Zaibar's expression hardened noticeably as he indicated the next area.
'Here is a tangle of streets known simply as the Maze. It is acknowledged by allto be the roughest section of town. Murder and armed robbery are commonplaceoccurrences day or night in the Maze, and most honest citizens are afraid to setfoot there without an armed escort. It has been brought to our attention thatnone of the guardsmen in the local garrison will enter this area, though whetherthis is out of fear or if they have been bribed...'
The prince cleared his throat noisily. Zaibar grimaced and moved on to anotherarea.
'Outside the walls to the north of town is a cluster of brothels and gaminghouses. There are few crimes reported in this area, though we believe this isdue more to a reluctance on the part of the inhabitants to deal with authoritiesthan from any lack of criminal activity. To the far west of town is a shantytowninhabited by beggars and derelicts known as the Downwinders. Of all the citizenswe've encountered so far, they seem the most harmless.'
His report complete, Zaibar returned to his place with the others as the princeaddressed them once again.
'Your priorities until new orders are issued will be as follows,' he announced,eyeing the men carefully. 'First, you are to make a concentrated effort toreduce or eliminate petty crime on the east side of town. Second, you will closethe wharves to the smuggler traffic. When that is done, I will sign into lawcertain regulations enabling you to move against the brothels. By that time, mycourt duties should have eased to a point where we can formulate a specific planof action for dealing with the Maze. Any questions?'
'Are you anticipating any problems with the local priesthood over the ordered