Jonathan Moeller - The Ghosts 07 - Ghost in the Ashes (26 page)

“Go!” said Corvalis, urging her forward.

Caina half-ran, half-stumbled forward, and then the reservoir pool exploded. 

A wave of hot water smashed into her like a burning fist and knocked her to the ground. Caina rolled over, grabbing at Corvalis and digging her boots against the rough street to keep from being washed away. A plume of steam erupted from the reservoir, lit from within by a golden radiance. Caina’s skin crawled with the presence of terrible arcane force, nausea twisting her stomach and pain stabbing in her head.

But the power faded away, the golden light winking out, and the only noise was the steady hiss of steam rising from the reservoir pool.         

Caina felt a hand upon her shoulder.

“Are you all right?” said Corvalis, helping her to stand.

Caina blinked, lightheaded, and leaned on Corvalis as the world spun around her. “I’ve never been better. Tonight I’ve almost been stabbed, shot, set on fire, consumed by giant fish-monsters, burned alive, and then boiled. Truly, it’s been delightful.”

She was babbling, she realized, but was too woozy from the heat to care.

“Fish-monsters?” said Corvalis.

Armor clattered as the Imperial Guards climbed to their feet, their black cuirasses glistening with condensation. Tylas shook his head, his helm’s plume hanging limp against his armor. Caina stared forward, Corvalis following her.

“Ghost,” said Tylas.

“Centurion,” said Caina. “Be ready to shoot Sinan if he is still alive.”

But she looked into the reservoir and realized that would not be necessary. 

Almost two-thirds of the water had boiled away in the backlash of power, and what remained of Ibrahmus Sinan floated in the rest. The half-completed healing had twisted him further, transforming him into a creature that looked like a random assortment of body parts. Dozens of black eyes glared up at Caina from a score of heads.

All of them unblinking and dead. 

“Gods,” muttered Tylas. “If an Alchemist ever offers me a vial of that damned Elixir, I’ll cut off his head first.”

“Good choice,” said Caina. “He was afraid to die. But he was wrong. There are worse things than dying.”

“Clearly,” said Tylas.

Lord Titus, Halfdan, Muravin, and Tanzir joined them at the edge of the pool.

“Is it over?” said Tanzir. 

“Aye,” said Caina. “He’s dead.”

“A dire way to die,” said Muravin. “I would not wish it upon any man.” He spat upon the misshapen corpse. “But after what he did to my daughters, he deserved no less.” 

“By the Living Flame,” said Tanzir. “I owe you my life, Ghosts. It is just…I cannot believe it is over and I am still alive. I was certain I would die here.”

“Everyone dies,” said Caina, “but we won’t die quite yet.” 

Chapter 25 - Those Who Will Carry On When We Are Gone

Caina collapsed soon after returning home with Corvalis. At first she thought the heat of the reservoir had dehydrated her. But she did not know how long she had spent in the netherworld, and the experience had drained her strength. 

Caina slept for the better part of two days, strange dreams flitting through her mind. She saw the Sacellum of the Living Flame again, the phobomorphic spirits, the Keeper taunting her as it wore her face. Sinan appeared, screaming and cursing as his body reshaped itself in golden fire. 

She awoke drenched in sweat, got up long enough to drink some water, and then fell into a black and dreamless sleep.

Late she awoke with the sun in her eyes. It was well past dawn, to judge from the light streaming through the balcony doors. How long had she lain abed at home? Two days? It…

She blinked again.

When had she started thinking of this townhouse as home? 

The door opened, and Corvalis strode into the bedroom, again wearing the black coat and trousers of a prosperous merchant. One of the maids walked behind him, carrying a tray of food. The maid set the tray beside the bed and hurried away, leaving Caina alone with Corvalis. 

“How do you feel?” said Corvalis, sitting on the edge of the bed.

“Sore,” said Caina, examining the tray, “and hungry enough to kill a horse with my own hands.” There was bacon and cheese on the tray, along with a mug of steaming coffee. “Thank you for bringing me breakfast, by the way.”  

