Coltaine

Summary

Coltaine is the Wickan commander whose leadership of the Chain of Dogs — the impossible march of tens of thousands of Malazan refugees across the breadth of Seven Cities during the Whirlwind rebellion — is one of the most harrowing and celebrated storylines in the entire Malazan series. A fierce and brilliant commander drawn from the Wickan horse tribes, Coltaine was appointed Fist of the 7th Army in a deliberate political move by Empress Laseen, who placed the Wickan in command of forces hostile to his people.

Coltaine's genius lies in his ability to fight a retreating campaign of extraordinary length and difficulty while protecting a massive column of civilian refugees. With his Wickan cavalry — the Crow Clan, the Foolish Dog Clan, and the Weasel Clan — and the remnants of the 7th Army, he fights a running battle against vastly superior numbers for hundreds of leagues across hostile desert terrain. His tactical brilliance, iron will, and willingness to sacrifice everything for the refugees in his care elevate him to legendary status.

His crucifixion at the gates of Aren — within sight of the Malazan garrison that could have saved him but did not sortie — is the series' most devastating single image. The crows that gather around his dying body, traditionally associated with his clan, transform the scene into something mythic. Coltaine's story is the purest expression of the series' central questions about duty, sacrifice, and the cost of command.

Arc by Book

Book 2: Deadhouse Gates

Coltaine's entire story unfolds in this book. He takes command of the 7th Army at Hissar just as the Whirlwind rebellion erupts across Seven Cities. When the uprising begins, he is tasked with escorting tens of thousands of Malazan civilians to the safety of Aren — a march of hundreds of leagues through hostile territory with enemy armies in pursuit. Over the course of the book, he fights a series of brilliant engagements, loses soldiers and civilians at every crossing, and drives his people forward through sheer force of will. He is ultimately betrayed by the cowardice of the Aren garrison's commander and is captured and crucified within sight of the city walls. His death, witnessed by Duiker, is among the most powerful scenes in fantasy literature. He is later reborn through Wickan sorcery.

Key Relationships

• Duiker — the Imperial Historian who witnesses and records Coltaine's march; profound mutual respect
• Bult — his veteran uncle and second-in-command
• Nil and Nether — young Wickan warlocks who serve under him
• Lull — Malazan commander who earns Coltaine's trust during the march
• Pormqual — the cowardly High Fist of Aren who refuses to send relief
• Korbolo Dom — the renegade Malazan Fist who leads the forces hunting Coltaine
• Sormo E'nath — Wickan warlock and spiritual guide

Notable Quotes

"Coltaine's Chain of Dogs. They named it thus because he was driven, and he drove them." — DG

"What we witnessed, the world should never forget." — Duiker, DG

"The Fall. That is what they called it. The Fall of Coltaine." — DG

Appearances

See Also

• Chain of Dogs
• Wickans
• Seven Cities
• Whirlwind Rebellion
• Aren