demonstrating that the Lady Rosanda is subject to punishment. Yes, I should
imagine that the remains of an ancilla who had been tortured to death, delivered
on Molin’s doorstep, would be a rather strong argument.’
His look grew intense on the appalled countenance across from him. ‘I know,’ he
said. ‘You’re breeding fever-dreams of a heroic rescue. It cannot be done. Even
supposing that somehow you won through the gate and brought her back, the gate
would remain. I doubt Ils would personally seek revenge; besides being petty,
that could provoke open strife with Savankala and his retinue, who’re formidable
characters themselves. But Ils would not stay the hand of the Flamen Hazroah,
who is a most vengeful sort. If you escaped his assassins, a sikkintair would
come after you, and nowhere in the world could you and she hide. Your talisman
would be of no avail. The sikkintair is not supernatural, unless you
give that designation to the force which enables so huge a mass to fly; and it
is from no magician, but from the god.
‘So forget the girl. The town is full of them.’ He fished in his purse and
spilled a handful of coins on the table. ‘Go to a good whorehouse, enjoy
yourself, and raise one for poor old Enas Yorl.’
He got up and waddled off, Cappen sat staring at the coins. They made a generous
sum, he realized vaguely: silver lunars, to the number of thirty.
One-Thumb came over. ‘What’d he say?’ the taverner asked.
‘I should abandon hope,’ Cappen muttered. His eyes stung; his vision blurred.
Angrily, he wiped them.