Free Whisper by Christine Grey Page B

far. It was quite a ways from the bustle and activity, and they all felt a little more relaxed as a result. Except for Carly, none of the Maj were used to such large numbers of people around them at one time, and they all were a bit drained from the experience.
    Darius went inside first, followed closely by Hugh and Dearra. The others hung back a bit so as not to overwhelm the proprietor, but it was a wasted effort, for as soon as they entered, the bell on the door—presumably to alert the owner to potential guests or thieves as the case might be—jangled. The man who came around the corner was of average height and build, and had much the same look as Captain Koukai, the trader who had often come to Maj: black hair, bright black eyes and amber skin. He wiped his hands on the towel tied at his waist, headed straight for his ledger, and spoke without looking up.
    “Ya, ya! You come inside. How many room you need? Hurry up! Busy man. No time to stand around.”
    “Surely you can spare me a minute or two of your time,” Darius said, speaking in his Breken voice, using the low, cold tone he used so rarely now. The innkeeper’s body seemed to shrink a bit and he dropped the ledger from his hands.
    “Of course! I am honor at you here. What can humble Hachiro do for the great Breken warrior?”
    “I require three rooms.”
    “For how long you need?” Hachiro asked almost pleadingly, as if he couldn’t decide between being grateful for the business, or wishing the Breken would just go away.
    “I will need them for…for as long as I need them,” Darius said.
    Hachiro looked around at the group and took in the strange assembly. He wondered to himself if some of the Breken he knew might pay for information about a lone Breken traveling with, and seemingly helping, the Maj.
    Darius, our innkeeper friend is calculating the best way to turn a profit, and I’m afraid we’re not coming out too well in the deal, Brin said.
    “Ah, Hachiro. Here I thought we were going to be friends, and already you are adding up the profits of betrayal.” Darius’s voice came out almost in a growl, and there was a sudden, pronounced chill in the air.
    “Sir,” Hachiro squeaked. “I don’t know what you mean! I never betray client! I have you room ready now. You go right up. First night no charge for bad feeling I cause.”
    Is he telling the truth, Brin? Darius asked silently.
    Yes, at least for now. But he’s a greedy soul, and we will have to be cautious.
    Darius felt bad cheating the innkeeper out of a night’s pay, especially since he would have preferred just to pay the man his due, but no Breken would ever pass up a free stay, and he couldn’t afford to draw any more attention to himself. He picked up the quill next to the register and started to sign the book, but after a moment he scribbled out what he had started writing and finished with a different mark instead.
    As they headed upstairs, Dearra whispered, “What was that all about?”
    Darius grinned and said, “I started making the mark of the falcon which is the symbol used by the most powerful Breken family in the city, then crossed it out, but not enough so Hachiro couldn’t still make it out, and then used the symbol of one of the lesser families. He won’t know what to think, and the possibility of harming one of the retainers of the Great House of Falco, might be enough to stave off his greed for a while.”
    “I knew there was more to you than just your looks. That, my dear, was brilliant.” Dearra smiled, then turned to enter the room assigned to her and Carly, and quietly shut the door behind her.

Chapter 13
     
    Phillip
     
    Father—I have to trust you, but Jacob? It doesn’t make any sense. He is the least trustworthy person I can think of. I know you are trying to help him be a better Maj, but this just doesn’t feel right. He spends an awful lot of time with the scarred one, the father of the lady who is in charge of me, Mili.
    Jacob spent some time