as you go from the Serpentine at Acban’s Passage. She lodges there. Mark what
she does and where she goes. Don’t attempt to prevent her. I only want to know
the business that brought her to Sanctuary.’
Hanse let go a sigh, relief, for all that the robes shifted again -felt a wild
confidence in himself (it might have been the money) that he could get out of
this easily, and with still more money, and an employer satisfied, who was
powerful and rich. Hanse Shadowspawn, Hanse the thief, small Hanse the knife …
had friends in high places, a condition unexpected. He expanded in this
knowledge and stood loose, dropped the purse into his shirt, ignoring the chill
at his neck. ‘So, then, and I come here from time to time and report to you.’
‘Darous will find you from time to time,’ the same voice said. The changing
seemed to have settled for the moment. ‘Depend on that contact. Good-day to you.
Darous will show you out.’
Hanse made a nourish of a bow, turned to the servant and indicated they should
go.
‘The blindfold,’ the blind servant said. ‘Use it, master thief. My master would
regret an accident, especially now.’
Hanse put his hand on the metal droplet that hung like ice at his throat, turned
to glower at the wizard. ‘I thought this was supposed to take care of things
like that.’
‘Did I say so? No, I didn’t say. I wouldn’t be rash in relying on it. Against
some things it has no protection at all. My guardians in the hall, for instance,
would never notice it.’
‘Then what good is it?’
‘Much … in its right place. Afraid, thief?’