Thieves World 5 – The Face of Chaos by Asprin, Robert

feared but respected by the people of Sanctuary. This has changed radically

since our alliance with them. They have grown more quarrelsome, and their

ability to defend themselves seems to have diminished nearly to the point of

nonexistence. A major portion of our agents’ time and energies is being diverted

into keeping the Stepsons out of trouble, or saving them when our preventive

measures fail.’

The ex-crimelord digested this. ‘We both know that field soldiers left in town

too long become troublesome as their fighting trim and discipline deteriorate.

Is this what’s happened to the Stepsons?’

Saliman shook his head. ‘Such deterioration would not be so rapid or complete.

These warriors could not be more ineffectual if they were trying to lose.’

‘You may have the answer there. We know the Stepsons to be fearless, willing to

follow Tempus’s orders even unto death. They could be testing us, deliberately

exposing themselves to danger to measure our intent or ability to honour our

alliances. Either that, or there may be more to Tempus’s leadership than meets

the eye. It has been established that he derives support from at least one god.

Perhaps he has found a way to transmit that power to his troops … a way that

has grown tenuous operating at such a distance.’

‘Either way, we’re still investing too much of our time maintaining a bad

alliance.’

‘But until we know for sure, we can’t tell if it’s more to our advantage to keep

or dissolve the agreement. Find me the answers and I’ll reconsider. Until then,