Thieves World 4 – Storm Season by Asprin, Robert

“Are you tired of living, One-Thumb? Go back to your hidey-hole. Maybe she’s

there, maybe not. If not… easy come, easy go.”

Lastel’s face purpled; his words rode on a froth of spray so that Janni reached

for his dagger and Niko had to kick him.

“Your sister’s disappeared and you don’t care?”

“I let Cime snuggle up with you in your thieves’ shanty. If I had ‘cared,’ would

I have done that? And did I care, I would have to say to you that you aspire

beyond your station, with her. Stick to whoremistresses and street urchins, in

future. Or go talk to the Mageguild, or your gods if you have the ears of any.

Perhaps you can reclaim her for some well-bartered treachery or a block of

Garonne krrf. Meanwhile, you who are about to become ‘No-Thumbs,’ mark these

two-” He gestured to either side, to Niko and Janni. “They’ll be around to see

you in the next few days, and I caution you to treat them with the utmost

deference. They can be very temperamental. As for myself, I have had easier

days, and so am willing to estimate for you your chances of walking out of here

with all appendages yet attached and in working order, though your odds are

lessening with every breath I have to watch you take….” Tempus was rising as

he spoke. Lastel gave back, his flushed face paling visibly as Tempus

proposed a new repository for his prosthetic thumb, then retreated with

surprising alacrity toward the half-open door in which the tavern’s owner now

stood uncertainly, now disappeared.

But Lastel was not fast enough; Tempus had him by the throat. Holding him off