Ghost in the Blood (The Ghosts) by Jonathan Moeller Read Free Book Online

until Caina had burned it down. 
    “What’s this?” said Caina.
    “Zorgi’s Inn,” said Halfdan, “favored by discerning master merchants throughout the Empire. Zorgi keeps a fine inn, and Basil Callenius has stayed here many a night.”
    Caina nodded. That meant Zorgi knew nothing about the Ghosts.
    “Arlann,” said Halfdan, “fetch some of Zorgi’s porters and start them unloading the wagon. Make sure they don’t steal anything.” 
    Caina looked around for this Arlann, and saw Ark nodding. No doubt that was the name Ark would use while in Marsis. Ark headed towards the stables, and Caina followed Halfdan to the doors. A liveried footman bowed and pulled the door open. Halfdan rewarded the fellow with a silver coin, and they entered the common room. Long tables stood under the high ceiling, fires crackling in hearths at either side of the room. Stairs climbed up to balconies and the doors to the guest rooms. 
    A stout Szaldic man in his middle forties hurried over to them, smiling beneath an enormous mustache. He looked strong and vigorous, yet a lot of the gray in his black hair looked as if it had appeared recently, and there was strain around his eyes.
    Yet no weakness showed in his voice. “Master Basil!” he roared.
    “Zorgi, you dog,” said Halfdan. He and Zorgi kissed each other’s cheeks in a quick, formal movement. Caina supposed it was a Szaldic greeting. “How is business?”
    “Well enough,” said Zorgi. “It could be better. There are rumors that slave traders are raiding the coast again, and some people are too frightened to travel, which hurts the business of a poor innkeeper.” He sighed. “When will the Emperor deal with such scum? I pay my taxes, do I not?”
    “I heard similar stories along the road,” said Halfdan. “They attacked and burned the White Road Inn, though Oscar and his family got safely away.”
    Zorgi scowled. “That is grim news, my friend. Grim news. Oscar is a good man. He orders beer from me, for my beer is rightly famed throughout the Empire.” His eyes fell upon Caina, and his jovial manner reasserted itself. “But, come!  Let us speak of business later. Who is this fair young lady? Have you at last taken another wife?” He grinned. “And you call me a dog!  She is young enough to be your daughter, you rake.”
    “That’s because she is my daughter,” said Halfdan. “Zorgi, permit me to introduce my daughter, Anna.”
    “Ah!” said Zorgi. He took Caina’s hand in his callused palm, lifted it to his face, and kissed her knuckles. “And you have brought her to the city to find a suitable husband, no? That will be a hard task.”
    “And why is that?” said Caina, putting a bit of pique into her voice. She found herself liking Zorgi, though she wondered what had put that gray in his hair. “Do you not think a suitable husband will want me?”
    “Ha!” said Zorgi. “I think your father will be hard-pressed to find a husband worthy of you, my dear.” He grinned. “My Katerine makes me very happy. But if I was unwed…and twenty years younger, and perhaps forty pounds lighter, I would court you myself.”
    “You flatter me, master innkeeper,” said Caina. She smiled at him. “And if I were perhaps a little older…ah, well. Destiny can be cruel, can it not?”
    Zorgi’s smile never wavered, but something flickered in his eyes. “It can, alas. Alas.” 
    The Inn’s door opened, and the porters came in, bearing the chests from the wagon, while Ark watched them with his hand on his sword hilt. 
    “Ah, Arlann!” called Zorgi. “Still working for this old fool, I see.”
    Ark shrugged. “I know all his secrets, Master Zorgi. He can’t afford to let me go.”
    “Well, you ever get tired of tramping all over the Empire, I could use a stout fellow to keep the drunks in line.”
    “Daughter,” said Halfdan, “why don’t you and Arlann take the porters to our rooms and unpack? Master Zorgi and I need to catch up on a few things.