Ghost in the Glass

by Jonathan Moeller

  The horseman in the red coat glanced at them and then slowed.

  “Damn,” muttered Seb.

  “You know him?” said Kylon.

  “All too well,” said Seb.

  Caina found her eyes drawn to the sword at the red-coated horseman’s belt.

  It was unremarkable, little different than the swords carried by the Voivode’s szlachts or even the Voivode himself. Unlike the Voivode’s sword, the red-coated man’s sword lacked jewels or ornamentation and rested in a simple wooden scabbard, the hilt wrapped in leather. For some reason, the horseman had wrapped the sword’s pommel in leather as well.

  And to Caina’s eyes, the sword glowed with a faint arcane aura. There was a spell on the sword, a minor one. She thought it was a spell of masking and concealment, a ward designed to conceal the true nature of something.

  Why put it on an unremarkable sword?

  “His name’s Antonin Crailov,” said Seb, in a low voice. “Assassin for hire. Extremely dangerous. And he knows who I am…”

  He trailed off as Crailov reined up a few yards away and looked down at them, amusement on his face. Up close, Caina saw that he had eyes the color of expensive wood, dark and hard, and she saw the readiness in his stance, the balance of a man accustomed to fighting on horseback.

  She also saw that the warding spell was wrapped around his scabbard. Caina wasn’t sure, but she thought it meant the scabbard had been designed to contain the power of his sword. That, in turn, would mean his sword had sorcerous power.

  His eyes flicked to her, and a faint smile went over the bearded lips, a smile that did not touch his eyes.

  Then his gaze swung back to Seb.

  “Of all the people I expected to see strolling down the main street of Vagraastrad’s Old City,” said Crailov in perfect Caerish, “I confess that you were not one of them, Sebastian Scorneus.”

  Seb shrugged. “It’s been a surprising sort of year, Master Crailov.”

  “It has,” said Crailov. “Because as I recall, when last you were here you tried to kill Talmania Skull-speaker and fled the city with your sister. You settled in Risiviri, and then Talmania murdered your wife in retribution. After that, the civil war started, Talmania sided with the Umbarians, you sided with the Magisterium…and now, all these years later, here you are in Vagraastrad.”

  “Yes,” said Seb. “It is very strange.”

  “It is,” said Crailov. He smiled. “Did you greet Talmania yet?”

  Seb blinked. “She’s here in Vagraastrad?” Caina knew him well enough to see the surge of alarm behind his calm expression.

  “You just missed her,” said Crailov. “She left for the south…two days ago, I think. A few weeks ago, she headed to the north for an expedition and lost several Umbarian magi and half a century of Adamant Guards. That put her in a foul mood, though I think she was more annoyed that she failed to find whatever she sought in the forest.”

  “Talmania Scorneus was always in a foul mood,” said Seb with a scowl.

  Caina felt a chill.

  She didn’t know how she and Kylon and Seb had been brought to Ulkaar, but Caina had killed an Umbarian magus in Sigilsoara, and Kylon and Seb had fought and killed Adamant Guards. Had Talmania Scorneus summoned Sigilsoara to the forests of northern Ulkaar? And had she brought Caina and Seb and Kylon there by accident?

  “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your companions?” said Crailov.

  “I wouldn’t wish to take up any of your valuable time,” said Seb. “I’m sure the Voivode keeps you busy.”

  Crailov shrugged. “I’m more an advisor to the Voivode these days. Most of his enemies are dead, except for the Boyar of Risiviri, and he’s too well-guarded even for me to kill. So, I’m bored…and you’re the most interesting thing I’ve seen since Talmania rode through the city in a rage.” His cold smile returned. “No, don’t tell me, Lord Sebastian. Let me puzzle it out. Why is Sebastian Scorneus traveling with a girl, an old man, a Kyracian…and a woman who looks so much like Talmania Scorneus that I mistook her for your aunt?”

  “Do not let us trouble you,” said Seb.

  “It’s no trouble at all,” said Crailov. “And don’t be rude, Lord Sebastian. I would hate to mention this little meeting to the Voivode. He does so admire the Umbarian Order, and he might write Talmania to tell her that her wayward nephew has wandered into his lands. Perhaps he would even try to restrain you and present you to her as a gift.”

  “Is that a threat?” said Caina.

