“You,” he hissed.
Caina frowned behind her mask. “You know me?”
His smile returned. “All too well, mistress. All too well. But now I am the master.”
“What are you talking about?” said Caina. “Mistress? I’m not…”
Then she remembered Sicarion. He had come to Cyrioch to kill a wayward disciple of Jadriga…
“You,” said Caina. “You’re the one Sicarion came here to kill! You were a student of the Moroaica.”
“Yes,” said Ranarius, hate flashing over his face. “Her student and her slave. But no longer. After tonight, she will never have the power to harm me ever again…”
“You will turn my sister back!” said Corvalis. “Now!”
Ranarius turned his lined face towards Corvalis. “What? Are you still dragging that wretched statue about? Pitiful fool. You should have accepted your father’s chastisement and fled the Empire while you still had the power. You could have escaped this.”
Caina threw back her arm, ready to fling a knife.
But the master magus was faster.
Ranarius thrust out his hand, the air around his fingers rippling, and Caina felt a massive surge of sorcery. Suddenly the air in front of Caina’s face rippled, and she could not breathe. She coughed, gagging as she tried to force air into her lungs.
But she could not. Black spots filled her vision, and she took a staggering step forward. She saw Corvalis fall to his knees, hands at his throat.
Then she toppled towards the floor, everything going black.
Chapter 23 - The Disciple
Caina awoke with a splitting headache.
She blinked, tried to stand, and found that she could not.
Her eyes cleared, and she saw a rope wound around her ankles, binding her feet together. Her arms were behind her back, resting against a rough rock wall, and she felt more rope around her wrists. Again she tried to stand, and she saw that the rope around her ankles was tied to an iron ring in the floor. Her weapons rested in her belt, but she could not reach them.
A few inches from her hands, yet they might as well have been a thousand miles away.
She turned her head, examining her surroundings. She was in a large room, lit by the light of a single glass globe. To judge from the empty shelves and the canvas sacks piled in one corner, it was a storeroom.
Corvalis sat against the far wall, bound as she was. His head slumped against his chest, dried blood glittering on his temple.
“Corvalis,” she hissed. “Corvalis!”
“Don’t bother.”
She knew that cold voice.
Ranarius stepped from the shadows, peering at her like a scholar examining an ancient manuscript. The jade bracelet upon his left wrist glimmered in the dim light.
“He fell harder than you did,” said Ranarius. “Hit his head on the floor. He might wake up eventually. Or he might not.”
“What did you do to us?” said Caina.
He made a dismissive gesture with one hand. “I know about Corvalis’s tattoos, you see. A common trick of petty northern witchfinders. So my spell corrupted the air around your heads until you passed out. A favorite of the Kyracian stormsingers.”
“You learned it from Andromache,” said Caina, “didn’t you?”
Ranarius blinked. “Yes. One of the Moroaica’s favorite pets. How did she die, by the way?”
Caina saw no reason to lie. “The Moroaica promised her the power in the Tomb of Scorikhon. Except Scorikhon possessed her. The Moroaica intended to use Andromache’s body as a host for Scorikhon’s spirit all along.”
Ranarius laughed. “The little fool. She was also the Moroaica’s slave, like me, only she was too blind to see it.” He leaned closer, looking at her from a different angle. “Tell me. Are you really the Moroaica?”
“No,” said Caina.
“Tell me the truth,” said Ranarius.
“Why?” said Caina. “You’re going to kill me.”
Ranarius smiled. “I have absolutely no intention of killing you. In fact, it is my wish that you never die.”
That sounded ominous.
“But perhaps I can figure it out on my own,” said Ranarius. “You contrived to slay the Moroaica, and then her spirit possessed you. But something went wrong. She inhabited you…but she can’t control you.” He leaned forward, making sure to stay well out of reach. “She is imprisoned inside of you. So long as you live, the Moroaica cannot hurt me.”
“Then you should continue to let me live,” said Caina.
Ranarius straightened up. “I agree. In a way.”
That sounded even more ominous.
