Asprin, Robert - Thieves' World 01 - Thieves World

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THIEVES WORLD #1
THIEVES WORLD
Edited by Robert Lynn Asprin
CONTENTS
EDITORS NOTE
INTRODUCTION
SENTENCES OF DEATH John Brunner
THE FACE OF CHAOS Lynn Abbey
THE GATE OF THE FLYING KNIVES Poul Anderson
SHADOWSPAWN Andrew Offutt
THE PRICE OF DOING BUSINESS Robert Asprin
BLOOD BROTHERS Joe Haldeman
MYRTIS Christine DeWees
THE SECRET OF THE BLUE STAR Marion Zimmer Bradley
THE MAKING OF THIEVES' WORLD Robert Asprin
EDITOR'S NOTE
The perceptive reader may notice small inconsistencies in the
characters
appearing in these stories. Their speech patterns, their accounts of
certain
events, and their observations on the town's pecking order vary from time
to
time.
These are not inconsistencies!
The reader should consider the contradictions again, bearing three things
in
mind.
First; each story is told from a different viewpoint, and different people
see
and hear things differently. Even readily observable facts are influenced
by
individual perceptions and opinions. Thus, a minstrel narrating a
conversation
with a magician would give a different account than would a thief witnessing
the
same exchange.
Second; the citizens of Sanctuary are by necessity more than a little
paranoid.
They tend to either omit or slightly alter information in conversation. This
is
done more reflexively than out of premeditation, as it is essential for
survival
in this community.
Finally, Sanctuary is a fiercely competitive environment. One does not
gain
employment by admitting to being 'the second-best swordsman in town'.
In
addition to exaggerating one's own status, it is commonplace to downgrade
or
ignore one's closest competitors. As a result, the pecking order of
Sanctuary
will vary depending on who you talk to ... or more importantly, who you
believe.
INTRODUCTION
l THE EMPEROR
'But surely Your Excellency can't dispute the facts of the matter!'
The robed figure of the Emperor never slackened its pacing as the new leader
of
the Rankan Empire shook his head in violent disagreement.
'I do not dispute the facts, Kilite,' he argued, 'But neither will I order
the
death of my brother.'
'Stepbrother,' his chief adviser corrected pointedly.
'The blood of our father flows in both our veins,' the Emperor countered,
'and
I'll have no hand in spilling it.'
'But Your Excellency,' Kilite pleaded, 'Prince Kadakithis is young
and
idealistic ...'
'... and I am not,' the Emperor finished. 'You belabour the obvious,
Kilite.
That idealism is my protection. He would no more lead a rebellion against
the
Emperor - against his brother - than •'. I would order his assassination.'
'It is not the Prince we fear. Your Excellency, it's those who would use
him.'
The adviser was adamant. 'If one of his many false-faced followers succeeded
in
convincing him that your rule was unjust or inhumane, that idealism would
compel
him to move against you even though he loves you dearly.'
The Emperor's pacing slowed until finally he was standing motionless,
his
shoulders drooping slightly.
'You're right, Kilile. All my advisers are right.' There was weary
resignation
in his voice. 'Something must be done to remove my brother from the hotbed
of
intrigue here at the capital. If at all possible, however, I would hold
any
thoughts of assassination as a last resort.'
'If Your Excellency has an alternative plan he wishes to suggest, I would
be
honoured to give it my appraisal,' Kilite offered, wisely hiding his feelings
of
triumph.
'I have no immediate plan,' the Emperor admitted. 'Nor will I be able to give
it
my full concentration until another matter is settled which weighs heavily on
my
mind. Surely the empire is safe from my brother for a few more days?'
'What is the other decision demanding your attention?' the adviser
asked,
ignoring his ruler's attempt at levity. 'If it is something I might assist
you
in resolving...'
'It is nothing. A minor decision, but an unpleasant one nonetheless. I
must
appoint a new military governor for Sanctuary.'
'Sanctuary?' Kilite frowned.
'A small town at the southern tip of the empire. I had a bit of trouble
finding
it myself - it's been excluded from the more recent maps. Whatever reason
there
was for the town's existence has apparently passed. It is withering and dying,
a
refuge for petty criminals and down-at-the-heels adventurers. Still, it's
part
of the empire.'
