Darkness L'oric had seen. To the dismay of the Nameless Ones, Dessimbelackis had made a pact with these seven hounds, which gave the name to the original Seven Cities (not the Holy Cities of today). Osric confirms that they are not in a warren but in Raraku's memory, which is shrinking and surrounded by a wall of oblivion, then challenges L'oric over his own knowledge of Raraku. Feeling frustrated with his father, L'oric asks about the half-humans; Osric says that ironically they may have been domesticated by the Deragoth. In turn, L'oric annoys his father by muttering that in the Tiste Andii tongue, Deragoth would actually be "Dera'tin'jeragoth"; Osric says he is just like his mother. L'oric says Osric's people pray for his return, and that his familiar has been slain; Osric suggests finding another. He veers into dragon form, and despite L'oric's protest again takes him in his claw.

They fly west then north to snowy mountains near a vast white emptiness: the edge of the memory. Landing in the snow, Osric sembles into Liosan form. There are creatures near the edge, mostly demons. They approach one, reptilian and about the size of a dog, with four hands and four eyes. Osric says it may suit Kurald Thyrllan. L'oric speaks in the mind of the demon, offering an alternative to death in the snow. Seeking warmth, it agrees to consider a partnership if L'oric saves it. L'oric says he will take the risk. When Osric veers again, the demon is excited to see the dragon, and gives its name as Greyfrog.

Raraku

L'oric

Abruptly back in Raraku, L'oric wishes he had asked his father more questions. Greyfrog says it is hungry, and will discuss the partnership after it has eaten.

Sha'ik and Bidithal

In her tent, Sha'ik counts her advantages against Adjunct Tavore Paran and the 14th Army: experienced troops; potential resistance of the Whirlwind Goddess to otataral; her mages. But she is terrified. She is aware that she has given her freedom to the Goddess in return for vengeance, and that the Goddess does not wish her to think. She receives a visit from Bidithal, and ask why he sends shadows to spy on her. He says he wishes to protect her from a threat he will soon precisely know. He tells her that now Fener is gone, Heboric has been chosen by Treach as Destriant, and is no longer broken. Sha'ik commands Bidithal to call off his spies on L'oric, and warning him to be careful dismisses him.

Outside, Bidithal thinks that he will not call off his shadows, and that after the Malazan Empire is dealt with, the Goddess will need not Sha'ik but himself. Meanwhile he must help Sha'ik against the conspirators. Suddenly Febryl is present, telling Bidithal he must either join the conspiracy or stay neutral, and offering the role of High Priest of the Whirlwind Warren as reward. Bidithal says he accepts, provided he has a free hand. Febryl leaves, and Bidithal realises that had he not agreed he would already be dead, as Febryl shows no fear of shadow spirits. He must learn why before determining his next move. The offer is tempting, but Bidithal feels vulnerable.

Scillara

In Korbolo Dom's tent, Scillara has continued to spy on a meeting with Febryl, though she is drugged and her mind is unclear. As she leaves the tent, a guard tells her that Febryl has ordered her death. He begins to rape her, and she kills him with his own knife. A second guard hits and drags her, but is in turn lethally hit by a taloned hand glowing emerald. Her rescuer is tattooed to resemble a tiger. Touching her, he force-heals her of the damage Bidithal had done. He introduces himself as Heboric, Destriant to Treach, and takes her to his temple to recover, saying he will need her help if she chooses to give it.

L'oric

Greyfrog by Corporal Nobbs

L'oric brings a freshly killed lamb for Greyfrog. Felisin Younger awakens and he introduces Greyfrog as his new familiar, or ally. He tells Felisin that she must leave with Greyfrog and another as soon as possible, and that he will follow when he can. She says she is ready, no longer seeking vengeance against Bidithal. Heboric says there will be a convergence with unexpected guests, and Bidithal will be dealt with. He is staying to witness and obtain answers. For now he will leave her with Greyfrog, which says it will protect her provided Heboric is not gone long.

Heboric

Heboric receives a visit from L'oric, who as he anticipates immediately notices the change in him, asking what Treach's interest is. Heboric points out there will be a battle. L'oric hopes Heboric will take Felisin Younger away. Heboric tells him to move her camp further out and prepare three saddled horses plus supplies to take "us" to G'danisban, after a few more days. They mention the convergence. Heboric says there is something of an alliance between them, and rather than seeking vengeance, they should leave Bidithal to his fate.

Corabb

Back close to the Whirlwind Wall, Corabb Bhilan Thenu'alas rides with Leoman's forces, observing Tavore's distant army behind them. They have made nightly raids and lost half their numbers, but have gained time and knowledge. Leoman thinks otataral will penetrate the Wall and there will be a battle on Korbolo Dom's chosen ground, which he, Corabb and probably Mathok will merely watch: if Korbolo needs them, the war is lost. They ride forward through the Wall.

Between Ugarat and Raraku

Karsa Orlong rides his new horse Havok, which is capable of both stamina and speed, outdistancing mounted warriors guarding the bridge at the city of Ugarat. He traverses the hills of the Ugarat Odhan and skirts Lato Revae. He is keen to protect Leoman and deliver death, not to Malazans but to those in Sha'ik's camp against whom he has made judgements as a Teblor.

Only days from Raraku, he sees the Whirlwind Wall to the northeast. At camp he pulls the remnants of 'Siballe from his pack for the first time. She tells him that he is the Mortal Sword, the Knight of Chains in the house of the Crippled God, who is master of both of them. Karsa refuses the role, and the Crippled God. She says the gods chained him in pain, and Karsa says he will break the chains then kill him.

Trivia

One of the sections in this chapter is unusual in that the viewpoint changes in the middle (UK MMPB p.827) from Sha'ik's to that of Bidithal. Almost every other chapter section in the novel has a single protagonist—the person, entity or group through whose eyes we see.