Ghost Relics Read Online Free PDF

and the Alqaarin Seas. Tombs dotted the hills, some small and humble, others vast and opulent piles of gleaming marble and elaborate mosaics. Most of the tombs were squat, square buildings topped with pointed domes. Caina knew that catacombs and burial galleries extended deep below the surface.
    The Istarish burned their dead, and legends spoke of the unrighteous dead rising as vengeful wraiths of smoke and cinders. It was not just superstitious fear that kept the Istarish from the Tomb Quarter. Some of the tombs had been sealed with potent wards, wards that sometimes decayed and unleashed killing spells at anyone standing too close to a tomb’s door. Other tombs had been constructed to imprison powerful creatures, djinn and elemental spirits of the netherworld, and those tombs had powerful guardians. Bolder thieves, recognizing the Quarter’s evil reputation, sometimes made their lairs among the dead. If this were not enough, herds of feral monkeys had taken up residence among the tombs, and sometimes attacked passersby with barrages of dung. 
    “This way,” said Admete, her voice soft as she led them down a narrow stone street. Tombs stood on either side, their domes rising overhead.
    “We’re going to one of the old plague tombs, aren’t we?” said Caina.
    “We are,” said Admete, glancing back. “How did you know?”
    “Plague tombs?” said Nerina. 
    “Several centuries ago a minor plague struck Istarinmul,” said Caina. “It was not very virulent, but it killed in a painful manner. The Istarish feared infection enough that they sealed the plague victims in leaden coffins, and then buried them in lead-lined tombs.” 
    “Why hide the trapbox there?” said Nerina. “Choosing a plague tomb would vastly increase the variables, to say nothing of the risk of infection.”
    Admete scoffed. “We are more likely to be killed by Tarnsiar than by plague.”
    “So long as the coffins remain sealed it should be safe enough,” said Caina. “And a sufficient amount of lead can disrupt certain kinds of divinatory sorcery.” 
    “That is correct,” said Admete. “How did you know?”
    “I learned it the hard way,” said Caina. “How did you know?”
    Admete laughed. “You think I am a sorceress, plotting to steal the relic? No. For one, the Anshani kill any women who manifest arcane power. Also, Tarniar has a lead-lined room in his tower in Anshan. The occultists spy upon each other frequently, and Tarniar wanted somewhere to conduct certain dealings in private.”
    “Why don’t more people build lead-lined rooms, then?” said Nerina. “It seems the logical end of the equation.”
    “Lead is expensive,” said Admete. 
    “So are sorcerers skilled in divination,” said Caina. 
    They walked deeper into the Tomb Quarter’s shadows. Caina felt the pulsing power of the ancient wards upon the tombs, spells old and strong and mighty. Her eyes scanned the shadows, watching the darkness for any sign of attackers. She saw no one, and heard nothing, save for the faint rustling as the occasional monkey moved about. Admete led them up a set of stone stairs to the crest of a hill. Caina looked back and saw the city stretching away to the south, the Golden Palace and the College of Alchemists gleaming with their sorcerous illumination. 
    “Here,” said Admete, stopping before a leaden door set in a stone arch. Caina saw that the door had once been sealed, but someone had forced it open. “We secured it in here.”
    “Azaces,” said Caina, and he handed over one of the two lanterns he had been carrying. Caina lit one and Azaces lit the other, while Admete pushed open the door. Together they descended into the tomb, the lanterns throwing back the light. The stairs ended in a large vaulted chamber, lead plates clicking beneath Caina’s boots. A double row of lead coffins ran down the length of the floor, at least forty of them, while niches upon the walls held hundreds of urns. Caina supposed the wealthier