Redemption. For everyone else, but not for himself. For that, he could only look to his god. But, dear Fener, what has happened? Where are you? I kneel in place, awaiting your touch, yet you are nowhere to be found. Your realm... it feels... empty.
Where, now, can I go?
Aye, I am not yet done. I accept this. And when I am? Who awaits me? Who shall embrace me? A shiver ran through him.
Who shall embrace me?
The Shield Anvil pushed the question away, struggled to renew his resolve. He had, after all, no choice. He would be Fener's grief. And his Lord's hand of justice. Not welcome responsibilities, and he sensed the toll they were about to exact.
Memories of Ice, by Steven Erikson (Malazan Book of the Fallen #3)
The inn commanding the southeast corner of old Daru Street held no more than half a dozen patrons, most of them visitors to the city who, like Gruntle, were now trapped. The Pannion armies surrounding Capustan's walls had done nothing for five days and counting. There had been clouds of dust from beyond the ridgeline to the north, the caravan captain had heard, signalling... something. But that had been days ago and nothing had come of it.
What Septarch Kulpath was waiting for, no-one knew, though there was plenty of speculation. More barges carrying Tenescowri had been seen crossing the river, until it seemed that half the empire's population had joined the peasant army. "With numbers like that," someone had said a bell earlier, "there'll be barely a mouthful of Capan citizen each." Gruntle had been virtually alone in appreciating the jest.
Memories of Ice, by Steven Erikson (Malazan Book of the Fallen #3)
This post will be a tad spoilery and shortish on each part, so if you haven't read Memories of Ice, turn away now!
Seguleh. Alright, these guys are seriously awesome. Their culture based around their masks and their pure fighting prowess. Them being paired with Lady Envy, Tool, Baaljaag, and Garath... So awesome! It's an insane combination of death.
Capustan. I really find these sections of the books interesting. Brukhalian the Mortal Sword, Karnadas the Destriant, Itkovian the Shield Anvil. All of these names are just as cool as their titles, and they feel like they just fit. It's so good! I recently just read the part where Prince Jelarkan talked with Itkovian, who explained that an army was five weeks away, and queue Jelarkan getting pissed that he was left out of the circle, and Itkovian later talking to the Destriant about the armies that were starting to march against them. I'm seriously curious if he'll break his vows... *le winky face*
AND HOOD'S BALLS, DEPOSE OF RATH'FENER KARNADAS. ARGH.
Pannion Domin. Holy shit. Like, seriously. What the fuck. Never in my history of reading have I read something so... Awful, insane. Cannabilsm, torture, Children of the Dead Seed, Tenescowri... Seriously, this is one of the most beautiful, imaginative, and seriously disturbing things I've read. I'm not saying the Domin is beautiful, because they're awful, but it's praise for Erikson. Oh, and the possibility of it being lead by a Jahgut? Well fuck me with a pogo stick. This sounds like the start of the 34th Jaghut War, what the the Imass gathering near Capustan. Oh, and Toc. What the fuck man. I wanted to see him with the Lady.
Also, another thing. Where the hell is Moon's Spawn? I know it's on its way to Capustan, but hell. I'm waiting for that sucker to hover over the Pannion armies and cause dread as Rake fucks shit up. Er, please?
Anyway, that's all I got for now. I'll make more posts as I read and do a back flip. :)
