Jonathan Moeller - The Ghosts 08 - Ghost in the Mask (18 page)

“I know,” she said, “that you are right-handed.”

“Because I wear my sword on my left hip,” said Harkus. “Elementary.”

“That,” said Caina, “and the calluses on your right hand. Also, you prefer to thrust your blade, rather than swing.”

Harkus blinked. “That is true.”

“Also, you were in the Legions,” said Caina, “you were married, but your wife is dead, and at some point you were badly wounded in the right knee.”

Harkus was silent for a long moment. “Sage, are you sure she is not a sorceress?”

Corvalis laughed. “No, just observant.”

“You carry your sword like a man trained in the Legions, which means you were taught to thrust through a shield wall,” said Caina, “and you don’t wear a wedding ring, but I can see the mark from it upon your left hand, which makes me believe that the ring is hanging from that cord around your neck. If your wife had left you or you had left her, obviously you would not have kept the ring. And you never put your weight upon your right leg unless you can help it, and you wince when you do. You took a wound there, years ago, and it healed…but it still pains you.”

Harkus stared at her for a moment. “Ten years ago, when the Seventh Legion campaigned against the Arthagi barbarians beyond the Imperial Pale.” Then he offered a deep bow to Caina. “How shall we proceed?”

“We’ll start,” said Caina, “by finding a way into Lady Maena’s camp. If your men saw Sicarion heading into her camp, then she is most likely working with the Moroaica, and probably has a way to survive the effects of Caer Magia. If she has such a way, we’ll take it for ourselves, and enter the city and destroy the weapon of sorcery.”

And find Kylon a blue bloodcrystal. But Talekhris and the Order did not need to know that. 

“Very well,” said Talekhris. “I assume you have an idea on how to enter her camp?”

“I do,” said Caina, “but we can’t do anything about it until tomorrow.” Hopefully it would work. She was sure Claudia would cooperate, but less certain about Lord Martin.

But given the way Martin Dorius looked at Claudia, Caina thought he would listen to any idea coming from Komnene’s apprentice. 

“Good,” said Talekhris. “Harkus will stay at the Inn of the Seven Skulls, along with several of his men. Should you require the assistance of the Order or my aid, contact him.”

“What are you going to do?” said Caina.

“I will do what I have always done,” said Talekhris. “I will seek out the Moroaica. She is here in Calvarium, I am sure of it…and I will find her, and put an end to her evil at last.”

###

An hour later, Caina and Corvalis returned to their bedroom at the Inn of the Seven Skulls. Alexandra had been relieved to see them, almost to the point of tears, and Caina had calmed the girl and sent her to bed.

“Do you trust them?” said Corvalis, closing the shutters and barring them. 

“Not particularly,” said Caina. She pulled off her boots, her leggings, and her robe, dumping them in a corner. She knew she ought to hang the robe up, but she was too tired to care. “This Order of his could be as extensive as he claims…or it might just be his bodyguards.”

“It may be real,” said Corvalis. He removed his gambeson and tunic, revealing the spiraling black tattoos that swirled over the muscles of his torso. An Ulkaari witchfinder had given him those tattoos, and they granted a measure of resistance to sorcery. “When I was among the witchfinders, they spoke of an order that hunted demons and renegade sorcerers. I thought they were exaggerating their own prowess, but perhaps they were speaking of this secret Order of the Venatorii.” 

“Perhaps,” said Caina. Her shift was damp with sweat, and she tugged it off, ignoring the chill of the room. Gods, but she wished the Inn of the Seven Skulls had a proper bath. Still, Komnene had said that Calvarium had a decent enough bathhouse. Perhaps Caina could pay it a visit.

Assuming, of course, that her plan did not get her killed. 

She climbed into bed, and Corvalis joined her.

“I’m sure Harkus has his own agenda,” said Caina, “but Talekhris blames himself for the Moroaica. He will oppose to her to the death.”

“It sounds like he already has,” said Corvalis. “Repeatedly.”

Caina nodded, her eyelids heavy. “So long as we remember that, we can use aid from Talekhris and the Order. Thank you.”

Corvalis blinked. “For what?” 

“For helping me,” said Caina. “For snapping at Harkus when he questioned me. I used to do this kind of thing alone. It is…it is good to have someone with me.” 

She had been with Corvalis for only a year, but it was harder and harder to imagine a life without him.

