Exile of the Ghosts by Jonathan Moeller

Author:Jonathan Moeller
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: caina amalas, the ghosts, kylon, morgant the razor
Publisher: Jonathan Moeller

###

The mansion was in an uproar.

The Imperial Guards were furious when they awakened, and started sweeping the mansion, searching every nook and cranny. I felt light-headed after the confrontation with Khardav, and Martin took me to the solar, departing to supervise the Imperial Guards.

Markaine and Caina remained with me as I held the vial of purple liquid in my hands, concentrating my spells upon it.

“It is definitely an alchemical elixir,” said Caina. “I can sense that much. I’m not sure what it does, though.”

Markaine shrugged. “I’ve seen elixirs like it before, though I cannot place it.”

I eyed him for a moment. “You’re not really a painter, aren’t you?”

He grinned. “Of course I am. I’m the best painter in Istarinmul.”

“Fine,” I said. “You’re not just a painter, are you?”

The pale blue eyes flashed a little. “Let’s just say I’m a man who keeps his promises.”

“Very well,” I said. “Then keep your secrets along with your promises.” I cast another sensing spell, focusing upon the nature of the alchemical sorcery within the elixir.

“Oh, but I like her,” said Markaine to Caina.

“We’ve been through quite a lot together,” said Caina.

There was an understatement.

Suddenly my spell came into focus, and I understood the nature of the sorcery within the elixir.

“Oh,” I said, my cheeks coloring with embarrassment.

“What is it?” said Caina.

I set the vial gingerly upon the table. “The elixir. It’s not dangerous. It’s not even all that powerful.”

“What does it do?” said Caina.

“Well,” I said. “Let us just say…” I considered my words for a moment. “Let’s just say that if Caina or I drank it, it would do nothing at all. But if a man drank this elixir, it would augment his…ah, prowess for a few hours.”

Both Caina and Markaine stared at me.

Then Markaine threw back his head and laughed, slapping the table. “You mean we almost killed over some long-dead necromancer’s elixir of virility?”

“Then it’s not a weapon of sorcery?” said Caina. She seemed more annoyed than amused.

“Not in the least,” I said. “We probably did Khardav a favor by scaring him off. Cassander would be furious once he found out he expended all this effort to acquire a useless elixir.”

“Well, not necessarily useless,” said Markaine, still chuckling, “depending on the state of Cassander’s health.”

The door opened, and Martin strode into the solar, accompanied by Tylas, the centurion in charge of the Imperial Guards. “The mansion is secure. Once you’ve recovered your strength, I think you should recheck our wards.”

I nodded. “I shall.”

“Did you discover what that elixir does?” said Martin.

“Yes,” I said, and I smiled as a thought occurred to me. “And I think you should send it to Cassander with your compliments.”

This time Caina did laugh.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.