Den of Thieves , Part Two Content . The gentleman in the blue velvet tunic slowly pushed open the low door of unpainted wood and peered into the smoky dimness beyond . " What do you want here ? " demanded a voice from near at hand . " Er … I ' ve come by the Thieves ' Highway , " the gentleman said , almost questioningly . " What of it ? " " I … I was told to say that , and also ' Tonight flies the Father of Owls . ' " The gentleman ' s fine lips curved in a tentative smile . " That ' s all right , isn ' t it ? " The nearby voice gave a noncommittal grunt , then said , " Your business ? " " I wish to speak to … to the Red Asp . " " Sure . He ' s in the back , behind the brew vats . " A shadow in the smoke made a vague gesture , swirling the thick vapors . The gentleman coughed , and began to make his way across the dim room . The chamber was a common room of sorts , with a dozen or so tables and three - score mismatched chairs , some of which were occupied with drinkers although somewhere far above the noonday sun shone down on the desert city of Hallin ' s Stand . The ceiling was low and the gentleman was tall , so he had to weave his way between the low - hanging oil lamps that contributed most of the air ' s burden of smoke . " Beetle oil , " he said to himself , sniffing , " and the cheapest possible grade . " Beyond the brew vats the air was a bit less dense , but it was also even darker than in the common room . A single lamp burned upon a table against the far wall , its flame reflecting from a carafe , a flagon , and the embroidered edging on the vest of someone sitting on a chair , leaning back against the wall . The gentleman approached the table , stopped at a respectful distance and asked , " You are … the Red Asp ? " The front legs of the chair came down with a thump . " That ' s what they call me , " said a low voice from above the vest . " Traditional title for the doyen of the Hallin ' s Stand Thieves Guild . And you ? " " My name … isn ' t important , " the gentleman said . " But my business — is . " " How important ? " The gentleman drew a sack from his waistband and dropped it on the table . It clanked . The Red Asp opened it with a finger and stirred the contents for moment . " This would qualify as payment for important business . A down payment , anyway , " he said . " What ' s the target ? " " The Governor of Hallin ' s Stand . " " You ' re in the wrong place , friend , " said the Red Asp , with just a tinge of regret . " We don ' t do assassinations . You want the Dark Brotherhood . Or maybe the Morag Tong — they specialize in regicides . " " Oh , I don ' t want you to take the governor ' s life , " said the gentleman . " I want you to steal his honor . " " His honor ? " the Red Asp said . " How do you mean ? " " I want you to steal the governor ' s signet ring , the one the king put on his finger when he received his appointment . It ' s the symbol of his right to rule . And I want you to take it , " the gentleman said , " during the Ceremonial Dance at the Governor ' s Ball . " There was a long pause , and then , " Deal , " said the Red Asp . " Of course , I ' ll have to handle the matter personally . None of my cutpurses or burglars are up to this sort of job . " He lifted the carafe and poured fragrant pomegranate wine into the flagon . " Will you drink on it ? " " Both of us , " the gentleman said , " from the same vessel ? " " It ' s how we do things here . " " In that case , " said the gentleman in the blue velvet tunic , " I ' d be delighted . "