23

I was alert to everything around me. I am almost always alert, of course - that's how I've survived this long. But a marketplace attracts more than honest and dishonest customers. Pickpockets and other thieves are drawn by the money being spent, and the goods on display.   No, thieves wouldn't attempt to steal a slave. But you'd be amazed to see what can be stolen, while a shapely female slave is being shown.

Codyla was watching the ships. I saw three or four suspicious figures skulking about. Two of them, just off to my left, perplexed me. Adult males, much too large to be inconspicuous. They looked more like strongarm types, or muggers, than pickpockets.   And they were wearing cloaks.   It was quite warm, already, and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. The only possible reason for wearing a long cloak in this weather would be to conceal a weapon. But why here?   I glanced to my right. Two armed men. Pirates - I knew the type. But they were looking around,