Thieves World 01 – Thieves World by Asprin, Robert

builder within the Rankan prince’s entourage. She had another friend and patron

living within his household. Was this the woman of Cappen Varra’s idylls? Had

the minstrel finally overstepped himself?

‘Why would the Rankan have his way with you?’ she asked, prying gently.

‘They have sought to build a temple for their gods.’

‘But you are not a goddess, nor even Rankan. Such things should not concern

you.’

Illyra spoke lightly, but she knew, from the cards, that the priests sought her

as part of some ritual – not in personal interest.

‘My father is rich – proud and powerful among those of Sanctuary who have never

accepted the fall of the Ilsig kingdom and will never accept the empire. Molin

has singled my father out. He has demanded our lands for his temple. When we

refused, he forced the weaker men not to trade with us. But my father would not

give in. He believes the gods of Ilsig are stronger, but Molin has vowed revenge

rather than admit failure.’

‘Perhaps your family will have to leave Sanctuary to escape this foreign priest,

and your home be torn down to build their temple. But though the city may be all

you know, the world is large, and this place but a poor part of it.’

Illyra spoke with far more authority than she actually commanded. Since the

death of her mother, she had left the bazaar itself only a handful of times and

had never left the city. The words were part of the S’danzo oratory Moonflower

had taught her.

‘My father and the others must leave, but not me. I’m to be part of Molin

Torchholder’s revenge. His men came once to my father’s house. The Rankan