Thieves World 3 – Shadows of Sanctuary by Asprin, Robert

which she’d come.

‘Half.’

‘You’ve got the sight?’

‘A bit,’ she admitted. ‘I see your plan is unselfish but dangerous. I do not see

the outcome – except that you must have Dubro’s help to succeed.’

‘You’ll bless the trap?’

The S’danzo shook her head. ‘I’m a seer, not a priest. I’ll make you a symbol

the Lance of Ships from our cards – to put on the trap. It marks good fortune in

sea-battles; it might help you.’

‘Could I see the card?’ the Old Man asked.

The woman disappeared and returned a few moments later bearing the card, which

she held for Panit. Looking over his father’s shoulder, Hort saw a crudely drawn

picture of a whale with a metal-sheathed horn proceeding from its head.

‘A good card,’ the Old Man nodded. ‘For what you offer – I’ll pay the two

silvers.’ She smiled and returned to the darkness. Dubro stepped forward with

his palm extended. ‘When I pick up the trap,’ Panit insisted. ‘You needn’t fear.

I won’t leave it to gather dust.’

The giant frowned, nodded and turned back to his work.

‘What are you planning?’ Hort demanded as his father started off again. ‘What’s

this about a sea-battle?’

‘All fishing is sea-battle,’ the Old Man shrugged.

‘But, two silvers? Where are you going to get that kind of money after what you

said in the boat this morning?’

‘We’ll see to that now.’

Hort realized they weren’t returning to town but heading westward to the

Downwinders’ hovels. The Downwinders or … ‘Jubal?’ he exclaimed. ‘How’re you

going to get money from him? Are you going to sell him information about the