“You’re welcome,” he said with a laugh. “Just tell me who you want killed, and I’ll have their head on your plate for breakfast.”

She smiled. “Please don’t. It would spoil my appetite. I love you.”

He smiled back. “I love you, too.”

Caina drifted to sleep.

###

Again the strange dream came to her, the storm-tossed sea, the furious sky, her mother in a gold gown standing at the edge of cliff. 

But this time her mother’s eyes blazed with emerald fire.

“This isn’t just a dream, is it?” said Caina.

Laeria Amalas grinned, the glow from her eyes sheathing her pale skin in an eerie glow. “Perhaps you begin to understand.” 

“You’re the Moroaica?” said Caina. “This is one of your games?”

Her mother laughed. “Hardly.” She pointed at the sea. “Look. See for yourself.”

A green glow rose from the depths of the water, the light rippling across the violent waves. It looked as if an inferno of emerald flame blazed below the sea, an inferno that was rising to the surface. 

“Who are you?” said Caina.

“I am,” said Laeria Amalas, “going to fulfill my purpose.”

“And what purpose is that?” said Caina.

Her mother grinned. “I am going to kill the world.”

The dream dissolved, and Caina sank into a black sleep.

Chapter 13 - Failures

Caina’s eyes opened. 

She lifted her head from the pillow. Corvalis lay next to her, his eyes closed. A few faint rays of gray light leaked through the shutters. It was a little past dawn, and they would soon depart to visit Komnene and Claudia. 

She stood, bare feet making no sound against the floorboards. Caina stooped, picked up a shift and a loose robe, and pulled on the garments, watching Corvalis as he breathed. He rarely slept deeply and awoke at the drop of a pin, thanks to his brutal training at the hands of the Kindred. For all her skill at stealth, Caina could rarely get out of bed without waking him, and she felt a brief flush of pride at managing it. 

Then he cracked a single eye and smiled at her. 

“Sleep for a while yet,” said Caina. “I’m going to have breakfast.”

Corvalis smiled again and closed his eyes.

She slipped into the sitting room and closed the door behind her, draping the robe over a chair. 

Then she started to work through her unarmed forms. Her arms and legs moved through the motions she had learned as a child in the Vineyard. Kicks and punches, blocks and holds. A high leg sweep, a middle block, and a low kick. She went through the forms over and over again, the motions imprinted upon her very muscles. Time and time again the knowledge and skill had saved her life. She practiced until her breath came hard and fast, a sheen of sweat beading her forehead.

Perhaps an hour later she finished, sweat dripping down her neck, heart hammering against her ribs.

There as a timid knock against the door. 

Caina raised a hand, ready to reach for a weapon. But it was only Alexandra, carrying a tray in her hands, and the girl’s blue eyes widened when she saw Caina sweating in her shift.

“Mistress Rania,” said Alexandra. “I’m…I’m sorry…I…”

“No, no, come in,” said Caina. “I don’t mind. A bit of exercise always helps loosen the limbs in the morning.”

She spoke in the cold voice of Rania Scorneus, but smiled as she did. Alexandra’s warning had saved her life last night. 

Alexandra managed a tremulous smile. “My father said much the same thing.” She set the tray upon the table. “I brought you breakfast, some sausage and biscuits and hot tea.”

“Thank you,” said Caina. She sat and took a sip of the tea. “This is excellent. And thank you for shouting the warning last night.”

Alexandra looked at her hands. “All those men came into the common room, demanding to know where you were…I feared you would die, mistress. How did you escape them?”

“As it happens,” said Caina, “it was a case of mistaken identity. They thought I was someone else. Once I convinced them of the truth, they apologized, and now we are the best of friends.” 

“Truly?” said Alexandra. “It was that easy?”

“Not really,” said Caina, “but that sums it up.” She gestured at the tray. “This is more food than I can eat. Why don’t you have breakfast at me?”

The prospect of eating with a magus seemed to terrify the girl. “But, mistress, the food is for your captain. I thought he would be with you this morning, since…since…”

Her face turned scarlet. 

Caina raised an eyebrow. “Since we are sharing a bed?”

“Forgive me, mistress,” said Alexandra, staring at her hands. “I…I misspoke, forgive me, I…”

Caina stifled an impulse to laugh. “You didn’t upset me. Why should speaking the truth anger me? Yes, I am sharing a bed with him, and intend to do so for a long time.” 