'And they need a new military governor,' Kilite murmured softly.
'The old one's retiring.' The Emperor shrugged. 'Which leaves me with a
problem.
As a garrisoned empire town, they are entitled to a governor of some
stature
- someone who knows the empire well enough to serve as their representative
and
go-between with the capital. He should be strong enough to uphold and
enforce
the law - a function I fear where the old governor was noticeably lax.'
Without realizing it, he began to pace again.
'My problem is that such a man could be better utilized elsewhere in the
empire.
It seems a shame to waste someone on such an insignificant, out-of-the-
way
assignment.'
'Don't say "out-of-the-way", Your Excellency,' Kilite smiled. 'Say "far from
the
hotbed of intrigue".'
The Emperor looked at his adviser for a long moment. Then both men began
to
laugh.
2 THE TOWN
Hakiem the Storyteller licked the dust from his lips as he squinted at
the
morning sun. It was going to be hot again today - a wine day, if he could
afford
wine. The little luxuries, like wine, that he allowed himself were harder
to
come by as the caravans became fewer and more infrequent.
His fingers idly seeking a sand-flea which had successfully found its way
inside
his rags, he settled himself wearily in his new roost at the edge of the
bazaar.
Previously, he had frequented the large wharf until the fishermen drove him
off,
accusing him of stealing. Him! With all the thieves that abound in this
town,
they chose him for their accusations.
'Hakiem!'
He looked about him and saw a band of six urchins descending on him, their
eyes
bright and eager.
'Good morning, children,' he grimaced, exposing his yellow teeth. 'What
do
you wish of old Hakiem?'
'Tell us a story,' they chorused, surging around him.
'Be off with you, sand-fleas!' he moaned, waving an arm. 'The sun will be
hot
today. I'll not add to the dryness of my throat telling you stories for free.'
'Please, Hakiem?' one whined.
'We'll fetch you water,' promised another.
'I have money.'
The last offer caught at Hakiem's attention like a magnet. His eyes
fastened
hungrily on the copper coin extended in a grubby hand. That coin and four of
its
brothers would buy him a bottle of wine.
Where the boy had gotten it mattered not - he had probably stolen it.
What
concerned Hakiem was how to transfer the wealth from the boy to himself.
He
considered taking it by force, but decided against it. The bazaar was
rapidly
filling with people, and open bullying of children would doubtless
draw
repercussions. Besides, the nimble urchins could outrun him with ease. He
would
just have to earn it honestly. Disgusting, the depths to which he had sunk.
'Very well, Ran-tu,' he smiled extending his hand. 'Give me the money, and
you
shall have any story you wish.'
'After I hear the story,' the boy announced haughtily. 'You shall have the
coin
... if I feel the story is worth it. It is the custom.'
'So it is.' Hakiem forced a smile. 'Come, sit here beside me so you can
hear
every detail.'
The boy did as he was told, blissfully unaware that he was placing
himself
within Hakiem's long, quick reach.
'Now then, Ran-tu, what story do you wish to hear?'
'Tell us about the history of our city,' the boy chirped, forgetting
his
pretended sophistication for the moment.
Hakiem grimaced, but the other boys jumped and clapped their hands
with
enthusiasm. Unlike Hakiem, they never tired of hearing this tale.
'Very well,' Hakiem sighed. 'Make room here!' '
He shoved roughly at the forest of small legs before him, clearing a small
space
in the ground which he swept smooth with his hand. With quick,
practised
strokes, he outlined the southern part of the continent and formed the
north
-south mountain range.
'The story begins here, in what once was the kingdom of Ilsig, east of
the
Queen's Mountains.'
'... which the Rankans call the World's End Mountains ...' supplied an urchin.
'... and the Mountain Men call Gunderpah ...' contributed another.
Hakiem leaned back on his haunches and scratched absently.
'Perhaps,' he said, 'the young gentlemen would like to tell the story
while
Hakiem listens.' .'• •
'No they wouldn't,' insisted Ran-tu. 'Shut up, everyone. It's my story!
