Thieves World 2 – Tales From The Vulgar Unicorn by Asprin, Robert

to have concourse with human females.’ The beautiful male face twisted. The

bright eyes gazed into Stulwig’s. ‘I have heard stories,’ Cappen said, ‘that

you, as your father before you, often accept a woman’s favours in exchange for

your services as a healer; the woman having nothing else to give pays the price

in the time-honoured way of male-female. As a consequence you actually have many

half-brothers out there in the streets, and you yourself – so it has been said

have sired a dozen sons and daughters, unacknowledged because of course no one

can ever be sure who is the father of these numerous waifs, unless there is

unmistakable facial resemblance.’

Another shrug. ‘I’m not blaming you. These are the truths of our world. But-‘

He stopped. His hand extended gingerly, and touched Stulwig’s stave. ‘It’s tough

wood.’

Stulwig was uneasy. ‘Awkward to handle in close quarters, and scarcely a weapon

to ward off the god of lightning.’

‘Nevertheless,’ said Cappen, ‘it’s your best defence. Use it firmly. Keep it

between you and any attacker. Yield ground and flee only when there’s a good

moment.’

‘But,’ protested Stulwig, ‘suppose Vashanka seeks me out? Shall I pit my staff

against the Rankan god of war?’ When Cappen merely stood there, looking

indifferent now, the healer continued in a desperate tone, ‘There are stories of

how Ils helped individuals in battle in the old days. But I grew up after the’

Rankan conquest and -‘ he was gloomy – ‘ somehow the powers of the defeated god

of old Ilsig didn’t seem worth inquiring about. So I’m ignorant of what he did,

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