It was once a land ravaged by war -- minor city states, baronies and principalities fighting for supremacy. But then the rival cities of Tali and Quon formed an alliance adn to Quon Tali came into being, with it came a peace of sorts. That was, however, long ago and the regional powers are once more at each other's throats. At Quon Tali's heart sits Li Heng -- a city state that has for centuries enjoyed relative stability under the iron rule of the sorceress they call the Protectress. She and her cabal of five mage servants held back the Quon Tali Iron Legions but now her domain is under threat as never before. Taking readers back to before the Malazan Empire came into being, here is the opening chapter in Ian C. Esslemont's awesome new epic fantasy, chronicling this troubled continent's turbulent history.