Captain Ganoes Stavro Paran, of House Paran in Unta. A noble-born officer at first resented by his troops though he eventually becomes one of them. He is a play-thing of the gods, manipulated from all sides. Now, though, he is the Master of the Deck. He is He Who Walked in the Sword, and bears the blood of the Hounds. None can steer him, all shall heed him and beware of the savage streak that begs to erupt.

The man who could have been an emperor - who many say should have been emperor. Sacrificed his personal ambition for the sake of the unity of the empire. As a reward he was demoted to sergeant, and the Empress has done all she could to wipe out both him and his squad. Or so it would appear...

Solid as a house, this savage man with filed teeth is of Barghast blood. He is fierce yet loyal to the Bridgeburners - a Malazan to the bone.