Blood Follows

Today I reread a novella of the Malazan Book of the Fallen series. The book tells how the manservant Emancipor Reese met his masters Bauchelain and Korbal Broach. Readers will recognize the three characters if they read the series.

The tale began when Mancy's employer dies and he was forced to look for a job. The city he lived in at that time, Lamentable Moll, was agitated because of a rumoured killer who disembowels his noble victims. Sergeant Guld began an investigation. The King's daughter was also involved when she was found in the crime scene of the killer's latest victim. The Mortal sword of the Sisters was also involved when he vowed he would deliver justice himself. The readers who are already familiar with Bauchelain and Korbal already know who the culprit is so it sort of takes away the anticipation of the things to happen. Mancy's personality however is interesting to make me continue reading. Their past was not also mentioned in the series, so this is a sort of delayed introduction of the three characters.

Mancy was left with no choice but to apply as manservant or his wife Subly would get mad at him. Too late, he discovers that his new masters practice necromancy and Bauchelain had already seen his death. He was already tied up with them. Besides, the thought of travel, of being away from his wife is attractive enough to make him stay.

Guld followed every lead until he had found the killer. He was ready to make an arrest when something unexpected happened. He discovers that the killer's partner, Bauchelain, was already prepared. The other people involved in the investigation were also stopped in their tracks, including the pair's long-time pursuer, Steck Marynd. Korbal was about to take the princess as well but was stopped by Bauchelain. In the end, they were able to escape and only the servant girl of the princess was harmed.

It's a great supplement to the series. I've always found the trio interesting although their presence does not affect the story at all. Blood Follows provides some explanations to the mysteries of what Bauchelain and Korbal have been doing over the years but I wish there was more.