'A gift for Sanctuary's greatest storyteller... Hear of the landing from thelips of the one who welcomed them to our shore ... Gifts ... What's that?Coppers?! For Hakiem? Dig deeper into that purse or move along! That's thebravest man in town sitting there ... Thank you ... Gifts for the bravest man inSanctuary ...'

In a nonce a double handful of coins had found their way into the handkerchief,and Mikali triumphantly presented it to Hakiem with a flourish. The storytellerweighed the parcel carelessly in his hand for a moment, then nodded and slippedthe entire thing into his tunic, secretly enjoying the look of dismay thatcrossed the youth's face as Mikali realized the fine handkerchief would not bereturned.

Though I took my post on the wharf near midday, it was after dark before thefleet had anchored and the first of the Beysib ventured ashore. It was so dark,I did not even see the small boat being lowered over the side of one of theships. Not until they lit torches and began pulling for the wharf was I aware oftheir intent to make contact before first light,' Hakiem began.

Indeed, on that night Hakiem had nearly dozed off before he realized a boat wasfinally on its way from the fleet. Even a storyteller's curiosity had itslimits.

'It was a sight to frighten children with; that torchlit craft creeping towardsour town like some great spider from a nightmare, stalking its prey across anink-black mirror. Though I was hailed as brave, it embarrasses me not to admitthat I watched from the shadows. The wise know that darkness can shield the weakas easily as it harries the strong.'

There were nods of acknowledgement throughout the crowd. This was Sanctuary, andevery listener, regardless of social status, had sought refuge in the shadowsmore than once as the occasion arose, and did it more often than he would care