Thieves World 4 – Storm Season by Asprin, Robert

“I would,” Saliman assured him, “if that old man were you. You have your wealth,

you know the town and you have a mind that can use power like your hands used a

sword. You could run the town. I’m sure enough of it to stake my future on it.”

Jubal pondered a moment. Perhaps he was being hasty. Perhaps there were others

like Saliman. “Exactly how would we build a secret organization? How could we be

unseen, unknown and still be effective?” he asked carefully.

“In many ways it would be easier than working openly as we have in the past,”

Saliman laughed. “As I see it-“

“Excuse me,” Hakiem got to his feet, “but I fear you are getting into matter not

safe for a tale-spinner to hear. Some other time I will listen to your story-if

you’re willing to tell it to me, still.”

Jubal waved farewell to the storyteller, but his mind was already elsewhere

carefully weighing and analyzing the possibilities Saliman had set forth. He

just might be able to do it. Sanctuary was a town that thrived on greed and

fear, and he was well-versed in the usage of both.

Yes. Barring any major changes in the town, he could do it. Pacing thoughtfully,

he called for Saliman to brief him on everything that had happened in Sanctuary

since the raid.

DOWNWIND

by C. J. Cherryh

i

There was enterprise among the sprawl of huts and shanties that was the Downwind

of Sanctuary. Occasionally someone even found the means of exacting a livelihood

out of the place. The aim of most such was to get out of Downwind as quickly as

possible, on the first small hoard of coin, which usually saw the entrepreneurs