The perceptive reader may notice small inconsistencies in the charactersappearing in these stories. Their speech patterns, their accounts of certainevents, and their observations on the town's pecking order vary from time totime.

These are not inconsistencies!

The reader should consider the contradictions again, bearing three things inmind.

First; each story is told from a different viewpoint, and different people seeand hear things differently. Even readily observable facts are influenced byindividual perceptions and opinions. Thus, a minstrel narrating a conversationwith a magician would give a different account than would a thief witnessing thesame 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 isdone more reflexively than out of premeditation, as it is essential for survivalin this community.

Finally, Sanctuary is a fiercely competitive environment. One does not gainemployment by admitting to being 'the second-best swordsman in town'. Inaddition to exaggerating one's own status, it is commonplace to downgrade orignore one's closest competitors. As a result, the pecking order of Sanctuarywill vary depending on who you talk to ... or more importantly, who you believe.

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 ofthe Rankan Empire shook his head in violent disagreement.

'I do not dispute the facts, Kilite,' he argued, 'But neither will I order thedeath of my brother.'

'Stepbrother,' his chief adviser corrected pointedly.

'The blood of our father flows in both our veins,' the Emperor countered, 'andI'll have no hand in spilling it.'

'But Your Excellency,' Kilite pleaded, 'Prince Kadakithis is young andidealistic ...'

'... 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 theEmperor - 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 inconvincing him that your rule was unjust or inhumane, that idealism would compelhim to move against you even though he loves you dearly.'

The Emperor's pacing slowed until finally he was standing motionless, hisshoulders drooping slightly.

'You're right, Kilile. All my advisers are right.' There was weary resignationin his voice. 'Something must be done to remove my brother from the hotbed ofintrigue here at the capital. If at all possible, however, I would hold anythoughts of assassination as a last resort.'

'If Your Excellency has an alternative plan he wishes to suggest, I would behonoured to give it my appraisal,' Kilite offered, wisely hiding his feelings oftriumph.

'I have no immediate plan,' the Emperor admitted. 'Nor will I be able to give itmy full concentration until another matter is settled which weighs heavily on mymind. 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 youin resolving...'

'It is nothing. A minor decision, but an unpleasant one nonetheless. I mustappoint 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 findingit myself - it's been excluded from the more recent maps. Whatever reason therewas for the town's existence has apparently passed. It is withering and dying, arefuge for petty criminals and down-at-the-heels adventurers. Still, it's partof 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 andgo-between with the capital. He should be strong enough to uphold and enforcethe 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-wayassignment.'

'Don't say "out-of-the-way", Your Excellency,' Kilite smiled. 'Say "far from thehotbed of intrigue".'

The Emperor looked at his adviser for a long moment. Then both men began tolaugh.

2 THE TOWN

Hakiem the Storyteller licked the dust from his lips as he squinted at themorning sun. It was going to be hot again today - a wine day, if he could affordwine. The little luxuries, like wine, that he allowed himself were harder tocome by as the caravans became fewer and more infrequent.

His fingers idly seeking a sand-flea which had successfully found its way insidehis 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 eyesbright and eager.

'Good morning, children,' he grimaced, exposing his yellow teeth. 'What doyou 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 hottoday. 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 fastenedhungrily on the copper coin extended in a grubby hand. That coin and four of itsbrothers would buy him a bottle of wine.

Where the boy had gotten it mattered not - he had probably stolen it. Whatconcerned Hakiem was how to transfer the wealth from the boy to himself. Heconsidered taking it by force, but decided against it. The bazaar was rapidlyfilling with people, and open bullying of children would doubtless drawrepercussions. Besides, the nimble urchins could outrun him with ease. He wouldjust 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 youshall 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 hearevery detail.'

The boy did as he was told, blissfully unaware that he was placing himselfwithin 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 hispretended sophistication for the moment.