She took a drink of coffee and started on the food. 

“There’s more if you want it,” said Corvalis. “Given how long you were asleep. And…however long you were in the netherworld.”

Caina hesitated, nodded, and took another drink of coffee. 

“How long were you there?” said Corvalis. “Tanzir said it took an instant, but Claudia told me that time flows differently in the netherworld.”

“It does,” said Caina. “I don’t know how long. Maybe a day? Maybe longer. It’s…not a good place, Corvalis. Sinan was a coward and a murderer, but I understand why he didn’t want to go there.”

“I am just glad,” said Corvalis, “that you are safe.” He hesitated. “I should have not let you go alone.” 

Caina laughed and ate a piece of bacon. “That was my decision. You couldn’t have stopped me.” 

“I suppose not,” said Corvalis. He looked at her, face grave. “It is all because of you, you know.”

“Because of what?” said Caina, taking another sip of coffee. Gods, but Shaizid made good coffee. 

“That I am still alive,” said Corvalis, “that Tanzir Shahan is still alive, that Muravin and his daughter and his grandson escaped from Sinan.”

Caina shrugged. “We were lucky. We could all be dead just as easily. And if not for you, the Immortals or the Kindred would have gutted me any number of times.”

“Aye,” said Corvalis, “I have the stronger sword arm, Caina Amalas, but not the stronger brain. Your mind puzzled this out. If not for you, Tanzir and Mahdriva and her son would be dead, the war with Istarinmul would continue, and Sinan would be immortal.”

Caina laughed. “You are flattering me.”

“No,” said Corvalis. “I’m not.” His hand, strong and hard with calluses from sword work, took her free hand. “I am many things, but a flatterer is not one of them.” His green eyes looked almost haunted. “This will sound strange…but watching you go with Muravin to the Lord Ambassador’s mansion was one of the harder things I’ve done.”

“Why?” said Caina, puzzled. “As it turned out, it was the right thing to do.”

“Because I love you,” said Corvalis, “and I don’t want you to die.”

Caina looked away, her eyes stinging.

“I love you, too,” she said, “and you are too kind to me. Too kind by far.”

She loved Corvalis, loved him as she had not loved anyone else…but her answer to the Keeper of the Sacellum of the Living Flame had been a true one. She loved Corvalis, but if he betrayed the Ghosts, if he sided with the Magisterium, she could kill him. 

Corvalis laughed. “Why do you think I am too kind to you?”

“Because I am a killer,” said Caina.

Corvalis snorted. “So I am. And a darker one than you. You were never a Kindred assassin.”

“The Keeper asked me a question,” said Caina.

“The Keeper?” said Corvalis.

“A spirit I saw in the netherworld,” said Caina. “It asked me a question, and I had to answer it truly or perish.”

“What did it ask?” said Corvalis.

“If I could kill you if you betrayed the Ghosts,” said Caina, the words tumbling out of her. “And I said yes.”

She stared at Corvalis, waiting for his reaction. She expected him to get angry. Or for his face to go blank, the way it did when he was hurt. The Kindred had taught him to mask his emotions, to ignore them when necessary.

Instead he only laughed.

Caina blinked in surprise.

“Of course you could,” said Corvalis. “I love you, but you frighten me a little. I know you could kill me if I betrayed the Ghosts.” He laughed again.

“Why are you laughing?” said Caina, annoyed. “It’s not funny!”

“It is,” said Corvalis. “You don’t understand. My father and the Kindred turned me into a weapon, and I have become a weapon for the Ghosts. But I’m not loyal to the Ghosts. Or to Halfdan. Or to the Emperor and his Empire, and certainly not to the Magisterium and the Kindred.”

“Then who holds your loyalty?” said Caina.

“You do,” said Corvalis. “I serve the Ghosts as long as you do, Caina, because…well, because I suppose you own my heart now. If you want a man’s head on a platter tomorrow, I’ll bring it to you with an apple stuffed in his mouth.”

Caina felt herself smile. “Don’t do that. It would be a waste of a good apple.”

