Free Ghost in the Flames by Jonathan Moeller Page A

support each other in our sufferings. Remember what the Living Flame has taught us. Temporal suffering is the fire that refines us. Pain is the crucible that burns away our impurities, so that we might be made pure for our next lives, and may one day join the Living Flame in eternal light. Let us lean on each other, brothers and sisters, in this time of adversity.”
    She limped from the plaza, head held high, the click of her cane against the ground loud in the silence. The mob followed her, draining back into the streets. The mounted militia moved aside to let them past.
    “Gods, that was close,” said Ark. “If some fool had squeezed his trigger a little too tightly, we’d have had five years of war.” 
    Caina watched the mob draining away. “It seems that she has legitimate grievances.” 
    “Yet she did not mention the murders at all,” said Ark.  
    “Perhaps she has bigger concerns,” said Caina. “Or maybe the victims were unloved by the Saddai.”
    “Or, perhaps,” said Ark, “she wished not to draw attention to them.”
    Caina frowned. “You think she is behind these murders?”
    “Why not?” said Ark. “Her people are starving and desperate. And you yourself said that desperate men have more reason to murder than most. I assume the same would apply to women as well.” 
    “It would,” said Caina. Her mother flashed through her thoughts for a moment, and her hand crept towards her father’s ring, hidden beneath her clothes. “It would.” She shook her head to clear away the memories. “But if this Nicephorus has let matters degenerate to this point, then he is a fool.” 

    ###

    A short time later a knock came at the door.
    Julia opened it to reveal a liveried messenger from Lord Governor Nicephorus. 
    “Countess Marianna Nereide?” he said.
    “I am,” said Caina. “Your business with me?”
    “The Lord Governor has heard of your arrival in the city, and wishes to make your acquaintance. To that end, he invites you to a banquet, to be held tonight at the eighth hour in the Imperial Basilica.”
    “Please convey to the Lord Governor my thanks for his gracious invitation,” said Caina. “I am honored, and shall be glad to attend.” 
    The messenger bowed and departed. 
    “That was quick,” said Ark.
    “Yes,” murmured Caina. “It seems that Valgorix reported to Nicephorus. Perhaps we’ll finally have some answers tonight.” 

Chapter 6 - Lord Nicephorus's Banquet

    It took a lot of work to get ready for the Lord Governor’s banquet. 
    She started with a long soak in the black tub, the heat sinking into her muscles. She felt better with the sweat and grime of the road washed away. And the festivities in the alley had left blood under her fingernails. The clotted blood came loose and dissolved in the hot water.
    Cornelia helped with her hair. For all her sharp tongue, the older woman did a splendid job. She arranged Caina’s hair into an elaborate braided crown, and did it faster than Caina herself could have managed. 
    Two hours later she was bathed, shaved, coiffed, perfumed, and dressed. She chose an elaborate green gown with gold embroidery on the sleeves and bodice. It left, perhaps, a touch too much of her shoulders and chest exposed, but depending on the Lord Governor’s character, that could prove an asset. She wore her father’s ring on a chain hidden beneath her sleeve. The usual daggers remained hidden in her boots. The gown had large enough sleeves that Caina could strap an extra pair of knives to her forearms. She appreciated that. 
    At last she emerged from the bedroom and into the sitting room. Ark sat in a chair, working nicks from his sword blade. He looked at her, and his eyes turned colder for a moment. 
    “You look different,” he said. 
    “As I’ve told you before,” said Caina, “that is the point.”
    “Our lady looks as lovely as the dawn,” Julia told him with a hint of reproach. 
    It came and went so fast that Caina thought she