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By Root 636 0

a fool.” Arilyn chuckled. “That answer your question?” “It'll do,” Dan said flatly. “You win. But what makes you think that Hasheth will work with us?” “He will if we can convince him his life is in danger.” The nobleman's face suffused with unholy glee. “I can think of several ways to accomplish that feat.” “Don't bother. The second assassin will strike soon. He has to, if they plan to blame Hasheth's death on a northern barbarian.” “Ah.” Danilo drew in a long breath. “I think I've got it. Hasheth's masters send him after you, fully expecting you to kill him. It was a chance to be rid of him and remain guiltless. And knowing how Pasha Balik feels about 'northern barbarians,' they're probably expecting Hasheth's death to put the old boy right over the edge.” “That's my guess,” Arilyn agreed. “His son's death might prompt Balik to limit trade with the North-making the people of Tethyr turn against him. The way would be clear for the guild alliance to make its move.” “Devious,” the nobleman muttered. “And the other assassin-the one who's been following us since Imnescar- was supposed to make certain you and Hasheth met up, I suppose.” “Probably. If I don't kill Hasheth, he will. You can bet I'll still be blamed, though.” Danilo was silent for a long moment “So what do we do now?” “We keep Hasheth alive,” Arilyn said in a grim voice. As the three travelers rode deeper into the pass, the day grew oppressively hot and the landscape more barren and forbidding. Heat rose in wavering lines from the sand and from the scattered clusters of rock. The only signs of life were the colonies of lizards sunning themselves on rocky ledges. The creatures seemed to be everywhere, and Danilo marveled that anything could enjoy the

punishing heat. “Look at that large rock formation,” the half-elf said quietly. The pass narrowed up ahead, with a flat ledge to the left side of the trail and a huge, jagged pile of boulders blocking escape to the right. “Is our assassin lying in wait there?” the nobleman asked. “Could you choose a better place?” Arilyn asked. “Once I move, you keep an eye on Hasheth.” They rode until they were almost level with the rock. Suddenly Arilyn threw herself from her horse, tugging violently at the line that bound their young captive. Caught unaware, Hasheth fell heavily to the rocky ground. Arilyn was back up in a heartbeat, moonblade in hand, rushing toward something Danilo had yet to see. A tall, dark-bearded man sprang up from behind the rocks, a pair of scimitars flashing in the sunlight. Danilo noted that the attacker's dark, close-fitting attire was identical to the garments worn by Hasheth. For his part, the pasha's son staggered painfully to his feet. As he watched the battle raging before him, fierce joy filled his heart. The accursed woman would die, and at the hands of a brother assassin! Hasheth's eyes narrowed at that thought, and he stooped to pick up a shard of stone, wedge-shaped and sharp. Perhaps this was a gods-granted chance to fulfill the duty assigned him.... “I wouldn't recommend it,” said a voice edged with steel. An equally sharp blade bit into the base of Hasheth's neck. 'Turn around slowly.“ Hasheth did as he was bid, silently cursing himself for being bested by the barbarian peacock. He'd forgotten about Danilo, so accustomed had he become to ignoring the fool. ”Look over at the rock ledge,“ the northerner ordered, lowering his blade until it was level with the young man's heart. ”It could change your outlook considerably.“ Puzzled, Hasheth looked-and recoiled from the sight before him. All but one of the sun-loving lizards had fled in fright. The lone remaining creature writhed and twisted, impaled by a slender, familiar knife. The blade flashed in the bright sunlight as the lizard flopped about. As the young man gaped, the creature was seized by a final, convulsive shudder. Only moments before, Hasheth had been directly between the dead reptile and the former hiding place of his ”brother assassin.“ ”Arilyn cut that a bit close, wouldn't you say?“ Danilo observed in his irritating drawl. ”The