Free Jonathan Moeller - The Ghosts 05 - Ghost in the Stone by Jonathan Moeller Page B

owner,” said Theodosia, “was an Anshani occultist of particular power and cruelty. Marzhod faked his death rather effectively, but if that occultist ever learns that he is still alive…well, Marzhod will regret it. For years, I expect.” 
    Marzhod said nothing. 
    “So,” said Theodosia. “We are going to play nicely. I trust that is understood?” 
    “Very well,” said Marzhod, though a muscle near his eye trembled with rage.
    Caina lowered the crossbow, but did not put it down. Marzhod sat behind his desk.
    “So,” he said. “Did you figure out what happened to Barius yet?”
    “No,” said Caina. “I went to his shop, but he had been turned to stone. A Kindred assassin waited for me in the street, but escaped before I could kill him. He tried to kill Lord Corbould at the Amphitheatre of Asurius. I stopped him and he got away from me…but when I found him something had turned him to stone.” 
    “Pity,” said Marzhod. “I was hoping you would figure it out and spare me the trouble. Because I don’t have a single damned idea what happened to Barius.” 
    “The local chapter of the Magisterium?” said Caina.
    Marzhod shook his head. “I doubt it. The local magi are unpleasant, but they’re…rigid. Conservative, let us say. They approve of slaves, unlike your honorable self, but they do not approve of the forbidden arcane sciences. Ranarius has executed at least five magi for delving into forbidden sciences, and those are only the ones I know about.” 
    “What about the Kindred?” said Theodosia. “Have you had any luck determining who hired them to kill Lord Corbould?” 
    “Not yet,” said Marzhod. “My spies have made some progress. We’ve been able to identify some members of the local Kindred family, and have kept watch over them.”
    “A dangerous business,” said Caina. 
    “Of course it is dangerous,” said Marzhod. “But if any of those Kindred move against Lord Corbould, we’ll know. But we don’t know who hired them, or where their local Haven is.” 
    “No shame in that,” said Theodosia. “The Ghosts have never been able to find the Kindred Haven in Malarae. I suppose the Cyrioch Haven would be hidden just as capably.”
    “There are indications, though,” said Marzhod, “that the Kindred were also hired to kill Lord Khosrau.” 
    “What?” said Caina. “But they’ve been trying to kill Lord Corbould. First in Malarae, and then again in Cyrioch. We thought Lord Khosrau had hired them to kill Corbould.” She thought it through. “But that makes sense, doesn’t it? If someone really wanted Cyrica to rebel against the Empire, they’d have the Kindred assassinate Lord Khosrau during Corbould’s visit. Corbould would take the blame, and the Cyrican nobles would revolt or join Istarinmul.” 
    “Then why hire them to kill Lord Corbould at the same time?” said Theodosia. 
    “Perhaps a foreign power hired the assassins,” said Marzhod. “The Istarish would love to claim Cyrica for themselves, and the Shahenshah of Anshan ruled Cyrica for centuries.” 
    “Could Lord Khosrau have hired them?” said Caina. “He might have paid the Kindred to kill Lord Corbould and fake an attempt on his life. Then he could claim to be the wronged party.”
    “Perhaps,” said Marzhod. “But I doubt it. Khosrau, from what I have observed, is…settled, shall we say. He neither wishes to lead a revolt nor to become King of Cyrica. What he wants is for tomorrow to be much the same as yesterday.” 
    “Armizid, then?” said Caina. 
    “Armizid is a brainless puppet,” said Marzhod. “He is incapable of wiping his own arse without getting permission from his father.” He snorted. “I asked Halfdan for capable assistance, and instead he sends an opera singer and a girl who asks moronic questions. Truly the safety of the Empire is in capable hands.” 
    “Manners, Marzhod,” said Theodosia. “I think it is safe to assume the Kindred assassins are connected to