Reaper's Gale/Chapter 15

Epigraph

Crawl down sun this is not your time Black waves slide under the sheathed moon upon the shore a silent storm a will untamed heaves up from the red-skirled foam Scud to your mountain nests you iron clouds to leave the sea its dancing refuse of stars on this host of salty midnight tides Gather drawn and swell tight your tempest lift like scaled heads from the blind depths all your effulgent might in restless roving eyes Reel back you tottering forests this night the black waves crash on the black shore to steal the flesh from your bony roots death comes, shouldering aside in cold legion in a marching wind this dread this blood this reaper's gale The Coming Storm Reffer

Letheras, Eternal Domicile

Uruth Sengar

In their private chambers in the Eternal Domicile, Tomad Sengar slams his fist down on the table, causing the cutlery and plates to shake. His wife, Uruth, accuses him of being a coward and not facing the Letherii Chancellor, Triban Gnol. Uruth tells Tomad that a K'risnan has come to see her, informing her that Bruthen Trana has disappeared and that the K'risnan suspects he has been murdered by the Letherii. Uruth thinks that the K'risnan was lying and that his true motive was to encourage the Tiste Edur to harbour hatred and seek revenge against the Letherii, thus distracting the Letherii from some greater threat. Tomad and Uruth discuss the failures of the Tiste Edur and the devouring influence of the Letherii, to the point that their last son, Rhulad, is mad. They both agree that they must win back Rhulad, but Tomad says that he is too far gone.

The Errant

In the Eternal Domicile's throne room, Emperor Rhulad is seated on his throne. Chancellor Triban Gnol is droning on about the state of the treasury, which is in decline. The Errant, an Elder God, is in the room, unnoticed by the others. He stands against the wall, reflecting on why he keeps coming to these meetings, day after day, waiting for Rhulad's eventual collapse. The Errant thinks about how power is the ultimate abnegation of reason, justice, and compassion. He finds power to be a tedious and boring concept and is tired of it all. He recalls a saying from Mael that all power, no matter how centralized, will eventually destroy itself and that witnessing the surprise on the faces of the wielders was the only reward. The Errant finds that reward too bitter and does not have Mael's cold and patient demeanor.

Sirryn Kanar

Back in the private chambers of Tomad and Uruth Sengar, a dozen Letherii guards led by Sirryn Kanar enter the dining room with weapons drawn. They are there to bring Tomad and Uruth to the emperor, who demands their presence. Sirryn orders the two Edur to stand, but Uruth refuses, identifying herself as a High Priestess of Shadow and warning the Letherii that she will kill them all if they lay hands on her. Tomad intervenes and advises Uruth to comply with the emperor's request. The Letherii reluctantly sheath their swords and Uruth and Tomad agree to accompany them to the throne room, although Uruth would prefer to go alone. Sirryn warns that Uruth may have to wait for the emperor's pleasure. Uruth replies that this is not Rhulad's game, but rather Sirryn's and the chancellor's, to which Sirryn disagrees.

Letheras, Champion's Compound

Elsewhere, Karsa Orlong and Samar Dev are having a conversation. Karsa is examining a tattered clamshell armour shirt and has gathered some coins to mend it. Samar wonders if this is a gesture of mockery towards the Letherii Emperor. Karsa mentions that he has killed Tiste Edur before and plans to explore the city with his sword on his back. Samar warns him that there is a rumour that the first roll of champions will soon be called and if Karsa raises the ire of the people, he will face the Emperor. Karsa says that he would like to be emperor if that is what it takes for them to leave him alone. Samar tells him that the people just don't want him to kill citizens and that Karsa's lack of faith is what offends them. Karsa gets defensive and says that he did not know the Preda was a brother to the Emperor. Samar gets frustrated with the conversation and leaves to find Taxilian, mentioning that Senior Assessor is still here.

Karsa Orlong, in a foul mood, reflects on the difficulties of communicating with women and the lack of a middle ground in their conversations. He believes violence is the solution to his emotional turmoil and decides to go and look for someone to kill.

He leaves the barracks and walks through a few corridors and passages until he reaches the north postern gate. He finds a Letherii guard seated in the guardhouse, who has a moment to look up before Karsa punches him and knocks him unconscious. Karsa opens the gate and steps out into the street, where a flash of magical ward ignites, causing a brief moment of pain. He shakes his head to clear the spell's impact and continues on, heading towards a canal that he saw from the roof of the barracks.

Letheras, Huldo's Restaurant

Tehol Beddict and his manservant Bugg are in the courtyard of Huldo's. They are confronted by a large black-haired woman in mauve silks who advances towards them with a hungry expression. Tehol struggles to maintain composure as the woman is incredibly seductive before realising she is a magically disguised Rucket. Tehol warned her that his operation was about to go into high gear and the Rat Catchers' Guild would soon be bankrupt. Rucket assured him the Guild had already hidden their money out of the country once they understood the scope of his plans.

