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

“Your request is not unreasonable, and the price you offer is tempting,” Jubal

said thoughtfully, the earlier note of mockery in his voice gone now.

“Unfortunately I am not in a position to enter into such a negotiation. Please

accept my assurance that this is not because I hold a grudge against your

people, but rather that I would be unable to fulfill my part of the bargain.”

“But I thought …” Monkel began, but Jubal waved him to silence.

“Let me explain the current situation to you, Lord Setmur, as I see it. The city

is currently a battlefield. Many factions are fighting for control of the

streets. Though it may seem that the Beysib are the target of this violence,

they are more often than not innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire of the

real war.”

Jubal was leaning forward in his chair now, his eyes burning with intensity as

he warmed to the subject.

“If I were to guarantee the safety of your people, it would mean openly

committing my troops to your defense. Anyone who wanted to attack me would soon

learn that all that was necessary would be to attack the Beysib. whereupon my

forces would emerge from hiding to receive the brunt of the attack. In short,

rather than relieving you of your enemies, your proposed deal would simply add

my enemies to yours … a situation less than favorable to the Beysib. As for

me, I cannot afford to have my fighting strength eroded away by becoming

predictable. My current activities are more covert in nature, playing each

faction off against the others so that they will be weakened as I grow stronger.