Jonathan Moeller - The Ghosts 09 - Ghost in the Surge

by Jonathan Moeller

  Muravin grunted. He had gone with Caina and Corvalis to Caeria Ulterior, and knew the Ghosts of Calvarium.

  Shaizid led them across the floor, through the kitchen, and to the cellar. Two men and two women awaited them there. Ark recognized Theodosia at once. Next to her stood a nervous-looking young woman in a simple gown, wearing a belt with many pouches. To judge from her blond hair and bright green eyes, Ark suspected she was Corvalis’s younger sister Claudia Aberon, a magus who had left the Magisterium and joined the Ghosts. A man with the look of a Nighmarian lord stood next to her, his black hair dusted with gray, and to judge from his posture, he knew how to use the sword at his belt. Likely that man was Martin Dorius, Lord Governor of Caeria Ulterior, whom Caina had more or less coerced into joining the Ghosts.

  Ark had never met the man standing in the center of the cellar. He was in his middle forties, tall and lean and gaunt, with eyes like pools of blue ice. His hair was so blond that Ark mistook it for white at first, and his black coat had been trimmed with red. A sword and dagger waited in sheaths at his belt.

  This had to be Lord Aeolus, one of the high circlemasters.

  “Ah,” said Aeolus in his cold voice. “The Champion of Marsis has come. Good. Now we can discuss how to defend our Emperor…and to deal with the traitor in our midst.”

  ###

  Claudia Aberon had seen frightening things.

  Her father’s fury. The golden light of the earth elemental washing over her, turning her living flesh to cold stone. Caina and Mihaela battling each other using suits of glypharmor, and the sorcerous fury of Rhames in the ruined heart of Caer Magia.

  Lord Aeolus unsettled her at least as much of any of them. Halfdan was a high circlemaster, but he cloaked his ruthlessness and intelligence with rough charm. Aeolus made no such efforts.

  She shied a little closer to her betrothed, Lord Martin Dorius. The Lord Governor of Caeria Ulterior was a reassuring presence, a man who would not quail before anyone, whether an ancient Maatish necromancer or the chief circlemaster of the Ghosts. That thought made Claudia feel better. She had faced a Maatish Great Necromancer wielding an artifact of tremendous power and survived.

  Yet Aeolus still unsettled her.

  “I refuse to believe,” said Ark, “that Caina Amalas had anything to do with these murders.”

  Aeolus lifted a pale eyebrow. “Do you doubt the evidence of your own eyes, Champion?” His voice was as cold and emotionless as his eyes. “She murdered nineteen of our brothers and sisters across Malarae in a space of a day, and then killed seven of your workers, all of them Ghosts. From what I have heard, you identified the attacker as Caina Amalas, as did your wife, and both of you know her well. Were you mistaken?”

  Claudia saw a vein pulse in Ark’s temple. He was a big man, bigger than Martin, with arms like tree trunks and the stance of a Legion veteran. She had heard bits and pieces about his time with Caina, how Caina had rescued his wife and son from slavers.

  “No,” said Ark, “I’m not blind. It looked like her. But it only looked like her. It wasn’t really her.”

  “Why not?” said Aeolus.

  “Because,” said Theodosia with a disdainful sniff. “She would not betray us like that.”

  “And she hates sorcery,” said Ark. Claudia knew that well. “The creature I fought cast a spell. Caina has no ability at sorcery.”

  “Perhaps she learned,” said Aeolus.

  “In the two weeks since I saw her last?” said Theodosia. “Forgive me, Lord Aeolus, but while Caina is clever, no one is that clever.”

  “She may have been practicing the arcane sciences in secret for some time,” said Aeolus.

  “That is unlikely,” said Ark.

  “Is it?” said Aeolus. “According to Halfdan’s letters, she was possessed by the spirit of the Moroaica for nearly year. He claims that the spirit could not control her, but I have my doubts. What if the spirit never left, and controls her still? Or what if it corrupted her mind and bestowed some of its powers upon her?”

  “That is ludicrous,” said Ark.

  “I agree with the Champion,” said Muravin in his rumbling voice. He had changed little since Claudia had seen him in Calvarium a few months past. “She is a woman of valor, and saved my daughter from death. No evil sorceress would do such a thing.”