They looked at each other in silence for a moment, and Caina squeezed his fingers.

“We should stop talking about this,” said Corvalis. “You’re weeping, and you’ll lose too much water and pass out again.”

“I am not weeping,” said Caina, and she rubbed at her eyes. “How is the House of Kularus?”

“Almost repaired,” said Corvalis. “Shaizid hired men from the carpenters’ collegium to rebuild the doors. He’ll get a good price out of them. Gods, but that mouse has some acid on his tongue when he thinks someone is trying to cheat you.” He grinned. “I told everyone that Sonya Tornesti was so overwhelmed by the vandalism that she took to her bed and has not stirred from it in days.”

“Good,” said Caina. “Where is Tanzir staying? I suppose the mansion was wrecked?” 

“It was,” said Corvalis, “and half of it burned down anyway. Tanzir’s staying at the Black Cuirass Inn, with some of Tylas’s men keeping watch over him.” Caina nodded. The Ghosts secretly owned the Black Cuirass Inn, and Tanzir would be safe there. “The negotiations are finished, and Tanzir and the Emperor will formally declare peace tomorrow at the Praetorian Basilica.” 

Caina nodded. “And Mahdriva. She…”

She frowned, working through some of the things that Corvalis had already said. 

“Gods!” said Caina. “Mahdriva had her baby, didn’t she? A son! And you didn’t tell me?”

Corvalis grinned. “Why? I don’t need to tell you anything. You figure it out on your own, don’t you? But, yes, Mahdriva had a son. She’s staying with Ark and Tanya at the foundry. Feels safer there. Both Mahdriva and the child are healthy.” He shook his head. “The boy can scream, though…I didn’t think anything that small could be that loud.”  

“I’m glad,” said Caina. 

And she was. Sinan might have claimed Ardaiza’s and Ranai’s children…but he would never touch Mahdriva’s son.

###

The next day the House of Kularus reopened, having repaired the damage from the peculiar burglary attempt. The tribune Tomard of the civic militia had inspected the damage and the corpses, and declared that two rival gangs of thieves had tried to break into the House. Anton Kularus and his workers were clear of all wrongdoing. 

Merchants and lords packed the tables and booths, all of them scheming. Now that peace with Istarinmul had come, the trade routes to Anshan, Alqaarin, and Istarinmul itself were open once more, and a bold man might reap a fortune. 

Caina watched the crowds, wearing again the rich gowns and jewels of Sonya Tornesti. She stood at Corvalis’s side as he spoke with Shaizid.

A short time later their guest arrived.

“Master Anton,” said Tanzir Shahan, Halfdan and a trio of Imperial Guards trailing after him. “It is good to see you again.”

“And it is good to see you healthy and well, my lord emir,” said Corvalis. “I heard you suffered some most…vigorous attempts on your life.”

“I did,” said Tanzir. “But I had the help of some capable benefactors.” He looked at Caina and smiled. “Without them I would be dead. Or I would have given up and waited for my foes to slay me.”

Caina smiled back. “Your benefactors, I am sure they were only doing their duty, yes?”

“Indeed,” said Halfdan. “Shall we sit?” 

They took their table, the Imperial Guards watching for attackers, and Shaizid’s maids hurried forward with a tray of coffee.

“I confess I shall miss this place,” said Tanzir, sipping from his cup. He sighed. “It is certainly more pleasant than most of Istarinmul. And Mother and Morazir will be disappointed I survived.” He grinned. “I look forward to seeing the expressions on their faces.” His smile faded. “Though I suppose they will simply try to kill me again.”

“You should do something about that,” said Halfdan. 

Tanzir shook his head. “I don’t know what I can do.”

“You could have them killed,” said Caina.

Tanzir looked at her, shocked. “My mother?”

“You are the emir of the Vale of Fallen Stars,” said Caina. “You know they tried to have you killed. You would be well within your rights to execute them. And if you do not want that…well, you have done a great service for your Padishah, have you not? I think he would be inclined to do you a favor.”