Alexandra managed a jerky nod. “I…yes, forgive me. Oh, I feel like such an ass. It’s just…your captain is very handsome, and all my wits abandon me when I look at him. Please don’t have me killed for it.”

“If I did,” said Caina, “I would have to have myself executed as well, because I also find him very handsome.” 

Either Alexandra was not a spy, or she was a superbly gifted actress. The poor girl looked like she wanted to die from embarrassment. 

“Please don’t, mistress,” said Alexandra. “I would have to clean up the mess.”

Caina laughed. “Then I shall endeavor not to kill myself.” 

“How did you meet him?” said Alexandra. “If you do not mind my asking.”

“Coincidence,” said Caina. “I was undertaking a task for the Magisterium, as was he, and our paths happened to cross.” It was as much of the truth as she wanted to share. “We survived great danger, and saved each other’s lives. We took a liking to each other and…well, matters took their course.” 

“I know little of such things, I fear,” said Alexandra. 

“You must have had your share of admirers,” said Caina.

“Not very many,” said Alexandra. “My work at the magistrates’ hall keeps me busy, and I have little time to…let matters take their own course.”

“Perhaps your father or your mother could arrange for you to meet someone,” said Caina. 

Alexandra looked away. “My mother died when I was little, and my father died a few years ago.”

“I am sorry,” said Caina. “My father died when I was a child, too.” 

“That is sad,” said Alexandra. “Fortunately, the housekeeper at the magistrates’ hall was a friend of my father, and she took me in after he died. I have been there ever since.” 

“Perhaps,” said Caina, “I can help find you a place.”

Alexandra stiffened. “With the Magisterium? I am not a sorceress, mistress, forgive me.” 

“Not necessarily,” said Caina. “The Magisterium needs housekeepers, too, and cooks and seneschals and maids. And if you have no family, perhaps you do not want to spend the rest of your life in Calvarium.” The Ghosts could find her a place, if she wasn’t a spy for Lord Martin. 

“Thank you, mistress,” said Alexandra. “You are…you are very kind. Forgive me, but all the magi I have met before were cruel.”

“Most of my brothers and sisters in the Magisterium are cruel and arrogant,” said Caina, “but there is enough cruelty in the world, and I see little reason to add to it.”

“That is kind,” said Alexandra. “I think the world is a cruel place, and sometimes I fear the gods let us suffer for their own amusement.” 

“I don’t know if that is true,” said Caina, thinking of the things the Moroaica had told her, “but I have heard others say the same thing.” 

“You are kind, mistress,” said Alexandra, and for the first time a genuine smile flashed over her face. “And you deserve a handsome man to share your bed.”

“High praise,” said Caina with a laugh. “Go and get yourself some breakfast, and then come back in an hour to help me dress.”

Alexandra bowed and left the room, and a few moments later Corvalis emerged from the bedroom, barefoot in his trousers and shirt. 

“Good morning,” said Caina.

“Good morning,” said Corvalis, and he kissed her, his stubble rough against her chin. “That sounded like quite a discussion.” 

She grinned. “Were you spying?”

“We’re Ghosts. We don’t do anything but spy,” said Corvalis. “But, no, I wasn’t listening. Your voices woke me up.”

“I think Alexandra is in love with you,” said Caina.

Corvalis raised an eyebrow. “Well, of course she is. Why wouldn’t she be?”

She gave him a gentle smack on the shoulder. “Braggart. If we live through this, and she’s not spying for someone else, I might find her a place with the Ghosts.”

“She did help save our lives last night,” said Corvalis.

Caina nodded, some of her good mood draining away.

Alexandra might have saved their lives, but Anashir and Maena still sought the secrets of Caer Magia…and many more lives would be lost if they succeeded.

###

Kylon watched the streets of Calvarium through the coach’s windows. The town was a grim place, with its hulking menhirs and dolmens of rough-hewn stone, the countless skulls gazing down from the niches. 

It fitted his mood.

The carriage came to a stop before a narrow merchant’s shop, and Kylon saw dried herbs and plants hanging in the windows.

“We’re here,” said Caina. “Remember if anyone asks, you have agreed to assist my investigation in hopes of gaining favor with the Magisterium and the Emperor.”

“I will remember,” said Kylon. “There’s no need to remind me.”