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Kushni is the most disreputable area of a city which has more than its fair share of disreputable quarters. The narrow, filthy streets are comprised of brothels, gambling dens, dwa joints and dubious #2 в контекст | | |
taverns. The streets are full of pimps, prostitutes, derelicts, junkies and thieves. It is perverse of the Assassins to have their headquarters there. Not that they're in any danger of being robbed or assaulted #3 в контекст | | |
by any of Kushni's low-life habitues. No one would be so stupid. #4 в контекст | | |
"I'm surprised at you visiting us," says the black-hooded woman sitting opposite me. "Our informants didn't say you were possessed of great intelligence, but neither did they tell us you were a #5 в контекст | | |
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I'm sitting in a plain room without decoration of any sort talking to Hanama, Master Assassin, and I can't say I'm enjoying it. Hanama is number three in the Assassins' chain of command, or so I believe. #7 в контекст | | |
They don't publish details of their ranks. She's around thirty, I think, though she looks younger, but it's hard to tell as her head and part of her face are generally covered by a black hood. She is small, very #8 в контекст | | |
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"It was easy to break the locking spell on your door," she murmurs. "I doubt if your protection spell would hold out against me for long." #10 в контекст | | |
Little does she know I'm not carrying a protection spell. I put the sleep spell into my subconscious before I came out, and I can't manage two spells these days. Could I utter the sleep spell before she #11 в контекст | | |
made it across the table to kill me? Possibly. Possibly not. I've no intention of finding out. #12 в контекст | | |
"I don't expect to need protection. After all, you're mistaken in thinking I have the Red Elvish Cloth. Why did you think I had it?" #13 в контекст | | |
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"What makes you think I would answer questions from you?" #16 в контекст | | |
"I'm just doing my job. And protecting myself. If you, the Society of Friends and God knows who else believe I've got the Cloth, my life isn't going to be worth much. The best I can expect is a long stay in #17 в контекст | | |
the King's dungeon. Or rowing one of his triremes." #18 в контекст | | |
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"Perhaps I should report last night's events to the Civil Guard," I say. "The Consul and the Praetors tolerate the Assassins because they find them useful. But they wouldn't be very pleased to hear you were #20 в контекст | | |
trying to get your hands on Red Elvish Cloth reserved for the King." #21 в контекст | | |
"We would not appreciate anyone spreading false rumours about us," says Hanama, threateningly. #22 в контекст | | |
"I'd hate to do anything the Assassins would not appreciate. You know anything about the theft of the Cloth?" #23 в контекст | | |
"The Assassins do not indulge in illegal activities." #24 в контекст | | |
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"No charges have ever been brought against us," says Hanama, coolly. #26 в контекст | | |
"Yeah, sure, I know. Because you're always hired by people rich and important enough to avoid the law. Why are you looking for the Cloth?" #27 в контекст | | |
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"No doubt you're aware the Cloth is valued at thirty thousand gurans?" #29 в контекст | | |
Hanama maintains her cool indifference. I get more annoyed. #30 в контекст | | |
"You cold-blooded murderers make me sick. Stay well away from me, Hanama. Bother me again and I'll be down on you like a bad spell." #31 в контекст | | |
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"Our interview is over," she says, slightly less coolly. #33 в контекст | | |
I've succeeded in riling her. Good. Just goes to show what a reckless old fool I've become, riling an #34 в контекст | | |
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"Just one last question. How do you Assassins all keep your skin so pale? Is it make-up, or special training, or what?" #36 в контекст | | |
Hanama pulls a bell-rope. Two junior Assassins enter the room and escort me along a corridor to the front door. #37 в контекст | | |
"You should brighten the place up a bit," I suggest. "Get a few pot plants." #38 в контекст | | |
They refuse to reply. Practising being grim-faced, I expect. Outside, in the dusty road, I shudder. #39 в контекст | | |
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