Thieves World 3 – Shadows of Sanctuary by Asprin, Robert

afternoon after the catch was brought in.

Of course, that had been a long time ago. He’d wanted to learn about the Nya

then – he knew less now; his memories had faded.

As Hort had grown, so had his world. He learned that away from the docks no one

knew of the Old Man, nor did they care. To the normal citizens of Sanctuary he

was just another fisherman and fishermen did not stand high in the social

structure of the town. Fishermen weren’t rich, nor did they have the ear of the

local aristocrats. Their clothes weren’t colourful like the S’danzo’s. They

weren’t feared like the soldiers or mercenaries.

And they smelled.

Hort had often disputed this latter point with the street urchins away from the

docks until bloody noses, black eyes and bruises taught him that fishermen

weren’t good fighters, either. Besides, they did smell.

Retreating to the safety of the dock community Hort found that he viewed the

culture which had raised him with a blend of scorn and bitterness. The only

people who respected fishermen were other fishermen. Many of his old friends

were drifting away – finding new lives in the crowds and excitement of the city

proper. Those that remained were dull youths who found reassurance in the

unchanging traditions of the fish-craft and who were already beginning to look

like their fathers.

As his loneliness grew, it was natural that Hort used his money to buy new

clothes which he bundled and hid away from the fish-tainted cottage they

called home. He scrubbed himself vigorously with sand, dressed and tried to