Tor, New York, 2010, 1^st pr thus.  ISBN 978-0-7653-6092-2.  MMPB, 474+ pages.  Unread copy with a bit of colour chipping on front cover.  ‘Today, many noble allies have come to the Ninefold Forest for a feast in honor of General Rudolfo’s first-born child.  Suddenly, as the feast begins, the doors of the hall fly open and magicked, invisible assassins attack.  The Gypsy Scouts are unable to fight them off, and all of Rudolfo’s noble guests are slain.  And yet Rudolfo himself is not touched.  And at the same moment, on the Keeper’s Gate which guards the Named Lands from the Churning Wastes, a strange figure has appeared with a message for Petronus, the Hidden Pope.’ (from rear wrap)