“I heard,” said Annika. “My friends among the slaves of the Tower told me. A terrible weapon, a suit of living armor that rends men like a child crushing insects.” She shook her head. “How could Mihaela create such an evil thing? Does she not see the wicked uses to which it will be put?”
“Perhaps she does,” said Caina, remembering Mihaela’s sour expression, “and she rejoices in it.”
“Perhaps,” said Annika. “Mihaela…carries a great deal of rage.”
“Understandably,” said Halfdan.
Annika shook her head. “As do I. But we all carry scars. Yet that does not give us the right to inflict scars upon others in retribution.”
“Wisely said,” said Halfdan.
“Bah!” said Annika, but she smiled. “Wise is simply a polite way of calling a woman old. I should beat you with my cane.” She sighed. “But you shall have whatever aid you require, if it is in my power. My sister and I owe you our lives and our freedom. I remember, even if Mihaela does not.”
Caina should not have been surprised to learn that Halfdan had been the one to arrange their freedom. The man seemingly had friends and associates everywhere.
“Thank you,” said Halfdan. “We will need your help.”
“The Emperor wants Mihaela’s armor?” said Annika.
“No,” said Halfdan. “We want to destroy both the armor and the knowledge of its creation.”
Annika stiffened. “Then you will kill Mihaela?”
“I would prefer,” said Halfdan, “that she may be made to see reason.”
That was an evasion.
“But that may not be necessary,” said Halfdan. “I don’t know how Mihaela created the glypharmor, but I am certain of one thing. She used necromancy to forge it.”
“Necromancy?” said Annika. “The Scholae forbids its use within the city. And surely one of the Sages would have sensed its presence. The Sages prefer to ignore the outside world, but they are strict about this. Any necromancers found within the walls of Catekharon are slain at once.”
“Nevertheless, I am certain,” said Halfdan. “And therein lies our opportunity. If we can prove that the glypharmor is a product of necromantic science, the Sages will turn against Mihaela and destroy the glypharmor. Then no one will obtain the armor, and the problem will be solved.”
“But do we truly know for certain,” said Claudia, “that Mihaela used necromancy to create the glypharmor?”
“We do,” said Halfdan.
“We do not,” said Claudia, looking at Caina. “We only have her word for it.”
“That is enough for me,” said Halfdan.
“It shouldn’t be,” said Claudia. “That room was filled with sorcerers, and none of them said anything about sensing necromantic power in the armor. The Sages have wielded sorcery for centuries. Surely they would have sensed something.”
“You think I am lying?” said Caina.
“I think you believe yourself to be telling the truth,” said Claudia. She looked at Halfdan. “But you know how much she hates sorcery. Maybe she is seeing things where there is nothing to see.”
“Then,” said Caina, keeping her temper under a tight grip, “what else would you suggest? That we approach Mihaela and ask her nicely?”
“Yes,” said Claudia. “You’re so quick to assume that she used necromancy, that there must be a dark secret behind the glypharmor. Perhaps Mihaela is simply a genius.”
“She was always clever,” said Annika.
“Maybe she discovered something, some application of arcane science that never occurred to the old men of the Scholae,” said Claudia. “Rather than fearing her, we should recruit her. Think of how her skills and knowledge could aid the Ghosts.”
“That is a poor idea,” said Caina. “You saw what she did with the glypharmor. Even if she did not create it with necromancy, then she still used her power to forge a terrible weapon. The Ghosts would be no more trustworthy with that weapon than anyone else.”
“You speak,” said Claudia, “as if sorcery is some sort of corrupting power that ruins everyone who wields it.”
“It is,” said Caina.
“That is irrational.”
Caina felt her temper start to slip. “I have seen little enough evidence otherwise.”
“What about me?” said Claudia. “I was a magus.” Annika’s eyes got a little wider. “Do you think I will become a monster? Are you going to cut me down where I stand?”
“We will have to wait and see, won’t we?” said Caina.
