Ghost in the Tower by Jonathan Moeller

Author:Jonathan Moeller
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Published: 2018-12-05T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13: Preside Over The Ruins

Caina sat motionless, watching the First Magus walk across the common room of the Black Mirror.

Looking at him was a peculiar, vertigo-inducing experience.

Caina’s physical eyes saw the cloaked and hooded form created by the illusion spell. The vision of the valikarion perceived the illusion spell as a silver glow wrapped around him. And because she could see through the illusion spell, her physical eyes also simultaneously saw Decius Aberon’s true form.

The combination was already giving her a headache.

Tyros hurried to meet the First Magus, and the two men spoke in low voices.

“He’s alone,” murmured Ariadne. “No guards at all. He never goes anywhere without guards.”

“Then he doesn’t want anyone to know why he’s here,” said Morgant. “Not even his pet Magisterial Guards. Or his own supporters. Perhaps he’s here to satisfy some appetites that not even his supporters would condone.”

Sophia shuddered. Caina remembered Ariadne’s story about the orphans.

“No, that’s not it,” said Ariadne. “Decius Aberon’s appetites, alas, are both well-known and entirely conventional. He likes beautiful women, the more of them, the better. If he wants women, he doesn’t need to come here to find them.”

Tyros offered a polite bow, and the cloaked form of Decius nodded and strode away. He crossed the common room and headed for the stairs leading to the balcony.

“Damn it, he’s coming up here,” said Caina. She looked around. “Quick, quick. Into that booth on the wall. We’ll be able to see the stairs without him noticing our presence. Go. Sophia, get the tray.”

In haste, they returned their cups to the tray, and then Caina rose. They hurried across the balcony and settled into the booth, Sophia carrying the tray. Caina sat and lifted her wine cup to her face, and the others followed suit. A moment later Decius Aberon climbed onto the balcony.

As it happened, Caina’s caution was unnecessary. Decius paused for a moment at the top of the stairs, leaning forward slightly, hand on his left hip. Caina wondered what he was doing and then realized that Decius had stopped to catch his breath after ascending the stairs. Evidently, the First Magus was just as fit as he looked. After he caught his breath, he lumbered forward, heading to a door on the far side of the balcony.

“Those lead to the guest rooms,” said Ariadne.

“Then he’s meeting someone here,” said Morgant.

“Aye,” said Caina.

She made the decision at once.

“Wait here,” said Caina. “I’m going to follow him.”

“Is that wise?” said Ariadne.

“Probably not,” said Caina. “But I can do it. He’ll have sensing spells around him, but they won’t work on me. And I can follow him and remain unseen.” She shrugged out of her wolf-fur cloak, leaving it on the seat of the booth. Her shadow-cloak had been coiled against her back, and she tucked the bundle under one arm.

“And if you don’t come back?” said Morgant.

“She will return,” said Sophia with firm conviction.

“Wait an hour,” said Caina. “If I’m not back by then, come look for me.”

She got to her feet, hurried across the balcony, and slipped through the door Decius had used.

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