“So,” said Caina, mind racing. She had to delay. Chasing after Corvalis alone had been foolish. But sooner or later Theodosia would notice she was missing. And the more information she pried from Ranarius, the better chance she had. “How did you end up enslaved to the Moroaica?”
Ranarius said nothing for a moment.
“Does the Moroaica communicate with you?” said Ranarius at last.
“Sometimes, in dreams,” said Caina.
“So she cannot control you, only influence you,” said Ranarius. “Why hasn’t she killed you yet?”
“You never answered my first question,” said Caina. “How did you end up enslaved to the Moroaica?”
Ranarius scowled. “I will ask the questions, Ghost. And I have the means to force the answers from you.”
Caina made herself smile. “I wouldn’t do that. Force me a little too hard and you might kill me. Then the Moroaica will inhabit a new body. That wouldn’t be good for you. If you want answers, you’ll have to answer my question.”
“Very well,” said Ranarius, though his scowl did not deepen. “I was young and foolish. I felt the laws of the Magisterium and the Empire constrained my genius and talent. Then the Moroaica found me and offered to teach forbidden sciences in exchange for service. I accepted, thinking I could betray her later. But one does not betray the Moroaica. One does not escape her.”
Caina nodded.
“Now. Answer my question,” said Ranarius. “Why hasn’t the Moroaica killed you yet?”
“She thinks she can bring me over to her side,” said Caina.
“Perhaps she can,” said Ranarius. “The Moroaica thinks in terms of centuries, even millennia. What are a few decades to her? She has spent far more time pursuing her ‘great work’, whatever that is.”
“My turn for a question,” said Caina. “What did you do to Nicasia?”
Ranarius smiled. “I suppose you saw her turn that assassin into a statue? She makes for a useful tool.”
“Is she an elemental spirit of earth?” said Caina.
“Not quite,” said Ranarius. “Spirits can be summoned to this world. But they need something to inhabit, a body to wear. An elemental spirit of sufficient power could fashion a body from its associated element. Or it could inhabit a human body.”
“Nicasia,” said Caina.
“Yes,” said Ranarius.
Corvalis stirred, moaned, and then fell limp.
They looked at him for a moment, and then Ranarius kept talking.
“Summoning an earth elemental of power is…difficult,” said Ranarius. “Easier by far to use one already inhabiting our world. They come here sometimes to…hibernate, for want of a better word. I found one in Cyrioch, released it from its cocoon of stone, and forced it into Nicasia’s body. The result was most satisfactory.” He tapped the jade bracelet on his wrist. “Nicasia has proven to be a capable weapon.”
“Undoubtedly,” said Caina. “Why did you turn Claudia Aberon to stone?”
It wasn’t her turn for a question, but Ranarius answered anyway. She suspected it had been a long time since he had talked honestly with anyone.
“Because the First Magus asked it of me,” said Ranarius. “The Moroaica’s teachings made me stronger, but one does not cross Decius Aberon lightly.” His mouth twisted. “Though if I knew how much trouble Corvalis would cause m
e, I might have refused the request.”
“And that’s why you turned the Ghosts to stone,” said Caina. “It was an accident. Corvalis was hunting you, and the Ghosts were investigating him. They just got in the way when you sent Nicasia to turn him to stone.”
“Almost,” said Ranarius. “I didn’t know Corvalis was in Cyrioch until a few hours ago. The Ghosts were investigating Corvalis, but I assumed they were pursuing me, as they have a few times before. It was only sheer luck that Corvalis eluded Nicasia.” He looked at Corvalis and smiled. “Though his luck has finally run out.” He turned back to Caina. “And now a question for you, clever Ghost. Why have you sided with Corvalis against me? Do you not know you will draw the wrath of the Magisterium?”
“You studied under the Moroaica,” said Caina. “The magi are forbidden to use necromancy. If it came down to it, I think the First Magus would abandon you to prevent a scandal.” Ranarius’s lips thinned. “And I know what you really intend.”
“Oh?” said Ranarius. “Do you?”
