Jonathan Moeller - The Ghosts 06 - Ghost in the Forge by Jonathan Moeller

the trees, my dear? Some of them are truly magnificent.”
    Claudia frowned. “I would fear robbers.”
    “Did not your sister say she feels safer at my side?” said Irzaris. “There would be no danger.” He kissed her hand and lowered his voice. “I would please me greatly to show you a…most magnificent tree.”
    Claudia’s face crinkled in disgust.
    “Sister,” said Caina. “We must have lunch with Father. Do you not remember? He is taking his midday meal with Lord Titus, and Father bade us to join him.” She paused. “And I hear Lord Titus has unwed sons.”
    Claudia shot her a grateful look.
    “Ah. Perhaps later, then,” said Irzaris. 
    “It is a pity,” said Caina. “My sister said she was so looking forward to seeing the trees.”
    Claudia’s grateful look turned just short of murderous. 
    “Mistress,” said Corvalis, “your father will be wroth if you are late.”
    “Yes. Good day, Master Khaltep,” said Claudia, striding away. Caina and Corvalis followed them, and Irzaris turned his attention to his wagons. 
    Once they were out of earshot, both Caina and Corvalis started laughing.
    Claudia whirled to face them. “What the devil do you find so amusing?” 
    “Irzaris,” said Caina.
    “The man is a fool,” said Corvalis.
    “Actually, I think he’s clever,” said Caina. “He’s been trying to worm his way into Claudia’s blankets for three days…and he’s never once mentioned the weapon of the Masked Ones.”
    “And,” said Corvalis, “he’s never said who is buying that red steel of his.”
    Claudia’s frown deepened. “Then he knows what the weapon is?”
    “Probably,” said Caina. “But he won’t tell us. It wouldn’t surprise me if those Catekhari soldiers report to the Masked Ones, not to him. He won’t boast of his secrets, not even to impress a merchant’s daughter he wishes to bed.”
    Claudia’s scowl returned. “The temerity of the man! I was a magus, a daughter of the First Magus himself, and of noble birth. And he thinks to seduce me like some common tavern wench!” 
    “But he doesn’t know any of that, does he?” said Caina. “To him, you’re simply Irene Callenius, the daughter of a particularly successful merchant. Preferably a daughter with a large dowry…but if he can lure you into his tent for a night, well, that would also be to his liking.”
    “I know that,” snapped Claudia. “I am not a complete fool! Do you and Master Basil expect me to seduce him and discover his secrets?” 
    Caina shrugged. “Only if you wish. And I doubt he’s that foolish.” She thought of Alastair Corus. “That can have…consequences.”
    “I suppose you would know, wouldn’t you?” said Claudia. “Given how you lured Corvalis into your blankets. And gods knows how many others over the years.”
    Caina felt her face go blank. 
    “Sister,” said Corvalis at last.
    “I’m sorry,” said Claudia, blinking. “That was…that was rude, Marina. You saved me from the stone, and…and forgive me. I am overwrought. It’s…this place, the stink of all these unwashed men, and that toad Irzaris drooling over me…” She shook her head. “When I was part of the Magisterium, I wanted to use my powers to help people. I joined the Ghosts to do as you did, to save people like you saved us.” She scowled. “Instead we have been walking for days, and I have to endure the odious attentions of that money-grubbing lecher.” 
    Caina shrugged. “We’re spies. This is what we do. You want to help people? Sometimes the right secret taken from the right man can save thousands of lives.”
    “Yes,” said Claudia. “Excuse me. I think I shall ride in the wagon for a while.”
    She walked off, rejoining the rest of the column, and for a moment Caina stood alone with Corvalis in the patches of light and shadow below the vast branches. 
    “Do not mind her,” said Corvalis. “Before Ranarius, she had never left Artifel. She’s not like us. She hasn’t had