title: Emperor's Knife (Tower and Knife Trilogy)
author:  Mazarkis Williams 
description: 'A riveting and intense debut ... compelling characterizations will keep fans of grim fantasy entirely enthralled' Publisher's Weekly.<br /><br />'It makes for a rich and entertaining storytelling environment, and Williams creates a twisty and enjoyable tale ... this is strongly recommended' SFX.<br /><br />'The Emperor's Knife is a well-crafted narrative The story flows well and the writing strikes a great balance between description and action' British Fantasy Journal.<br /><br />'The Emperor's Knife is a tale of fear and fluidity, of evolution and ego, and is one that is dictated in a style so visual and penetrating that it will have the Pattern invading your dreams long after the final pages have turned' Fantasy Book Review. 'sophisticated and thoughtful' SF signal.
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  The Emperor’s Knife
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Book One of the Tower and Knife Trilogy
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Mazarkis Williams
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Night Shade books San Francisco
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  The Emperor’s Knife
  
  
  
  
  
  © 2011 by Mazarkis Williams
  
  
  
  
  
  This edition of The Emperor’s Knife © 2011 by Night Shade Books
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Cover design by Claudia Noble Map illustrated by David Senior Interior layout
  and design by Amy Popovich
  
  
  
  
  
  Edited by Jo Fletcher
  
  
  
  
  
  All rights reserved
  
  
  
  
  
  First Edition
  
  
  
  
  
  ISBN: 978-1-59780-384-7
  
  
  
  
  
  Night Shade Books
  
  
  
  
  
  http://www.nightshadebooks.com For Phil and Shyrley
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Prologue
  
  
  
  
  
  Hands found Sarmin through the confusion of his dreams and the tangle of his
  sheets. Large hands, rough, closing around his arm, his leg, encompassing him,
  lifting. In confusion he saw the world move around him, night shades sliding
  over sleep-blurred eyes. He saw the trail of his bedding, a palace guard
  bending over Pelar’s bed, Asham’s bed, a man lifting little Fadil, ano