Sha'ik

Sha'ik [shy-EEK]Steven Erikson Gardens of the Moon 20th Anniversary Interview - Ten Very Big Books podcast As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 01:19:20 was the title given to 'The Chosen One' of the Whirlwind Goddess. She was also known as the 'Hand of Dryjhna'.Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 3, US HC p.92
==In Deadhouse Gates==
The original Sha'ik (elder) was a prophetess and leader of the Whirlwind. She was a small black-haired woman whose honey coloured skin was a lighter shade than the average Seven Cities resident. Her face was plain and deeply lined, and her eyes were dark and cruel. She appeared to be around forty, although this was likely due to the harsh life of the desert, and power radiated from her.Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 5, US HC p.132-133Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 11, US HC p.290 She wore the jewelry of a poor woman, stained silver rings and bracelets on her left hand and leather straps wound around her right forearm. She also carried a thin-bladed iron Long-knife that was stained black.Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 17, US HC p.466
She had been anointed seeress shortly after birth, and had been forcibly circumcised by Bidithal ostensibly to assure that she would not be distracted from her divine path by love or children.Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 11, US HC p.297Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 18, US HC p.480 As Sha'ik she was granted visions, and she was appalled by what she saw in Toblakai's future. 
In her youth, she was a force to be reckoned with, but she was diminished and tired when Kalam Mekhar brought her the Book of Dryjhna to touch off the Whirlwind rebellion. As she opened the book, she was assassinated by the Red Blades despite the presence of her bodyguards, Leoman and Toblakai.Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 15, US HC p.409Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 5, US HC p.134-136 Mappo Runt speculated that her role had not been to lead the rebellion, but to prepare the way for the younger prophesied Sha'ik Reborn.Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 11, US HC p.297
After her death, Leoman and Toblakai, remained beside her body for weeks waiting for her to be reborn. When Felisin Paran and Heboric came upon them in the desert, they agreed the girl was Sha'ik's embodiment, named her "Sha'ik Reborn", and brought her to the main camp of the rebellion.Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 14, US HC p.383-385Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 18
==In House of Chains==
==In The Bonehunters==
The Queen of Dreams hoped to install Felisin Younger, Felisin Paran's adopted daughter, as the new Sha'ik, fearing "something less desirable" might assume the vacant position.The Bonehunters, Chapter 7, US SFBC p.315 She asked High Mage L'oric to find the girl and protect her, but he was too late. The Crippled God's servants, The Unbound, kidnapped and installed the girl as the new Sha'ik Reborn.The Bonehunters, Chapter 12, UK MMPB p.613The Bonehunters, Chapter 21 Cotillion and Shadowthrone had similar plans to install Felisin Younger as Sha'ik, but where the Crippled God sought to control the young girl Cotillion said they would have sought only to guide her.The Bonehunters, Chapter 18, US SFBC p.742-744
Among the Ascendants listed in the glossary of The Bonehunters is "Sha'ik: The Whirlwind Goddess",The Bonehunters, Glossary suggesting the title of the goddess' chosen one was named for herself.
==Notes and references==
Category:Females
de:Sha'ik
pl:Sha'ik