Robert Asprin - TW 07 - The Dead of Winter

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Thieves World Book #07
The Dead of Winter
Edited by Robert Lynn Asprin
CONTENTS
Dramatis Personae Lynn Abbey
Introduction Robert Lynn Asprin
Hell to Pay Janet Morris
The Veiled Lady,
or A Look at the Normal Folk Andrew Offutt
The God-Chosen Lynn Abbey
Keeping Promises Robin W. Bailey
Armies of the Night C. J. Cherryh
Down by the Riverside Diane Duane
When the Spirit Moves You Robert Lynn Asprin
The Color of Magic Diana L. Paxson
Afterword Andrew Offutt
Dramatis Personae
The Townspeople:
Ahdiovizun; Ahdiomer Viz; Ahdio
Proprietor of Sly's Place, a legendary dive within the Maze.
Lalo the Limner
Street artist gifted with magic he does not fully understand.
Gilla His indomitable wife.
Alfi Their youngest son.
Latilla Their daughter.
Vanda Their daughter.
Wedemir Their son and eldest child.
Dubro Bazaar blacksmith and husband to Illyra.
Illyra Half-blood S'danzo seeress with True Sight.
Arton Their son, marked by the gods and magic as part of an
emerging divinity known as the Storm Children.
Hakiem Storyteller and confidant extraordinaire.
Harran Overworked surgeon for the false Stepsons and one-time priest of the
nearly forgotten goddess, Siveni.
Jubal Prematurely aged former gladiator. Once he openly ran Sanctuary's most
visible criminal organization, the Hawkmasks. Now he works behind the
scenes.
Kurd Vivisectionist slain by Tempus upon whom he had performed some of his
viler experiments.
Lastel; One Thumb Proprietor of the Vulgar Unicorn. Betrayed by local
magicians, he spent a small eternity in death's embrace. Freed when Cime
wreaked havoc on the local Mageguild, he is a shadow of his former self.
Moruth King of the Downwind beggars. Myrtis-Madam of the Aphrodisia House.
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Tamzen Young woman, daughter of a tavernkeeper, who loved Niko and was killed
by Roxane.
Zip Bitter young terrorist. Leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation
of Sanctuary (PFLS).
The Magicians:
Askelon The Entelechy of Dreams, a magician so powerful that the gods have set
him apart from men to rule in Meridian, the source of dreams.
Datan Supreme of the Nisibisi wizards; slain by the Stepsons and Randal. His
globe of power, which now belongs to Randal, was the foremost of such
artifacts manufactured along Wizardwall.
Enas Yorl Quasi-immortal mage cursed with eternal life and constantly
changing physical form.
Ischade Necromancer and thief. Her curse is passed to her lovers who die from
it.
Haught Her apprentice. A Nisibisi dancer and freed slave.
Mor-am Her servant. A Hawkmask she saved from certain death, whose
pain and torment she holds at bay in exchange for other
services.
Moria Mor-am's sister, also a Hawkmask but now the somewhat alcoholic
chatelaine of Ischade's uptown establishment.
Stilcho One of the Sanctuary natives chosen to replace the Stepsons
when they followed Tempus to Wizardwall. He was tortured
and killed by Moruth, then reanimated by Ischade.
Roxane; Death's Queen Nisibisi witch. Heiress to all Nisi power and enemies.
Snapper Jo A fiend summoned and controlled by Roxane.
Others:
Bashir A Free Nisi fighter and ally of the Stepsons during their sojourn at
Wizardwall.
Brachis Supreme Archpriest of Vashanka, companion of Theron.
Mradhon Vis Nisibisi mercenary, adventurer and occasional spy.
Theron New military Emperor. An usurper placed on the throne with the aid of
Tempus and his allies.
The Rankans living in Sanctuary:
Chenaya; Daughter of the Sun Daughter of Lowan Vigeles, a beautiful and
powerful young woman who is fated never to lose a fight. Dayrne-Her
companion and trainer.
Gyskouras One of the Storm Children, conceived during an ill-fated Ritual
of the Ten-Slaying, a commemoration of Vashanka's vengeance on his
brothers.
Seylalha His mother, a temple dancer chosen to be Azyuna in the
Ritual of the Ten-Slaying.
