Ilsigs don’t like us,” he said quietly, “but I haven’t time now to charm you
into a change of mind. Where’s One-Thumb, barkeep? I have a message for him that
cannot wait.”
“Right here,” smirked the aproned mountain, tossing his rag onto the barsink’s
chipped pottery rim. “What is it, sonny?”
“He wants you to take me to the lady-you know the one.” Actually, Tempus had
instructed Niko to tell One-Thumb about Askelon’s intention to confront Cime,
and wait for word as to what the woman wanted Tempus to do. But he was
resentful, and he was late.” I have to be at the Mageguild by sundown. Let’s
move.”
“You’ve got the wrong One-thumb, and the wrong idea. Who’s this ‘he’?”
“Bartender, I leave it on your conscience-” He pushed his mug away and took a
step back from the bar, then realized he could not leave without discharging his
duty, and reached out to pick it up again.
The big bartender’s thumbless hand curled around his wrist and jerked him
against the bar. He prayed for patience. “And he didn’t tell you not to come in
here, bold as brass tassels on a witch-bitch whore? He is getting sloppy, or
he’s forgotten who his friends are. Why didn’t you come round the back? What do
you expect me to do, leave with you in the middle of the day? I-“
“I was lucky I found your pisshole at all, Wriggly. Let me go or you’re going to
lose the rest of those fingers, sure as Lord Storm’s anger rocks even this god
ridden garbage heap of a peninsula-“
Someone stepped up to the bar, and One-Thumb, with a wrench of wrist, went to