Irilta was a regular at the Phoenix Inn in Darujhistan.[1] She was a friend to Meese and both provided aid to the Eel.[2] Irilta was described as rough looking[3] with brawny arms.[4] Her hands smelled of ale and chopped garlic.[5]
In Gardens of the Moon[]
Meese and Irilta were looking out for Crokus Younghand.[6] The two woman were used to working in tandem.[7]
When Crokus returned to Darujhistan with Apsalar soon after she had lost her memories, Irilta helped Meese hide him from the city guards who they claimed sought him for murder.[8] Crokus later found out that this had been a ruse (to keep him safe).[9]
Although not mentioned by name, from context it seems almost certain that it was Irilta who joined with Meese to mortally wound Adjunct Lorn during the Fête of Gedderone.[10]
In Toll the Hounds[]
After Murillio was stabbed through the chest by a drunken suitor during a dalliance with Delish, he stumbled his way back to the Phoenix Inn. Irilta discovered him outside and dragged him in. Mallet was summoned to save his life, but it was too dangerous for the Bridgeburner to return to K'rul's Bar because of threats from the Assassins' Guild. Kruppe arranged for Irilta to escort the healer home.[4]
On the night Crokus finally returned to Darujhistan, a misunderstanding outside the Inn with Rallick Nom led to Nom's wounding. Crokus carried the bleeding man inside where Meese rushed to attend to him and pronounced he would live. Irilta recognised Crokus, planting a kiss on his mouth that briefly involved her tongue. But she became suspicious when the young man revealed the Malazan knife in Nom's shoulder was Crokus' own until he explained what happened.[11]
While tending Nom, Irilta suffered from a hacking cough that concerned him enough he suggested she consult a healer. But Irilta said she had no regrets, and while not "expecting any god's kiss on the other side", she swore no one could say "she didn't have no fun when she was alive." Murillio thought that she might be dying, but said she was "ready to leave" after crowding more life into her years than all of her friends combined. He told Rallick that if she knew he pitied her, she would probably kill him.[12]
Murillio later fell to the blade of Gorlas Vidikas, who sent his body to the Phoenix Inn to taunt Murillio's friends.[13] Irilta intimidated the story out of the ox-cart driver who brought it before she and Meese tenderly carried the body to a room upstairs.[14] A pallid-faced Irilta with startlingly red eyes grieved behind the bar drinking directly from the bottle. When Cutter rushed out to seek vengeance against Gorlas, Irilta wished him off, saying ,"Get the bastard. Get him."[15] That evening, Irilta, who had long harboured a secret love for Murillio, killed herself by cutting her wrists.[16] Meese found her body after she and the other Inn regulars returned from interring Murillio.[17]
Notes and references[]
- ↑ Gardens of the Moon, Dramatis Personae, UK MMPB p.xiv
- ↑ Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 18, UK MMPB p.542/543
- ↑ Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 11, UK MMPB p.375
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Toll the Hounds, Chapter 3, US SFBC p.86
- ↑ Toll the Hounds, Chapter 5, US SFBC p.190
- ↑ Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 11, UK MMPB p.378
- ↑ Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 17, UK MMPB p.523
- ↑ Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 17, UK MMPB p.525/526
- ↑ Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 22, UK MMPB p.641
- ↑ Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 23, UK MMPB p.678
- ↑ Toll the Hounds, Chapter 5, US SFBC p.190-191
- ↑ Toll the Hounds, Chapter 7, UK HB p.231
- ↑ Toll the Hounds, Chapter 17, US SFBC p.710/713-714
- ↑ Toll the Hounds, Chapter 19, US SFBC p.786
- ↑ Toll the Hounds, Chapter 19, US SFBC p.788
- ↑ Toll the Hounds, Chapter 19, US SFBC p.798
- ↑ Toll the Hounds, Chapter 21, US SFBC p.840