[tickhill43]

I decided to re-read GotM (an indiction of how I rate Erikson, I rarely re-read) and came across this quote that I can't understand

UK MMPB p.88
Tattersail's thoughts
"You refused the Deck once before, the night before Mock's throat was opened, the night before Dancer and the man who would one day rule an Empire stole into your master's - your lover's - Hold. Would you deny that a pattern exists, woman?"

This assassination must have taken place a long time ago given it was before Kellanved's reign. Who in Malaz City would be powerful enough for Tattersail, a very powerful mage, to call master? Do we know anything about this other than the quote above? I've put this in MT forum so information can come from any novel.

[Trotts]

tattersail wasent always powerful, so at some point she was someones apprentice.

rheanars suggestion seems to make sense, kell and dancer would have eliminated anyone who was a threat to their power.

[Roland]

Yup, but in this case "master" means just lord as in someone she was working for (and possibly sleeping with). And given the quote, it is indeed the pirate ruler of Malaz island.

[Tiste Simeon]

Tattersail is 200 years old right? The Malazan empire is about 100 years old isn't it? Kellanved and "Family" went through Deadhouse, which means they are all immune to disease, very long lived etc. So the empire lasted a long time, about half of Tattersails life. In the hundred years since the empire took over Mocks Hold, Tattersail would have had much chance to get skilled with her powers - something Lorn could attest to. Everyone has to start somewhere, even Rake would have been a trainee at one point... probably...

[QuickTidal]

I think Rake was born with sword in hand ready to do combat....LOL

[Tiste Simeon]

He is the oldest brother. It goes: Rake, Andarist, Silchas Ruin, IIRC. And as for training, if he was born with a sword in his hand, as quick tidal put it, then he would have had his training or whatever you would call it from Mother Dark I would guess...

[Folken]

Wraith said:

or he could have invented his own sword fighting technique.

on a side note, silchas was the youngest and an albino. Does anyone think rake + andarist would have bullied him?

and on a side note what does that have to do with anything?

But on anoter side, on close examination of that quote, and I don't think anyone has actually posted this thought, but before I state anything can someone please tell me wether or not Kell and Dancer gained acess to Deadhouse before or after they created their empire? Cause the whole thing sorta depends on that lol

[Set'alahd Crool]

Before. At least before they expanded beyond malaz island.

[Trotts]

they would use deadhouse to meet and plan right from the very beginning

[Tiste Simeon]

They went in there so they could come out all powerful when they came out to take over the island, IIRC.