The Bonehunters/Chapter 19

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== Near the shore of the Otataral Sea ==
Barathol Mekhar is awoken by the sound of Scillara and Cutter having sex. When they finish, Cutter falls asleep and Scillara talks to Barathol. He tells her not to hurt Cutter or let him fall in love with her, and she promises that he won't. In the morning, Chaur is excited by the nearby sound of the sea. Scillara wonders if anyone had noticed that the moon was covered in dark splotches, and Barathol says he thinks they've been getting bigger. He guesses that maybe some part of the world have hit the moon spreading dust and ash.
In an abandoned fishing village on the shore, the group finds food and supplies for their journey, as well as a carrack called Sanal's Grief. Cutter confides in Scillara that he blames himself for not defending the group in the ambush. They set sail towards Otataral Island.
== Malaz City ==
Banaschar walks into the room he's staying in, and realizes someone is there. The man tells Banaschar that he knows he's been trying to contact Tayschrenn, and tells him that he can get a message to the High Mage if Banaschar can convince him why he should. The man reveals that he is Pearl, and that Tayschrenn is being purposely isolated by someone else. Pearl also tells him that an assassin sent by someone else has been following Banaschar. Banaschar finally tells Pearl that the god D'rek has murdered her own followers because they chose the side of The Crippled God. He wants to speak with Tayschrenn, an ex-priest of D'rek, because the High Mage has a copy of Gothos's Folly which Banaschar thinks will explain why the D'rek priests had chosen to dabble with Elder blood magic. He is worried the gods will betray everyone as they fight their war. Pearl tells him he may get a chance to speak to Tayschrenn, but that he must speak with the Empress, and that she will be coming to see Banaschar soon. Pearl then disappears. 
== The Sea ==
Mappo Runt feels that he has betrayed Icarium. Spite is having a "conversation" with another spirit which is in a contest of wills with Mael, and is winning. Mappo doesn't know who the other spirit is. Spite finishes the conversation and tells Iskaral Pust and Mappo, that the other spirit is leaving them for a time which will place them in danger. Spite tells Mappo to be patient, as they have a powerful ally. Mappo asks her why she is bothering to help him, and she tells him the coming convergence will be more terrible than anything this realm has ever seen, and that he and Icarium are both an important part of it. Mappo asks if he will stop Icarium, and Spite tells him she doesn't know, but that he must be prepared and to have faith. He promises to try.
== Kokaral Sea ==
Icarium is asking Taralack Veed why the Edur are going to force him to fight. He is worried that his anger might be unleashed to disastrous effect. Taralack is unsure who they want Icarium to fight, just that they are the enemies of the Tiste Edur. Veed tries to convince Icarium that he can end the battle between the Edur and their enemies for good; his anger and sword will be used for peace. Icarium seems to believe this, and Veed thinks how foolish Mappo Runt was for not using the Jhag for his own purposes.
== Dryjhna Ocean north of the Olphara Peninsula ==
Bottle watches on the deck of the Silanda as the soldiers bicker amongst themselves. The fleet is being driven from behind by an otherworldly wind, driving them on and out of Seven Cities, and Bottle can just barely sense the smell of magic behind it. Fiddler approaches Bottle on deck and asks him what he knows. Bottle says that Balm's skin is crawling and Fiddler says that his is as well. Bottle says that means that "She" is with them again. Bottle isn't sure that she's actually trying to help them. Fiddler thinks that maybe she's trying to distance them from the Tiste Edur. They have a discussion about whether the Edur's Elder magic belongs in warfare or not. Bottle wonders if the Empress is earning her victories the right way, and Fiddler tells him he doesn't fight for her.
Quick Ben is hiding in the storage hold of Froth Wolf, and Kalam goes down to tell him that Adjunct Tavore is looking for him. Quick Ben is worried that the Empress has them embroiled in something even bigger than they know. He also thinks that maybe the Malazans actually lost the Rebellion, as the plague arrived in its aftermath. He think that has served the interests of The Crippled God. Ben also wonders why Tavore sent them into the Imperial Warren, and Kalam admits she's also a mystery. Ben makes space among the boxes and Kalam decides to hide in the hold with him.
Sepik is sited, and Apsalar joins the Adjunct, Nether and Nil, and Fist Keneb on deck. The port city seems completely deserted and many ships in the harbour have clearly been destroyed. The Adjunct announces that they won't be making landfall in Sepik. Apsalar tells them that the Tiste Edur have recently visited, and found that some Edur were being held as slaves, and then unleashed their wrath. Tavore asks how Apsalar knows this, but Apsalar asks how The Adjunct knew. She does not respond. Apsalar tells the group that the Edur are returning home. Nether tells Tavore that Apsalar is being visited by a god, and implies that she is in love with him. Nil tells Keneb that Nether is lusting after someone too, and she angrily stalks off. Apsalar is shaken by Nether's comments but realizes that there are no secrets onboard.
Cuttle asks Fiddler if the Edur's attack on Sepik will be considered an act of war by the Empress. Tarr hopes the Edur are still following them so the Malazans can beat them again. Bottle says they might be crushed again, as Quick Ben's magic was only illusion. Fiddler remarks that it only started that way, and Bottle says that they might be better off without some allies. Fiddler asks why and Bottle tells them that allies that can't be figured out have their own separate motives and goals, and that they definitely don't want to be apart of any war involving the Holds. Bottle realizes that the Eres'al is using the wind to get them through Mael's kingdom as fast as possible because they are running out of time for her purposes.
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