Caina remembered what Nadirah had told her. “You’re going to summon a greater earth elemental, and attempt to bind it to use against the Moroaica.”
Ranarius’s amusement vanished. “How do you know that? Did the Moroaica tell you?”
“No,” said Caina. She would not tell him about Nadirah. If Caina died here, Ranarius might try to kill Nadirah. “I know the story of Old Kyrace. You’re going to try to do the same thing here.”
“Yes,” said Ranarius. “I will free the greater elemental and bind it.” He smiled, his eyes glittering. “The process will probably kill you and free the Moroaica to take another body. I look forward to that. For all her might, she cannot possibly stand against the wrath of an elemental lord.”
“Neither can you,” said Caina. “You can’t possibly control such a creature. You’ll probably destroy Cyrioch.”
“Actually,” said Ranarius. “I will certainly destroy Cyrioch.”
His calm voice chilled her. “How?”
“Haven’t you realized it yet?” said Ranarius. “When an elemental comes to our world, if it does not take a human body it instead inhabits a form closest to its essential nature. The greater fire elemental that destroyed Old Kyrace was bound within a volcano. An elemental of earth would hibernate within solid rock, rock unlike any other found in the world…”
Caina blinked as the realization came to her.
“The Stone,” she said. “The Stone itself is the greater earth elemental.”
“Correct again,” said Ranarius. “The greater earth elemental has worn the form of the Stone and hibernated in our world for millennia beyond count. Of course, the Palace of Splendors will be destroyed when the elemental awakens. The hill called the Stone is only a portion of the entire elemental, just as only a part of an iceberg rises above the waters. When I awaken the elemental, all of Cyrioch will collapse into the sea. The resultant earthquake will destroy every structure built by the hand of man for three hundred miles in every direction. And given the waves the earthquake will trigger, both Malarae and Istarinmul might be underwater by this time tomorrow night.”
“You’ll kill millions of people!” said Caina. “And all for what? All for power?”
“For freedom,” said Ranarius. “I will not spend eternity as the Moroaica’s slave.” A shadow of fear passed over his gaunt face. “If I had to kill ten million people to be free of her…I would do it.” He leaned closer. “She’s inside your head. She’s probably listening to me right now!” His voice rose to a shout. “Do you hear me, mistress? I will never be your slave again. Never!”
“This is madness,” said Caina. “If the Moroaica couldn’t control a greater elemental, if the combined stormsingers of Old Kyrace couldn’t do it, what chance do you have? You’ll get yourself killed for nothing, along with…”
“The only thing left to do,” said Ranarius, “is to make sure you cannot stop me.”
“You can’t kill me,” said Caina. “The Moroaica will take another body.”
“True,” said Ranarius. “I don’t even dare disable or drug you. If I make a mistake, I might accidentally kill you. I can’t even leave you here. Some slave might come along and untie you. And you’re clever enough to find a way to stop me.” He smiled. “Fortunately, I have a way to make sure you don’t interfere.”
Caina realized what he meant.
“No,” she said.
“Yes,” said Ranarius. “Once Nicasia converts you both to statues, you’ll be no threat to me. The Moroaica will be imprisoned inside you, sealed within the stone. I suspect the effect will wear off in two or three centuries. But I intend to live forever, and by the time you become flesh once more, the elemental’s power will be mine to command.” He laughed. “And then I will make the Moroaica pay for my servitude!”
“Ranarius,” said Caina, “listen to me, you’ll…”
“Sleep well, Ghost,” said Ranarius.
He waved his hand, and again Caina felt the surge of arcane power. The air before her rippled, and Caina could not breathe. She struggled to stand, struggled even to draw breath.
But as before, everything went black.
###
“We are both,” said the Moroaica, “in very serious danger.”
Caina opened her eyes and stood up.
Again she was in the strange gray mists of her dreams. Jadriga stood a short distance away, clad in her blood-colored robe, dark hair hanging wet and loose about her pale face. Her black eyes flashed with rage.
