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Ok, here goes... (If you missed the bit about SPOILERS in the thread title... err, watch out for the spoilers!)
The prologue takes a leaf from Erikson's work by detailing events that happened millenia before the main events of the book. Denuth, a child of the Earth (and some kind of golem as well from what I can make out) meets the Bastard of Light Liossercal who has just gone up against one of the Azath. They're stood in the middle of a crater so you can guess how this one turned out! Liossercal has been badly hurt and Denuth ponders on whether this is the right time to kill him, 'Something must be done about these ancient powers before their antagonisms and limitless ambitions destroy all order once again.' Liossercal can guess Denuth's thoughts however and advises him not to try anything... Denuth tries to persuade Liossercal not to continue on this path but to no avail. Draconus approaches with Dragnipur (not yet forged, just a black Void) so Liossercal changes into his soletaken form (dragon) and leaves.
Draconus arrives and notes that Liossercal is near, 'His essence will be a great addition'. Denuth tries to persuade Draconus that Liossercal is not for him.
"I suspect that he may one day find that which he seeks."
"And that is?"
"That which we all seek. Union with the all."
Draconus decides to pursue Liossercal anyway, 'I offer my own version of union...' Denuth mentions Anomanderis but Draconus scoffs at this, 'I shall bring him to heel soon enough.'
Draconus leaves Denuth contemplating the endless cycle of violence being perpetuated and how it might be ended...
The first chapter is set on the Weeping Plains of the Bael sub-continent (where?) where the Warlock Shen is under siege from the Crimson Guard. He has held out for a year but a tunnel is being dug under the Spur (the Warlock's Fortress) and the siege is about to enter a decisive stage...
Kyle is a scout who was sold to the Crimson Guard by Nabrajan slave traders and it's through his eyes that we get to meet some of the main players and sense some of the rivalries.
To be honest, not an awful lot happens here (it's raining and Kyle spends a lot of time sheltering! A demonic attack is repulsed in spectacular fashion by Cowl and there's a little talk of the 'Ancient Ascendant who'd supposedly raised the Spur'
Kyle is called down to the tunnel by a soldier named Stalker, they are to be the rearguard for the push into the Spur. There's a bit of a wait while everyone gets ready. Kyle talks to a soldier named Ogilvy and the snippets of conversation make it clear that no-one really knows what's going on and 'This company seems divided against itself - the old against the new.'
Before they all go into the tunnel Stalker says to Kyle,
'There are those in this Crimson Guard who have wandered the land a very long time indeed. They have amassed power and knowledge. And I don't believe they intend to let it go. It's an old story - one I had hoped to leave behind.'
There you have it folks!
I know someone, at Bantam, who may be able to help with the full excerpt. If I can get it, I'll get rid of this and put that up in it's place
