It sent me flying backward - and a dozen people near me were knocked to the ground as well. I landed on top of the willowy blonde. I slapped at the crotch of my trousers, because they were hot, and smoking, and I thought they might burst into flame. Only then did I look up. The wheel was partly broken. It was tilted over, at an odd angle. But it had stopped ... on number 11. The corner of the table was gone, blown off when my rabbit's foot exploded. That was one thing that caught my attention. The other was Sylvia. Her eyes were wide, and she had that incredulous look again. But she was also smiling. At me. - "It's on eleven!" screamed someone. - "He won!" shouted another spectator. Cacophony. Mayhem. Sheer madness. Funny - I don't remember that part very well. I only saw Sylvia smiling. - "HE CHEATED!" screamed Molun. "THAT WASS MAGIC!" I had no idea what to say. It's true, the rabbit's foot was

- "Look." I said. "It's not that complicated. I make you my partner. Managing partner, since it sounds like you do all of the work, anyway. Let's say you have ... 51% of the Narimac. Wouldn't that mean that you owned it?" It took a little longer to persuade her. - "This is truly your wish, Ken?" - "This is what I want. If you want it, too, then we should put this on paper, or something." - "I have one request, then. You should not make such a weighty decision in haste. You must 'sleep on this', as humans say. Perhaps by tomorrow, you will have changed your mind." - "I don't think I will." - "Such a decision would be irrevocable, Ken. Once done, it could not be easily undone." - "I know. But it's quite simple: I don't want to be your owner. Partner sounds much better." Oh, yes ... I was thinking of other possible meanings for 'partner' - couldn't help it. - "I insist that you wait one day.

A scrawny child in rags was much too noticeable, especially in the Upper Market, where people had real money. A scruffy urchin, loitering with intent, is too obvious. Alone among the street kids, I spent my gains on better clothing. I skipped a meal here and there, to buy a waistcoat, a clean shirt, trousers and shoes. I didn't go to the same market every day. Yes, you could learn the best escape routes, and get to know the patterns, if you went to the same place repeatedly. But after a while, people started to recognize you, and eventually they would realize that you never bought anything. Oh, yes - they hang children. A thief is a thief, regardless of age. The youngest I ever saw on the scaffold was a five year-old girl. - "It sounds so cruel." said Sylvia. - "It is." I agreed. "I saw something else, early on. There were no old pickpockets. SwiftFinger was one, but he had three apprentices working with him, and he passed the loot to

- "Is it like this all the time?" - "Thankfully, no. Once they realize that you are not going to give them a loan, or an outright gift, the traffic will slow down. That is when you will have to start being extra careful. The real gold diggers and bloodsuckers are much more patient." - "Wonderful." She laughed. "If you run into any trouble, just refer them to me." - "Thanks, partner." That earned me a kiss that melted part of my brain. - "You beautiful man." she whispered. Apparently, the word 'partner' triggered several excellent responses in my Jasmi friend. She looked absolutely magnificent, eminently desirable, as she circulated through the room, checking the action at the tables, fending off subtle and not-so-subtle advances, and keeping a vigilant eye on our staff. What a partnership. She did everything, while I stood around like an idiot. Probably an accurate reflection of our respecti

I reported what I'd seen to the women. - "The guard on the roof has to go." said Kima. - "Mine." said Fhaernala. "Just before we go in." - "I can deal with the door." said the raven-haired wizard. Pamna cast a spell over all of us. "Just a little added protection." she said. A hundred yards from the target, everyone halted while the elf and I went forward a little further. - "The building across from the bakery?" she said. - "Yes. He's on the far corner." - "I see him." Fhaernala produced her bow, and nocked an arrow. Then she spoke to it - I wasn't sure if she was addressing the bow, or the arrow. The words were elvish, but I didn't recognize them. And damned if she didn't let fly, from a little under 100 yards away. It was an impossible shot, a ridiculous shot ... and I had no doubt that she'd made it. Fhaernala was already moving forward while I stood and gawked.