“Oh?” said Caina. “If he turns me to stone, what of it? He thinks the effect will wear off in two or three hundred years. Surely that is no great length of time for the mighty Moroaica.”
“He is incorrect,” said Moroaica. “The elemental bound within his slave girl is one of surpassing potency. Your body will not return to flesh for at least five hundred years, if not longer. That would be an intolerable delay. Though he is correct that summoning the greater elemental will destroy both Cyrioch and most of Cyrica. Your body would end up at the bottom of the ocean, and when it returned to flesh in five hundred years you would drown at once.”
“Could he do it?” said Caina. “Could he actually control a greater elemental?”
The Moroaica laughed. “Of course not, child. No one can. Not the great magi of the Fourth Empire, not the stormsingers of Old Kyrace, not the solmonari of the Szalds, not the mighty necromancer-priests of ancient Maat. Not even I could control the greater elementals. They could be…directed, perhaps. Like digging a canal to divert a flood. But not controlled.”
“You did this,” said Caina. “You turned him into what he is. And now he’s going to unleash this atrocity!”
The Moroaica lifted a dark eyebrow. “He rebelled against me and I punished him suitably. Humiliation is more effective on a man like Ranarius than any sort of physical torment.” She sighed. “Though, in retrospect, it might have been more prudent to simply kill him.”
“I’m sure your vast intellect could not have seen this coming,” said Caina.
“There’s no need to be churlish,” said Jadriga. “We must focus upon the task at hand. Namely, our survival.” She smiled. “And if you require additional motivation, think of all the innocent lives that Ranarius will slay with his foolish plans. Your friends Ark and Tanya are in Malarae, are they not? Their son Nicolai? Do you really want the last thing Nicolai sees to be a forty foot wall of water roaring out of Malarae’s harbor?”
“I will stop Ranarius,” said Caina. “He is everything I hate about sorcery. Like you.”
Again the Moroaica laughed. “Save that I am not so great a fool as Ranarius.”
“No,” muttered Caina, “you just created him.”
She had to stop Ranarius, but she did not see how. She was unconscious and bound in a storeroom. When she awoke, Nicasia would turn her to stone.
She might have already turned Corvalis to stone.
“You could,” said the Moroaica, “accept my aid.”
“No,” said Caina. “I will not use your sorcery. Not now, not ever.”
“Even if it means saving those uncounted millions?” said Jadriga.
“No,” said Caina.
“Foolish, but irrelevant,” said Jadriga. “I cannot wield my power through your body. So I shall give you knowledge, instead. For you know just as well as I do that knowledge is deadlier than any dagger.”
Caina nodded. “Speak.”
“First,” said Jadriga, “do not look into the slave girl’s eyes. Not for any reason. That is how the elemental’s power works. Once it looks into your eyes, it can see your spirit, and the transformation proceeds from within.”
“You mean,” said Caina, “if I free from those ropes and keep my eyes closed, I can get away from Nicasia?”
“Certainly,” said Jadriga. “Spirits always hate the mortal sorcerers that bind them. The elemental will do exactly what Ranarius tells it to do…but no more. If you keep your eyes closed, and you do not attack the slave girl, the elemental will let you go unchallenged.”
Caina nodded.
“Second,” said the Moroaica, “Ranarius will perform the spell of summoning in the Gallery of the Well. The Well, as you have guessed, is not of natural origin. It leads to the heart of the Stone, to the heart of the greater elemental itself. Releasing the elemental will take tremendous arcane power, and Ranarius will be distracted. If you catch him off-guard,” she smiled, “as you caught me off-guard below Black Angel Tower, you can kill him before he completes the summoning. Though he will almost certainly have defenses.”
Caina nodded again. “Anything else?”
“Be mindful of the chance to escape,” said Jadriga. “An opportunity will soon arrive.”
“What do you mean?” said Caina.
The Moroaica smiled. “Go and find out.”
She waved her hand and the dream dissolved into nothingness.
Chapter 24 – The Defender
Jonathan Moeller - The Ghosts 05 - Ghost in the Stone Page 26