Thieves World 01 – Thieves World by Asprin, Robert

a daunting sight. Of obsidian polished glassy smooth, it might have measured

thirty feet were the tail not coiled under the narrow body. The two legs which

supported the front ended in talons the length ofJamie’s dirk. An upreared,

serpentine neck bore a wickedly lanceolate head, jaws parted to show fangs that

the sculptor had rendered in diamond. From the back sprang wings, bat-like save

for their sharp-pointed curvatures, which if unfolded might well have covered

another ten yards.

‘Aye,’ Jamie murmured, ‘such a brute could bear off two women like an eagle a

brace of leverets. Must take a lot of food to power it. I wonder what quarry

they hunt at home.’

‘We may find out,’ Cappen said, and wished he hadn’t.

‘Come.’ Jamie led the way back, and around to the left side of the temple. It

occupied almost its entire ground, leaving but a narrow strip of flagstones.

Next to that, a wall enclosed the flower-fragrant sanctum of Eshi, the love

goddess. Thus the space between was gratifyingly dark; the intruders could not

now be spied from the avenue. Yet enough light filtered in that they saw what

they were doing. Cappen wondered if this meant she smiled on their venture.

After all, it was for love, mainly. Besides, he had always been an enthusiastic

worshipper of hers, or at any rate of her counterparts in foreign pantheons;

oftener than most men had he rendered her favourite sacrifice.

Jamie had pointed out that the building must have lesser doors for utilitarian

purposes. He soon found one, bolted for the night and between windows that were