Reaper's Gale/Chapter 10

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==Hood's Path==
Hedge sits on what was once an altar. He has been traveling across a desolate world, and has grown accustomed to the presence of the wind, which he considers to be his companion. The wind often speaks to him and tries to tempt him into some kind of dissolution, but Hedge is not interested. He sees a skeleton of a dragon that has been shattered from within, and sheathed in black, smoky glass. The wind and Hedge argue about whether or not Hedge will eventually join the wind. The wind then poses a philosophical question about the ratio of soldiers to non-fighters, men to women, gods to mortals, and fools to the wise among the dead. Hedge believes that it will all even out in the end, but the wind disagrees. Continuing on, Hedge encounters tracks in the mud and tries to deduce who or what has made them. He recognizes the tracks as belonging to a T'lan Imass, a broken undead creature. He muses about what he will do if he encounters the T'lan Imass.
== Outside Letheras ==
Atri-Preda Yan Tovis, Varat Taun and their Letherii company ride towards the town of Almas. The journey from Letheras was propelled by the increasing tension in the city, as well as rumors of an attempted assassination of the Chancellor, Triban Gnol. The group includes a foreign Mocker, a healer, who rode with them after healing Varat Taun. Yan Tovis is known for her bravery as a soldier, but her decision to flee Letheras has raised questions about her motives. She is known for having surrendered Fent Reach to the Edur and is rumored to have done so because of her fondness for that people. Varat Taun is unsure of Yan Tovis' motives, but he is more concerned with the implications of what they witnessed in the cavern. He is afraid that neither Icarium nor the Emperor in Gold will yield, leading to an endless succession of battles that could end the world. He is also worried about the lack of faith in their Emperor that led to this journey.
== The Shadow Realm ==
Trull Sengar, Onrack, and Quick Ben, are traveling by boat in the Shadow Realm when they run aground in shallow water and have to disembark. They've been walking through waist-deep water all day when they come to a sudden drop-off in the lake. Trull uses his spear to probe the water, but it feels unnatural and there's no change when he moves to the other side. Quick Ben mentions that he could fly using magic, but it wouldn't last long; Onrack suggests he could melt into the silts, and Trull decides to swim to see if there is a shallower area ahead. Quick Ben says the drop-off could mark a canal on a concourse the size of a city-state. Onrack mentions that there is one such construct on the southeast peninsula of Stratem, created by the K'Chain Che'Malle, but it was abandoned after the Short-Tails rebelled. During their conversation, Onrack reveals that Trull is now the Knight of Shadow, a fact that shocks both Trull and Quick Ben. Onrack explains that Trull has become this by standing before Icarium and holding the Lifestealer, an achievement that no warrior has ever accomplished before. Despite Trull's protests, Onrack and Quick Ben believe that Trull is modest and unable to see his own achievements. The scene ends with Quick Ben searching for a way out of the lake.
Quick Ben feels angry and betrayed because Shadowthrone had taken his friend Kalam away when he needed him the most. Quick Ben knows that Kalam is now in the Deadhouse, a place where the Azath collects souls, and wants to find a way to get him out. Quick Ben's anger is making it difficult for him to concentrate, but he tries to use his magic to find a way out of their current situation. He concentrates his senses and finds what feels like a weakness in the surrounding ether. He pushes through it and finds himself in a new world. He is in a shallow valley surrounded by a park-like forest of miniature trees and is being swarmed by birds and dragonflies. He hears the sound of trickling water and sees the sky overhead is a beautiful cerulean color. Quick Ben is not fond of this place as he hates tundra, but he knows they must be there.
== The Harridict Tavern ==
The proprietor of the Harridict Tavern, Ballant, is struggling with running the establishment after the prisoners' rebellion took over the town. During lulls in the chaos, he joins Captain Shurq Elalle and Skorgen Kaban the Pretty at their preferred table in the corner. Ballant is attracted to the captain and admires her for her intelligence and sharpness. He is also feeling lonely, as he is a physical wreck and his wife died after choking on her teeth. Skorgen tries to start a conversation with Ballant but the captain tells him to leave Ballant alone as he is mourning. The captain then asks Skorgen about a couple of members of the Crimson Guard that they encountered in the past, as the foreigners at the games table remind her of them.