Let
Hakiem tell it.'
Hakiem waited until silence was restored, then nodded loftily to Ran-tu
and
continued.
'Afraid of invasion from the then young Rankan Empire across the mountains,
they
formed an alliance with the Mountain Tribes to guard the only known pass
through
the mountains.'
He paused to draw a line on his map indicating the pass.
'Lo, it came to pass that their fears were realized. The Rankans turned
their
armies towards Ilsig, and they were forced to send their own troops into
the
pass to aid the Mountain Men in the kingdom's defence.'
He looked up hopefully and extended a palm as a merchant paused to listen,
but
the man shook his head and moved on.
'While the armies were gone,' he continued, scowling, 'there was an uprising
of
slaves in Ilsig. Body-servants, galley slaves, gladiators, all- united in
an
effort to throw off the shackles of bondage. Alas ...'
He paused and threw up his hands dramatically.
'... the armies of Ilsig returned early from their mountain campaign and put
a
swift end to the uprising. The survivors fled south ... here ... along
the
coast.'
He indicated the route with his fingers.
'The kingdom waited for a while, expecting the errant slaves to return of
their
own volition. When they didn't, a troop of cavalry was sent to overtake them
and
bring them back. They overtook the slaves here, forcing them back into
the
mountains, and a mighty battle ensued. The slaves were triumphant, and
the
cavalry was destroyed.'
He indicated, a point in the southern portion of the mountain range.
'Aren't you going to tell about the battle?' Ran-tu interrupted.
'That is a story in itself... requiring separate payment,' Hakiem smiled.
The boy bit his lip and said nothing more.
'In the course of their battle with the cavalry, the slaves discovered a
pass
through the mountains, allowing them to enter this green valley where game
was
plentiful and crops sprang from the ground. They called it Sanctuary.'
'The valley isn't green,' an urchin interrupted pointedly.
'That's because the slaves were dumb and overworked the land,'
countered
another.
'My dad used to be a farmer, and he didn't overwork the land!' argued a third.
'Then how is it you had to move into town when the sands took your
farm?'
countered the second.
'I want to hear my story!' barked Ran-tu, suddenly towering above them.
The group subsided into silence.
'The young gentleman there has the facts of the matter right,' smiled
Hakiem,
pointing a finger at the second urchin. 'But it took time. Oh' my, yes, lots
of
time. As the slaves exhausted the land to the north, they moved south,
until
they reached the point where the town stands today. Here they met a group
of
native fishermen, and between fishing and farming managed to survive in
peace
and tranquillity.'
'That didn't last long,' snorted Ran-tu, momentarily forgetting himself.
'No,' agreed Hakiem. 'The gods did not will it so. Rumours of a discovery
of
gold and silver reached the kingdom of Ilsig and brought intruders into
our
tranquility. First adventurers, and finally a fleet from the kingdom itself
to
capture the town and again bring it under the kingdom's control. The only fly
in
the kingdom's victory wine that day was that most of the fishing fleet was
out
when they arrived, and, realizing the fate of the town, took refuge
on
Scavengers' Island to form the nucleus of the Cape Pirates, who harass ships
to
this day.'
A fisherman's wife passed by and, glancing down, recognized the map in the
dust,
smiled, and tossed two copper coins to Hakiem. He caught them neatly,
elbowing
an urchin who tried to intercept them, and secreted them in his sash.
'Blessings on your house, mistress,' he called after his benefactor.
'What about the empire?' Ran-tu prompted, afraid of losing his
story.
;•
'What? Oh, yes. It seems that one of the adventurers pushed north seeking
the
mythical gold, found a pass through the Civa, and eventually joined the
Rankan
Empire. Later, his grandson, now a general in the empire, found his
ancestor's
journals. He led a force south over his grandfather's old route and
recaptured
the town. Using it as a base, he launched a naval attack around the cape
and
finally captured the kingdom of Ilsig, making it a part of the empire for
ever.'
'Which is where we are today,' one of the urchins spat bitterly.
