Thieves World 4 – Storm Season by Asprin, Robert

birth with your steel and the odds improve. Walegrin, the Nisibisi are armed to

the teeth. They’ll tie up the armies for years before the surrender-if they

surrender. Your handful of Enlibar swords won’t make any difference. But the

Empire is going to forget about us while they’re fighting in the north.”

“Or, you want my men and my steel here instead of on the Wizardwall?”

“You make me sound just like Kilite. Walegrin, I’ll make you my advisor. I’ll

care for you and your men. I’ll tell Kilite we found you floating in the harbor

and make sure he believes it. I’ll keep you safe while the Empire exhausts

itself in the north. It may take twenty years, Walegrin, but when we return to

Ranke, we’ll own it.”

“I’ll think about it,” Walegrin said, though actually he was thinking of

Illyra’s visions of an invading fleet and her warning that he would not go

north.

The Prince shook his head. “You don’t have time. You’ve got to be my man before

you see Tempus. You might need me to pry your man loose.”

They were alone in the room and Walegrin still had his sword. He thought of

using it; perhaps the Prince thought the same thing for he sat far back in

the throne, playing with his sleeve again.

“You might be lying,” Walegrin said after a moment.

“I’m known for many things, but not lying.”

That was true enough. Just as much of what he’d said was true. And there was

Thrusher’s safety, and Illyra’s to think of. “I’ll want a favor, right away,”

Walegrin said, offering his hand.

“Anything in my power, but first we talk to Tempus-and don’t tell him we’ve made