'Yes, I am,' the prince acknowledged. 'But the difficulties will probably bemore diplomatic than criminal in nature. As such, I will attend to itpersonally, leaving you free to pursue your given assignments.'
There were no further questions, and the prince steeled himself for his finalpronouncement.
'As to how you are to conduct yourselves while carrying out your orders ...'Kadakithis paused dramatically while sweeping the assemblage with a hard glare.'I know you men are all soldiers and used to meeting opposition with baredsteel. You are certainly permitted to fight to defend yourselves if attacked orto defend any citizen of this town. However, I will not tolerate brutality orneedless bloodshed in the name of the empire. Whatever your personal feelingsmay be, you are not to draw a sword on any citizen unless they have proven - Irepeat, proven - themselves to be criminal. The townsfolk have already taken tocalling you Hell Hounds. Be sure that title refers only to the vigour with whichyou pursue your duties and not to your viciousness. That is all.'
There were mutters and dark glances as the men filed out of the room. While theHell Hounds' loyalty to the empire was above question, Kadakithis had cause towonder if in their own minds they truly considered him a representative of thatempire.
SENTENCES OF DEATH by John Brunner
1
It was a measure of the decline in Sanctuary's fortunes that the scriptorium ofMaster Melilot occupied a prime location fronting on Governor's Walk. Thenobleman whose grandfather had caused a fine family mansion to be erected on thesite had wasted his substance in gambling, and at last was reduced to eking outhis days in genteel drunkenness in an improvised fourth storey of wattle and