  Crailov looked at her. “I don’t make threats, dear lady. Merely observations. And permit me to tell you what I observe. A Kyracian man traveling with a woman who looks like a member of House Scorneus. Recently I have heard many tales of a woman with blue eyes and black hair who calls herself Caina Amalas. Throughout the Empire and Istarinmul, she is known as the Balarigar, and she slew the emir Rezir Shahan and destroyed the Slavers’ Brotherhood of Istarinmul. If the tales are to be believed, she killed Lord Cassander Nilas, put a new Padishah upon the throne of Istarinmul, and even summoned Iramis out of the darkness of the past. What is more, the tales also say she wed the exiled Kyracian noble Kylon of House Kardamnos.”

  “A fanciful tale, Master Crailov,” said Caina with a derisive sniff. “But one that stretches credulity. The same woman slew Rezir Shahan, Lord Cassander, and enthroned the current Padishah of Istarinmul? I am sure all manner of people blame this mythical Balarigar for their failures.”

  Crailov let out a laugh. “Very well spoken, my lady.” He offered a sweeping bow from the saddle. “And I am most pleased to make your acquaintance, Caina Amalas Tarshahzon Kardamnos. And you as well, Lord Kylon.” He straightened up with a cold smile. “I think you underestimate your own notoriety, both of you. The Umbarians have a substantial bounty upon you both, and I believe Lord Corbould Maraeus and the Imperial Magisterium both want Lady Caina dead.”

  “And you think to collect, sir?” said Kylon.

  “Certainly not,” said Crailov with mild reproof. “I have no wish to fight the Shipbreaker without ample preparation. And the tales say that Rezir Shahan, the Moroaica, Cassander Nilas, and the Grand Master of the College of Alchemists have all crossed the Balarigar. Do you know what all four of them have in common?”

  “They’re dead?” said Seb.

  “Just so, Lord Sebastian, just so,” said Crailov. “All men must die, but I would prefer to die in bed many years from now, with a beautiful woman under either arm.” His chill eyes turned back to Caina. “I suspect that crossing you would make that…less likely.”

  Caina shrugged. “I do not wish trouble with anyone. I simply desire to pass through Ulkaar and be on my way. But what do you want?”

  Crailov smiled. “Am I going to hand you over to the Voivode or the Umbarians or any of your numerous other enemies, you mean? No. I am wealthy enough that the money does not appeal to me, and certainly not the risk of acquiring it. I merely desired to satisfy my curiosity.” His smile widened. “I am quite familiar with House Scorneus, Lady Caina, so when I saw you from a distance…I assumed you were Talmania, or Seb’s sister Calvia. I confess I did not know that the Balarigar was a scion of House Scorneus. But if you stay out of my way, I shall stay out of yours.”

  “Prove it, then,” said Caina.

  Seb gave her an incredulous look, but Crailov only laughed.

  “How so?” said Crailov.

  Caina gestured to Teodor. “Do you know this man?”

  Crailov considered Teodor, who remained oblivious to the tension.

  “I do not,” said Crailov, “but I do recognize him. A week past a party of witchfinders arrived from Risiviri, accompanying a magus of the Imperial Magisterium.”

  Caina frowned. “I thought the Voivode supported the Order.”

  “He does,” said Crailov, “but the Temple is the one institution that all Ulkaari respect and neither the Order nor the Magisterium are foolish enough to alienate the Ulkaari by attacking the Temple. The magus was here on the busine
ss of the Temple. Evidently, rumors of Vagraastrad’s current reveniri infestation had reached that far south, and the Highest Brother at the Great Temple sent them to investigate.”

  “Do you know what happened to those witchfinders?” said Caina. “We found this man wandering the woods, pursued by a band of reveniri.”

  “I do not,” said Crailov. He shrugged. “Presumably, they met whatever necromancer raised the reveniri and were overmatched. Tragic, but such miscalculations happen. Now I wish to ask you a question, Lady Caina.”

  “Ask, then,” said Caina.

  “Do you know who summoned you to Ulkaar yet?” said Crailov.

  “No,” said Caina.

  But that was not entirely true, was it? She had begun to suspect that Talmania Scorneus was the one who had summoned Sigilsoara, using her blood to fuel the spell. Somehow that had pulled Caina and Seb and Kylon to Sigilsoara. That theory explained why the Umbarians had been inside Sigilsoara. Talmania must have been looking for the Ring of Rasarion Yagar.