  “Your loyalty to the woman is commendable,” said Aeolus, “but misplaced. Treachery can occur in the most unlikely of settings, and no heart is above corruption.” His blue eyes moved over each of them. “And I fear you underestimate the warping power sorcery can have upon the mind. A skilled practitioner of the arcane sciences can reshape a victim’s mind to his liking.”

  “Such spells,” said Martin, “often have deleterious effects upon the victim’s sanity.”

  “They do,” said Aeolus. “Such as inducing murderous rampages.”

  “Perhaps it was not Caina at all,” said Ark, “but someone using a spell or an enspelled device to assume her appearance.”

  “I think that is the most likely explanation,” said Theodosia.

  “The necromancer Rhames had a golden mask that let him masquerade as the occultist Anashir of Anshan,” said Martin. “Perhaps our foe has a similar relic.”

  “What do you think, Claudia?” said Aeolus, his eyes shifting to her. “You are the expert on sorcery.”

  She made himself meet his unsettling eyes. “It is entirely possible, my lord. The sorcery of illusion is subtle, but it can be mastered. Certainly Rhames did it, but I suspect sorcerers lacking his arcane power could achieve similar effects.”

  Aeolus nodded. “Very well.”

  But she wanted to know what had happened to Corvalis. If some renegade sorcerer was wearing Caina’s face, had the renegade killed Corvalis? Or if Caina had gone mad, if the Moroaica’s power or some other force had warped her mind, had she killed Corvalis?

  The thought left Claudia cold. Her brother had saved her at great risk to himself, had helped her escape from their father. If he had perished…

  “If this false Caina attacks again,” said Ark, “we can overpower her and take her captive. We will find some answers that way.”

  “We can,” said Aeolus, “and if you wish to risk your lives in this endeavor, I will not stop you. But for the rest of the Ghosts, and for the Imperial Guard, my instructions are clear. Kill Caina Amalas, and any of her aliases – Countess Marianna Nereide, Sonya Tornesti, Anna Callenius, and all the others – on sight.”

  A chorus of outrage answered him, but Aeolus did not even as blink.

  “There are far greater matters at stake,” said Aeolus, “than the life of one woman.” He frowned and brushed a speck of dust from the sleeve of his coat. “A renegade nightfighter cannot be allowed to threaten the life of the Emperor.”

  “Why would Caina harm the Emperor?” said Theodosia.

  “Because,” said Aeolus, “it is not yet commonly known, but the Emperor and the Assembly of New Kyre have agreed to peace.”

  Silence answered him.

  “How?” said Ark. “I thought the Emperor was determined to follow Lord Corbould’s plan to starve New Kyre into submission.”

  “He was,” said Aeolus. For the first time he looked annoyed. “As well he should. New Kyre has ever been a thorn in the side of our Empire, and the sooner it is plucked, the better. But Halfdan and Lord Titus persuaded him otherwise. A folly, I say.”

  “Why?” said Theodosia. “Surely it would be better than shedding more blood. Andromache’s folly started the war, and it has been folly to continue it.”

  “Because if we can crush New Kyre now, then we might save future generations more bloodshed,” said Aeolus. “And Lord Corbould will likely become Emperor after Alexius Naerius dies. Or if not him, then his son Lord Conn, the victor of the Argamaz. Best to heed their wisdom now.” He shook his head. “But the Emperor has made his decision, and we shall abide it. Even if we disagree with it.”

  “When shall the Imperial Curia announce the news?” s
aid Ark.

  “In a few days,” said Aeolus, “when the Emperor departs for New Kyre.”

  Claudia felt her eyebrows rise, and Martin and the others murmured in surprise.

  “The Emperor is going to New Kyre?” said Martin. “Is the Empire surrendering to the Kyracian Assembly, then?”

  “Not at all,” said Aeolus. “The Kyracians will admit the fault of the war is theirs, pay an indemnity, and agree to leave Imperial ships untroubled in their waters. In exchange, the Emperor has persuaded the Padishah of Istarinmul to open the Starfall Straits to Kyracian ships once more. The Emperor shall pay a visit of state to New Kyre to affirm the new concord between our two nations.”

  “And let everyone save face,” said Ark.

  “In essence, yes,” said Aeolus. “Additionally, a guard of honor, headed by Kylon Shipbreaker himself, is sailing to Malarae as we speak. The honor guard and the remains of the western Imperial fleet shall jointly escort the Emperor to New Kyre.” He looked at each of them with cold eyes. “Our task shall be to keep the Emperor alive.”

