Free Ghost in the Storm (The Ghosts) by Jonathan Moeller

soldiers. 
    A trumpet blast rang out, and Caina saw the Istarish soldiers and Kyracian ashtairoi move into formation. Rezir Shahan and his Kyracian allies were preparing to march up the Avenue of Governors. No doubt he intended to seize the Plaza of the Tower - from there, he could attack the Citadel and the city’s gates. 
    "Which unit are you from?" said the khalmir.
    Caina opened her mouth to answer.
    "No matter. You're part of mine now," said the khalmir. "Welcome to the ninth company, dog. Try to run, and I'll have your head."
    "As you say, sir," said Caina, her mind racing. If the Istarish were preparing to attack, the khalmir would be too busy to track down one deserter. Which gave Caina an opportunity. If she could slip away and conceal herself, she could wait until the bulk of force had moved up the Avenue of Governors. Only a few men would remain to guard the captives. Then Caina could find Nicolai, take him, and escape. 
    The khalmir led her to a company at the rear of the Istarish formation. To her left, she saw a warehouse fronting on the Market, its doors torn away, the crates inside shattered and in disarray. No doubt the Istarish soldiers had already looted it. It would make a perfect place for concealment. 
    "Form up, dogs!" yelled the khalmir. "Ninth company, form up! Come on, you laggards, form up!" The men hastened to obey, and Caina found herself between two hulking soldiers. She was not tall, and almost all the soldiers stood taller than she did. Hopefully, the khalmir would not notice. "March!"
    The company marched forward, and Caina kept pace with them. The looted warehouse drew closer. If she was going to break away, she needed to do so now. 
    So she tripped. 
    She fell flat upon her face, the leather of her gauntlets scraping against the ground. The soldier behind her stumbled over her outstretched leg, and crashed headfirst into the next rank. The company dissolved into chaos, men shouting curses at each other, and the khalmir bellowing threats.
    Caina moved.
    She rolled to a crouch, taking a quick look around. The men climbed out of their tangle, cursing, while the khalmir shouted instructions, bashing any laggards with his shield. No one paid any attention to Caina. She darted forward and ducked into the looted warehouse. Smashed and empty crates lay everywhere, light shining through sun wells in the roof. Caina crouched behind an empty crate and waited.
    For a moment no one appeared.
    Then the khalmir and another soldier appeared in the door.
    "That damned deserter," said the khalmir. "If the company is under strength, the emir will have our heads. Find him! Now!" 
    The officer moved to the left, while the soldier walked along the right wall. 
    She remained motionless, slipping a throwing knife into her hand. 
    The soldier moved past the crate, looking back and forth. Caina circled around him, her boots making no sound against the floor. She leaned up, clapped her left hand over the soldier's mouth, even as her right raked the blade across his throat. Blood gushed over her fingers, and the soldier struggled, almost wrenching from her grasp...but not for very long. 
    He went limp, and Caina eased him to the floor. 
    It had taken no more than a few heartbeats. 
    Caina glided across the warehouse floor, still moving soundlessly, the dripping knife in her hand. The khalmir stalked through the crates, poking them with the butt of his spear.
    Caina tapped him on the shoulder.
    "Sir," she said, "the deserter."
    He turned, and Caina punched him in the stomach. As he doubled over, she seized the spike on his helmet, wrenched his head back, and opened his throat. 
    A moment later he joined the soldier on the floor.
    Caina straightened up, breathing hard. She glanced toward the warehouse door, but saw no other soldiers. No doubt the khalmir had sent his company on its march before returning to find the deserter. His men would probably assume that he had deserted, ironically enough.
    She looked