Bauchelain and Korbal Broach

A cycle of stories by Steven Erikson, the author of the world of “Malazan Book of the Fallen” (more widely known for the ten-volume epic “Malazan: Book of the Fallen”), about the necromancers Boshlen and Corbal Brosh, as well as their faithful servant Emancipor Reese.
Parodic-comical tales set in the world of the Malazan Empire were written by Steven Erikson starting in 2002. To date (2021), six stories have been published, and the author’s plot is not yet exhausted. In an interview, the writer called them a tribute to Fritz Leiber’s “Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser” stories; however, the subject of the farce is more likely the entire volume of the “thrillers” and “horrors” of modern mass culture.
Bloodthirsty murder-loving wizard-necromancers Boshlen and Corbal Brosh may have been remembered by readers from “Memories of Ice.” Their enormous carriage, driven by the gloomy servant Emancipor, rolled across the plains of Genabakis, stirring quite unkind rumors—and together with the heroes of the novel, it got stuck in besieged Capustan, where the self-assured villains had to, unwillingly, serve a good cause: defending the city from a horde of cannibals. The novellas present other adventures of the restless trio.
If you’ve ever tried to get acquainted with “Malazan,” but found the style heavy and the plot confusing, the tales about Boshlen and Brosh are an excellent option to begin exploring the universe. Filled with rich black humor and sweetly nasty oddities in the style of Guy Ritchie, the stories will amuse lovers of fantasy trash, while “Following the Trail of the Cracked Pot” is capable of satisfying any seekers of lofty prose.

BLOOD ON THE TRAIL
The town of Sorrowful Moll is shaken by a series of horrible murders of townspeople. Bodies are found gutted and missing some parts. Emancipor Reese is out of work. And how can he now go home to his wife and children—possibly not even his? How can he refuse an advertisement for a servant, when they offer such good money? This story is about Mansipor Reese’s meeting with his masters, who you can also meet in Steven Erikson’s novel “Memories of Ice.”

PLACES WHERE THERE’S NO TIME FOR LAUGHTER
The adventures of a couple of necromancers and their servant continue aboard the ship “Sunbright Tress.” What could happen when all around is only salt water and under your feet are solid deck planks? Besides demons, giant lizards, golems, and liches. Really—what could happen in Places Where There’s No Time for Laughter?

TO THE HEALTH OF THE DEAD MAN
The town of Chudno. Its population consists of orthodox fanatics: followers of dictatorship and a hyperdeveloped zeal for a healthy lifestyle and moralizing. Here rules King Macrohtus—Overly Caring. Two years ago, his brother Necrotus Nigil was on the throne. And Necrotus has questions for his relative. Who will help the deposed king get to the truth, if not a certain pair of necromancers and their servant—rumored about faster than their physical embodiments?

GADDO’S FORTRESS
This time, misfortune led two necromancers and their servant to a place called Spendrugle Blackleust. But Boshlen and Brosh quickly find among the locals a colleague from their grim trade, who is also—by coincidence—the local chief: Klygwryzub. As for Emancipor Reese, he’s less lucky. He meets two weighty, toothy arguments eager to get to know him more closely…

IN THE WAKE OF THE CRACKED POT
In the city of Farrrow, a festival of Flowers and Sunny Days is coming, with a poetry contest. At it, the Cloak and the titles of the Greatest Creator of the Century are awarded. But to reach Farrrow, you must cross the Great Dry Land. That’s what pilgrims are doing. Among them are poets, a strange lady in a carriage, a Healer-Knight, and even several singers. And some of the pilgrims have a great goal—to find and kill the necromancers Boshlen and Corbal Brosh.

SPAWN OF NIGHTMARES
Farrrow has a new king: Boshlen. Beside him is his friend and the Great Bishop—Brosh. As always, Emancipor Reese is there too. Farrrow receives news from a messenger of Caoshmarry: the legions of the Spawn of Caoshmarry—non-beings, lizardmen—are closing in on them.