Thieves World 7 – The Dead of Winter by Asprin, Robert

had’ told themselves it would be all right, that it would work out, because they

wanted it so.

So there was trouble. Ahdio ended it, and Ahdio closed early.

“Oh darling,” she quavered through her weeping, “I’m so sorry!”

“It wasn’t your fault and we both know it. And we also know that now you’re

here, after last night and today, I am not about to let you go. Nothing is going

to interfere. Nothing!”

Holding her so fiercely that his hands hurt her upper arms, he stared at her.

His Jodeera, who had always been his Jodeera, but they had had to wait so long,

so long. He knew what had to be done; what he had to do. He hated it, but he

knew that he was going to do it. Tonight, Ahdiomer Viz had to be reborn. Just

for tonight.

The hit on Throde came as he limped and tap-tapped homeward, leaning on his long

staff. Since everyone knew he carried no money and was harmless, the motive of

the three men was vengeance, not robbery. They could not get at Ahdio; they

would have their fun with Throde. He recognized the ejected Tarkle and the two

who had sat with him, and remained after.

They stood in a line across his path in the alley, smiling. To Throde, Tarkle

loomed about as big as an outhouse. He made a show of looking all around. “Don’t

see Ahdio nowheres. Reckon he won’t appear ‘tween you and my fist this time.

Gimp!”

Throde said nothing, and Tarkle made his move.

Then Throde did. The cripple’s staff practically leaped across him into both his

hands, becoming the quarterstaff it was. Right end went low to whack Tarkle’s