  Theodosia frowned. “Who wants to kill the Emperor? Beyond the usual foes, I mean.”

  “Far too many people, I fear,” said Aeolus. “The Magisterium, for one, wishes the war to continue.” Claudia knew her father would not hesitate to use assassins to reach his goals. “Both factions within the Empire and the Assembly wish to continue the fight.” He shrugged. “And how better to assassinate the Emperor than to twist the mind of one of his Ghosts?”

  “That is what you think happened?” said Ark. “That the false Caina was an attempt to assassinate the Emperor?”

  “No,” said Aeolus. “I think the Magisterium kidnapped Caina Amalas on her way to Marsis and twisted her mind. But as you observed, the sorcery of the mind can have unpredictable and dangerous effects. Instead of killing the Emperor, she went berserk and attacked the Ghosts. It is the most logical explanation.”

  Ark scowled. “More logical than some sorcerer taking her place with a spell of illusion?”

  “I am inclined to agree with the Champion,” said Martin. “The woman I met in Calvarium…she was most strong-willed.” That was an understatement if Claudia had ever heard one. “I do not believe the magi or a renegade sorcerer could have twisted her mind. She would have died first.”

  “Caina Amalas would not betray the Ghosts,” said Theodosia. “I am certain of only a few things in this sorry world, but that is one of them.”

  “Your affection for the nightfighter clouds your logic, Champion, Lord Governor, circlemaster,” said Aeolus. “And I fear it clouded Halfdan’s judgment as well. He put far too much trust in one woman.”

  “She saved his life,” said Ark. “She saved all our lives, my lord.”

  “Indeed,” said Aeolus, “but we are Ghosts, and we must be objective if we are to serve the Emperor. Which is why we are going to accompany the Emperor to New Kyre.”

  “All of us?” said Claudia, surprised. When the summons had come calling Lord Martin to the Imperial capital, she thought it had been about the business of the Empire.

  “Most of us. Muravin, I wish you to remain behind and keep watch over the Ghosts of the House of Kularus, lest Caina return to attack them,” said Aeolus. “I will travel as the Emperor’s advisor and to command the Ghosts accompanying the embassy.” His eyes shifted to Theodosia. “The Grand Imperial Opera will also travel with the ships, to sing before the Assembly as part of the ceremonies.”

  Theodosia sniffed. “I simply hope the Kyracians can appreciate Nighmarian opera when they hear it.”

  “You, Champion, shall come as well. Since the war began in Marsis, it seems only meet that the Champion of Marsis should be there for its conclusion,” said Aeolus. “You, Lord Martin, since you took part in the fighting in the Argamaz. And you, Claudia Aberon, since sorcery may come into play, and we will have need of your knowledge. If Caina Amalas attacks, we will need your skills.”

  “I do not believe it is her,” said Ark.

  “Believe what you wish,” said Aeolus. “You may attempt to save her life, if you like, so long as it does not interfere with your duties. But I have placed the warrant of death upon her head. If we find her, she shall die.”

  Chapter 6 - Puppets

  Caina lay down on the bed and closed her eyes.

  She ought to take off her gown and dress for bed, she knew. She had discarded the fur trader’s disguise, and after an hour of bathing and new clothes, she had become Anna Callenius once more, the spoiled, selfish daughter of Basil Callenius, master merchant of the Imperial collegium of jewelers. They would travel under that guise to New Kyre, with Corvalis disguised as Cormark, Basil’s loyal bodyguard and enforcer.

  And there they would try to protect the Emperor and bring an end to the war Andromache and Rezir Shahan had started.

  Caina sighed and stood. If she fell asleep in her gown she would wrinkle it, and Anna Callenius was not the sort of woman who would go out in public disheveled. With the Emperor’s life in danger and the Moroaica preparing to finish her great work, it seemed like a trivial, petty concern. But Caina needed disguises and aliases to function as a Ghost, which meant keeping the dress unwrinkled.

  But with Sicarion and Ranarius hunting her, how much longer could she hide behind disguises?

  She paced to the window. It faced towards the harbor, and she saw the sun disappearing behind the mass of docked ships. Likely Halfdan and Corvalis were at the docks now, making the final arrangements with Maltaer for passage to New Kyre. That made her think of Rasadda, of Kalastus and the pyromancy that had almost burned the city to ashes.