Prince Kadakithis Charismatic but somewhat naive half-brother of the
recently assassinated Emperor, Abakithis.
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Daphne His official wife, missing since the arrival of the Beysib.
Lowan Vigeles Half-brother of Molin Torchholder, father of Chenaya, a wealthy
aristocrat self-exiled to Sanctuary in the wake of Abakithis'
assassination.
Molin Torchholder; Torch Archpriest and architect of Vashanka; Guardian
of the Storm Children.
Rosanda His wife.
Rankan 3rd Commando Mercenary company founded by Tempus Thales and noted for
its brutal efficiency.
Kama; Jes Tempus' barely acknowledged daughter.
Sync Commander of the 3rd.
Rashan; the Eye of Savankala Priest and Judge of Savankala. Highest-ranking
Rankan in Sanctuary prior to the arrival of the Prince.
Razkuli Hell Hound slain for vengeance by Tempus.
Stepsons; Sacred Banders Members of a mercenary unit founded by Abarsis
who willed their allegiance to Tempus Thales after his own death.
Critias; Crit Leftside leader paired with Straton. Second in
command after Tempus.
Janni Nikodemos' rightside partner; tortured and killed by Roxane.
Nikodemos; Niko; Stealth Bandaran Adept skilled in mental and
martial disciplines. Once a captive of Roxane and Datan.
Randal; Witchy-Ears The only mage ever trusted by Tempus or
admitted into the Sacred Band.
Straton; Strat; Ace Rightside partner of Critias. Enamored of
Ischade and, so far, immune to her curse.
Tempus Thales; the Riddler Nearly immortal mercenary, a partner of Vashanka
before that god's demise; commander of the Stepsons; cursed with
a fatal inability to give or receive love.
Walegrin Rankan army officer assigned to the Sanctuary garrison where his
father had been slain by the S'danzo many years before.
Zalbar Captain of the Hell-Hounds which, since the arrival of the Beysib
exiles, have lost most of their influence.
The Gods:
Enlil Storm God/wargod for the more recently conquered Northern parts of the
Rankan Empire.
Mriga Mindless and crippled woman elevated to divinity during Harran's
abortive attempt to resurrect Siveni Gray-Eyes.
Sabellia Mother goddess for the Rankan Empire. Savankala-Father god for
the Rankan Empire.
Siveni Gray-Eyes Ilsigi goddess of wisdom, medicine and defense.
Stormbringer Primal Storm God/wargod. The pattern for all other such gods, he
is not, himself, the object of organized worship.
Vashanka Storm God/wargod of the original Rankan lands; vanquished and
exiled beyond the reach of his onetime worshippers.
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The Beysib:
Monkel Setmur Young chief of clan Setmur, an extended kinship of fishermen and
sailors.
Shupansea; Shu-sea Head of the Beysib exiles in Sanctuary; mortal avatar of
the Beysib mother goddess.
INTRODUCTION
Robert Lynn Asprin
"You may remove your blindfold now, old one."
Even as he fumbled with the knot binding the strip of cloth over his eyes,
Hakiem knew much of his surroundings. His nose told him that he was in one of
Sanctuary's numerous brothels ... though exactly which one he was unsure of. At
his advanced age he did not frequent the town's houses of ill-repute even though
he could now easily have afforded them, and therefore he was unfamiliar with
their individual nuances. The memories of his youth, however, still lingered
strong enough for him to recognize the generic aroma of a dwelling where women
sold sex for a living and the incense used in a vain attempt to disguise that
profession.
More important than the room's location was its inhabitant, and Hakiem had good
reason to recognize the voice that now instructed him. It was Jubal, once
Sanctuary's crimelord ... now the underground leader of one of the armed
factions that fought overtly and covertly for control of the city.
"It takes longer to reach you these days," Hakiem said with a casualness that
bordered on insolence as he removed his blindfold.
Jubal was sprawled across a large, throne-like chair which Hakiem recognized
from earlier days when the black ex-gladiator/slaver had openly operated out of
his Downwind mansion. He wondered briefly what it had taken to retrieve that
piece of furniture; the Stepsons had attacked the dwelling, driven the crimelord
into hiding. Of course, the "ersatz" Stepsons had been there for a while, which
might have made the recovery easier ... but that would have to be a story to be
purloined on another day.
