‘no one can refuse to drink to himself; since my motives are worthy I shall do
so.’
Stulwig’s mind was nickering again with the meanings of what had been said in
that long explanation. So, now, he asked the basic question: ‘Enas,’ he mumbled,
‘in what way does your being in One-Thumb’s body shape relate to me?’
The fleshy head nodded. ‘Pay careful heed,’ said the voice of One-Thumb. ‘The
goddess Azyuna appeared to me as I was experiencing the anguish of changing
form, and asked me to give you this message. You must go home before dark. But
do not this night admit to your quarters any person who has the outward
appearance of a man. Do this no matter how pitifully he begs for a healer’s
assistance, or how many pieces of gold he is prepared to pay. Tonight, direct
all male visitors to other healers.’
It took a while to drink to that, and to wonder about it aloud. And, of course,
as Sanctuarites, they discussed once more the story of Azyuna. How Vashanka had
discovered that she (his sister) and his ten brothers had plotted to murder the
father-god ofRanke, Savankala. Whereupon, Vashanka in his rage slew all ten of
the brothers; but his sister he reserved for a worse fate. She became his
unwilling mistress. And at times when the winds moaned and sobbed, it was said
that Azyuna was again being forced to pay the price of her intended betrayal of
her parents.
And now she had come down from heaven to warn a mere human being against the
brother who exacted that shame from her. ‘
‘How,’ asked Stulwig, after he had quaffed most of a second cup and had