Ghost in the Winds (Ghost Exile #9) by Jonathan Moeller Read Free Book Online Page B

of your spells when we marched against the rebels…”
    The Grand Wazir had indeed failed. Already he was trying to make excuses for his defeat.
    “Urgent matters called me from the city,” said Callatas. “I gave you every Immortal in Istarinmul, and I sent Master Alchemist Rhataban with you as well…”
    “He’s dead,” said Erghulan.
    Callatas blinked. “What?”
    “Kylon of House Kardamnos killed him during the battle,” said Erghulan. 
    “What? Impossible. How?” said Callatas. He could not comprehend it. Rhataban had been a Master Alchemist of great power and a skilled warrior, his prowess further enhanced by the mighty nagataaru that had inhabited his flesh. There was no way he could have been defeated by a Kyracian exile…
    Callatas rebuked himself. Pride again! Kylon had killed Rolukhan and Cassander. Why not Rhataban? He took a deep breath, forcing back his fury. He had sent Erghulan and the army after Tanzir and the rebels. Caina must have sent Kylon to help them. Certainly, Kylon had not been on Pyramid Isle. Sulaman had been with them at the Desert Maiden. That meant…
    “I did not see the duel,” said Erghulan, “but a hundred witnesses did. Rhataban went to kill Tanzir and Prince Kutal Sulaman. The Kyracian intercepted him and slew him.”
    “Sulaman is with them?” said Callatas. 
    “Yes,” said Erghulan. “He and Tanzir are leading the army. The rebels now claim they are marching to put Kutal Sulaman Tarshahzon upon his father’s throne, and…to rid the realm of the wicked Grand Master and the Grand Wazir.” He scowled. “Filthy traitors.” 
    “Likely they mean to install Tanzir as Grand Wazir in your place,” said Kalgri with a bright smile. 
    “Enough,” said Callatas. “How did you allow yourself to be defeated? You had every Immortal in Istarinmul in your host, to say nothing of the Hellfire engines.” 
    “Base deceit and trickery,” said Erghulan. “They somehow got behind my lines, probably by treachery, and seized several of the Hellfire catapults. In the resultant chaos, discipline collapsed, and Tanzir’s rabble forced my army from the field.”
    “I see,” said Callatas, making no effort to keep the disgust from his voice. 
    “I returned to the city at once, to prepare for our defense,” said Erghulan. 
    “I’m sure,” said Callatas. “And I’m sure that if I went to the Towers of the Sea, I would not find a ship waiting to carry you and the greater part of Istarinmul’s treasury to exile in the western city-states.”
    “Of course not, Grand Master,” said Erghulan, but Callatas saw the strain around his eyes. 
    The lie was so blatant that Callatas nearly killed him then and there. Once again, caution held his hand. It seemed victory was not quite as close as he thought. The full might of the southern emirs was coming to assail Istarinmul, to say nothing of any other allies that Tanzir and his band of malcontents might have recruited. If they interrupted Callatas at a critical phase of the Apotheosis, they might ruin everything. 
    “What is your strategy to defend the city?” said Callatas.
    Erghulan hesitated. “To be blunt…I am not sure we can. We only have a few thousand loyal men left. The rest have fled, deserted, perished, or joined Tanzir and the Prince. Perhaps it would best to abandon the city, after all, Grand Master, to continue your work in a safer location…”
    “Flee?” said Callatas. He tapped the end of the staff against the ground. “At the very cusp of victory?”
    Erghulan blinked. “Then…it is almost finished?” 
    “Yes,” said Callatas. “The Apotheosis is ready. I have gathered all that I need to work the spell. When it is finished, the lords of Istarinmul shall become immortal and invincible, and they shall rule over mankind for all eternity.”
    That wasn’t entirely the truth, but Erghulan didn’t need to know that.
    “Then,” said Erghulan, “what do you require from me?” 
    “Hold the