Thieves World 4 – Storm Season by Asprin, Robert

First Hazard of your local Mageguild-“

“Slumming? It’s hardly your style.”

“Style?” he thundered so that his companion shuddered and Niko started,

dislodging a stone which clicked, rolled, then lay still. “Style? She came unto

me with her evil and destroyed my peace.” His other hand cradled his wrist. “I

was lucky to receive a reprieve from damnation. I have only a limited

dispensation: either I force her to renege on murdering me, or make her finish

the job. And you of all men know what awaits a contractee such as myself when

existence is over. What would you do in my place?”

“I did not know how she got here, but now it comes clearer. She went to destroy

you in your place, and was spat out into this world from there? But how is it

she has not succeeded?”

The Power, looking past Tempus with a squint, shrugged. “She was not certain,

her will was not united with her heart. I have a chance, now, to remedy it…

bring back restful dreaming in its place, and my domain with it. I will not let

anything stop me. Be warned, my friend. You know what strengths I can bring to

bear.”

“Release my people, if you want her, and we will think about how to satisfy you

over breakfast. From the look of you, you could use something warm to drink. You

do drink, don’t you? With the form come the functions, surely even here.”

Askelon sighed feelingly; his shoulders slumped. “Yes, indeed, the entire

package is mine to tend and lumber about in, some little while longer. . . until

after the Mageguild’s fete this evening, at the very least. … I am surprised,