  Did that mean Antonin Crailov had reasoned out that Caina had the Ring?

  “I see,” said Crailov. The answer seemed to amuse him. “Thank you, Lady Caina, Lord Kylon. I think we can stay out of each other’s way. But I do suggest you depart Vagraastrad as soon as possible. The city is not a safe place. The rumors of reveniri hunting the night are, I fear, quite true. Better to be gone from here.”

  “We shall follow your advice,” said Caina.

  “Excellent,” said Crailov. “A pleasure to have met you both.” He inclined his head to Seb. “Do give your aunt Talmania my greetings if you see her again.”

  Seb said nothing to that, and Crailov spurred his horse to a trot to catch up to the Voivode’s party, which had almost reached the gate to the New City.

  “You and Crailov have met before,” said Kylon once Crailov was out of earshot.

  “Yes,” said Seb. “I fear we have had a very narrow escape. That is an exceedingly dangerous man.”

  “Who is he?” said Caina.

  Seb took a deep breath. “Are you familiar with the Kindred assassin families?”

  Memories burned through Caina’s mind. Some of them were good – Corvalis Aberon had been an assassin of the Kindred before he had broken away to save his sister. But most of the memories were dark, and involved fighting and killing and fleeing for her life.

  “Yes,” said Caina. “Crailov is Kindred?”

  Seb let out a quiet laugh. “He’s not. There’s also no Kindred family in Vagraastrad. The reason there is no Kindred family is because Antonin Crailov killed them all.”

  Caina blinked. “He did?” She had wiped out the Kindred family in Cyrioch, but she had done it with a lot of help.

  “By himself,” said Seb. “About fifteen years ago, I think. They crossed him for some reason or another, and Crailov responded by killing them all. Aunt Talmania was furious. She employed the Kindred of Vagraastrad often to get rid of people who irritated her.”

  “A dire tale,” said Sophia. “I heard my uncle mention it. He said that all the assassins of Vagraastrad killed each other in a single night.”

  “Then Crailov is the sort of man capable of wiping out a Kindred family on his own?” said Kylon, staring after the departing horsemen.

  “Evidently,” said Seb. “He’s an assassin for hire. Rumor has it that he’s also a highly skilled necromancer, but he keeps his sorcerous abilities quiet and doesn’t advertise. There’s a large bounty on his head in Risiviri, but anyone who has ever tried to collect has wound up dead.”

  “A necromancer, Lord Sebastian?” said Sophia. “Could he have been the one to raise the reveniri?”

  “I doubt it,” said Caina. “Not unless someone hired him to do it.” She glanced at Teodor. “And Teodor didn’t respond to him at all. If the reveniri killed his fellows and Crailov summoned the reveniri…that would have shaken him out of his daze.”

  Teodor said nothing, still staring into the distance.

  “What now, then?” said Seb.

  “I think we should follow his advice and leave Vagraastrad as soon as possible,” said Kylon.

  “Yes,” said Caina. She shivered, and not just from the cold. “Tomorrow morning, as soon as we can get ready.”

  ###

  Antonin Crailov rejoined the Voivode’s party, lost in thought, his left hand tapping against the pommel of his sword.

  The sword, as ever, spoke into his thoughts.

  “You should return and kill them,” said the sword in archaic Ulkaari. “Spill their blood and watch it steam upon the ground. Kill the girl and listen to her scream. Kill the Kyracian in front of the woman, and listen to her howls.”

  Crailov ignored it. The sword invariably gave terrible advice. Nevertheless, it was a weapon of tremendous power, and Crailov had used it to great effect. The sword’s monologue had been annoying at first, but after decades of carrying the weapon, Crailov had gotten used to it.

  That, and attacking the Balarigar and Kylon Shipbreaker in the middle of the street might well have brought him death. Some of the rumors surrounding Caina and Kylon claimed that they had been seen with swords of silver fire, that Caina had cut down Cassander Nilas with such a sword. That would mean they had unearthed some of the ancient valikon swords carried by the Arvaltyri of old, and Antonin Crailov had no wish to fight anyone wielding a valikon.