Letheras, Marketplace

Taralack Veed

Taralack Veed and Icarium wander through one of the city's markets where the Gral's thoughts are haunted by one of his people's old legends. The Gral were an ancient people who lived in the hills of the First Empire and served as soldiers, but they preferred feuds and blood spilt in the name of personal honor. Two months before the Great Fall, a commander named Vorlock Duven sent 74 Gral warriors into the Tasse Hills to conquer the tribe believed to rule the area. Leading the Gral was a veteran named Sidilack, known as Snaketongue, who had fought in many battles. The Gral soon encountered the Tasse, who were physically different from other nearby tribes and showed signs of malnutrition. They found the settlement of the Tasse and killed all the warriors and women, but a sword was raised to kill the last remaining child when the clearing was suddenly consumed by shadows and seven hounds appeared, surrounding the child. A man appeared, a god, who took the child and spoke to Sidilack, telling him that the Tasse were the last and that their blood was now on his hands, a curse that would haunt him forever. Sidilack was forbidden from taking his own life, so he went on a journey to find answers that could not be answered, walking into the Dead Man's Desert.

Samar Dev

Nearby, Samar Dev and Senior Assessor observe Icarium and Taralack Veed as the two wander amongst the wares. Senior Assessor is obsessed with following Icarium, whom he views as a god. Samar Dev finds this obsession amusing and is not too thrilled about following Icarium around all day. However, she does so anyway as it is beneficial to keep an eye on him. Senior Assessor is explaining that the empire faces an economic crisis and that some sinister party is orchestrating it. As they continue, Samar Dev sees a figure in the distance that catches her attention - a tall, hulking man with a shattered face and a huge stone sword. She realizes that Karsa has seen Icarium and hurries forward to warn him.

Letheras, Eternal Domicile

In an antechamber leading to the throne room of the Emperor, Sirryn Kanar standing with crossed arms while Tomad Sengar and Uruth wait. Tomad is pacing and Uruth is tense in her dark grey robe. Tomad and Uruth both show distaste for Chancellor Gnol and for the Letherii way of life in general. However, Sirryn believes that their views are hypocritical, since the Edur have embraced Letherii culture. Sirryn watches as Tomad and Uruth move to stand beside each other, but they seem to only be creating more tension between themselves. Sirryn then hears a signal and steps aside to open the door. He instructs Tomad and Uruth to proceed slowly, warning them that if they step past the tiled circle, they will be shot with arrows by the Emperor's command.

Letheras, West Gate

A Tiste Edur warrior and four Letherii soldiers arrive at the west gate of the city of Letheras. The Edur's shout clears the road for their approach, but the sight of them causes people to scatter. The riders are mud-covered and two of them have wounds. The Edur is one of the wounded, with an arrow stuck in his right scapula and the cloak pinned to his back by the blood-stained quarrel. Despite being injured, he is shouting hoarsely, leading the group into the city. He has been dying for four days and is in a critical state.

Letheras, Eternal Domicile

In the throne room of the Emperor Rhulad Sengar, Rhulad has sat motionless and silent since the Chancellor announced the arrival of Tomad and Uruth. Triban Gnol awaits the arrival of the two Edur as well. Rhulad is struggling with his thoughts and emotions. The room is filled with lanterns and smoke, casting flickering light onto the walls.

Tomad and Uruth Sengar enter the room, bow to Rhulad, and stand in the tiled circle. Rhulad asks them about the enslaved kin that had been liberated from the Isle of Sepik. Tomad argues that the kin were fouled and decrepit and that the humans of Sepik had made a mockery of the Tiste Edur, but Rhulad becomes angry, asking why the kin were not treated with honor, but instead left to rot in the trenches alongside debtors and murderers. Rhulad accuses Tomad of betraying the Tiste Edur customs, asking where the Guest Gift and honour that binds all Tiste Edur has gone. He argues that he is the Emperor and that the face of the empire is his alone. As Rhulad's shriek echoes in the throne room, neither Tomad nor Uruth are able to speak, and their faces are ashen. The Errant can sense the fear in the room, and the dark glee concealed by Triban Gnol.

Letheras, Marketplace

Samar Dev rushes to Karsa Orlong and Icarium as Karsa reaches out to grab Icarium by the arm. Taralack Veed tries to break Karsa's grip and is punched by the Teblor, collapsing onto the pavement. Samar Dev shouts for Karsa to let go of Icarium, pointing out that he is unarmed. Karsa scoffs at the notion of being held by chains and threatens to kill Icarium before facing the Emperor Rhulad. Icarium, unfazed by Karsa's threats, gives Karsa permission to face Rhulad. Karsa then seems to have a moment of realization about Icarium and releases him, but Letherii guards approach with weapons drawn. Karsa sneers at them and returns to the compound, while Samar Dev is left with Icarium.

