The Malazan Fallen discussion

Discuss Chapter 1 only. Please make liberal use of spoiler tags when discussing other books/series-wide implications.

So, the Bonehunters have had a time of R & R in Lether, guests of the new King Tehol. But it’s time to get moving and the Adjunct calls for a reading. Fiddler doesn’t want a bar of it and has to be forcibly accosted by his fellow marines to prevent escaping having to do the reading.

So what’s the big deal about this reading? Why is everyone ducking for cover? Because as Bugg explains to Seren, the Deck of Dragons is about to be unveiled on what has been territory exclusively controlled by entities of the Holds.

Bugg’s eyes hardened. ‘The Errant invited the murder of Trull Sengar. Tonight, Acquitor, the Deck of Dragons will be awakened, in this very city. This awakening is in truth a challenge to the Errant, an invitation to battle. Is he ready? Is he of sufficient strength to counter-attack? Will this night end awash in mortal blood? I cannot say. One thing I mean to prevent, Seren Pedac, is the Errant striking his enemies through the child you carry.’

So doing a reading of the Deck is like bringing the Superstore to town to push out the small corner convenience shop. There are some badass leftovers from the holds – most notable being the Errant – who has just reawakened his ambition to be more than a has been. This chapter also sheds some light on the question as to why the Errant had Trull Sengar killed – the answer – because Trull was working for the superstore - He was an agent of the Houses ie the Knight of Shadow and he was on the Errant’s turf.
Oh yeah – Trull Sengar has a still to be born son – who has inherited his spot in Shadow. That makes him Baby Knight of Shadow in nappies – and an easy target for the Errant if not for Bugg offering his protection as well as the protection of a couple of retired drunken Elemental beings.

So the danger is that anyone remotely associated with the reading or the Houses or uses warren magic is in danger from whatever forces take offence at the Houses invading Holds territory.

Tehol, being advised by Bugg of the situation sends Brys to stand as protection for the Malazans at the reading. His inclusion however means the reading will have thirteen participants – which is apparently bad according to Fiddler

‘Let’s hope she at least holds to the number.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Eleven is bad, twelve is worse. But thirteen would be a disaster. Thirteen’s a bad number for a reading. We don’t want thirteen, anything but—’

And curdle and Telorast are still about – hanging out with Banaschar. Banaschar has been approached by The Errant to get him into the meeting to help him stop the reading from starting. Banaschar agrees provided no Malazan’s are hurt. But Brys being at the reading is an unexpected development. Brys will recognize the Errant – and so the reading will go ahead – and there will be blood

The Errant grimaced. ‘Change of plans. You go in ahead of me. I will await the full awakening of this Deck.’
‘We agreed you would simply stop it before it can begin. That was all.’
‘I cannot. Not now.’
‘You assured me there would be no violence this night.’
‘And that would have been true,’ the god replied.
‘But now someone stands in your way. You have been outmanoeuvred, Errant.’

Fiddler is going to sneak in some Moranth Munitions into the meeting for when anything nasty decides to jump him during the reading. I think he is possibly aware of the Errant as well

‘I can’t do nothing, Bottle. Except take the head off, and with luck some of those nasties will go down with it.’
‘You’re going to be sitting on a cusser, aren’t you?’
Fiddler shifted the leather satchel slung from one shoulder, and that was confirmation enough for Bottle.

Things could get very hairy from here.

I am just tingling with excitement for the reading!

I had no idea Trull was Knight.

Nice to find out who the soused couple is and why Bugg called on them before. And we get another reminder of the relationship between the gods and their people. It's interesting to think in terms of our own worships and how distorted they become.

Bugg knows that the reading is a big deal because of how the Errant and others may react. But I'm not sure if that's the only reason its bothering Fiddler. I guess he just has one of his feelings. But I also suspect that he doesn't want to do the reading because he doesn't want to see the outcome of the reading itself.

(Of course, I'm thinking this way because I expect the reading will show some major changes to the structure of the houses, including the demise of Hood.)

Seren Pedac, is the Errant striking his enemies through the child you carry

I did not exactly get this part how was the errant going to use a knight of shadow to strike his enemies ?.

Trull was working for the superstore

also if errant killed a knight of house shadow then he must go after everyone in malazan group because all of them use warrens but why only did he kill Trull.

Also it was an awesome chapter really loved reading it, also seren wants to meets ST that would be another awesome meeting with Bugg aka Mael standing at her side.

Also did sinn and grub wander into the Azath because they thought they would be safe from the reading?.We also saw a painting in Azath which reflects that Tiste Andii and Edur were fighting K'chain Malle, I think they won the fight and then bloodeye stabbed silchas.

Also captain kindly rockss!!!.

Sumant wrote: "also if errant killed a knight of house shadow then he must go after everyone in malazan group because all of them use warrens but why only did he kill Trull."

Well I think the Malazans were supposed to be leaving town anyway - but Trull belongs to Lether - He was even used by the Errant to kill the previous Ceda - and the Errant sees a kind of balance or symmetry in first using Trull and then killing him.

Sumant wrote: "I did not exactly get this part how was the errant going to use a knight of shadow to strike his enemies ?."

Not USE the child but strike the child and thus eliminating a representative of the Houses.

The Errant realizes that Shadow is currently occupied but not yet throned and is a strong player in his own possible demise. giving the decks even more power. Most of the Malazans aren't even mages, and most of those are far weaker than a god.

Well, except for Ben, Grub and Sinn....still not gods tho. Altho Ben is pretty darn close! But even he's stetting clear of Shadowthrone!

I love the new fashion in Lether, the 'royal blanket'. :D

The 2 headed bug is a lot tougher than it looks.

What the heck is Grub?

I'm liking being back with these characters.

The royal blanket fashion is so so funny!

It's startlingly close the The Emperor's New Clothes.

I liked this chapter a lot more than the prologue. I'm apprehensive about returning to Lethor though. It hasn't been my favorite place in the series.

But the Malazans are there, so there is hope for me. Plus King Tehol and his faithful manservant Bugg, who is apparently serving as several positions in the government.

Interesting about Trell being the knight of Shadow.

Linette wrote: "What the heck is Grub?"

Aren't we wondering!

I'm confused - weren't there already thirteen known players in the reading before the Errant showed up?

Silvio wrote: "Linette wrote: "What the heck is Grub?"

Aren't we wondering!

I'm confused - weren't there already thirteen known players in the reading before the Errant showed up?"

Yes - Brys Beddict was the last minute unexpected thirteenth

That's what I thought, but then I thought the narrator also called the Errant the thirteenth player.

Duffy wrote: "(Of course, I'm thinking this way because I expect the reading will show some major changes to the structure of the houses, including the demise of Hood.) "

I did not think of that. Good point.