Silver Shadows by Elaine Cunningham

steward,” Hasheth announced with disdain. The life of a country lord is deadly dull. What need have I of lands or title, I who am the son of a pasha?”
    Actually, Arilyn observed silently, lands and title would be a big improvement over Hasheth’s current lot. As a younger, harem-born son, his status was roughly that of a skilled tradesman, and his prospects were considerably less promising. At last count Batik had seven sons from his legal wives; his harem had produced an additional thirteen or fourteen. Hasheth had at least a dozen older brothers. Even if he had perfected the assassin’s art, it would have taken him many years to work his way up to the head of the tine.
    The half-elf nodded sympathetically. “Land is important, but Zazesspur’s wealth comes largely from trade. Have you considered becoming a merchant?”
    The prince sniffed. “A greengrocer? A camel salesman? I think not.”
    “How about apprentice to the head of the shipping guild, a man who also sits on the Lords’ Council?” the Harper countered. “Trade and politics work together tike a paired dagger and sword. In no place is this more

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    true than in Zazesspur. You could learn much and gather the tools needed to carve out a place for yourself. Those who control trade will always have a powerful hold upon the rulers. And Inselm Hhune is an ambitious man. You might to do well to hitch your cart to his star.”
    Hasheth nodded, his black eyes regarding her thoughtfully. “And the Harpers—they endorse this Lord Hhuner
    His tone was casual, but Arilyn could almost hear the gears of Gond churning in his mind. Clearly, he understood that she had some purpose other than his career advancement in mind. The Harper suppressed a rueful smile. Hasheth was good and getting better.
    “No, of course not,” she said bluntly. “As I’ve said before, Hhune is ambitious. It would be wise for the Harpers to keep an eye on such a man. But there is no reason why you cannot do this for us and advance yourself at the same time.”
    This notion seemed to please the young man. Picking up a jewel-encrusted bottle, he leaned forward and added a bit more wine to Arilyn’s goblet. She obligingly drank deeply, noting as she did so the glint that entered Hasheth’s eyes. It was a common ploy, one he had used time and again in the hope that a quantity of potent Catishite wine would lower the half-elfs formidable reserve and deliver her to his bed. Arilyn knew without vanity that she was considered beautiful, and she was well accustomed to masculine attention. Hasheth’s both amused and exasperated her, for the young man always expressed his admiration in a manner that suggested he was conferring upon her a great honor. Arilyn was an expert at saying no—her repertoire ranged from gracefully feigned regret to a disemboweling backstroke—but it was becoming increasingly difficult for her to turn down Hasheth’s advances while keeping a straight face.
    Fortunately for Arilyn, the young man seemed to be more interested in his future prospects than his
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The Harpers
    immediate libidinous impulses. “I will ask my father to place me in Lord Hhune’s service,” he agreed.
    “You do that, but first you should know that Hhune was probably involved in the plot against your father,” she cautioned him. “It is even possible that he had something to do with the guilds’ attempt to have you killed. Even now, you’d do well to watch your back.”
    Hasheth shrugged as if these past offenses were unworthy of consideration. “If Lord Hhune is truly an ambitious man, he will take whatever path he must,” he observed. His unspoken words, And so will I, rang sharply in Arilyn’s ears.
    The young man’s attitude did nothing to reassure Arilyn. At best, Hasheth was overly pragmatic. He would do whatever needed to be done to advance his ambitions. As long as Ms interests lay along the same path as those of the Harpers, all would be well. Arilyn was not