"These are dangerous times," Jubal said without a trace of apology. "One as
observant as yourself must surely have noticed that, even though you have seldom
relayed such information to me since your promotion."
Hakiem felt vaguely uncomfortable at this subtle accusation. He knew that he had
long enjoyed favored status in Jubal's eyes, and at one time would have
tentatively called him a friend. Now, however ...
"I have brought someone to meet you," he said, striving to shift the
conversation away from himself. "Allow me to present ..."
"You would not have reached me if I hadn't known both that you were accompanied
by someone and that person's identity," Jubal interrupted. "All that remains to
be discovered is the motive for this visit. You may remove your blindfold as
well. Lord Setmur. My earlier instruction was meant for both of you."
Hakiem's companion hastily removed his eye covering and stood squinting
nervously.
"I ... I wasn't sure, and thought it better to err on the side of caution."
"A sentiment we both share," Jubal said with a smile. "Now tell me, why would
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one of you Beysib interlopers, much less the head of the Setmur clan of
fishermen, seek an audience with a lowly Sanctuarite such as myself? I am
neither noble nor fisherman, and it's been my impression that the Beysib are
interested in little else in our town."
Hakiem felt a moment of sympathy for the little Beysib. Monkel Setmur was
unaccustomed to dealing with those who specialized in words, much less those who
habitually honed their tongues to razor-sharpness. It was clear that Jubal was
in a bad mood and ready to vent his annoyance on his hapless visitor.
"Surely you can't hold Monkel here responsible for ..."
"Stay out of this, old one," Jubal snapped, stopping Hakiem's attempted defense
with a suddenly pointing finger. "Speaking for the Beysib has become a habit
with you which would be better broken. I wish to hear Lord Setmur's thoughts
directly."
Sketching a bow so formal it reeked of sarcasm, Hakiem lapsed into silence. In
truth, he himself was curious about the reason behind Monkel's visit. The Beysib
had sought out Hakiem to arrange an audience with Jubal, but had steadfastly
refused to reveal his motive.
The Beysib licked his lips nervously, then locked gazes with the ex-crimelord
and straightened his back proudly.
"One hears that you have power in the streets of Sanctuary ... and that of the
gang leaders, you are the only one whose favor can be bought."
Hakiem winced inwardly. If Monkel had intended to make an enemy of Jubal, he
could not have picked a better opening gambit. The diplomat in him wanted to
close his eyes and avoid the sight of Jubal's response to this insult, but the
storyteller part of him required that he witness every detail and nuance.
To his surprise, Jubal did not immediately lash out in anger ... either verbally
or physically.
"That is a common misconception," he said instead, nodding slowly. "In truth, I
am simply more open about my interest in money than most. There are some causes
or chores which even I and my forces will not touch ... regardless of the fee."
The head of the Setmur clan sagged slightly at this news. His gaze dropped, and
as he replied, his voice was lacking the edge of confidence and arrogance it had
held earlier.
"If by that you mean you wish to have nothing to do with my people, then I will
waste no more of your time. It had been my intention to ask for your protection
for the Beysib here in Sanctuary. In return, I was willing to pay handsomely ...
either a flat fee or, if you wished, a percentage of my clan's revenues."
In his head, Hakiem damned Monkel for his secrecy. If only the little fisherman
had asked his counsel before they were in Jubal's presence. On the surface the
proposal seemed reasonable enough, except.... It was common knowledge in town
that Jubal had long sought to obtain a foothold on Sanctuary's wharfs, but that
to date he had been forestalled by the tight unity of the fishing community.
Apparently this common knowledge had escaped the ears of Lord Setmur. Either
that or he was unaware of the fragility of the union between his clan and the
local fishermen. If the local captains discovered that he was offering Jubal an
opening to drive a wedge into the fishing community in exchange for safety ...
"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
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摘要：

file:///F|/rah/Robert%20Asprin/Asprin%20[Ed.]%20-%20Thieves%20World%20-%2007%20-%20The%20Dead%20of%20Winter.txtThievesWorldBook#07TheDeadofWinterEditedbyRobertLynnAsprinCONTENTSDramatisPersonaeLynnAbbeyIntroductionRobertLynnAsprinHelltoPayJanetMorrisTheVeiledLady,orALookattheNormalFolkAndrewOffuttT...

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