The uprising in the Seven Cities is crushed, Sha'ik is dead, her supporters have fled. All - except one. Leoman Flail with those who survived are moving towards the ancient city of Y'ghatan to give the last battle there to the Fourteenth Army under the leadership of adjunct Tavor. Once it was Y'ghatan that became the fatal city for the Malazan Empire: the great warrior Dassem Ultor died here, and the imperial troops choked on blood. Now the Fourteenth Army has to change its fate - or fall under its blows... However, the confrontation between the Malazans and the rebels is only part of the great game played by powerful and ancient forces. The crippled god now owns his own House, the Throne of Shadow is preparing a certain gambit, and bizarre ships bearing the ruthless Tiste Edurs appear from distant seas. Eternal wanderers Icarius and Mappo are faced with new secrets of the past, and Karsa Orlong decisively steps towards his destiny. And few people understand that the stake in this multi-level game is the existence of not only individual players, but the entire world...