The inside of the tavern was crowded and noisy, but when Zephyra walked in with Captain Morris, the whole place went dead silent. People turned to stare at her like she was some kind of ghost, which was starting to get really creepy.

"Is there somewhere private we can talk?" Valtoor asked Morris quietly.

"Back room," Morris said, gesturing toward a door behind the bar. "Innkeeper, can we use your office?"

The innkeeper nodded quickly, probably too shocked to speak. He unlocked the door and ...