Free Ghost in the Winds (Ghost Exile #9) by Jonathan Moeller Page B

nodded and scratched his thick beard. “And there are other methods.” 
    He leaned over and whispered in Sulaman’s ear. 
    “My lords and emirs, I beg your indulgence a moment,” said Sulaman. “I will confer with emir Tanzir, Lord Martin, Lady Claudia, Nasser Glasshand, and Lord Kylon for a moment.”
    Kylon blinked. What did Sulaman want with him? 
    He adjusted the valikon in its sheath over his shoulder and followed Sulaman, Tanzir, Martin, Claudia, and Nasser into a nearby tent. The tent’s only furnishing was a long table supporting some maps of Istarinmul. Mazyan had not been invited, but the Oath Shadow planted himself before the flap of the tent, his perpetual scowl unwavering.
    The Emissary had not been invited, either, but she came nonetheless. 
    “What is this about?” said Martin.
    “It is simple, husband,” said Claudia. “We need to get into the city. We can either take the gate by storm…”
    Martin nodded, understanding pulsing through his aura. “Or someone inside the city can open the gate for us.” 
    “But we have no one inside the city…” said Tanzir.
    “The Ghost circle does,” said Kylon, understanding their plan. 
    “Yes,” said Sulaman. “I wish to speak of it among ourselves, among only those of us who know Caina Amalas for who she is. She would not wish her secrets shared so readily.” 
    “She would not,” said Kylon. 
    “I fear it is too late for that,” said Nasser. “The bounty of two million bezants for the death of Caina Amalas, otherwise known as the Balarigar, has been posted for over a year. And by now half of Istarinmul claims they saw her challenge Cassander on the day he nearly destroyed the city.” 
    “That,” said Claudia, “is because she hired that army of circus performers to impersonate her.”
    Tanzir blinked. “Circus performers? Against an Umbarian magus? Truly?” 
    “A long story,” said Nasser, “and one for another time.” 
    “How extensive is her Ghost circle?” said Sulaman. 
    “I do not know,” said Nasser. “Far more extensive than any of us know, I suspect. The woman is as industrious as a hive of bees and the most gifted liar I have ever encountered. She had me convinced that she was a man for nearly a year, and I never suspected the truth. I have no doubt she has informers and agents scattered throughout the city.”
    “Would you know how to contact them?” said Sulaman.
    “I would,” said Kylon. Caina hadn’t told him all the details of her Ghost circle. He suspected she had kept most of those secrets to herself. Yet she had introduced him to Agabyzus, her nightkeeper, and Agabyzus had been the one to puzzle out the essential nature of Cassander’s plan to destroy the city. Kylon had no doubt that Caina had entrusted Agabyzus with authority to act in her absence. 
    “Then you must find your way into the city,” said Sulaman, “and make contact with the Balarigar’s allies.”
    “How will we get him into the city?” said Claudia. “I heard Nasser talk about a secret tunnel once…”
    “It would have been watched by the Teskilati,” said Nasser, “but the Teskilati are no more. Nevertheless, I have no doubt that Callatas has sent someone to guard the tunnel.”
    Kylon laughed despite himself. “You forget. Walls are no obstacle to a stormdancer. I will wait until nightfall, find a quiet section of seaward wall, and go over it. From there I will contact the circle and return by dawn with news.” 
    “Very well,” said Sulaman. “If you are willing to undertake this danger, Lord Kylon, then go with my thanks. Already you have saved my life several times, and if you find a way to open the city’s southern gate, you may well save the lives of thousands of men.”
    “Let us hope,” said Kylon, and he turned to go.
    “Lord Kylon,” said the Emissary.
    Kylon sighed and came to a stop by the flap. 
    “If you would permit, lord Prince,” said Emissary, “I wish a word alone with Lord Kylon