Corvalis looked at her, eyes narrowed, and Caina felt a pang of guilt. Claudia was Corvalis’s sister, and Caina had all but threatened to kill her. But if Claudia went too far, if she betrayed the Ghosts, if she started using necromancy, then Caina would kill her without hesitation.
The thought chilled her.
And Corvalis would never forgive her.
That thought made her feel even worse.
“This discussion is pointless,” said Halfdan. “We cannot act until we know more. And the first thing we need to know is how Mihaela created the glypharmor.”
“It seems our best approach,” said Corvalis, looking away from Caina, “is to find out where Mihaela created it.”
Annika shrugged. “She has rooms in the Tower of Study. Many of the more favored Seekers do. But they are warded and guarded.”
“There might be a better way,” said Caina.
They all looked at her.
“Mihaela made the glypharmor out of red steel from Nhabatan,” said Caina, “and we know who is bringing that steel into the city.”
“Who?” said Annika.
“A Catekhari merchant named Khaltep Irzaris,” said Caina.
Annika laughed. “Irzaris? Irzaris is working with Mihaela?”
“You know him?” said Halfdan.
“Better than I would like,” said Annika. “The man is a scoundrel, and will deal in anything that turns a profit. He has contacts with every bandit gang and shady mercenary company in the free cities. From time to time he hires them to attack caravans, seize the merchandise, and sell the merchants and their guards to the Istarish slavers’ brotherhood. He has an opulent mansion on the other side of the lake, and warehouses full of merchandise.” She snorted. “Villainy pays, it seems.”
“Until the payment comes due,” said Halfdan. “Irzaris is friendly with Mihaela. They spent a great deal of time talking last night.”
“And perhaps,” said Annika, “he is behind the raids.”
“Raids? What raids?” said Halfdan.
“In the last several months,” said Annika, “there have been a number of attacks on villages and caravans west of the city. Bold attacks, too, and no witnesses ever left behind. The Redhelms haven’t been able to find the raiders. But none of Irzaris’s interests were ever touched.”
“He wouldn’t be the first merchant to hire men to kill his competitors,” said Corvalis.
“Aye,” said Caina, “but why bother, if he’s selling the red steel to Mihaela?”
Halfdan shrugged. “Irzaris would hardly be the first man to allow greed to scramble his wits. However Mihaela creates the glypharmor, it seems Irzaris is the weakest link in the chain. I think we will have a look around his warehouses.”
“If you do, be careful,” said Annika. “Irzaris is a scoundrel, but he’s not a fool. He keeps his warehouses well-guarded.”
“Fortunately,” said Halfdan with a smile, “we are not fools, either.” He bowed and planted a kiss upon Annika’s hand, who laughed. “It is good to see you again, Annika. I am pleased you have prospered.”
“Yes,” said Annika, waving a hand at the shelves, “my kingdom of dust and old pans.”
“Or you have your wealth hidden,” said Halfdan.
Annika smiled. “It’s as if some clever man once taught me that ostentatious wealth draws unwelcome attention. And that secrets and friends are often far more valuable than any amount of gold.”
“A wise woman,” said Halfdan
. He looked at the others. “Come along. We have a burglary to plan.”
He led the way from the shop, and Claudia refused to look at Caina as they left.
###
That afternoon, Caina lay down on her bed, trying to rest.
While still disguised as Saddiq’s men, they had taken a trip around the curve of the lake and located Irzaris’s warehouse. The ugly, squat building of brick and clay tiles sat at the western end of the city. Armed guards kept watch at the door, but Caina noted that the guards paid no attention to the warehouse’s roof. If Irzaris was as cheap as most merchants, he would have built skylights into his warehouse’s roof rather than bother with the expense of lamp oil or enspelled glass globes.
Those skylights made for a convenient access point.
Tonight Caina and Corvalis would break into the warehouse and look for additional information.
Corvalis and Claudia had gone off together, talking. Caina closed her eyes, resting her head against the pillow, and tried to sleep. Tonight would prove difficult, and she needed her rest.
Instead her mind returned to Corvalis and Claudia.
What was she going to do about them?
