Jonathan Moeller - The Ghosts 07 - Ghost in the Ashes Read Online Free PDF Page A

well-protected. The tribesmen of the Argamaz are vicious…”
    The inner door opened, and Tanya walked out, wrapped in a robe. She looked a great deal like Caina, with blue eyes and black hair, though she was six inches taller and a bit heavier. She stopped, looked at Muravin and Mahdriva, and then at Ark.
    “Husband,” she said in Caerish. “We have guests?”
    “Aye,” said Ark. “I suspect they are escaped slaves.”
    “Oh, you poor dear,” said Tanya, sitting next to Mahdriva. “You’re half-frozen, I shouldn’t wonder. Let us get you some warm clothing and food. That will help. And a comfortable bed upon which you can sleep.”
    Mahdriva blinked and looked at her father.
    “She only speaks Istarish, I think,” said Caina. She switched to Istarish and addressed Muravin. “This woman has borne two children herself. She will know how to care for Mahdriva.”
    “Daughter,” said Muravin, getting to his feet, “go with this woman, and let her tend to you.” He started to step forward, swayed, and grabbed at the back of the couch for support.
    “Father!” said Mahdriva, grabbing his hands. 
    “I am well,” said Muravin, shaking his head. “I…”
    “I suspect you spent all night fighting and running,” said Caina, “and even the mightiest champion needs rest. Go with your daughter. You have earned your rest, and we can decide how to proceed in the morning.”
    Muravin managed a weary nod. “You speak wisdom, however strange you seem to me. I will rest.”
    “Wife,” said Ark in Caerish. “Put them in the guest room. Make sure the shutters are closed. I suspect dangerous men wish them dead.”
    Tanya smiled. “If I know anything, husband, it is how to be discreet in the face of danger. Nicolai, come and help me bring food to our new friends.”
    She took Mahdriva’s arm and led the girl from the room, Muravin and Nicolai following, leaving Caina and Corvalis alone with Ark. 
    “What the hell is this about?” said Ark.
    “I don’t yet know,” said Caina. “We saw an Immortal moving through the streets, and I thought it odd. We followed him and found the Kindred and the Immortals trying to take Mahdriva alive. Muravin held them off while Mahdriva tried to flee.”
    “The old man must be formidable with a blade,” said Ark, “if he managed to hold off Immortals.” 
    “He is,” said Corvalis, voice quiet. “And if he survived Nalazar, that makes him all the more formidable. The Istarish Kindred are not to be trifled with.”
    “Who is Nalazar?” said Ark.
    “A Kindred from Istarinmul. Which reminds me,” said Caina. “How do you know Nalazar?”
    Corvalis sighed. “When I was a member of the Kindred family in Artifel, Nalazar and some Kindred from Istarinmul came to our Sanctuary. An emir who gained the Padishah’s disfavor had fled north, and Nalazar had been sent to hunt him down. The Elder of Artifel helped him in exchange for a cut of the profits.”
    “Did this Nalazar succeed?” said Ark.
    “He did,” said Corvalis. “He’s good at what he does.”
    “Would he recognize you?” said Caina. 
    “Maybe,” said Corvalis. “I was in the room when he met with the Elder, but I don’t know if he would remember me.”
    “A more important question,” said Ark, “is why the Istarish Kindred came north in pursuit of this gladiator and his daughter. And with Immortals.”
    “I don’t know,” said Caina. “The Immortals serve the Padishah, but the College of Alchemists creates them. My best guess is that Mahdriva is pregnant with the bastard heir of some emir or another.”
    “She said the Kindred had slain her sisters,” said Corvalis. 
    “Perhaps the Kindred killed her sisters,” said Ark, “and Muravin took her and fled north before they could find her.”
    “That seems likely,” said Caina. She yawned and rubbed her face. Gods, but it had been a trying night. “We can get more information out of them tomorrow. When Halfdan meets us here, we can tell him