Gardens of the Moon: Chapter 2

1163rd Year of Burn’s Sleep (two years later)

105th Year of the Malazan Empire

9th Year of Empress Laseen’s Rule

Setting: Pale

Summary

Tattersail and Hairlock have survived a huge magic battle designed to destroy Moon's Spawn. The city of Pale has been decimated in the process. Hairlock has lost the lower half of his body, but remains suspiciously upbeat. Four Bridgeburners from the Ninth squad (Sergeant Whiskeyjack, Quick Ben, Kalam and Sorry) arrive.

Tattersail recalls the battle, and how Pale’s wizards have allied themselves with Knight of Darkness Anomander Rake, the Tiste Andii Lord of Moon’s Spawn. High Mage Tayschrenn commands the attack on Moon’s Spawn as Rake’s ally, Caladan Brood is winning the North Campaign. Three High Mages - Nightchill, Bellurdan and A’Karonys, arrive by warren and the assault begins. Rake wields Kurald Galain, the Elder Warren of Darkness. Tattersail realises that Hairlock and Calot were not struck by Rake’s magic, but by something else. The damaged Moon’s Spawn retreats southwards.

Quick Ben uses soul shifting to allow Hairlock to survive in a wooden puppet’s body. Tattersail is impressed by his power and also frightened of Sorry. She agrees to get involved in the Bridgeburner’s scheme in order to get back at Tayschrenn. She leaves and the Bridgeburner’s discuss the situation – it appears that the Bridgeburner’s are being deliberately eliminated.

In her tent, Tattersail discovers that Hairlock is alive and performs a reading of the Deck of Dragons (Fatid). She deals two cards - Knight of Darkness and Oponn, the two-faced Jester of Chance – and holds on the Fool, angering Hairlock. She hears a coin spinning.

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