Caina had worked with men and women she disliked before, with men and women who had hated her and held her in contempt. None of it had troubled her. She had even worked with sorcerers before. Rekan, a traitorous magus of the Magisterium, had taught her to guard her thoughts from sorcerous intrusion.
But Caina hated sorcery.
And she had not been sharing a bed with Rekan’s brother.
Caina sighed and rubbed the heels of her hands over her face. Claudia was right. Caina loathed sorcery, hated it more than anything. It had taken her father and her ability to bear children. And she had never met a sorcerer whom she liked or trusted.
But maybe Corvalis was right. Maybe Claudia was different.
Caina got to her feet, scowling. Corvalis said nothing, but she could see how much her dislike for Claudia bothered him. How could she blame him? Claudia was his sister. He had loved her so much that he had dared terrible risks to save her. Claudia had been his only family, the only person he loved for years.
What could Caina offer against that?
Perhaps it would be better if she broke it off with Corvalis.
To her surprise, she felt her eyes sting at the thought.
She stalked to the balcony, looking at the lake. This was all new to her. She had never been close to a man before, not like this, and she didn’t know what to do. She wished she could talk to Theodosia about it.
At the very least, Caina could be more civil to Claudia.
No matter how much she detested sorcery.
She heard footsteps at the doorway and turned. A young man in an orange slave’s tunic stood there, his hands brushing at his sides in a fit of nervousness.
“Shaizid,” said Caina. “I need nothing at the moment, thank you.”
“Mistress,” said Shaizid. “You look…you look very sad.”
Caina stared at him.
“Forgive me,” said Shaizid, flinching as if she had struck him. “I meant…I meant no disrespect mistress, no disrespect…”
“Do not worry about it,” said Caina. “I was thinking. Remembering the past. And sometimes the past is…quite sad.”
“Yes,” said Shaizid. “It is, mistress.”
Something clicked inside Caina’s mind.
“What did Mihaela do to you?” she said.
“I…I don’t understand,” said Shaizid. “Please…”
“I’ve seen the way you look at her,” said Caina. “And I’ve heard you crying. Mihaela promised you something, didn’t she? Something you want very badly. But she hasn’t delivered it, and you’re too afraid to approach her.”
“I must go, mistress,” said Shaizid, turning. “Please…”
“Shaizid,” said Caina.
The slave froze, his thin limbs trembling.
“I might be able to help you,” said Caina.
And perhaps, the cold part of her mind realized, she could learn something useful from him.
Shaizid stood motionless for a long time.
“My sister,” said Shaizid at last.
“What was her name?” said Caina.
“Ardasha,” said Shaizid. “After great Ardashir the Golden, one of the mightiest Shahenshahs of our homeland. We were sold to the Scholae very young, but quickly rose in the Sages’ favor.” He managed a smile. “No one can prepare coffee as well as Ardasha and I…and the Sages drink a great deal of coffee.”
“I can imagine,” said Caina.
“Then Ardasha manifested the power,” said Shaizid. “A sorcerous talent. Strange things happened around her…she could read minds, or call objects to her hand just by thinking about it. So the Seeker Mihaela accepted her as a student.”
“Wait,” said Caina. “The Seekers can take students of their own?”
“Yes,” said Shaizid. “The Seekers may do whatever they wish, so long as they obey their Sages and follow the rules of the Scholae. Ardasha was freed, and Mihaela took her as a student. She said…she said that once she became a Seeker in her turn, she would buy me and set me free…”
“What happened instead?” said Caina.
“I don’t know,” said Shaizid. “Ardasha disappeared months ago. Mihaela refuses to speak to me, and has the seneschal beats me whenever I ask. I cannot approach the Sages to ask them. A slave cannot speak to a Sage. No one will talk to me, and I do not know what happened to Ardasha!” He sobbed, once, and rubbed his hand across his eyes. “Mistress, forgive me, this…”
“No,” said Caina, and she touched his shoulder. “No. I am…only a merchant’s daughter. A merchant’s younger daughter. But I swear to you, I will find out what happened to Ardasha, if I can.”
