Ghost in the Pact by Jonathan Moeller Page B

carrying his child when Kalgri had stabbed her through the stomach. Once he had wondered what it would be like to carry his child in his arms, and then the Red Huntress had come. 
    Now he knew how much more vulnerable it made Martin and Claudia. He also knew what kind of men the Immortals were, and he knew they would kill the baby while Martin and Claudia watched. Nothing, he had learned, enraged Caina like someone threatening the children of someone she liked, and Kylon found that he didn’t care for it either. 
    “Lord Kylon,” said Martin. “Something is happening, isn’t it?”
    “Aye,” said Kylon. 
    “Where’s Caina?” said Claudia, frowning as she turned towards him. She spoke with the cool, precise accent of a Nighmarian noblewoman. “Did she send you?”
    “In a way,” said Kylon. “You have to flee the city. Callatas has the Staff and Seal, and Caina went after him. He also sent Erghulan Amirasku to crush Tanzir and the rebels, and on their way out of the city, they’re going to kill you.” 
    “But that is madness,” said Martin. “If he murders the Emperor’s ambassador, it will provoke war with the Empire. The Umbarians are already hostile after Cassander’s failure, and Istarinmul will find itself caught between two foes…”
    “I doubt Callatas cares,” said Kylon. “I will tell you the entire story once we are clear, but we must go. The Immortals will arrive at any moment.” 
    “There are no ships in any of the harbors,” said Claudia. “We cannot leave the city…”
    “You must come south and join Tanzir,” said Kylon. “We found the Padishah’s last son…”
    “What?” said Martin, his eyes widening. 
    “Lord Kylon is right, husband,” said Claudia. “If Callatas has gone berserk and decided to kill all his enemies, we are not safe here.” 
    “Agreed,” said Martin. “We’ll take the money and the documents, and as much food as every man and woman can carry. I will see to the Imperial Guards. Wife, take charge of Dromio and the household. We should leave as soon as possible.”
    “Aye,” said Claudia, turning towards the door to the entry hall. 
    “I will await you at the gate, Lord Martin,” said Kylon. “Nasser and the prince should arrive shortly.”
    “Nasser’s here?” said Martin. “Splendid. The man is clever, and I hope he’ll have a quick way out of the city for us.” He strode around the desk, calling for Tylas, and clapped Kylon on the shoulder. “Well, it seems we must go into battle together again. Rhames and Caer Magia, the day of the golden dead, Cassander’s madness with the ifriti – perhaps someday we shall meet without a dire battle awaiting us.”
    Despite his grim mood, Kylon laughed. “Someday. Not this day, though.” 
    “Aye, and we’ll get properly drunk together, as comrades ought,” said Martin. “Perhaps it is a fitting end to my time as a Lord Ambassador that I get chased from the city.” 
    “Hardly. You were successful as Lord Ambassador,” said Kylon, walking with him into the entry hall. He saw Claudia hastening up the stairs, accompanied by an Istarish serving woman in a tan dress and headscarf. Kirzi, that was her name – the Huntress had threatened to kill her in the Alqaarin Bazaar. “You kept Istarinmul from allying with the Umbarians. And if you save the prince’s life by getting him out of the city, he will likely become an ally of your Emperor when he ascends to the throne of the Padishah.”
    He said it with more optimism than he felt. 
    “Gods of strife and battle, but I hope you’re right,” said Martin. “Tylas! My armor!”  
    “I will await you outside,” said Kylon, and he strode from the mansion, hurrying back across the grounds to the wall and the gate. As Kylon approached, Nasser, Laertes, Sulaman, and Mazyan came into sight, breathing hard from their run across the city. 
    “What news?” said Nasser as Kylon joined them. 
    “I’ve warned Lord Martin,” said Kylon.