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wouldn’t want your current employer to think you were trying to take away his business.’
    She nodded.
    ‘Somewhere on the south side of the boulevard, perhaps halfway between the caravanserai gate and the governor’s palace.’
    She was silent for a while, then said, ‘Some important people tend to congregate in those neighbourhoods, Jim.’
    ‘Indeed,’ said James. ‘We’ll be among them, but nothing too ostentatious. Somewhere among the great gambling halls, brothels and palaces scattered among the nicer establishments, we shall open a modest inn – the sort where those with their fingers on the edge of power are likely to need housing.’
    She nodded. ‘The sort of place a nobleman’s baggage master or a wealthy merchant’s agent might lodge – the sort who might let something of note slip with the aid of strong drink and a pretty woman to impress.’
    ‘You’re a natural.’
    She frowned slightly. ‘I have been asked to listen but not hear before, Jim. How dangerous is this going to be?’
    ‘That depends on who you’re not hearing while you’re listening. Let’s say,’ he shrugged, ‘it could cost you your life.’
    She pulled back slightly, and the rising sun played across her face and shoulders. ‘You know how to charm a girl, Jim. If my life’s at risk, I trust you’ll make it worth my while?’
    ‘Your life is at risk every time you bring a man back here. You know that as well as I. You wouldn’t be the first girl in Durbin whose customer decided to pay with a blade instead of coin. I’ll make you more gold in the next few years than you could see in five lifetimes.’
    ‘And if I refuse?’
    ‘We never had this conversation, and I think you’re smart enough not to cause me difficulty.’
    She nodded. ‘I could betray you.’
    ‘There’s an old saying here,’ said James. ‘There are many holes in the desert, but there is always room for one more.’
    ‘A threat?’
    ‘A consequence.’
    ‘Let me think on it,’ she said. ‘I have no love for nations nor men of rank, but I do love gold.’
    ‘Smart,’ said James with a grin. ‘I shall only come by once, in three days’ time, and we shall share a drink. If you say nothing to me on this subject, we never had this discussion. If you decide before, go to Jacob the moneylender and tell him your name is Shareena. He will have your gold. Should circumstances warrant, I would enjoy another night here.’
    He kissed her quickly on the cheek and left, knowing full well that she would be at the moneylender’s stall within a day, two at the most, and to all intents and purposes, James of Krondor, Court Knight to Prince Arutha, had just established his first agent in a Keshian city.
    He opened the door, dodged into the early morning crowd and was gone.
    Jacob the moneylender looked up at the desert man approaching his stall in the market and for a moment was confused: the desert men never borrowed coin, preferring to barter camels, goats, or whatever they’d looted from travellers. Then as the figure came nearer Jacob recognized his features. He closed his eyes for a brief moment and repressed a groan. His bodyguard, a heavily muscled, black-skinned former pit fighter from the shores of the Overn Deep cast his master a glance. Jacob said, ‘I’ll need a moment.’
    The guard nodded and moved a discreet distance away as James reached the booth.
    James raised a hand in greeting.
    With his smile frozen in place, Jacob said, ‘Jimmy the Hand.’
    ‘Sir James.’
    The evil smile remained in place. ‘Wave your hands around a little like a desert man, for the gods’ mercy, or you’ll start drawing attention. A desert man wouldn’t be trying to haggle for coin, anyway. Are you trying to get us both killed?’
    ‘Then gesture like I’ve come to the wrong place and listen carefully, as I won’t repeat myself. First, I am here on the prince’s business, so from this point forward you’ll follow any instruction I give or send you.