Return of the Crimson Guard

As the Malazan Empire grapples with a debilitating war-weariness and escalating internal strife, the legendary mercenary company known as the Crimson Guard makes its long-awaited return. Their arrival couldn't be more ill-timed for Empress Laseen, whose grip on power appears to be weakening amid widespread unrest and the resurgence of defiance from conquered territories. The Guard marches into Quon Tali, the Empire's historical heartland, carrying the weight of past promises and a threat to Laseen's reign. However, even within the elite ranks of the Guard's Avowed, ambition brews, with certain elements plotting for greater power. Ancient, potent entities also stir, manipulating events for their own arcane purposes, further complicating an already volatile landscape. Meanwhile, the enigmatic swordsman Traveller, accompanied by Ereko, embarks on a perilous quest toward an inevitable confrontation. As the Guard prepares for open rebellion, Laseen's own 'Old Hands' – her generals and mages – grow increasingly disillusioned with her leadership. Yet, a chilling question lingers: could Laseen be orchestrating these uprisings, using them to finally eliminate the last vestiges of Kellanved's era and consolidate her absolute control?