Thieves World 01 – Thieves World by Asprin, Robert

pointing a finger at the second urchin. ‘But it took time. Oh’ my, yes, lots of

time. As the slaves exhausted the land to the north, they moved south, until

they reached the point where the town stands today. Here they met a group of

native fishermen, and between fishing and farming managed to survive in peace

and tranquillity.’

‘That didn’t last long,’ snorted Ran-tu, momentarily forgetting himself.

‘No,’ agreed Hakiem. ‘The gods did not will it so. Rumours of a discovery of

gold and silver reached the kingdom of Ilsig and brought intruders into our

tranquility. First adventurers, and finally a fleet from the kingdom itself to

capture the town and again bring it under the kingdom’s control. The only fly in

the kingdom’s victory wine that day was that most of the fishing fleet was out

when they arrived, and, realizing the fate of the town, took refuge on

Scavengers’ Island to form the nucleus of the Cape Pirates, who harass ships to

this day.’

A fisherman’s wife passed by and, glancing down, recognized the map in the dust,

smiled, and tossed two copper coins to Hakiem. He caught them neatly, elbowing

an urchin who tried to intercept them, and secreted them in his sash.

‘Blessings on your house, mistress,’ he called after his benefactor.

‘What about the empire?’ Ran-tu prompted, afraid of losing his story.

;•

‘What? Oh, yes. It seems that one of the adventurers pushed north seeking the

mythical gold, found a pass through the Civa, and eventually joined the Rankan

Empire. Later, his grandson, now a general in the empire, found his ancestor’s