have to deal with her before she jeopardized his task. Best to have Caina’s support when he acted. Caina was clever and efficient, but so regrettably sentimental.
“I had to get him,” said Nerina. “I had to go to him, just as an equation has to balance out in the end. I…thought I could convince the Immortals to release him, or maybe that I could buy him away…oh, by the Living Flame.” She rubbed her hands against her face. “I was a fool. I should have thought it through and devised an equation with a better chance of balancing. Instead I nearly got us all killed.”
“True,” said Morgant.
“It would be difficult,” said Caina, her voice quiet, “to keep your head if you saw a dead loved one return.”
“Difficult,” said Morgant, “but not impossible. Especially when that dead loved one is surrounded by Immortals.”
“Nasser,” said Kylon. “Those slaves with the Immortals. They were going to the Inferno, were they not?”
“They were,” said Caina before Nasser answered. “The first caravan was heading to the Inferno, carrying supplies and slaves. Kuldan Cimak was going to follow tomorrow, once he had finished with his amusements in the Crimson Veil.”
Laertes snorted. “Given that Cimak is going to serve as a khalmir under the Lieutenant of the Inferno, I cannot blame him for that.”
It had been a good plan, Morgant had to admit. Malik Rolukhan, the Master Alchemist in command of the Inferno, had never actually met Kuldan Cimak. Kidnapping the emir and having Caina take his place would allow them entry to the Inferno. With luck, they could enter the Inferno, rescue Annarah from her Sanctuary, and escape before anyone noticed.
That was before Nerina had ruined the plan, of course.
“Very well,” said Nasser, setting down his coffee and tapping his fingers together. As ever, he wore a glove of black leather over his left hand, his left forearm concealed beneath a bracer. “We have suffered a setback, but the plan can be adapted. It is a long way from Istarinmul to the gates of the Inferno. Cimak can be abducted easily enough in the countryside.”
“He will have Immortals with him,” said Laertes.
“We can hire mercenaries for the task,” said Caina. “Between the two of us we have enough money to manage it. Kazravid and Shopur’s company, maybe. There’s another mercenary company I know from Rasadda, the Black Wolves. They used to work for the Magisterium, but came here to avoid the war between the Empire and the Umbarians. They would be willing to take the job.”
“Cimak will not travel quickly,” said Nasser. “We can overtake him.”
“Battles are always chancy,” said Kylon. “Is this worth the risk?”
Morgant started to answer, but Nasser spoke first.
“I fear it is, Lord Kylon,” said Nasser. “No new officers have been sent to the Inferno for two years, and this is the first man that Malik Rolukhan has not known personally. This is a perfect opportunity, and I fear we will not have another chance.” He shrugged. “Risky, yes, but there is no profit without risk.”
“Before we proceed with these fine plans,” said Morgant, “we need to settle another matter first.”
“And what matter is that, master painter?” said Nasser.
Morgant pointed at Nerina. “Her.”
Caina frowned. “What about her? That she saw her husband? If he is among the slaves in the caravan, we…”
“You are overlooking the obvious,” said Morgant. “Her husband is dead. Wraithblood induces hallucinations. The most probable explanation is that despite the danger, despite knowing the risk, Strake took wraithblood and hallucinated that she saw her husband among the Immortals.”
Azaces’s eyes narrowed, and Nerina’s mouth fell open.
She started talking. “No. That’s not true. I didn’t take any wraithblood. I have not consumed any wraithblood for over two years.” She shuddered. “I stopped even before I knew that Callatas manufactured it from the blood of murdered slaves. I did not hallucinate Malcolm. He was there, I am certain of it.”
“Are you?” said Morgant. “You’ve seen the wraithblood addicts at the docks? You’ve heard them begging for money even while they rant at their hallucinations? Have you seen the things they’ll do for even a drop of wraithblood?”
“I did not take any wraithblood,” said Nerina. “I know what I saw.”
“I believe her,” said Caina.
“You’re an optimist,” said Morgant.
“Really?” said Caina, her eyes narrowing. “Since when?”
“Since you risked your life in a completely unnecessary way to save the Kyracian at the Craven’s Tower,” said Morgant. He was curious how she would react to the barb. Her attraction to Kylon was just as obvious as