Forge of the High Mage

About the Author Born in Winnipeg, Ian Cameron Esslemont has studied and worked as an archaeologist, travelled extensively in South East Asia and lived in Thailand and Japan for several years. He now lives in Fairbanks, Alaska, with his wife and children. His novels – beginning with Night of Knives – are all set in the world of Malaz that he co-created with Steven Erikson. Dancer’s Lament was the first book in the ‘Paths to Ascendancy’ sequence (which continues the story of the turbulent early history of this epic imagined world) while Forge of the High Mage is the fourth. To find out more, visit www.ian-esslemont.com and www.malazanempire.com Also by Ian C. Esslemont NIGHT OF KNIVES RETURN OF THE CRIMSON GUARD STONEWIELDER ORB SCEPTRE THRONE BLOOD AND BONE ASSAIL Paths to Ascendancy sequence DANCER’S LAMENT DEADHOUSE LANDING KELLANVED’S REACH For more information on Ian C. Esslemont and his books, see his website at www.malazanempire.com and www.ian-esslemont.com Ian C. Esslemont FORGE OF THE HIGH MAGE Paths to Ascendancy Book 4 Contents Cover About the Author By the Same Author Title Page Dedication Acknowledgements Map Dramatis Personae Prologue Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Epilogue Addendum Copyright 465 ii v vii xi xii 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 To all those who waited, my thanks and gratitude Acknowledgements I wish to thank my prereader Dr A. P. Canavan. I would also like to thank my agent, Howard Morhaim, and my editor, Simon Taylor. Special thanks to all those fans who came out the summer of ’22, and to those of the Malazan online community: thank you for easing me into your world. Your support and enthusiasm mean more than you can know. Dramatis Personae In Cabil of the Falaran Isles Rentil Orodrin Celebrant of the Faith Nuraj Senull Guardian of the Faith Ortheal Leneth Proctor of the Faith Glinith Apanar Abbess of Cabil Mallick Rel Overseer / Purser of Coin Gianna / Giandra A runaway from the Faith Hedran A priest of Mael Brother Lethor A priest of Mael Jan / Janelle A washerwoman Janul A carpenter Of Malaz Kellanved The Emperor Dancer Master Assassin Surly Mistress of the Claws Dassem Ultor The Sword (Champion) Tayschrenn High Mage Dujek Onearm A commander Nightchill A High Mage Hairlock A cadre mage Sialle A cadre mage Ullen An officer Orosé An officer Ute A trooper Missy A trooper Karsden An Imperial Historian Topper A Claw Of the Crimson Guard Gregar Bluenth ‘Blues’ A mage and weapon-master Smoky A mage Gwynn A mage Black the Lesser A swordsman Jacinth A swordswoman Of the Jhek The Bird Mother / High Priestess Leader of the assembled Jhek Clans Looris Chief of the wolf-warriors Athan Chief of the bear-warriors Ursana A female bear-warrior The Shipwreck Survivors Hessa The Captain Turnagin Ship’s mage Corbin Mate Hyde Crew Ayal Crew Crew of the Twisted Cartheron Crust A Malazan Admiral Geddin Steersman Creel First mate Teal Quartermaster The