Tanzir opened his mouth to argue…but Caina saw something harden behind his black eyes. He nodded, stroked his beard for a moment, and then nodded again. “I believe, Sonya Tornesti…I believe you are right. As you have been right about many other things.” 

“Perhaps,” said Caina. “Living is fighting. And I do not think you are ready to die just quite yet, my lord emir.”

“No,” said Tanzir. “No, I am not.” He smiled at Caina, and then looked at Halfdan. “Master Basil, you should know that I am grateful for my life. Know that the Ghosts have a friend in Istarinmul. I will not betray my nation, of course…”

“Nor would I ask it of you,” said Halfdan.

“But you now number an emir of Istarinmul among your friends,” said Tanzir. “And there are many men like Rezir Shahan and Ibrahmus Sinan in the Padishah’s lands. Should you need my help against them, you need only ask.” 

“There is,” said Caina, “one favor you could do us.”

“Of course,” said Tanzir.

“I understand that there are many coffee plantations in the Vale of Fallen Stars?” said Caina.

Tanzir nodded. “For centuries. Do not let the Anshani fool you. Istarish coffee is the finest in the world.”

“The Empire has never shown much interest in coffee before,” said Caina, “but you have seen the House of Kularus, and now that there is peace with Istarinmul…well, there is an opportunity here. I think you might sell your coffee to the House of Kularus, and we both shall profit.”

And the Ghosts would gain that many more eyes and ears in Istarinmul.

“Of course,” said Tanzir, “but…should I not be speaking to Master Anton of this?”

Corvalis laughed. “You might be an emir, my lord, but you’re not terribly observant.”

Tanzir frowned, looked at Caina…and then comprehension spread over his face.

“Ah,” he said. “Well. Shall we haggle, then?”

###

Later that afternoon Caina walked into Tanya and Ark’s guest room.

Mahdriva lay propped up by pillows, face tired and wan but…satisfied. Content, even. Muravin stood near the window, and he, too, looked as close to happy as Caina had ever seen him. Tanya sat next to the bed, talking with Mahdriva.

Mahdriva’s son lay in her arms, black eyes darting back and forth. 

“Mistress Sonya!” said Mahdriva with a smile. “You came. Are you well? After the…the fighting at the emir’s mansion, I feared you would not recover.”

“Just in need of some rest, that’s all,” said Caina. “How are you?”

“Tired. But well,” said Mahdriva. “My son, he does not like to sleep through the night.”

Tanya laughed. “They never do.”

“The birth was very hard,” said Mahdriva. “I thought he would rip me in half…”

“I heard,” said Muravin. “There were men in the fighting pits who did not scream so loud.”

“But then I heard him crying, and it was over,” said Mahdriva. “Or it was just beginning.” She raised the baby. “Would you like to hold him?”

Caina smiled. “I would.”

She took the child in her arms, cradling his head in the crook of her left elbow. He looked at her solemnly, reaching for her with his stubby arms. Caina held out her right hand, and his small hand wrapped around her fingers.

“He has a strong grip,” she murmured.

Muravin laughed. “He is my grandson.”

“I named him in your honor,” said Mahdriva, voice quiet. “Sonyar.” 

Caina looked at Mahdriva in surprise. 

“For Sonyar would not be here, if not for your help,” said Mahdriva. “None of us would. Thank you.” 

Caina nodded and looked away, blinking. Gods, but she had become as weepy as a child lately. 

“I shall have to find work,” said Muravin. “I have a daughter and a grandson to support properly.”

“Fear not,” said Caina. “The Ghosts will find a place for you. We have many friends in the city…and we could always use a few more. You will help us as we move against men like Sinan.”

“An easy enough price to pay,” said Muravin. 

Sonyar tugged on Caina’s hand and stuck her finger into his mouth.

“Ah,” said Tanya with a laugh. “I think he’s hungry.”

“Here,” said Caina, handing the boy back to Mahdriva. “He is a beautiful child.”

Mahdriva smiled. “He looks like his father. Oh, but I wish he could have been here for this.”