Jonathan Moeller - The Ghosts 06 - Ghost in the Forge by Jonathan Moeller Page B

the central island, joining in a series of concentric rings running through the outer city. But water did not flow through those aqueducts and canals.
    Molten steel, glowing white-hot, filled the channels. 
    Rivers of liquid steel encircled the City of the Artificers. 

Chapter 6 - The City of the Artificers

    Caina gazed at the molten steel flowing through the canals.
    If the Masked Ones possessed the power to do that…then perhaps their claim of a mighty weapon was no bluff. 
    “How is that even possible?” said Lord Titus, wonder in his voice. “Surely all the coal in the world, burned at once, could not melt that much steel. And keep it liquid, for that matter.” 
    Irzaris shrugged. “I am no sorcerer, my lord. But from what I understand, a great spirit of fire was once imprisoned below the volcano. Its rage destroyed the mountain, and when the Scholae fled here after the fall of the Kingdom of the Rising Sun, they discovered the spirit sleeping below the lake. They bound it to fuel their sorceries.”
    Caina shared a dismayed look with Corvalis and Claudia. 
    If Irzaris was right, that meant the Masked Ones had bound a greater fire elemental. Ranarius had tried to awaken the greater earth elemental within the Stone of Cyrioch, and if he had been successful, he would have destroyed the city and killed countless thousands. And centuries ago, the stormsingers of Old Kyrace had bound a greater fire elemental beneath their island.
    The breaking of that binding had been the destruction of Old Kyrace. 
    “I fear this is where we part ways, my lord,” said Irzaris. “My warehouse is on the western end of the city, and it is easier to steer wagons outside the walls than within.”
    Titus offered a gracious nod. “Farewell, Master Khaltep. If you ever travel to the Empire, seek me out. I may have a use for a man of your talents.” 
    Irzaris bowed again, and his wagons and Catekhari guards broke off from Lord Titus’s column and circled around the city. The Imperial Guards continued towards the eastern gates of Catekharon, the golden eagle of the Emperor flying on its purple banner overhead.
    A wave of dizziness went through Caina, the prickling getting worse with every step. 
    “Are you all right?” said Corvalis.
    “Probably not,” said Caina, and pulled herself into the seat of Halfdan’s wagon. Saddiq and his tribesmen followed the wagon, staring at the city and the huge white tower with wide eyes. Caina could not blame them. The tower rising from the island dwarfed even the Palace of Splendors in Cyrioch. 
    “Well?” said Halfdan, voice low.
    “There’s power inside the city,” said Caina. “Unlike anything I’ve ever felt. Stronger than Maglarion, stronger than Kalastus.” She swallowed. “Even stronger than Jadriga, I think.”
    “You heard,” said Halfdan, “Irzaris’s story about the fire spirit?”
    “Aye,” said Caina. “Ranarius thought he could harness the earth elemental, but I think the Masked Ones actually did it. And if they have the power to do that…then they truly could create a weapon to conquer the world.” 
    Halfdan nodded. “Can you cope? I know the presence of sorcery…affects you, for want of a better word.”
    “I’ll manage,” said Caina.
    “Good,” said Halfdan. “Walk with Claudia. I’d like the two of you to watch the city and tell me what you learn. Try not to kill her if you can avoid it.”
    “Do accidents count?” said Caina.
    Halfdan raised an eyebrow.
    Caina nodded. “As you wish.” She pushed off the seat, caught her balance, and circled past Saddiq and his mercenaries. Claudia walked at the side of the road, gazing at the city’s white walls with Corvalis. 
    “What do you think?” said Caina.
    “Defensible,” said Corvalis. “Those walls are solid, and with that lake in the crater they’ll have all the water they’ll ever need.”
    Claudia laughed, her voice a little wild. “Those walls are an affectation. The Scholae doesn’t