  She had been a Ghost nightfighter for years, had faced and defeated many foes in that time. Yet a Ghost nightfighter had to function in secret, and if Ranarius and Sicarion were coming for her, she was no longer a secret. Perhaps it was time to leave the role of a Ghost nightfighter behind, to become a circlemaster and use the House of Kularus to gather secrets for the Emperor. Caina had thought she was just weary, that she merely wanted to settle down with Corvalis, but if she could no longer function as a nightfighter, then perhaps it was truly time to move on.

  She shook her head and laughed at herself. It seemed futile to worry about the future, given that the Moroaica’s disciples might kill her. Or that the Moroaica herself might kill millions with her great work.

  But if they survived this, if the Emperor concluded peace with New Kyre and Talekhris had found a way to kill the Moroaica, then Caina would consider her future. She could…

  An angry shout reach her ears.

  Caina turned with a frown, hand straying to the ghostsilver dagger at her belt. The sound of angry voices rose from the common room. Had Halfdan and Corvalis returned? Or had something else happened?

  Caina checked the throwing knives hidden up her sleeves and left her room.

  She stepped onto the balcony overlooking the common room. Merchants and minor nobles sat at the long tables, taking their ease and enjoying Zorgi’s fine food and drink. Or, at least, they would have, had they not been staring at the spectacle by the doors.

  Four men in the gray plate-and-chain armor of the Imperial Legion stood at the door, crimson cloaks hanging from their shoulders, drawn swords in their hands. Zorgi stood before them, red-faced with fury and fear.

  Between the innkeeper and the Legionaries stood a lean man in his early forties, tall and strong and fit. He had gray-streaked black hair and hard gray eyes, and wore fine clothing with a sheathed sword at his belt. He looked a younger version Lord Corbould Maraeus, one of the most powerful lords in the Empire.

  Which meant that this man was Aiodan Maraeus, Corbould’s second son and the newly-appointed Lord Governor of Marsis.

  “I do not know the meaning of this!” thundered Zorgi, trying and failing to mask his fear with bluster. “I have always been a loyal subject of the Emperor, and my inn is a respectable establishment.”

  “Is it, master innkeeper?” said Aiodan. “I doubt that very much. I thi
nk your inn is a nest of Kyracian spies. I think you helped turn Marsis over to the Kyracians and Istarish two years past. You had best cooperate with me, or I shall burn your inn to the ground, hand your wife over my soldiers, and have you crucified.” He grinned. “Maybe I’ll hand her over to them in front of your cross, so you can listen to her scream as your own fat chokes the life from you.”

  Caina blinked in astonishment. Corbould Maraeus was a hard man, but a man obsessed with law and order. He would not resort to such brutal threats, especially against a common innkeeper, and Caina doubted that any of his sons would.

  Apparently Aiodan had fallen far from the family tree.

  Or something else was going on.

  “I have nothing to hide!” said Zorgi. “Question my guests, if you will. None of them are Kyracian spies!”

  “We shall see about that,” said Aiodan, looking over the common room. “I will…”

  He saw Caina, and his eyes widened, a delighted smile appearing on his face.

  “There she is!” he shouted, striding forward. “Never mind, innkeeper. Here is the arch-traitor, the spy who handed the city over to the Kyracians! Anna Callenius, the daughter of the traitor Basil Callenius!”

  “Me?” said Caina, astonished. How did Aiodan even know who she was? She had met Lord Corbould, but under the guise of one of Theodosia’s maids. Aiodan had never seen her before.

  “Traitor!” bellowed Aiodan, striding up the stairs to the balcony. His Legionaries started to follow him, but he gestured for them to stand back. “I know who you are, Anna Callenius! All the Empire’s misfortunes in the last two years are your work! You handed over the city to the Kyracians! You urged Lord Khosrau’s son to rebel against the Emperor. You tried to kill Tanzir Shahan.” He reached the balcony and stopped before her, his gray eyes glittering with hatred and madness. “And you scheme to kill our noble Emperor as he travels to end this dreadful war.”

  “My lord Governor,” said Caina, keeping her expression and voice calm, “I have done none of those things. Take me into custody if you must, but speak to my father. He will…”