Jonathan Moeller - The Ghosts 09 - Ghost in the Surge by Jonathan Moeller

some of its powers upon her?”
    “That is ludicrous,” said Ark.
    “I agree with the Champion,” said Muravin in his rumbling voice. He had changed little since Claudia had seen him in Calvarium a few months past. “She is a woman of valor, and saved my daughter from death. No evil sorceress would do such a thing.”
    “Your loyalty to the woman is commendable,” said Aeolus, “but misplaced. Treachery can occur in the most unlikely of settings, and no heart is above corruption.” His blue eyes moved over each of them. “And I fear you underestimate the warping power sorcery can have upon the mind. A skilled practitioner of the arcane sciences can reshape a victim’s mind to his liking.” 
    “Such spells,” said Martin, “often have deleterious effects upon the victim’s sanity.”
    “They do,” said Aeolus. “Such as inducing murderous rampages.”
    “Perhaps it was not Caina at all,” said Ark, “but someone using a spell or an enspelled device to assume her appearance.”
    “I think that is the most likely explanation,” said Theodosia. 
    “The necromancer Rhames had a golden mask that let him masquerade as the occultist Anashir of Anshan,” said Martin. “Perhaps our foe has a similar relic.”
    “What do you think, Claudia?” said Aeolus, his eyes shifting to her. “You are the expert on sorcery.”
    She made himself meet his unsettling eyes. “It is entirely possible, my lord. The sorcery of illusion is subtle, but it can be mastered. Certainly Rhames did it, but I suspect sorcerers lacking his arcane power could achieve similar effects.”
    Aeolus nodded. “Very well.”
    But she wanted to know what had happened to Corvalis. If some renegade sorcerer was wearing Caina’s face, had the renegade killed Corvalis? Or if Caina had gone mad, if the Moroaica’s power or some other force had warped her mind, had she killed Corvalis?
    The thought left Claudia cold. Her brother had saved her at great risk to himself, had helped her escape from their father. If he had perished…
    “If this false Caina attacks again,” said Ark, “we can overpower her and take her captive. We will find some answers that way.”
    “We can,” said Aeolus, “and if you wish to risk your lives in this endeavor, I will not stop you. But for the rest of the Ghosts, and for the Imperial Guard, my instructions are clear. Kill Caina Amalas, and any of her aliases – Countess Marianna Nereide, Sonya Tornesti, Anna Callenius, and all the others – on sight.”
    A chorus of outrage answered him, but Aeolus did not even as blink. 
    “There are far greater matters at stake,” said Aeolus, “than the life of one woman.” He frowned and brushed a speck of dust from the sleeve of his coat. “A renegade nightfighter cannot be allowed to threaten the life of the Emperor.”
    “Why would Caina harm the Emperor?” said Theodosia. 
    “Because,” said Aeolus, “it is not yet commonly known, but the Emperor and the Assembly of New Kyre have agreed to peace.”
    Silence answered him.
    “How?” said Ark. “I thought the Emperor was determined to follow Lord Corbould’s plan to starve New Kyre into submission.”
    “He was,” said Aeolus. For the first time he looked annoyed. “As well he should. New Kyre has ever been a thorn in the side of our Empire, and the sooner it is plucked, the better. But Halfdan and Lord Titus persuaded him otherwise. A folly, I say.” 
    “Why?” said Theodosia. “Surely it would be better than shedding more blood. Andromache’s folly started the war, and it has been folly to continue it.”
    “Because if we can crush New Kyre now, then we might save future generations more bloodshed,” said Aeolus. “And Lord Corbould will likely become Emperor after Alexius Naerius dies. Or if not him, then his son Lord Conn, the victor of the Argamaz. Best to heed their wisdom now.” He shook his head. “But the Emperor has made his decision, and we shall abide it. Even if we disagree