Steven Erikson
Toll the Hounds
Dramatis Personae
Cutter, an assassin
Scillara, his companion
Iskaral Pust, High Priest of Shadow, the Magi, God of the Bhokarala
Sister Spite, a Soletaken
Mogora, Iskaral’s occasional wife
Barathol Mekhar, a tourist
Chaur, a gentle man
Mappo Runt, a Trell
Picker, a retired Bridgeburner and partner in K’rul’s Bar
Blend, a retired Bridgeburner and partner in K’rul’s Bar
Antsy, a retired Bridgeburner and partner in K’rul’s Bar
Mallet, a retired Bridgeburner and healer
Bluepearl, a retired Bridgeburner
Fisher, a bard, a regular at K’rul’s Bar
Duiker, once the Malazan Empire’s Imperial Historian
Bellam Nom, a young man
Rallick Nom, an awakened assassin
Torvald Nom, a cousin of Rallick’s
Tiserra, Torvald’s wife
Coll, a Council Member in Darujhistan
Estraysian D’Arle, a Council Member in Darujhistan
Hanut Orr, a Council Member in Darujhistan, nephew of the late Turban Orr
Shardan Lim, a Council Member in Darujhistan
Murillio, a consort
Kruppe, a round little man
Meese, proprietor of the Phoenix Inn
Irilta, a regular at the Phoenix Inn
Scurve, barkeep at the Phoenix Inn
Sulty, server at the Phoenix Inn
Challice, wife of Vidikas, daughter of Estraysian D’Arle
Gorlas Vidikas, newest Council Member in Darujhistan, past Hero of the Fete
Krute of Talient, an agent of the Assassins’ Guild
Gaz, a killer
Thordy, Gaz’s wife
Master Quell, Trygalle Trade Guild navigator and sorcerer
Faint, a shareholder
Reccanto Ilk, a shareholder
Sweetest Sufferance, a shareholder
Glanno Tarp, a shareholder
Amby Bole, a retired Mott Irregular and newfound shareholder
Jula Bole, a retired Mott Irregular and newfound shareholder
Precious Thimble, a retired Mott Irregular and newfound shareholder
Gruntle, a caravan guard on extended leave
Stonny Menackis, a caravan guard
Harllo, a child
Bedek, Harllo’s ‘uncle’
Myrla, Harllo’s ‘aunt’
Snell, a child
Bainisk, a worker in the mines
Venaz, a worker in the mines
Scorch, a newly hired bodyguard
Leff, a newly hired bodyguard
Madrun, a newly hired compound guard
Lazan Door, a newly hired compound guard
Studlock (or Studious Lock), a castellan
Humble Measure, a mysterious presence in Darujhistan’s criminal underworld
Chillbais, a demon
Baruk, a member of the T’orrud Cabal
Vorcan, Mistress of the Assassins’ Guild
Seba Krafar, Master of the Assassins’ Guild
Apsal’ara, one of the Slain in Dragnipur
Kadaspala, one of the Slain in Dragnipur
Derudan, a witch of Tennes
K’rul, an Elder God
Draconus, one of the Slain within Dragnipur
Korlat, a Tiste Andii Soletakcn
Orfantal, a Tiste Andii Soletaken, Korlat’s brother
Kallor, a challenger
Lady Envy, a bystander
Anomander Rake, Son of Darkness, Knight of Darkness, Ruler of Black Coral
Spinnock Durav, a Tiste Andii
Endest Silann, a Tiste Andii wizard
Caladan Brood, a Warlord
Hood, the God of Death
Ditch, one of the Slain in Dragnipur
Samar Dev, a witch
Karsa Orlong, a Teblor Toblakai warrior
Traveller, a stranger
Shadowthrone, the God of Shadow
Cotillion, The Rope, Patron God of Assassins
Prophet Seech, the High Priest of the Fallen One, once a middling artist named Munug
Silanah, an Eleint
Crone, a Great Raven
Raest, a Jaghut Tyrant (retired)
Clip, Mortal Sword of Darkness
Nimander Golit, a Tiste Andii
Skintick, a Tiste Andii
Nenanda, a Tiste Andii
Aranatha, a Tiste Andii
Kedeviss, a Tiste Andii
Desra, a Tiste Andii
Sordiko Qualm, a High Priestess
Salind, a High Priestess
Seerdomin, a resident of Black Coral
Gradithan, a thug
Monkrat, a mage
Baran, a Hound of Shadow
Gear, a Hound of Shadow
Blind, a Hound of Shadow
Rood, a Hound of Shadow
Shan, a Hound of Shadow
Pallid, a new Hound of Shadow
Lock, a new Hound of Shadow
Edgewalker, a wanderer
Dog walkers, two witnesses
Prologue
Speak truth, grow still, until the water is clear between us.
‘I have no name for this town,’ the ragged man said, hands plucking at the frayed hems of what had once been an opulent cloak. Coiled and tucked into his braided belt was a length of leather leash, rotting and tattered. ‘It needs a name, I think,’ he continued, voice raised to be heard above the vicious fighting of the dogs, ‘yet I find a certain failing of imagination, and no one seems much interested.’
The woman standing now at his side, to whom he companionably addressed these remarks, had but newly arrived. Of her life in the time before, very little re shy;mained. She had not owned a dog, yet she had found herself staggering down the high street of this decrepit, strange town clutching a leash against which a foul-tempered brute tugged and lunged at every passer-by. The rotted leather had finally parted, freeing the beast to bolt forward, launching an attack upon this man’s own dog.
The two animals were now trying to kill each other in the middle of the street, their audience none but their presumed owners. Dust had given way to blood and tufts of hide.
‘There was a garrison, once, three soldiers who didn’t know each other,’ the man said. ‘But one by one they left.’