review, I’d be out of here by the time they reached your presence.’
Kadakithis nodded.’And?’
‘And I -I don’t want any reward but don’t dare ever tell anyone I said that, or
remind me! You’ll hear from me -‘ he whirled and skewered the other very young
man with a gaze like an accusation – ‘friend.’1
Kadakithis was wise enough to nod without smile or comment. Besides, he looked
more as if he wanted to cry, or reach out.
‘I understand your reason, Hanse. But, are you sure you can manage to break out
of here … the palaceT
Hanse turned away to roll his eyes. ‘With your help. Prince, I may be able to do
it. I’d hate to have to try to break in. though!’
3
It might have taken a trained investigator from Ranke a week, or a lifetime. It
might have taken a Hell Hound a month or two lifetimes (a Tempus lifetime?), or
a couple of days with the aid of shining ugly instruments of suasion. It took a
thief of Sanctuary less than a full day to collect the information. Had he had
letters, he’d have made a list.
Since he was unlettered, he must reckon and account in his head, once he had
talked with this one and that one and some others. Only one realized that he was
actively seeking information, and that was because Hanse let her know. Now he
made his list, in his head, while he sprawled on his own bed and stared at
nothing in particular.
Tempus did not get on with the other Hell Hounds.
Tempus waged private war on Jubal. It was his own decision. (Not a good one;
Jubal’s business profited Thieves’ World and Empire as well.)