The Dead of Winter- - Thieves World 07 Read Free

reason might possibly be that you suddenly had reason to be personally interested in the safety of clan Burek ... say, specifically, the safety of one member of that clan? A guardswoman, perhaps?"
    Monkel simply gaped, unable to respond. As a relative newcomer to Sanctuary, he had not expected Jubal's information network to include his own personal activities. As head of one of the two clans of invaders, he should have known better.
    "If that were indeed the case," Jubal continued smoothly, "we might yet work something out. The safety of one person I could guarantee."
    "... At a reduced rate, of course," Hakiem said, risking Jubal's wrath but unable to hold his silence.
    "Of course," Jubal echoed without releasing the Beysib from his gaze. "Well, Lord Setmur?"
    "I ... I would have to think about it," Monkel managed at last. "I hadn't considered this possibility."
    "Very well," Jubal said briskly. "Take your time. If you wish to discuss the matter further, wear a red neck scarf. One of my agents will identify himself to you with the word Guardswoman and lead you to my current headquarters. While Hakiem here is trustworthy enough, there is no need for you to have to contact me through him. The fewer who know when we meet and how often ... much less what is discussed, the better it will be for both of us."
    "I ... thank you."
    "Now then, if you would wait in the next room, my man Saliman will see to your needs. I would like a few words alone with Hakiem." Hakiem waited until the door had closed behind the little Beysib before speaking.
    "Well, it seems I have led yet another fly into your web, Jubal." Instead of replying to this insolence, Jubal studied the ex-storyteller for several moments in silence.
    "What distresses you, old one?" he said finally. "I dealt fairly with your fish eyed companion, even to the point of admitting my own weaknesses and limitations. Still your words and stance reek of disapproval, as they have since you first entered the room. Have I done or said something to offend you?" Hakiem started to snap out an answer, then caught himself. Instead, he drew a deep breath and blew it all out slowly in a silent whistle.
    "No, Jubal," he sighed at last. "All you have said and done is consistent with who and what you have been since we first met. I guess my time at court has simply taught me to view things on a different scale than I did when I was selling stories on the street for coppers."
    "Then tell me how you see things now," Jubal demanded, impatience sharpening his tone. "There was a time when we could speak openly together." Hakiem pursed his lips and thought for a moment.
    "There was a time when I thought as you do, Jubal, that power alone determined right and wrong. If you were strong enough or rich enough, you were right and that was that. At court, however, I see people every day who have power, and that has caused me to change my views. Seeing things on a grander scale, I've learned that power can be used for right or wrong, to create or destroy. While everyone thinks they use their power for the best, narrow-visioned or shortsighted exercise of power can be as destructive as deliberate wrong ... sometimes even worse, because in the case of deliberate wrong one is aware of what he is doing and moderates it accordingly. Unintended wrong knows no boundaries."
    "This is a strange thing to say to me," Jubal laughed mirthlessly. "I have been accused of being the greatest wrongdoer in Sanctuary's history."
    "I've never believed that," Hakiem said. "Frequently your activities have been illegal and often brutal, but you have tried to maintain a degree of honor ... right and wrong, if you will. That's why you wouldn't sell Monkel protection you couldn't give, even though the price was tempting."
    "If that is true, then what distresses you? I haven't changed the way I do business."
    "No, and that's the problem. You haven't changed. You still think of what's best for you and yours ... not what's best for