The Crimson Guard: a famous mercenary company opposed to the Malazan Empire

NoK, UK mmpb, Glossary

 

The Crimson Guard: a famous mercenary company commanded by a deposed prince

GotM, Glossary

 

"'The Crimson Guard....' (...) Even Temper had to amit he felt it--a shiver of recognition and dread at the name. The mercenary company sworn to destroy the Empire. The force that handed Malaz its first major defeat by repulsing the invasion of Stratem, and which now opposed the Empire on four continents."

- Temper

NoK, PSP THC, p.21-22

 

"They had been the Crimson Guard, he recalled: five hundred men and women without a shiny buckle among them."

GotM, US HC, p.270

 

"(...) Halfdan jogged past. I knew him by his size--half indeed!" (...) "Once served under Skinner, they say,"

NoK, PSP THC p.23

 

"(...) His surcoat shone in the flames like fresh blood. Lazar it was, with his visored helm and black shield"

NoK, PSP THC, p.23

 

"(...) Dassem had clashed with them for decades--and that alone was enough to give anyone pause regarding their prowess. (..) It was said the Avowed were unstoppable, but Dassem had slain every one who had challenged him: Shirdar, Keal, Bartok. Only Skinner, they say, had come away alive from their clash."

- Temper

NoK, PSP THC, p.24

 

"(Adjunct Lorn) was in a whirlwind exchange with a tall, round-shouldered man with two scimitars. (...) she was now being driven back as a flurry of attacks swept around her. They both moved so quickly that Crokus could not even see the parries, or the blades themselves (...) Then a voice chuckled beside him, 'He's good, ain't he?'(...)The woman was trying to disengage now (...) Her opponent continued pressing, silent as a ghost. (...) 'That's Corporal Blues. He lives for this stuff.'"

- Fingers

GotM, US MMPB, p.632-633 / UK MMPB, p.676

 

"The Adjunct broke away, taking a cut in the right shoulder blade as she did so. (...) But who was that man? Never before had she faced such a swordsman, and the most appalling thing was that he had fought without the aid of sorcery. For once, her Otataral blade and her skill had not been enough."

GotM, UK MMPB, p.677

 

"(...) a tall, thin man, wearing grey and crimson longcoat (...) He swung a narrow hatchet face (...) The man's other hand reached up to his collar, which he turned back to reveal a brooch. 'The name's Fingers, Sixth Blade, Crimson Guard. You're being protected, boy, compliments of Prince K'azz and Caladan Brood.'"

GotM, US MMPB, p.632-633 / UK MMPB, p.676

 

"'Cowl's up there, damn his snakeskin hide. But he's a powerful mage, anyway. Serrat was furious I hear.'"

- Fingers

GotM, US MMPB, p.633 / UK MMPB, p.676

 

"'(...) Imagine, an Avowed of the Crimson Guard. Be glad it was not Skinner, or indeed Cowl. They would have taken notice of you, and that would not have been a good thing. We're not yet ready for that'"

- The Crippled God to Rhulad Sengar

MT, UK HC, p.457

 

"'You crimson guardsmen- you're pretty sure of yourselves, aren't you?'

'When it comes to fighting, aye, lass, we are.'

'I watched Iron Bars fight in Trate. he's an exception I gather-'

'Aye, he is, but not among the Avowed. Jup Alat would've given him trouble. or Poll for that matter. Then there's those in the other companies. Halfdan, Blues, Black the Elder...'

'More of these Avowed?'

'Aye'"

- Seren Pedac questions Corlo

MT, UK HC, p.515

 

"Iron Bars had fought brilliantly, (...) but the Avowed was very nearly done. Corlo had never before seen such fighting, had never before witnessed the fullest measure of this Avowed's ability. It had been said, by Guardsmen who would know, that he was nearly a match to Skinner. And now Corlo believed it."

MT, UK HC, p.661

 

"'How do I know you will not betray me?'

The Letherii (Seren Pedac) turned to Iron Bars. 'She doesn't trust us.'

The man strode to halt directly before the Tiste Andii woman.

'Acquitor, tell her I am an Avowed, of the Crimson Guard. If she would, she can seek the meaning of that. By laying her hand on my chest. Tell her I shall honour our pact.'

(...) 'Tell her to seek the cast of my soul'

'Very well'

The suspicious look in the woman's eyes grew more pronounced, but she stepped forward and set her left hand on the man's chest.

The hand flinched away and the woman stepped back a step, shock, then horror, writ on her face. 'How - how could you do - why?'

Seren said, 'Not the response you sought, I think, Iron Bars. She is ... appalled.'

'That is of no concern,' the man replied. 'Does she accept my word?'

The woman straightened, then, to Seren's question, she nodded and said, 'I cannot do otherwise. But ... I had forgotten ... this feeling.'

'What feeling?'

'Sorrow.'

'Iron Bars,' Seren said, 'whatever this "Avowed" means, she is overwhelmed with ... pity.'

'Yes well,' he said, turning away, 'we all make mistakes.'"

MT, UK TPB, p.456

 

"'And what does it mean? To be an Avowed?'

'Means they swore to return their prince to his lands. He was driven out, you see, by the cursed Emperor Kellanved. Anyway, it ain't happened yet. But it will, someday, maybe soon.'

'And that was the vow? All right. It seems this prince had some able soldiers with him.'

'Oh indeed, lass, especially when the vow's kept them alive all this time.'

'What do you mean?'

The mage looked suddenly nervous. 'I'm saying too much. Never mind me, lass. (...)'"

- Seren Pedac questions Corlo

MT, UK HC, p.515

 

"Corlo had no idea what would come of this. An Avowed could indeed die, if sufficiently damaged. It was, he believed, a matter of will as much as anything else. And he had known Iron Bars for a long time, although not as long as he had known other of the Avowed. To his mind, however, there was no other who could compare with Iron Bars, when it came to sheer will."

MT, UK TPB, p.661