‘Of course.’ Jubal waved. ‘Continue.’
He relied heavily on informants from the town for the data necessary to conduct
his affairs. It was known that if one sold false information to Jubal, one was
apt to be found with a slit throat and a copper piece clenched between the
teeth. This was known because it happened … frequently. What was not widely
known was that if Jubal felt his informants needed an example to remind them of
the penalty for selling fabrications, he would order his men to kill someone at
random and leave the body with the marks of a false informer. His actual
informers were not targets for these examples – good informants were hard to
find. Instead, someone would be chosen who had n;ver dealt with Jubal. As his
informants did not know each other’s identities, the example would work.
‘… was found this morning.’ Saliman plodded on in his tireless recitation
voice. ‘The coin was stolen by the person discovering the body, so there will be
no investigation. The thief will talk, though, so word will spread.’
‘Yes, yes.’ Jubal grimaced impatiently. ‘Go on with another item.’
‘There is some consternation along the Avenue of Temples over the new shrines
being erected to Savankala and Sabellia -‘
‘Does it affect our operations?’ Jubal interrupted.
‘No,’ Saliman admitted. ‘But I thought you should know.’
‘Now I know,’ Jubal countered. ‘Spare me the details. Next item.’
‘Two of our men were refused service at the Vulgar Unicorn last night.’
‘By who?’ Jubal frowned.
‘One-Thumb. He oversees the place evenings from -‘