[alternate ending snipped] > > Any thoughts? > I think it was _vitally_ important to the Jhereg that no one know that Mellar had raided the Jhereg Treasury. Perhaps it is enough to point at Mellar's fate and say, "that's what happens to people who thieve from us", but I think it would be much better if no one found out it ever happened. If word got out, people[*] would no longer think "can I rob the treasury", they would think "how can I get away with it." In other words, I don't think Mellar would be allowed to live any longer than absolutely necessary past the time he knew the game was up. He might let the cat out of the bag. Bryan [*] by people, I mean, of course, me.