Ghost in the Sun by Jonathan Moeller

Author:Jonathan Moeller [Moeller, Jonathan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

10

The Emperor

Kylon strode into the plaza at the foot of Corazain’s mighty pyramid.

Of course, between Theodosia’s theater company, the Imperial Guards, and the magi who had been escorting Ariadne, Conn, and Rhazion, it almost felt like he was walking with a small army. Which was just as well since they would need the help if they came under attack again.

But no more mavrokhi showed themselves. Perhaps the remaining beasts in the city had decided to seek easier targets than Imperial Guards and a valikon-equipped stormdancer.

The plaza was an enormous space, paved in smooth black basalt. The pyramid of Corazain reared overhead, the pyre at its crown blazing. It looked almost like the volcanoes further north of the city, and Kylon found himself wondering if the Ashbringers had deliberately built their pyramids to resemble those fiery mountains.

It was the sort of thing Caina would know.

On the other side of the plaza rose the Imperial basilica, a grand hall faced in white stone, stark against the black buildings favored by the Saddai. Elaborate statues of long-dead Emperors and Lord Governors stood in niches along the walls. Kylon supposed that the basilica was a symbol of Nighmarian power, a reminder that the Emperor ruled Rasadda, not the Ashbringers and not the priests of the Living Flame.

Though after suffering under the depredations of the Umbarian provosts for the last several years, likely the Saddai were glad to see the Empire return.

The plaza had seen fighting. Kylon spotted a dozen dead naked men strewn across the black flagstones. To judge from the Imperial Guards standing before the doors to the basilica, the dead men had been mavrokhi who had tried to attack the Emperor.

“A moment,” said Conn. “I will speak with the centurion, and then we’ll talk to the Emperor.”

The wagons paused in the middle of the plaza, and Conn and Ariadne strode off to speak with the Imperial Guards. Rhazion blinked after them, the movement somehow owl-like. Kylon waited, valikon held low at his side, his arcane senses extended as he sought for the presence of any enemies.

Theodosia moved to his side, the crossbow propped against her shoulder, her free hand resting on the handle of a dagger at her belt. Her gray eyes met Kylon’s gaze, and she smiled.

“Ghostsilver,” she said, drawing the dagger an inch or so from its scabbard. “I had Aeolus give it to me before we left Malarae. I suspect it might prove useful. It would wound the mavrokhi, would it not?”

“It would,” said Kylon, though he didn’t want to say that a Hound of the Iron King would tear Theodosia apart long before she could do more than wound it.

Theodosia snorted. “You’re too polite of a young man to say that the mavrokh would rip my head off after I scratched it for the first time.” She shrugged. “Still, it never hurts to carry a weapon. Something Caina does quite often, I imagine.”

“She does,” said Kylon. He had gotten used to Caina’s habit of concealing weapons near wherever she slept.

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