== The Bluerose Mountains ==
Seren Pedac, Fear Sengar, Udinaas and the others are on a journey into the northern Bluerose Mountains. They are traveling with Silchas Ruin, the Tiste Andii who is leading the quest, and Clip, a Mortal Sword. Seren is suffering from allergies due to the mold that has infected the rotted ice in the area. The melting ice is causing a sense of near-panic among the Tiste Andii due to its power and the fact that it is connected to an ancient ritual. Seren fears the journey's end and believes that there will be blood. Meanwhile, Udinaas and Fear Sengar are having a conversation with Seren about the purpose of the journey and the role of Clip in leading them. Udinaas is trying to make Seren understand that no one speaks plainly in their world and that every word has a deeper meaning. Seren is uneasy about the journey and the purpose behind Fear's offer of a sword.
Silchas and Clip converse as the group progresses. Silchas comments that Clip has been living in his cave for too long and has lost touch with the outside world. Clip responds by talking about his visits to Bluerose and his numerous bastards. Silchas interrupts Clip's response by saying that one day Clip will discover what cuts deeper than any weapon of iron. Clip retorts by calling Silchas's words wise but comments on Silchas's smell of barrows and rotting cobwebs. Silchas then asks Clip what the dead would tell him, to which Clip responds that he expects little more than complaints. Silchas then says that perhaps that is all Clip deserves. The scene ends with Silchas saying that he is not sure what Clip lacks but is certain he will understand it before they are done. Clip snaps his chain and rings taut and asks if they should continue onward and upward.
== The Eastern Wastelands ==
Toc the Younger is now part of the Awl army led by Redmask, who has a mysterious connection to the nearly extinct K'Chain Che'Malle species. Toc is frustrated by Redmask's secretive nature, as he has never shared the details of how he obtained the allegiance of the K'Chain Che'Malle. The eastern wastelands are described as a haunted, desolate place where even the light and warmth of the sun are corrupted. The narrator also reflects on the cultural significance of such a place and the role it plays in the imagination of the name-givers.
== In an Awl Tent ==
An elder, speaking to Redmask, alludes to a haunted man who should not be with them and declares that he should be killed. Redmask disagrees and believes that they must redeem themselves in the haunted man's eyes. The elder then reveals that he is actually Renfayar of Redmask's tribe and shares blood with Masarch. The elder claims to be the oldest one among their people, the last one left who remembers everything and knows Redmask's secret. The elder threatens to become a dagger hovering over Redmask's heart and warns Redmask against doing anything that might be perceived as evil. The elder wants to strive for an end to the Letherii and victory for the Awl. Redmask agrees with the elder's desire for victory.
== In a Mysterious Location ==
This scene takes place in a magic world that has ended abruptly, like the slamming of a trunk lid. Stayandi, a slave who had been selected to be a handmaiden due to her muteness, had fled from the city into the wilderness after the sudden ending of the magic world. She was on a journey through the plain, where she saw various wild creatures and drank water from the dew-laden grasses. She eventually fell and was taken in by a group of four-legged people who were mute like her. They took care of her, fed her milk and meat, and she learned to crawl with them. She lived with them for an unknown amount of time until one day she awoke to find herself alone. Suddenly, a giant appeared in front of her, carrying weapons made from the fur and knives of her four-legged people. The giant studied her for a while, until she bared her teeth and snarled at him.
== The Awl Camp ==
Toc is watching the children running around as the first cookfires are lit in the camp of the Awl tribe. The war leader, Redmask, approaches Toc and asks if he saw any tracks on the north side of their march. Toc replies that he did not, but Redmask informs him that a warrior named Torrent found a trail of a dozen men, likely not Letherii, who followed an antelope track. Redmask decides that this shall be their camp and that Toc will stay with the elders and children to guard them. Torrent is also told to stay and train the young children in the use of bows and knives. Toc and Torrent have a tense exchange, with Toc warning Torrent about making threats and Torrent implying that Toc is already cursed. In the end, Toc walks over to a crying toddler and distracts the child with silly noises, finding delight in the child's laughter.
== Outside the Encampment ==
Redmask, the War Leader, is joined by Natarkas, a fellow warrior, as they discuss the presence of strangers on their land. Redmask has just disciplined another warrior, Torrent, and Natarkas expresses concern about his decisions. Redmask acknowledges the warrior's right to question him and instructs another warrior, Masarch, to pay attention to Natarkas' words. The War Leader then announces that tomorrow he will lead his warriors to a battle in Bast Fulmar, a valley with a dark history. Natarkas expresses his disagreement with the War Leader's new way of fighting, which he sees as lacking honor. Redmask explains that the old ways have failed and that it is necessary to cast them aside in order to win the war. The elders may find this difficult to accept, but the War Leader is determined to win the war. As the wind moans through the dead grass, the two warriors stand in silence, contemplating their next move.
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