'Not quite,' corrected Hakiem, his impatience to be done with the story
yielding
to his integrity as a tale-spinner. 'Though the kingdom surrendered, for
some
reason the Mountain Men continued to resist the empire's attempts to use
the
Great Pass. That was when the caravan routes were established.'
A faraway look came into his eyes.
'Those were the days of Sanctuary's greatness. Three or four caravans a
week
laden with treasures and trade goods. Not the miserable supply caravans you
see
today - great caravans that took half a day just to enter town.'
'What happened?' asked one of the awestruck urchins.
Hakiem's eyes grew dark. He spat in the dust.
'Twenty years ago, the empire succeeded in putting down the Mountain Men.
With
the Great Pass open, there was no reason to risk major caravans in the
bandit
-ridden sands of the desert. Sanctuary has become a mockery of its past glory,
a
refuge for the scum who have nowhere else to go. Mark my words, one day
the
thieves will outnumber the honest citizenry, and then ...'
'One side, old man!'
A sandalled foot came down on the map, obliterating its outlines and
scattering
the urchins.
Hakiem cowered before the shadow of one of the Hell Hounds, the five new
elite
guards who had accompanied the new governor into town.
'Zaibar! Stop that!'
The unsmiling giant froze at the sound of the voice and turned to face
the
golden-haired youth who strode on to the scene.
'We're supposed to be governing these people, not bludgeoning them
into
submission.'
It seemed strange, seeing a lad in his late teens chastizing a scarred
veteran
of many campaigns, but the larger man merely dropped his eyes in discomfort.
'Apologies, Your Highness, but the Emperor said we were to bring law and
order
to this hell-hole, and it's the only language these blackguards understand.'
'The Emperor - my brother - put me in command of this town to govern it as 1
see
fit, and my orders are that the people are to be treated kindly as long as
they
do not break the laws.'
'Yes, Your Highness.'
The youth turned to Hakiem.
'I hope we did not disturb your story. Here - perhaps this will make up for
our
intrusion.'
He pressed a gold coin into Hakiem's hand.
'Gold!' Hakiem sneered. 'Do you think one miserable coin can make up for
scaring
those precious children?'
'What?' roared the Hell Hound. 'Those gutter-rats? Take the Prince's money
and
be thankful I -'
'Zaibar!'
'But Your Highness, this man is only playing on your-'
'If he is, it's mine to give ...'
He pressed a few more coins into Hakiem's outstretched hand.
'Now come along. I want to see the bazaar.'
Hakiem bowed low, ignoring the Hell Hound's black glare. When he
straightened,
the urchins were clustered about him again.
'Was that the Prince?'
'My dad says he's the best thing for this town.'
'My dad says he's too young to do a good job.'
'Izzat so!'
'The Emperor sent him here to get him out of the way.'
'Sez who?'
'Sez my brother! He's been bribing guards here all his life and never had
any
trouble till the Prince came. Him and his whores and his Hell Hounds.'
'They're going to change everything. Ask Hakiem ... Hakiem?'
The urchins turned to their chosen mentor, but Hakiem had long since
departed
with his new wealth for the cool depths of a tavern.
3 THE PLAN
'As you already know, you five men have been chosen to remain with me here
in
Sanctuary after the balance of the honour guard returns to the capital.'
Prince Kadakithis paused to look each man in the face before he
continued.
Zaibar, Bourne, Quag, Razkuli, and Arman. Each of them a seasoned veteran,
they
doubtless knew their work better than the Prince knew his. Kadakithis's
royal
upbringing came to his rescue, helping him to hide his nervousness as he
met
their gazes steadily.
摘要：

THIEVESWORLD#1THIEVESWORLDEditedbyRobertLynnAsprinCONTENTSEDITORSNOTEINTRODUCTIONSENTENCESOFDEATHJohnBrunnerTHEFACEOFCHAOSLynnAbbeyTHEGATEOFTHEFLYINGKNIVESPoulAndersonSHADOWSPAWNAndrewOffuttTHEPRICEOFDOINGBUSINESSRobertAsprinBLOODBROTHERSJoeHaldemanMYRTISChristineDeWeesTHESECRETOFTHEBLUESTARMarionZi...

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