Free Ghost in the Blood (The Ghosts) by Jonathan Moeller Page B

daughter?” said Halfdan.
    “I think it’s an act,” said Caina, voice soft. “I think she’s far more dangerous than she lets on.”  
    “Agria?” said Ducas, dubious. “She’s not bright enough to act.” 
    “Perhaps,” said Halfdan. “Come, Ducas. Introduce me to wealthy women in need of jewelry. Daughter, why don’t you go and mingle? Arlann, stay with her, in case she meets a rake like Ducas.” 
    “Of course, Father,” said Caina. “Lady Agria has a lovely home. I should very much like to see more of it.” 
    Halfdan smiled and followed Ducas across the marble floor. 
    “And you want to see more of it,” said Ark, “so it will be all the easier to break in later?” 
    “What a dreadful thing to say,” said Caina. 
    She spent an hour exploring. The ball had begun in the great hall, but had spilled through the rest of the mansion. She walked through the halls, listening to snatches of conversation. More than a few guests approached her, lords and merchants and the sons of lords and merchants, ranging from a boy of fifteen to a lord who had to be at least eighty. Most were inebriated. Caina flirted with them as necessary, gently rebuffed some, had Ark scowl at a particularly obnoxious suitor until he took the hint and remembered urgent engagements elsewhere. Everyone agreed it was a dreadful business about these slave raids, but surely the Lord Governor and the Legions would take care of it. No one knew anything useful. 
    “Fools, the lot of them,” growled Ark.
    “Aye,” said Caina. “But not foolish enough to buy slaves from Icaraeus.” She spotted a balcony at the end of the hall. Perhaps it would make a useful entrance for a later visit? “I’m going to get some fresh air.”
    The balcony had a fine view of the city and the gardens below. Caina put her hands on the cold stone balcony, took a deep breath, and realized that she was not alone.
    A man stood at the railing, glaring down at the garden. He was in his forties, and like Ducas, he wore the armor of a Legion tribune. Unlike Ducas, his armor had seen some hard use. There were scars on his face, ugly ones. His grim eyes turned towards Caina, and his hand twitched towards the hilt of his broadsword. A reflex action, she judged.
    “I am sorry, sir,” said Caina. “I did not realize you were here.”
    The man relaxed. “The error is mine. I forget that I am not on the battlefield, and that enemies do not lurk in every shadow.” That had a mocking edge too it. “Are you enjoying the party, my lady?”
    Caina looked at him again, and made a gamble. “In truth, no. I do not care for these revels. I find such debauchery…unpleasant.”
    “We are of like mind then,” said the man. “The Empire of old had sober, upright men and virtuous women. Now we are reduced to,” he waved a contemptuous hand at the mansion, “this.” He gave her a closer look. “You must be a…merchant’s daughter, I deem, come to Marsis to find a husband.” 
    “I am,” said Caina.
    “A word of caution, then,” said the tribune. “You will not find a worthy husband here. And do not trust anything Lady Agria tells you.”
    “I don’t know,” said Caina. She gave him a bold smile. “You seem worthy enough.”
    He blinked at her, and burst out in rough laughter. “I am hardly a suitable husband for a wealthy woman. Nor do I have any desire to take a wife at this time. Though you flatter me.”  
    Caina did a curtsy. “Anna Callenius, daughter of Master Basil Callenius of the Imperial Collegium of Jewelers. This is my father’s hired man, Arlann of Caer Marist.” 
    He bowed to her in turn. “Hiram Palaegus, tribune of the Ninth Cohort of the Twentieth Legion.”
    Caina blinked. “You’re Lady Agria’s brother?”
    “Brother-in-law,” said Hiram. “Lord Martin was my half-brother. I was a bastard, and my brother gave me the right to the Palaegus name, but no rights of inheritance, as he hoped to have a son one day. So when Martin