The Warrior Prophet by R. Scott Bakker

…”
    “Overwrought.”
    “Yes. Even more so at this point. But the Mandati, Achamian, also seemed agitated. They argued—”
    “Argued?” For some reason that didn’t surprise Eleäzaras. “About what?”
    The Mysunsai shook his head. “I can’t remember. Something about fear, I think. Then the Prime Counsel began speaking to the Mandati—in some language I’ve never heard. He recognized him.”
    “Recognized? Are you sure?”
    “Utterly … Skeaös, or whatever it was, recognized Drusas Achamian. Then he— it —began shaking. We just stood gaping. Then it wrenched its chains from the wall … Freed itself!”
    “Did Drusas Achamian assist him?”
    “No. He was as horrified as the rest of us—if not more so. In the uproar, it killed two or three men—I’ve never seen anything move so fast! That was when the Saik intervened, burned him … Now that I think about it, burned him over the Mandati’s objections. The man was wroth.”
    “Achamian tried to intercede?”
    “To the point of sheltering the Prime Counsel with his own body.”
    “You’re certain about that?”
    “Absolutely. I’ll never forget because that was when the Prime Counsel’s face … That was when his face … unpeeled .”
    “Unpeeled …”
    “Or unfolded … Its face just … just opened, like fingers but … I know of no other way to describe it.”
    “Like fingers?”
    This can’t be! He lies!
    “You doubt me. You mustn’t, your Eminence! This spy was a double, a mimic without the Mark! And that means he must be an artifact of the Psûkhe. The Cishaurim . It means they have spies you cannot see .”
    Numbness spilled like water from Eleäzaras’s chest to his limbs. I’ve wagered my School .
    “But their Art is too crude …”
    Skalateas looked curiously heartened. “Nevertheless, it’s the only explanation. They’ve found some way of creating perfect spies … Think! How long have they owned the Emperor’s ear? The Emperor! Who knows how many …” He paused, apparently wary of speaking too close to the heart of the matter. “But this is why I rode so hard to find you. To warn you.”
    Eleäzaras’s mouth had become very dry. He tried to swallow. “You must stay with us, of course, so that we can … interview you, further.”
    The man’s face had become the very picture of dread. “I’m af-afraid that won’t be possible, y-your Eminence. I’m expected back at the Imperial Court.”
    Eleäzaras clasped his hands to conceal the tremors. “You work for the Scarlet Spires, now, Skalateas. Your contract with House Ikurei is dissolved.”
    “Ah, y-your Eminence, as much as I abase myself before your glory and power—I am your slave!—I fear that Mysunsai contracts cannot be dissolved by fiat. N-not even yours. S-so if I c-could coll-collect my-my …”
    “Ah yes, your fee.” Eleäzaras stared hard at the Mysunsai, smiled with deceptive mildness. Poor fool. To think he’d underestimated the value of his information. This was worth far more than gold. Far more.
    The Mysunsai’s face had gone blank. “I suppose I could delay my departure.”
    “You sup—”
    At that point, Eleäzaras almost died. The man had started his Cant the instant of Eleäzaras’s reply, purchasing a heartbeat’s advantage—almost enough.
    Lightning cut the air, skipped and thundered across the Grandmaster’s reflexive Wards. Momentarily blinded, Eleäzaras tipped back in his chair and tumbled across the carpeted ground. He was singing before he found his knees.
    The air danced with hammering lights. Flurries of burning sparrows …
    The fool cried out, sputtered as best he could, trying to reinforce his Wards. But for Hanumanu Eleäzaras, the Grandmaster of the Scarlet Spires, he was little more than a child’s riddle, easily solved. Bird after fiery bird swept into him. Immolation after immolation, battering his Wards to ruin. Then chains flashed from corners of empty air, piercing limbs and shoulders, crossing as