Read Online Jonathan Moeller - The Ghosts 09 - Ghost in the Surge by Jonathan Moeller - Free Book Online Page B

help, Caina. I have nightfighters that are better with blades and bows, but none as clever and observant as you.”
    “I think you overstate my abilities,” said Caina. “And Ranarius and Sicarion will not scruple at any crime to get at me. The best thing I can do, I think, is go alone and lure them into a trap in an isolated place. Away from anyone else they could hurt.”
    Corvalis frowned. “Certainly you will not do it alone.”
    “It’s for the best,” said Caina. “Sicarion and Ranarius both want you dead. If you…”
    Corvalis started to argue, but Halfdan’s quiet voice cut him off.
    “Actually,” said Halfdan, “you could cut your throat right now, and the Emperor would be in just as much danger from the Moroaica’s servants.”
    “Why?” said Caina.
    “Because,” said Halfdan, “I suspect the Moroaica will cast her great work in New Kyre.”
    “Why New Kyre?” said Caina. “Why not Marsis or Malarae?”
    “I don’t know,” said Halfdan. “We don’t even know what this ‘great work’ of hers is, properly speaking, a spell or a ritual or something else, only that she means to remake the world and wage war upon the gods.”
    “But how do you know it is going to be in New Kyre?” said Caina.
    “You met the Order of the Venatorii in Calvarium?” said Halfdan.
    “I did.” Caina felt herself scowl. “They thought I was the Moroaica and tried to kill me. But I do not think we could have overcome Rhames and Maena without their help.”
    “The high circlemasters of the Ghosts have dealt with the Venatorii in the past,” said Halfdan. “But until you met Talekhris, we never knew that he had founded them to oppose the Moroaica. And it is well you did. I have received a message from Talekhris and the Order.”
    “You have?” said Caina, surprised. The Ghosts were the eyes and ears of the Emperor, but the Order of the Venatorii hunted sorcerous predators and corrupt sorcerers. The Venatorii cared little for politics, and nothing at all for the war between the Empire and New Kyre. “What did he say?”
    “That he believed the Moroaica will cast her great work in New Kyre within weeks,” said Halfdan, “and that he has found a way to kill the Moroaica.”
    Caina blinked, unsure that she had heard correctly.
    “Truly?” she said. “To kill her permanently? She will not be able to take another body?”
    The creature known as the Moroaica had once been a timid, frightened girl named Malifae. The dark necromancy of ancient Maat had twisted her, transforming her into one of the Undying, to serve as the concubine of an undead pharaoh for all time. But the pharaoh had also been buried with a complete library of the sorcery of the Great Necromancers of Maat, and Malifae had been studious. She had destroyed the pharaoh and freed herself from the tomb, and then razed the Kingdom of the Rising Sun in vengeance for what had happened to her murdered father. But that was not enough. She was undead, her free will gone and her heart frozen, and she had continued her quest for vengeance across the millennia, finally deciding to make the gods pay for the sufferings of mankind.
    So the spirit of Horemb, the Moroaica’s long-dead father, had told Caina. 
    “Yes,” said Halfdan. “Talekhris claims to have found a way to destroy her at last, a way that will keep her from ever taking a new body.” 
    Corvalis snorted. “I don’t suppose the letter happened to say how to do it?” 
    “No,” said Halfdan. “But apparently the Moroaica becomes vulnerable during the casting of her great work. Talekhris claimed he would tell me more when he met with us in person. He will arrive tonight and meet us here, accompanied by Harkus of the Venatorii. And then,” he spread his hands, “and then we shall see.”
    Caina said nothing. 
    “When Ranarius and Sicarion find you,” said Halfdan, “you will have a better chance with aid at your side. Talekhris’s sorcery is mighty.”
    “It hasn’t stopped