Thieves World 4 – Storm Season by Asprin, Robert

of the Old Man’s disappearance… only these ships were larger, much larger.

He began working quickly, his one arm aching and cramped with the effort of

quick-hauling his nets. The alarm spread from boat to boat and soon the entire

fleet was on the move to shore. Some abandoned their nets and traps, preferring

to lose their equipment to remaining there on the fishing grounds.

By the time they reached the piers, over a hundred sails were in view, all on an

unwavering course for the town called Sanctuary.

* * *

Word spread through the city like wildfire. A fleet, a big one-bound for

Sanctuary. Some said it was an invasion from the north. Others argued hotly that

the design of the ships was not northern; their specific point of origin was

unknown, save that they could not be from the Northern Kingdoms.

All that was known for sure was that before nightfall new feet would tread the

streets of Sanctuary. Some panicked, fleeing to the palace or the temples for

reassurance. Others, more practical, began boarding up their shops and hiding

their valuables.

* * *

Hanse Shadows? awn heard the news with mixed feelings, wishing anew he could be

certain how long his guarantee of divine protection would last. Finally he

decided that discretion really was the better part of valor and headed for the

ruined estate that had been the scene of his recent adventures. An estate that

was well outside the boundaries of Sanctuary proper. Things had been so much

simpler before he had anything to lose.

* * *

Myrtis, ruling the Street of Red Lanterns from her Aphrodesia House, was perhaps