'Interesting,' Jubal murmured. 'How did you arrive at that system?'

'Well, once I knew that he was scared enough to pay, I suddenly realized that Ididn't know how much to ask for. If I asked for too little, he'd get suspicious,but if I named a figure too high, he'd either ruin his shop, trying to pay it,or simply refuse ... and then I'd have to try to make good my threats.'

'So what portion did you ask for?'

'One in five. But, you see, linking his payment to his sales, the fee would growwith his business, or adjust itself if times grew lean.'

The hawkmaster pondered this for a time.

'What is your name, boy?'

'Cidin, sir.'

'Well, Cidin, if you were in my place, if you caught someone using your namewithout permission, what would you do to him?'

'I ... I'd kill him, sir,' the boy admitted. 'You know, as an example, so otherpeople wouldn't do the same thing.'

'Quite right,' Jubal nodded, rising to his feet. 'I'm glad you understand whatwould have to be done.'

Cidin braced himself as the ex-crimelord reached for the sword on the table,then blinked in astonishment as the weapon was returned to its scabbard, insteadof being wielded with deadly intent.

'... fortunately for both of us, that isn't the case here. You have mypermission to use my name and work as my agent. Of course, two thirds of whatyou collect will be paid to me for the use of that name. Agreed?'

'Yes, sir.'

'You might also think of recruiting some of your friends to help you ... ifthey're as quick of wit as they are of foot.'

'I'll try, sir.'

'Now wait here for a moment while I fetch my aide. I want you to tell him whatyou told me about portions instead of flat fees. It's an idea worthinvestigating.'

He started for the door, then paused, studying the boy with a thoughtful eye.

'You don't look like a hawkmask... but then again, maybe that's what ourrebuilding needs. I think the days of swaggering swordsmen are numbered inSanctuary.'

'Have you reached a decision yet on Mor-am and Moria?'

Jubal shook his head. 'There's no rush,' he said. 'Mor-am is ours anytime wewant him. I don't want to eliminate him until I've made my mind up on Moria.Those two were close once, and I'm still unconvinced she has totally quelchedher feelings for her brother.'

'It's said she has developed a taste for wine. If we wait too long, she may notbe worth the recruiting.'

'All the more reason to wait. Either she is strong enough to stand alone,without brother or wine, or she isn't. We've no room for employees who needtending.'

'They were good people,' Saliman said softly.

'Yes, they were. But we can ill afford generosity at this time. What about theother? Is there any danger our spies in Walegrin's force will be discovered?'

'None that we know of. Of course, they have an advantage over the rest of us.'

'What's that supposed to mean?'

'Only that they're exempt from the order to assist the Stepsons, whenevertrouble arises. I've told you before, it's a dead giveaway to come to the aid ofthose mercenaries every time they get into a scrape. No one else in town likesthem, except the whores, and it breeds suspicion when one of ours takes theirside in a quarrel.'

'Have they honoured their pledge not to hunt the old hawk-masks?'

'Yes,' Saliman admitted grudgingly. 'In a way, they still go through themotions, but they have been notably ineffective since the alliance.'

'Then we'll honour our side of the bargain. If our forces are drawing unwantedattention, instruct them to be more subtle with their assistance. There are waysof helping without openly taking sides in a brawl.'

'We tried that, and the Stepsons proved inept in battle. You were the one whosaid we must do whatever necessary to keep them alive.'

'Then keep doing it!' Jubal was suddenly tired of the argument. 'Saliman, I fearyour dislike of this alliance has slanted your reports. Those "inept" Stepsonsdrove our entire force out of our mansion. I find it hard to believe that theyare suddenly unable to survive a simple street skirmish.'

The small snake raised its head to study its captors, then went back toexploring the confines of its jar with the singleminded intent characteristic ofreptiles.

'So this is one of the dread beynit,' Jubal mused, resting his chin on his handsto study the specimen. 'The secret weapon of the Beysib.'

'Not all that secret,' his aide retorted. 'I've told you of the bodies that haveappeared marked with snakebite. The fish-folk are not always discreet in theiruse of their secret weapons.'

'Let's not fall victim to our own tricks, Saliman. We were never abovescattering a few extra corpses around to confuse the issue. I don't think it'ssafe to assume that every snakebit body is the work of the Beysib. You're surethis snake won't be missed?'

'It cost the life of one of their women, but that's unimportant. Hers isn't theonly life they've lost lately. They seem remarkably stubborn about not adaptingto Sanctuary's nightlife. Wherever they come from, they're used to being able totravel the streets alone.'

'Their carelessness may give us the advantage we need,' Jubal said, tapping theside of the jar to make the snake raise its head again. 'If we can unlock thesecret of this venom, we'll be that much ahead if we ever have to confront thefish-folk.'

He straightened and pushed the jar across the table to his aide.

'Pass this to someone well-versed in toxins and include enough money for testslaves. I want an antidote for this poison within the month. Too bad Tempusrevenged himself on Kurd. We could use the vivisectionist's services.'

'Tempus has a knack for making our life difficult,' Saliman agreed, dryly.

'That reminds me. How are things going with the Stepsons? You haven't saidanything lately, so I assume the situation has stabilized.'

'No, it hasn't. However, you told me in no uncertain terms that you didn't wantto hear any more complaining about the Alliance.'

'No more complaints, but that didn't mean I would reject all reports.'

'Yes, it did. All I get is complaints about the Whoresons and their inability tosave themselves from the simplest of conflicts.'

'All right, Saliman,' Jubal sighed. 'Perhaps I have discounted the reports toomuch. Now, can you give me an impartial briefing as to what has been happening?'

The aide paused to collect his thoughts before reporting. 'The Stepsons, as weknew them when they first arrived in town, were hardened warriors, able to notonly survive but triumph in most situations involving armed conflict. They werefeared but respected by the people of Sanctuary. This has changed radicallysince our alliance with them. They have grown more quarrelsome, and theirability to defend themselves seems to have diminished nearly to the point ofnonexistence. A major portion of our agents' time and energies is being divertedinto keeping the Stepsons out of trouble, or saving them when our preventivemeasures fail.'

The ex-crimelord digested this. 'We both know that field soldiers left in towntoo long become troublesome as their fighting trim and discipline deteriorate.Is this what's happened to the Stepsons?'

Saliman shook his head. 'Such deterioration would not be so rapid or complete.These warriors could not be more ineffectual if they were trying to lose.'

'You may have the answer there. We know the Stepsons to be fearless, willing tofollow Tempus's orders even unto death. They could be testing us, deliberatelyexposing themselves to danger to measure our intent or ability to honour ouralliances. Either that, or there may be more to Tempus's leadership than meetsthe eye. It has been established that he derives support from at least one god.Perhaps he has found a way to transmit that power to his troops ... a way thathas grown tenuous operating at such a distance.'