ransom for the official baton of his imperial authority in Sanctuary. Even
Tempus’s krrf had brought in a bit of silver.
And now … Hanse’s grin broadened. Suppose he just went about a second illicit
entry of the palace? Suppose a blind man showed up among the swarm of alms
seekers to be admitted into the courtyard two days hence, in accord with
Kadakithis’s people wooing custom? Shadowspawn would not only hand this awful
staff to the prince-governor, he would at the same time provide ., graphic
demonstration of the palace’s pitiable security.
Unfortunately, Tempus had taken charge of security. The hooded blind beggar was
challenged at the gate two days thence, and the Hell Hound Quag suspiciously
snatched the staff from him. When the disguised Hanse objected, he was struck
with it. Well, at least that way it was proven that he had brought the right
stick in good faith, and that way he did get to spend a night in the palace,
however unpleasant in his state of terror.
TO GUARD THE GUARDIANS
By Robert Lynn Asprin
The Hell Hounds were now a common sight in Sanctuary so the appearance of one in
the bazaar created little stir, save for the concealment of a few smuggled wares
and a price increase on everything else. However, when two appeared together, as
they did today, it was enough to silence casual conversation and draw uneasy
stares, though the more observant vendors noted that the pair were engrossed in
their own argument and did not even glance at the stalls they were passing.
‘But the man has offended me…’ the darker of the pair snarled.