(eng) Jonathan Moeller - Ghost Book 3.5-6 by unknow

Author:unknow
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17 – Crawling Shadows

Night had fallen by the time Theodosia and Marzhod reached Nadirah’s parlor.

Caina again wore the robes and weapons of a Sarbian mercenary. Corvalis had returned to his usual chain mail and cloak, his weapons at his belt. He seemed ill at ease, his hand twitching toward his sword hilt again and again.

She could not blame him.

Mhadun sat slumped on a wooden chair in the center of the room, chin resting upon his chest. Ropes bound his legs and arms to the chair, a gag sealed his mouth, and a blindfold covered his eyes. Nadirah had drawn intricate circles and symbols in chalk around him, and candles burned upon certain glyphs. She claimed that the chalk circles were part of a warding spell that would keep the master magus’s powers at bay.

Nadirah walked in a slow, constant circle around Mhadun, humming to herself, her heels clicking against the floor. She wore an elaborate gown, red with intricate patterns in yellow upon the sleeve and bodice. Jewels glittered on her fingers and at her throat, and a delicate net of silver chains covered her hair. She looked every inch the daughter of Anshani nobility.

She walked in a circle around Mhadun…and her shadow remained motionless upon him, twisting around him like the shadow of a sundial.

“Gods and devils, but that’s uncanny,” muttered Corvalis.

“I can hear you,” said Nadirah.

“I know that,” said Corvalis.

“Do you fear the shadows so much, assassin?” murmured Nadirah, her black eyes falling upon him. She looked bewitching and beautiful.

But Corvalis’s grim expression did not change, and he met her gaze without expression. “The shadows are a tool to me, like any other. But I take caution against what might wait in the shadows. Such as a master magus who will try to kill us all as soon as he wakes up.”

“A prudent man,” said Nadirah. “So rare. But you needn’t fear, assassin. My power is more than sufficient to keep this fool’s strength at bay.”

“As you say,” said Corvalis, though he kept his hand on his sword hilt and his eyes on Mhadun.

“The shadows are tangled,” murmured Nadirah, still circling the magus. “So many potential futures lie before us, but all of them point to one fate. The destruction of Cyrica Urbana, the annihilation of this ancient city. Cyrioch is old, so old, and has left a deep shadow upon the netherworld. Yet both this city and its shadow will be swept away in the twinkling of an eye. How the spirits whisper! Even they are fearful of what is coming.”

“Do all occultists,” said Caina, “have such a flair for the theatrical?”

To her surprise, Nadirah grinned, and for a moment the expression made her look less ominous. “You are astute, dark one. Often the occultists of Anshan employ trickery, to keep the ignorant rabble in awe of their abilities.” She shivered. “But I could no more deceive one of your power than the darkness could keep sunlight at bay.”

“Your power?” said Corvalis. “Don’t tell me you’re a sorceress as well?” He smirked.

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