  Not in a fair fight, anyway. And Caina reminded him of Talmania, and Talmania Skull-speaker was also someone Crailov had no desire to face in battle. For that matter, Talmania had already hired Crailov to kill a woman, and that woman wasn’t Caina Kardamnos.

  Besides, Crailov had no reason to kill them. Fools like Talmania Scorneus and her older sister Rania wanted to change the world. Crailov didn’t care about the world. He cared about his own personal power and advantage, and neither would benefit from fighting Caina Kardamnos in the streets of Vagraastrad.

  Not yet, anyway.

  Not until Crailov turned the situation to his own advantage.

  Because unless Crailov missed his guess, Caina Kardamnos was carrying the Ring of Rasarion Yagar.

  It all made sense. Talmania had used the Amulet of the Iron King to summon Sigilsoara, attempting to enter the twisted fortress to claim the Ring. Almost certainly she had used her own blood to empower the spell, which had the possible side effect of drawing others of her own blood into Sigilsoara.

  Hence, Caina Kardamnos and Sebastian Scorneus. It was a mystery how Kylon had been drawn along with the spell, but one easily solved. Kylon and Caina were married, and if they had been engaged in intercourse when Talmania’s spell had finished…yes, that might have pulled Kylon to Sigilsoara along with his wife.

  That was remarkably bad luck for Talmania. She had summoned Sigilsoara to claim the Ring. Instead, she had accidentally summoned her niece and her estranged nephew, and they had escaped from Sigilsoara with the relic.

  Crailov laughed aloud to himself. That drew a strange look from some of the Voivode’s szlachts, but he didn’t care. They knew better than to challenge him.

  Yes, Crailov would let Caina and the others alone for now.

  But once he talked to Talmania…he thought he knew how the Umbarian provost would react.

  “Kill them,” said the sword. “If the foreign woman is an Arvaltyr, slay her and spill her cursed blood upon the soil of Ulkaar.”

  “Soon,” he murmured, tapping the sword’s pommel.

  It would only be appropriate, he supposed, if Crailov did kill Caina.

  She might carry the Ring of Rasarion Yagar, but Crailov had borne the Sword of the Iron King for nearly a century and a half.

  Chapter 5: Players

  The sun was slipping below the rooftops to the west by the time they returned to the street outside the Szlacht’s Sword.

  Kylon extended his arcane senses, holding the sorcery of water ready as he sought for the presence of reveniri. So far, he felt nothing nearby. As they passed the various Temples of the New City, he sens
ed the faint arcane aura from the limited Words of Lore that the Brothers and Sisters knew. Seb’s emotions were grim since their meeting with Crailov, while Sophia was concerned, and Teodor’s emotional sense felt like a threadbare blanket.

  Yet he felt no reveniri and their carrion spirits, and no hostile sorcery nearby.

  As they returned to the street leading to the Szlacht’s Sword, Kylon saw a crowd exiting the theater across the street. At first, he feared another mob like the one that had taunted Basarab, but the crowd’s emotions were wrong for that. They were in a good mood, chattering among themselves, though there was an undercurrent of tension. The people wanted to get indoors before the sun went down, and Kylon saw that nearly every single man, woman, and child was carrying a sunstone from the Temple.

  He wondered if the sunstones would be effective against the reveniri. Best not to have to find out.

  “They seem in good humor,” said Caina.

  “The play must have been a comedy and not a tragedy,” said Sophia. She frowned. “I never liked the tragedies, but old boyar Vlad preferred them. He said they instilled moral fiber.”

  Seb snorted. “More likely they installed boredom and the uncontrollable urge to sleep. Ulkaari theater is as tedious as it is bloody.”

  “No urge to take in a play, then?” said Kylon.

  “No,” said Seb and Sophia in unison.

  They glanced at each other, and Sophia shrugged.

  “Not a tragedy. I prefer the comedies,” Sophia said at last.

  “No, better retire for the night,” said Seb, glancing at the dimming sky. “If we have an early start tomorrow, I think we will be glad for it.”

  Caina nodded. “Will Crailov attack us in the night?”

  “I doubt it,” said Seb. “If he wanted us dead, he would have pointed us out to the Voivode. Gregor Vagastru could have collected a big favor from the Umbarians if he handed you over to them. Unless someone specifically hires Antonin Crailov to kill you, he’ll leave you alone.”