Thieves World 3 – Shadows of Sanctuary by Asprin, Robert

travel with it.’

‘The capital?’ Panit nodded slowly. ‘And what will you do in Ranke?’

‘I don’t know yet,’ his son admitted, ‘but there are ten jobs in Ranke for every

one in Sanctuary.’

The Old Man digested this in silence. ‘What will you use for money on this

trip?’ he asked finally.

‘I had hoped … There’s supposed to be a tradition in our family, isn’t there?

When a son leaves home his father gives him a parting gift. I know you don’t

have much, but…’ Hort stopped; the Old Man was shaking his head in slow

negation.

‘We have less than you think,’ he said sadly. ‘I said nothing before, but your

fine clothes, there, have tapped our savings; the fishing’s been bad.’

‘If you won’t give me anything, just say so!’ Hort exploded angrily. ‘You don’t

have to rationalize it with a long tale of woe.’

‘I’ll give you a gift,’ the Old Man assured him. ‘I only wanted to warn you that

it probably would not be money. More to the left.’

‘I don’t need your money,’ the youth growled, adjusting his stroke. ‘My friends

have offered to loan me the necessary funds. I just thought it would be better

not to start my new life in debt.’

‘That’s wise,’ Panit agreed. ‘Slow now.’

Hort glanced over his shoulder for a bearing then straightened with surprise.

His oars trailed loose in the water.

‘There’s only one float!’ he announced in dumb surprise.

‘That’s right,’ the Old Man nodded. ‘It’s nice to know you haven’t forgotten

your numbers.’

‘But one float means…’

‘One trap,’ Panit agreed. ‘Right again. I told you fishing was bad. Still,