Read Online Ghost in the Inferno (Ghost Exile #5) by Jonathan Moeller - Free Book Online Page A

suspect that is why he was forced to accept the position of one of the Lieutenant of the Inferno’s khalmirs. Probably to pay his debts, or most likely to protect him from his creditors. A magistrate of the Padishah’s government cannot be prosecuted for debt until his term of office expires. Which is why so many of the hakims and wazirs hold onto their magistracies as long as…ah.”
    His dark eyes narrowed, and he nodded.
    “What is it?” said Caina. Agabyzus was clever, and had a knack for discerning the truth from scraps of information. Given the other things she had asked him to do, it was likely he had realized what she planned. 
    “You don’t care about Kuldan Cimak,” said Agabyzus in a low voice. “You are more interested in his new office.”
    Caina nodded. “The less you know, the better. We are playing a game with high stakes.”
    “I understand,” said Agabyzus. “And if your work is indeed taking you to the Inferno…you are playing a surpassingly deadly game.”
    “What can you tell me about the Inferno?” said Caina.
    “Very little myself,” said Agabyzus. “Only rumor and hearsay. It is a name of dread among the Istarish, for those who enter the fortress never return. But that is why you had me bring Moryzai here, was it not? To speak with him of his experiences?”
    “It was,” said Caina. “I would like to talk to him at once, if possible.”
    “It has been arranged,” said Agabyzus, gathering up his papers.
    “Wait,” said Caina, thinking of some of the things Morgant and Samnirdamnus had told her. 
    Agabyzus went motionless. 
    “How likely,” said Caina at last, “do you think the possibility of civil war within Istarinmul?”
    Agabyzus considered the question. “Increasingly likely.”
    “Why?” said Caina. 
    “Because we have no Padishah,” said Agabyzus. “At least not one who exerts a visible hand. Nahas Tarshahzon disappeared years ago, as did his sons. The Grand Wazir and the Grand Master claim to rule in his name, but…well, they are not the Padishah. If we had a Padishah, a strong Padishah, he could bring the emirs and the Brotherhood to heel. Erghulan Amirasku likes to think of himself as first among equals, but the other emirs…”
    “Place rather more emphasis on the ‘equal’ part, I imagine,” said Caina. 
    “You imagine correctly,” said Agabyzus. “And Erghulan sides with the interests of the Brotherhood and the Grand Master. The southern emirs have never liked the northern nobles, and Erghulan is of the north. Sooner or later Istarinmul is going to explode.”
    Caina nodded, closed her eyes, and opened them again. “Did we do this?”
    “I’m sorry?” said Agabyzus. 
    “Did we start the civil war?” said Caina. “With the…things that we have done?”
    With the things that she had done, the choices she had made. 
    Agabyzus mulled the question for a moment.
    “Start it?” said Agabyzus. “Well, no war has begun yet. We haven’t started anything. Did we accelerate it? Certainly. War would have come eventually, but I daresay we sped it up.”
    “I see,” said Caina, keeping the guilt from her face. 
    “But it is better this way, I deem,” said Agabyzus. “If the southern emirs had risen against the Brotherhood and Callatas a few years ago, they would have been crushed utterly. Now, though…now the Brotherhood has been weakened, and in their desperation they have made many enemies. When the war comes, Callatas and Erghulan and the Brotherhood shall have far fewer allies.” He lowered his voice. “And we know the true reason for the Grand Master’s actions, do we not? With that knowledge, we have a better chance of victory.”
    Caina nodded. She had not considered it in that light. Part of her wondered if it was a simple justification, but Agabyzus’s logic rang true. 
    “One other thing before we talk with Moryzai,” said Caina. She drew out the curved little knife from the valikon’s bundle and placed it on the table.