“Thank you,” said Shaizid. “Thank you, mistress.” He shivered. “I must…I must return to my duties.”
He left without another word.
Chapter 14 - Half-Brothers
Caina and Corvalis left the Tower of Study before nightfall disguised as caravan guards. Corvalis wore his usual clothing, a leather jerkin over chain mail, worn boots and trousers, sword and dagger at his belt. Caina wore a leather jerkin studded with steel rivets, daggers hidden in her boots and throwing knives strapped to her forearms. She had raked her black hair to fall in greasy curtains over her face and pulled up the cowl of her ragged brown cloak. She looked like any other dusty caravan guard, albeit one shorter than most.
She also carried a leather satchel, its strap over her chest, extra tools riding inside the bag.
“We’ll watch the place for an hour or so,” said Corvalis. “Long enough for dark to fall and for the guards to get bored. Then we’ll circle around back, scale the wall, and go through the skylights.”
“A good plan,” said Caina.
Corvalis grinned. “I thought you might like it. Gods know you’ve probably broken into more places than I have.”
“I have no recollection of that, of course,” said Caina.
Corvalis snorted, and they walked in silence for a while, circling along the lake.
“How is Claudia?” Caina asked at last.
Corvalis sighed. “She can’t make up her mind about you. You saved her life, our lives…and you hate her.”
“I don’t hate her,” said Caina.
Corvalis looked at her.
Caina shook her head. “At least…not her directly. I hate sorcery. And she is a sorceress.”
“I understand why you hate sorcery,” said Corvalis. “I’ve seen your scars. You haven’t told me how you got them, but I can guess.”
Caina did not answer.
“Claudia is not like the others,” said Corvalis. “Not like the First Magus or the occultists.”
No, thought Caina. Corvalis did not love the other sorcerers.
“She thinks the glypharmor is a good idea,” said Caina.
“She doesn’t,” said Corvalis. “You saw what happened
. She was so sickened she threw up at the demonstration.”
“Then why doesn’t she think necromancy was used to create the armor?”
“I think,” said Corvalis, “she sees something of herself in Mihaela. A woman trying to use her sorcery to change the world for the better. Misguided, maybe…but trying to change the world nonetheless.”
“Gods,” said Caina, “I hope not.”
“Would you really kill her?” said Corvalis.
“Who? Mihaela?” said Caina.
“No,” said Corvalis. “Claudia.”
“She’s your sister, Corvalis,” said Caina. “I’m not going to hurt her.”
“But if she does something you don’t like,” said Corvalis. “If she goes over the line.”
Caina opened her mouth, and then closed it.
“Gods,” said Corvalis, looking away. “You would, wouldn’t you?”
“What you would do?” demanded Caina. “If she started wielding necromancy? Or started working for a slavers’ band? Or is she decided the First Magus was right after all and returned to the Magisterium? Would you go along with her?”
“Of course not,” said Corvalis. “I’d try to talk her out of it, make her see sense.”
“But if she refused?” said Caina. “What then?”
“I…” Corvalis shook his head. “This is not the time to discuss this. We have a task. We can talk about it later.”
“Very well,” said Caina, and they lapsed into silence.
The shadows lengthened as they walked, and soon they came to the western side of Catekharon. Abandoned warehouses lined the streets, a wasteland of crumbling brick and cracked clay tiles. Some of the warehouses had guards, and four men in chain mail stood before the double doors to Irzaris’s warehouse, watching the streets with wary eyes.
They stared at Caina and Corvalis as they passed, and Caina started telling Corvalis a joke in Caerish, putting a drunken stagger into her walk, while Corvalis laughed.
“Well?” said Corvalis once they rounded a corner, out of sight of the guards.
“The northern wall of Irzaris’s warehouse,” said Caina. “I doubt the guards make an effort to circle the building. Once the sun goes down, we’ll climb up to the roof and go through the skylights.”
Jonathan Moeller - The Ghosts 06 - Ghost in the Forge Page 15