Letheras, Eternal Domicile

Sirryn Kanar

In the crypts of the Fifth Wing of a prison. Sirryn Kanar is ecstatic about having Tomad and Uruth Sengar as prisoners under his control for the next two months. As he walks down the lowest corridor of the crypts with the guards, he takes pleasure in seeing the fear and disbelief on their faces. He escorts Uruth to her cell and speaks with her, taunting her with the fact that she is forbidden visitors and will experience the despair that comes with the Letherii gift of imprisonment. Uruth greets this threat with raw contempt.

Feather Witch

Feather Witch is hiding in her private world, her corridors. She hears two unwelcome guests in the hallway, Tomad and Uruth Sengar, and decides to listen in on their conversation. They are discussing the arrival of Hannan Mosag, the Warlock King, who will forge an alliance with the women of the Edur, who are a powerful group. However, Tomad and Uruth do not trust Hannan Mosag, as they believe his soul is poisoned and he still wants the power that Rhulan's sword holds. They reflect on the past and their bitterness towards their own kin and how they suffered because of the Malazans. Feather Witch listens and decides to speak to the Errant, her god, to force concessions, hoping that Hannan Mosag will not find the Edur women.

Letheras, Old Palace

In the Old Palace, Hannan Mosag brings Bruthen Trana through a subterranean tunnel to an octagonal chamber at the end of the passage. Hannan had worked to prepare this place by twisting reality with Kurald Emurlahn, sealing off three separate barriers, and constructing an octagonal fence of Blackwood sticks in the chamber. The room was originally filled with water, but Hannan drained it and purified the chamber with his power of Kurald Emurlahn at a terrible cost to himself. The purity of Kurald Emurlahn was so overwhelming to him that he had to call upon Father Shadow, Scabandari, to save him from failing. Scabandari answered his prayer and gifted the chamber with sanctity.

Letheras, Streets

Back in the city, Tehol Beddict, along with his manservant, Bugg, observes a giant Tarthenal warrior is being guarded by a cordon of guards. Bugg is in awe of the Tarthenal, but Tehol wants to talk to another person on the scene, a Jhag. He sets off towards the Jhag, who is speaking with an attractive and earthy woman. Aonther foreigner stands nearby, gazing at either the woman or the Jhag. Tehol is known for his charming and interruptive manner, and he approaches the group with his arms open, announcing that it's time for a proper welcome to the city. As he does so, his blanket slips down to the ground.

Letheras, Champion's Compound

Bugg

Bugg follows a Toblakai warrior and his escort towards the Champion's Compound, but they are stopped by a large crowd of emaciated, diseased people who fill the street. The Toblakai warrior addresses the crowd, telling them he has no interest in their fate but offers vengeance. The guards retreat and the few citizens within sight do the same. Bugg, who is an elder god, draws on his power and tells the crowd to close their eyes. He then sends them to a place of safety with friends who will help them. The power he draws upon is angry but also warm, and he uses it to send the people away. When he opens his eyes, the street is empty.

Karsa

Karsa Orlong has just returned to his room. He sets down his weapon and shoulder scabbard on a table and stands still. He reflects on the recent events where he saw the slaves who were cast out because their lives were considered meaningless by the Edur and the Letherii. He finds these people to be heartless cowards who willfully ignore the cost of their indifference. (He sees himself as a barbarian and is proud of it.) Karsa vows to hold on to the image of the slaves and their bright shining eyes when he faces Emperor Rhulad and all those who choose to stand in his way. However, Karsa's thoughts are then diverted to a different subject, the one they call Icarium, or Lifestealer. Karsa had been moments away from breaking Icarium's neck but something in the ash-skinned face made Karsa recognize something: he had seen enough in Icarium's face to know that the Jhag had Toblakai blood.

Letheras, Eternal Domicile

Chancellor Triban Gnol is in his opulent office, talking to a dust-laden, sweaty and bloodstained Letherii soldier standing before him. The soldier is accompanied by Sirryn Kanar. The Chancellor demands information from the soldier about an attack that took place on his troops. The soldier explains that he and his men were attacked by an unknown enemy using powerful crossbows, and that he was personally adroit enough to silence one of the gravely wounded Edur as they were being brought back to the city. The Chancellor praises him and promotes him on the spot. The Chancellor asks for the names of the other soldiers but the soldier is loyal to them and does not want to give their names; the Chancellor offers to grant the soldiers a quick and painless death. The Chancellor wants to know why only the Edur in the group were killed and no Letherii soldiers were found dead on the road. The soldier explains that the Edur commanding the troop knew that the news they were bringing was important and ordered them to disengage and fight clear. The Chancellor ponders this information sends a henchman to silence the other soldiers.