"“You don’t have to be so apologetic with me, Bheid,” Althalus told him. “I’m very tolerant about things like that. I gather that your murderers are on a salary of some kind?” “A yearly retainer with a bonus for each murder, yes.” “Then they aren’t just assorted fanatics who kill for their God?” “Good heavens no! Fanatics want to be captured and executed. That makes them martyrs, and martyrs are rewarded in heaven. Our assassins are thoroughgoing professionals who never get caught.” “Good policy. Never hire amateurs when you can get professionals.”"