Apsalar, Telorast, and Curdle are in Ehrlitan. Apsalar contemplates the man, Mebra, who Cotillion wanted assassinated, but who was already dead. Mebra seemed to be working for three different factions: the Malazans, Sha'ik, and one other unidentified group, possibly the Nameless Ones. There are more people that Cotillion wants her to kill.
Cotillion visits and Apsalar relates the events. A Nameless One killed Mebra before Apsalar could do so. Cotillion is surprised by this, and worried. He explains that Telorast and Curdle are agents of Edgewalker. Cotillion and Ammanas first met Edgewalker the day they ascended and went to the realm of Shadow.
A merchant in Ehrlitan had taken an interest in Apsalar since she demonstrated her powers as a Shadow Dancer. Apsalar wants to find out about this nosy merchant. At night, she goes back to Jen'rahb where Mebra was killed, accompanied by the spirits Telorast and Curdle. They use the warren of shadow, and along the way encounter Tiste Edur. They hide so that they are not seen. They also come across a place where there was a throne, but Apsalar cannot convince the spirits to explain the throne.
They arrive at Mebra's place to find the place and corpse looted. Two of the merchant's guards arrive, weapons in hand. Apsalar attacks from behind and interrogates one of them. She tells Apsalar that the merchant is Karpolan Demesand, and they belong to the Trygalle Trade Guild. Their caravan had delivered altar stones to Y'Ghatan for a holy pool. Karpolan wanted to know who the Shadow Dancer was for the sake of having information to sell. He also wanted to buy information from Mebra. Apsalar tells the guard to tell Karpolan that the Nameless Ones killed Mebra.
In the floor of Mebra's home, they find clay tablets with Mebra's writing. He writes lists of names who attended a meeting of the Cult of Rashan. Two of the cultists are on Apsalar's list of targets. Mebra was planning to extort the cultists. In his last tablet, he mentions that Taralack Veed was in Ehrlitan recently, and that he suspects that the Nameless Ones have released a terrible demon.
In Ugarat, Samar Dev and Karsa Orlong meet with the Falah'd (ruler) of Ugarat. There is a seige of Moraval Keep, a huge mesa carved out into a keep. The Malazans occupy the keep, and the Ugarat army has been trying to retake it. Karsa attacks the keep himself, somehow breaking through the solid iron doors with his sword (wtf?) and discovering the keep empty. A hole has been dug up in the courtyard, leading to the sewage system. Inside he finds that a reptilian demon has been freed. It attacks him, they fight for a while, Karsa kills it, and emerges from the keep, very proud of himself.
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In Ugarat, [url=/universe/1/characters/show/98]Samar Dev[/ur...
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Leoman of the Flails and Corabb Bhilan Thenu'alas have camped for the night. Corabb says that he knows they are going to Y'Ghatan, and that they are four or five days away. Y'Ghatan is known as the First Holy City, and the place where Dassem Ultor was killed. Leoman explains that Dassem did not die, but ascended to become Dessembrae. Leoman says they will confront Dessembrae in Y'Ghatan. At this time of year, there will be many merchants in Y'Ghatan because the olives will be harvested. Leoman hopes to recruit the merchants and their guards into his army.
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[url=/universe/1/characters/show/96]Leoman of the Flails[/ur...
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Fiddler confronts Bottle about his magic abilities. He says that Bottle reminds him of Quick Ben, since they can both use many forms of magic. Bottle explains that he uses Holds, whereas Quick Ben uses the warrens. Fiddler insists on introducing Bottle to Quick Ben, which makes Bottle very nervous for some reason. Fiddler then takes Bottle to Nil and Nether. They are in the middle of a ritual, and Bottle believes they are in danger so he joins them. He finds them talking to the spirit of their mother, who wants Nether to get pregnant.
Kalam, Quick Ben, and some soldiers are in a warren. They thought it was the Imperial warren, but are not sure anymore. A group is following them, so they stand still to find out what/who they are. They see several huge black things filling the sky approach, and then flee the warren.
